A Budget Home Theater & PC Setup: 4K, HDR, UHD Blu-ray, and More
by Ganesh T S on December 26, 2017 8:30 AM ESTThe AVR: Denon X3400H
The choice of AVRs used to be a difficult one to make when support for different HD audio formats was not widespread. Now, the requirements boil down to the AVR being able to support the latest HD audio formats (Dolby Atmos and DTS-X), while matching the capabilities of the display in the chain. The additional features may help sway the purchase decision for consumers.
Budget considerations dictate the number of channels and display zones. We had to migrate from the 7.1 channel Pioneer Elite VSX-32 to a newer receiver capable of handling multiple HDMI 2.0 / HDCP 2.2 inputs with passthrough capabilities for various HDR formats. Based on my budget, I narrowed down the options to one of the models from Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, and Yamaha. They are all in the same ball park in terms of pricing for a given feature set. We deferred to our friends at Wirecutter, who recommended the Denon AVR S730H.
I had been in touch with Denon regarding HEOS (their whole home audio solution) when the decision to go with a Denon AVR for our HTPC testing setup was taken. Upon discussing our project with them, Denon graciously agreed to sponsor the more advanced AVR X3400H for use in our testing.
The AVR X3400H targets the custom integrator channel. It has a number of additional features such as support for high end DSD audio, 4Kp60 upconversion for analog sources, multi-zone video outputs, higher power output, and support for eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) to justify its higher price over the S730H. The presence of eARC makes it a bit more future-proof, as it allows for HD audio (including the new ones like Dolby Atmos and DTS-X) from the display sink to be returned to the AVR for decode and playback.
In the course of our testing, we found that the AVR received frequent firmware updates to add new features such as HLG passthrough. These point to a well-supported product. Even though the web control feature present in the previous generation Denon AVRs was missed, the Denon AVR Android app made up for it to some extent. None of the issues encountered in the course of the evaluation presented in this piece could be attributed to the Denon AVR X3400H.
If we had to give some suggestions to Denon for the improvement of the AVR X3400H, it would be to bring back the web control feature and shorten the time taken for firmware updates (though there is a facility to enable auto-updates that tries to install the new firmware when the AVR is not being used).
Speakers
Most readers upgrading their HTPC can opt to retain their existing speakers. In fact, I had the Boston Acoustics Horizon Series MCS100MDNT 5.1-channel speaker system from a 2008 purchase, along with a Jamo A306 HCS 5.1 speaker system from my 2011 home theater components upgrade. However, due to the remodel, I had to go in for in-ceiling speakers. I opted for a couple of the Polk Audio RC80i in-ceiling pairs for the rear and surround channel speakers. I bundled them along with ceiling speaker protective covers. The choice of speakers depends on the home theater size and other requirements. Currently, I am using the Jamo A306 speakers for the front, center, and subwoofer, with the Polk Audio RC80i for the other channels.
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soper8 - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
I would also agree that some AV forums have a more robust inventory of options but if sites like Anandtech others don't bring more into the fold of HTPC the community had less opportunity to grow.On the term "budget" used in the article: I think there some perspective on what could be spent on a HTPC setup vs the relative low cost of this setup.
My setup...
Server:
HP DL380 Gen 7 8 core 128gb ram
40TB+ RAID6 storage (72 TB raw)
Runs Windows 2012 R2 with Emby, Plex, Kodi backends
Provides iSCSI drive support for client recording
"TV" clients
1 Intel NUC 5ppyh
1 Zotac CI325
1 home built i5 4560T mini itx
1 home built i7 2600k atx
all have 8gb ram, 250ish SSD, Windows 7 or 8.1
last two have blue ray and amd discrete video
(I haven't jumped to 4k so I will have to swap out video cards on those two.)
Streamers
Microsoft wireless video adapters on all screens (supports windows, mac, and android)
TV tuners
Centon infinity 6 for cable card
HDHomerun Prime OTA
My point to basic/budget is all in the eye of the beholder and I haven't even listed tvs, amplifiers, tuners, etc.
we - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
Retailers in the UK advertize the RRP of the Denon AVR-X2400H as £499, and it is easily obtainable at various retailers for £399, which is budget territory. How is it possible that the same product has a RRP of $999 in the US (according to the article)??we - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
My mistake (ist a X3400H, not X2400H). Apologies.thestryker - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
I do think that this article does fulfill the goal of explaining the current state of htpc and giving options. I'd like to think people are capable of reading the conclusion setting forth several option, but given a lot of the comments that doesn't seem to be the case.No matter how average the playback may be not mentioning the xbox one s/x as playback options is a missed opportunity as they're both cheaper than htpc for uhd blu-ray.
