Looking at a Receiver and Harmony 700

My original plan was to add a Vizio 5.1 sound bar and plug all my devices into my TV and use my cable remote. However, I came to find out that my TV does not output 5.1 over optical. So I've had to come up with a new plan.

My objective is to attempt to eliminate multiple remotes and to have a simple of set up as possible. I've looked at universal remotes that come with receivers and could not find one that could manage cable boxes (bring up the guide, etc).

I've since thought about picking up a Yamaha RX-V477 and a Harmony 700. My devices are all compatible with the Harmony.

I want to be able to have 5.1 surround but only use one remote to switch on TV, watch cable, switch to game systems. I'm OK using the console controller for Netflix on the console and such.

Are there better/more affordable options?

You should clarify what you want to do with the surround sound, do you still want a Vizio 5.1 sound bar? That Yamaha won't work with it since it doesn't have an optical out.

I'm not 100% but this looks like it would work for a Vizio soundbar to get 5.1 over optical as long as all your devices are HDMI and it's a bit cheaper than a receiver:
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557&seq=1&format=2

The Vizio 5.1 bar you want doesn't have an HDMI pass through? Cuz if it did you could get get an HDMI switch and run all your inputs through that out to the soundbar. I hooked up a Vizio soundbar for my dad last weekend and that model had an HDMI pass through.

The Harmony 700 is a solid remote, I recommend it.

Depending on what console you are talking about, the Harmony should be able to control it fine for navigating menus and using Netflix. Mine works fine with my XBox 360.

The Harmony should be able to control it all, just watch out for the Harmony device limit. (Some remotes can only control so many devices).

|Tch0rT| said:

You should clarify what you want to do with the surround sound, do you still want a Vizio 5.1 sound bar? That Yamaha won't work with it since it doesn't have an optical out.

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I'll clarify. I was originally going to pick up the sound bar so that I could continue using my normal cable remote and control the volume through the TV as well as tv on screen guide. Since my TV does not output 5.1 over optical I decided to get the head unit and will buy speakers. I also require a single remote that can control my TV, head unit and cable box on screen guide. I do not need the remote to control the consoles, just to be able to switch to HDMI in x or component in y on the head unit.

Regarding speakers, are there complete speaker sets you can buy? I've seen a few cheap ones on eBay. I don't want to get crazy but want something solid.

bigdogchris said:

Regarding speakers, are there complete speaker sets you can buy? I've seen a few cheap ones on eBay. I don't want to get crazy but want something solid.

Click to expand...

Yeah. Budget for receiver and speakers?

if the Harmony 700 is anything like the old Harmony One, it works great and is able to control everything. It also supported the cable box features for bringing up the guide.
I find it a little clunky to individually set the receiver to the proper input, tv to the proper input, etc, and so I absolutely love the what is essentially a macro feature.
"Watch TV" simply turns on the tv.
"Watch TV w/ Surround" turns on the tv, sets it to tv (as I have OTA now), and set receiver to appropriate input.
"Watch WDTV" turns on tv, sets it to hdmi 1, turns on receiver and sets it to VCR/DVR input, and controls the WDTV menu.
Basically had the same setup with the cable box when I had cable.

|Tch0rT| said:

Yeah. Budget for receiver and speakers?

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I don't really have a limit I just don't want to overbuy. The stuff I was looking at would probably put me around 550-700 range I guess. The receiver I listed is an example of the features I need. With that I would just need a good set of speakers.

I see Monoprice has a basic 5.1 set available that would probably work well for a basic setup.

bigdogchris said:

I don't really have a limit I just don't want to overbuy. The stuff I was looking at would probably put me around 550-700 range I guess. The receiver I listed is an example of the features I need. With that I would just need a good set of speakers.

I see Monoprice has a basic 5.1 set available that would probably work well for a basic setup.

Click to expand...

Take a look at www.accessories4less.com for deals on official Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, and Yamaha refurb receivers, they have speaker combos too. I've heard good things about the Monoprice 5.1 set, also the Andrew Jones Pioneers (except the sub) get good reviews too but I haven't heard either so I can't recommend them personally. For subs I hear BIC is the go to choice for budget subs.

Andrew Jones Pioneers (51 series or 52 series) are excellent for what they cost, even more so when they go on sale for half off once every few months. But I agree, the sub is the only weak point in the set.