HDMI actually carries audio and video at a higher rate than your rca and optical cables. so instead of audio and video cables its just one. if you have a smart TV (TV's that can go online) you need to get a receiver with ARC. good place to get receiver is accesories4less, price wise i would go with Onkyo, Denon and yamaha.
let me know if you need help
I love this site AVS Forum and did research there before making my receiver purchase 6 months ago. I would stick with a receiver that is 3d capable if you plan to watch 3d and try and find a receiver that has maybe at least 3 hdmi. In my opinion, this should give you a little "future proof" specs for the receiver. Just my $.02I bought a Denon to replace my Onkyo. I love Onkyo still, but found a deal on the Denon on Slickdeals: The Best Deals, Coupons & Discounts on Laptops, Computers, LCDs, TVs, Dell, HP, Apple, Amazon It's nice to also have receiver that connects to the internet, because we listen to Pandora radio quite a bit at the house.
If 3d capability and hdmi is not someting you are interested in, I have an Onkyo older receiver I'd sell cheap or trade for a battery //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
What conversion would there be? Minimizing cabling may have been a factor in the old analog days but HDMI is digital and not susceptible to signal loss and the receiver just passes the video signal through untouched...I prefer Onkyo receivers (in the sub-$1000 range). Excellent build quality, great sound, and great features.
I think Dayton makes a quality driver that is a nice choice for anyone.
HDMI switching is nice if you have a cheaper TV with limited HDMI inputs. HDMI switching also simplifies remote control operation. with a nice TV, actually using receiver HDMI switching should be avoided - we want to minimize cabling and connections and conversions.
HDMI switching is a standard feature with new receivers and it's fairly cheap (compared to component video switching of old).
look at this $160
Onkyo TX-NR414 5.1 Home Theaterl 3-D Ready Network A/V Receiver | Accessories4less
main stuff
Special Features
6in/1out HDMI Support for 3D Video and Audio Return Channel
Network Capability Delivers Internet Radio and Network Streaming
Picture-in-Picture Input Source Preview with InstaPrevue™ Technology
Direct Digital Connection of iPod/iPhone via Front-Panel USB Port
Onkyo Remote App for iPod/iPhone
Convenient Overlaid On-Screen Display via HDMI
Optional iPod Dock / HDradio module via proprietary U.Port
Audyssey 2EQ w/ Dynamic EQ
DOLBY Decoder True HD, DD Plus
DTS Decoder DTS-HD Master Audio
HDMI Version V1.4a (supports 3D video and Audio Return Channel)
Ok I will go with that, probably gonna order when I get off of workI got a Sony 5.1 receiver off Craigslist for cheap (60 bucks). It's huge. 110 per channel. It's right before HDMI came out but still a nice receiver. I pretty much put an entire surround system together for around 300 bucks off Craigslist. Lol! Got 2 older 10" DCM front's, 2 Yamaha bookshelf for rears, a cerwin vega center channel and I bought a 12" Dayton sub from Partsexpress when they were on sale for 100 bucks shipped. Bought a Vizio Bluray from a pawnshop for 40 bucks. Home audio loses a lot of value used for some reason. Getting things extremely cheap has become my life's work....
That refurb Onkyo above^^^ looks like a great deal!