Do I need to buy a receiver for my TV?

Question

I just ordered a Panasonic TH-50PZ750U plasma TV. The TV comes with 4 speakers which I assume are not connected to the TV. Is there anyway to connect my cable and a DVD player to the TV and get sound from the speakers with out buying a receiver? I plan on using HDMI cables and from what I have read it is hard to find a reasonably priced receiver that fully supports HDMI technology (audio and video switching etc...). While my TV has plenty of HDMI ports (3) to set up the cable and DVD player. I would rather not buy a receiver if I don’t have to so does anyone know if I need to? And if I don’t how would I set up my system?

On a side note is it true that all HDMI cables are the same; the really cheap ones work just as good as the really expensive ones?

Answer 1

A review of this model (at the link) doesn't mention extra speakers, but does comment that the TV has a (poor) 2 channel audio system. On that basis you can't get surround sound without going through an external receiver.  Have a look at the Onkyo 605 (2nd link) ... excellent reviews and relatively reasonable price.

As for HDMI cables, read the article at the 3rd link. You can usually get identical results from budget cables to those from expensive (e.g. Monster) cables. In my view anyone who buys Monster is some combination of insecure, gullible, rich and overly brand conscious.

Answer 2

You can always run your HDMI connections to the TV and run the "digital optical out" cable to a cost effective receiver. You'd still have ONE button video/audio switching. The optical cable is still digital and will not degrade your audio.

The cheap HDMI cables are fine. It's digital...they are on or off. There is no good, better, best when talking about digital signals at 6ft. It's just like DirecTV or XM...it's on or off depending on the weather, their is no fuzz like an anolog AM/FM signal. If the cheap cable works then you are perfect.