Seeking suggestions and inputs for Home Theatre upgrade

[JLS]

Hi all,

This is my first post, I am looking for a new HTiB and need help from this knowledgable group:

My current setup is as follows:
Sony Bravia LCD TV (has only one HDMI input)
Tata Sky HD+ box - (connected to TV thru HDMI cable)
Sony HTiB with DVD player - (connected to TV thru component cables)
Room size is 14' X 11'

Reasons, why I am looking for an upgrade are:
1. Better sound output
2. Blue Ray
3. 5.1 sound from Tata Sky for HD channels ( current Sony HTiB does not have optical in/aux in)
4. Capability to play from USB(sony HTiB does not even have this - yes guys it is pretty old system)
5. In addition to point 4 above, DVD player has stopped playing many DVDs


I have found an offer at croma Ahmedabad - Onkyo 3300/3305 with Philips BDP 2700 for around 26K at Croma in Ahmedabad.

Now, in this (Onkyo 3300 + BDP 2700) set up, BDP does not have component out, hence proposed setup will be something like this:
1. BDP - HDMI ---> 3300
2. BDP - Optical/Coaxial ---> 3300 ( not sure whether this is required or not)
3. Tata Sky - HDMI ---> 3300
4. tata Sky - Optical out ---> 3300 (believe this is required as TataSky SB does not pass voice inputs in 5.1 format thru HDMI)
5. 3300 - HDMI ---> TV HDMI in
6. Tata Sky -Standard audio cables --->TV audio in


Now, when I want to watch TV only and want to listen sound only from TV speakers(70% of the time TV is used like this), do I need to keep 3300 switched on OR standby will do? With standard audio (red/white) cables already connected to TV, I believe if 3300 is allowing passthru during standby mode, normal TV viewing should be possible.

Now, I request you all for your inputs on:
1. Is this a good offer - are there any better offers available? where? I want to spend around 25K on a home theatre
2. Are there any potential issues with Onkyo 3300, any issues or inputs on Philips BDP 2700?
3. Whether proposed connection/set up as described above will work OR something else/better connections/setup is possible
4. Is it possible to use HDMI passthru while 3300 is in standby mode
5. I am going to continue using old wires ( already done concealed cabling while installing earlier home theatre) - and understand that it may not let onkyo 3300 perform to its potential - but will it be so bad to be a deal breaker?

Sorry for a longish post, but thanking you all in anticipation of your informed inputs.


Best regards,

JLS

 

[sixthsense]

Step 2 not required. You did not give the reson for doing that.
Step 4 not required as Tatasky is capable of passing Dolby digital out over hdmi. I've done my setup recently and confirm this.
Step 6 not required as I've my onkyo 509 configured for hdmi pass thru, so when I want just the tatasky with my tv, it lets the video and audio pass through to the tv directly.

If hdmi pass through is available in onkyo 3300 or not can be answered by experts or you can read the manual online from the onkyo site.

I'm using normal cat 5 cable wire to attach my surround speakers and I think your existing wires would just do fine. You can wait for experts to answer your other queries.