My shopping list :

[RetinalNV]

Equipment :
HD Ready Plasma
Onkyo HTR380 AVR + 5.1 Speakers
Samsung Blu-ray player
Tata Sky HD StB (arriving shortly)

Current scenario :

Blu-Ray -> Plasma (HDMi)
Blu-Ray -> AVR (Component cable)

Shopping for :

1. Speaker wire

This is not an audiophile setup. Will look at getting MX 16 AWG if its still too pricey I will buy 16 AWG bulk cable that we have used in Car Audio for subwoofers.

2. HDMi Cables
If I understand correctly, I connect the blu-ray and TataSky HD box to the AVR via HDMi.

An additional HDMi cable needs to be purchased to rig the AVR to the display.

A bit confused on what Audio Return Channel is but I understand it allows syncing of A/V between the 2 via the single HDMi.

3. Interconnects / Optical / Digital

Since I will be in the market I was wondering if I need anything else in the future. I will keep a spare HDMi on hand for gaming if needed.

RCA's ? Optical cables?

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I know that HDMi 1.4 cable is not necessarily required as long as the Plasma has ARC option. Int he 42x20 I believe only HDMi slot 2 is ARC and the other two or regular.

 

[NetFreak]

In this case, you need :

a. 4 HDMI cables (at 400 each)
b. Speakers cables (non branded 16 AWG is fine)

What is the length of cables you would be using for front speakers (Left right center)? For surrounds, just bump up the level in AVR and leave it at that.

Do you have a multimeter to check actual gauge of cable by measuring resistance (costs 250) ?

Connect Blu Ray player, Tata Sky, Game console/ Lap top to AVR via HDMI

AVR would send Video via HDMI to TV and amplified audio to speakers.

 

[RetinalNV]

In this case, you need :

a. 4 HDMI cables (at 400 each)
b. Speakers cables (non branded 16 AWG is fine)

Will buy an additional 2 HMDi cables, one will be kept spare.

What is the length of cables you would be using for front speakers (Left right center)? For surrounds, just bump up the level in AVR and leave it at that.

L/R and need about 4/5 feet

Im still working out the optimal positioning.

Require buying a little extra as there is some painting planned and thinking of getting the speaker wire through the walls at that stage.

Currently reading on speaker placement, due to the un-conducive nature of the room I might have to wall mount the (REAR) much higher than ear level. If this is not recommended then its going to be a real pain.

The issue is along the left rear there is a frame/glass door running so it needs to be wall mounted above this (maybe 7.5 feet from the floor)

Will need about 18 feet for the rears. Not actual distance but the excess wire for routing and future concealment etc.

Do you have a multimeter to check actual gauge of cable by measuring resistance (costs 250) ?

Can borrow one from the engineers at the office

 

[NetFreak]

For 4 - 5 Feet, don't worry too much about cables. Just buy 5 meters of 16 AWG cable and have it cut and terminated. With multimeter you can measure resistance to check actual gauge of cable.

And surround speakers are not used for actual music/dialogues, so impact is even lesser for those.

 

[sud98]

Surround speakers can be at 6.5 ft to 7.5 ft from ground (atleast thats what THX claims to be ideal).

 

[RetinalNV]

For 4 - 5 Feet, don't worry too much about cables. Just buy 5 meters of 16 AWG cable and have it cut and terminated. With multimeter you can measure resistance to check actual gauge of cable.

Yep! Any speaker wire would offer significant improvement over what I think is 22-24 AWG scrap metal. 16AWG is much more than sufficient for this application. As no upgrades are planned if there is a substantial price difference I might even use 18AWG.

There are 2 sony towers, which is wired to 'B' speaker terminal... these and the sub would benefit most from the 16 AWG.

And surround speakers are not used for actual music/dialogues, so impact is even lesser for those.

Agreed, Iv boosted the levels for now.

Surround speakers can be at 6.5 ft to 7.5 ft from ground (atleast thats what THX claims to be ideal).

Great I'v placed them on a bookshelf of 5feet and the moment on the right and it seems to be effective even at that height.

The left is what sort of poses the problem. I will attach 2 images of the room.