For many years I've had a pc connected to my tv for playback, but now I've switched to using the plex tv app on the tv and xbox one s for blu-ray playback. The draconian approach to drm drove me away from the htpc and I don't see that changing. Most good 4k tvs have netflix/amazon built in and many have hulu support. There's really not much to be gained by using a htpc anymore unless you have very specific needs.
darckhart - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
I think this article was fine; it provides a starting point. HTPC crowd is far too opinionated to ever have consensus on "budget" and certain requirements (whether video or audio) preclude "budget." To do a comprehensive selection and review would be ridiculous. This article was, if you have a TV that supports X, and you want audio that supports Y, and you want to have a PC in there, here's a rough setup and the limits of it.That being said, this article convinced me that the htpc space for video is definitely not "it just works" and it seems like they're making it difficult because no one cares to play well with each other. This leaves the consumer having to juggle every piece of equipment and make sure they're updated for this or that.
Golgatha777 - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
Even dedicated AV equipment is getting really bad as of late. Does it support Dolby Atmos and Vision, is it HDCP 2.2 compliant, what about when HDMI 2.1 comes around, does it support all HDR standards, will it have a firmware update for any of the aforementioned and at what date, etc.?Kevin G - Wednesday, December 27, 2017 - link
The HTCP market is in a bit of shock as 'standards' have been rather fluid of late, something you never want a true standard to be.HDMI and HDCP are the two big factors as to why things have been so dynamic. The transition from HDMI 1.4 to HDMI 2.0 went rather well from a high level stand point and everything nowadays has going to pure HDMI 2.0 (there are still a few pieces of electronics that mix HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 1.4 ports). The complicating factor is that HDCP versions haven't been tied down to HDMI versions. So a HDMI 1.4 port could support HDCP 1.4 or HDCP 2.0. Similarly HDMI 2.0 can have either HDCP 2.0 or HDCP 2.2 support. Right now the coming HDMI 2.1 equipment is based around HDCP 2.2 but I fathom there will soon be a new version of HDCP announced for 8K content making the first wave of HDMI 2.1 gear useless outside of a glorified PC displays.
On the PC side of things, that requires OS updates to support the new versions of copy protections and hardware to enable it too. There appears to be active disdain by media companies to actually permit 4K disc playback on PC's, hence why it has such a long chain of requirements.
Reflex - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
Ganesh -There is literally no way you could have wrote this that would have satisfied even half the home theater crowd. That entire space is full of opinions. I didn't really agree with your decisions either, but I don't have to because you aren't really telling anyone what to buy, you are documenting what you built and providing it for others who may wish to have a good starting point. And that is all you needed to do.
My own setup was recently rebuilt. I finally ditched the receiver concept and went with a soundbar.
LG OLED65B7A: $2049 via Amazon as a certified refurb (Beach Camera is reboxing non-refurbs to avoid the MSRP)
Samsung HW-K950 Sound Bar (open box special from an Amazon reseller, $760)
Awake Lion 5 port HDMI2/HDCP2.2 switch ($50)
Connected to that I have a FireTV, Xbox One S, a SteamLink (wish they'd do a 4k version) and a few older devices as well. It all works, including HDR and Dolby Atmos from devices that support it. By watching for open box or refurb marked items I saved around a grand from the price and this should last me for a long time. I do not miss the receiver, the sound bar I chose is the top rated in the space and has actual back channels and separate sub, it is fantastic with Atmos content. Plus my wiring is much simpler.
TV: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074QQZ9VJ
Soundbar: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I0HW12O
HDMI Switch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WV5YJ6H
Legacy device Switch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072F6XJHL
Network Switch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AX8XHRQ
Total devices connected -
Xbox One S
Xbox 360
Xbox
Amazon FireTV2
SteamLink (connected to a gaming PC somewhere where I don't have to hear it)
Dreamcast
Golgatha777 - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
For my own setup:$200 - XBox One S - Use it for all optical media and streaming. Supports HDR10, bitstream output of Dolby Atmos, and HDMI 2.0 for 4k@60Hz. It handles all my optical disc and Internet streaming needs.
$1000 (video card is $500 of it) - HTPC - has a GTX 1080, i7 3770k from an old build, and 16GB DDR3 memory. Plays back media files and ISO rips from a home server very nicely with 7.1 surround sound support built into the OS. I call this good enough for the convenience factor because setting up Dolby Atmos has proven to be a nightmare on Windows 10 so far.
$1200 - My receiver is a Yamaha RXA-3060 9.2 channel hooked up in a 7.1.2 configuration with HDCP 2.2 and HDMI 2.0a on all ports. It also supports HDR10 and BT.2020 out of the box. For the money, I figure this is about as future proofed as I can get on a receiver. I can also turn the last dot 2 (7.1.(2)) into a 7.1 and stereo set of speakers for a 2nd zone on the back, outdoor patio.
$1400 - LG 55EG9100 1080p TV - I'll worry about 4k discs once the powers that be sort out the standards for HDR, or all TVs start supporting both HDR10 and Dolby Vision (and the XBox One S gets Dolby Vision support); until then, so sale. For now, I'll buy a handful of 4k Bluray discs since I know I'll upgrade at some point, and I can enjoy the Dolby Atmos soundtracks now.
fallaha56 - Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - link
Sorry but very poor advice here(!)A good AV receiver lasts more than 4(!) years and here you are recommending someone buy one just as it becomes obsolete
HDMI 2.1 is future-proof for years, 2.0 is about to flop with HDR
Did you also say that Denon were sponsoring this article?!?