Hi

De term 'Component' - mostly used for VDO cabling [tink RGB]
So ..ya I was confused reading your questions..
But I tink I knw wat u mean now..

First off there is no question of 'usage' as u put it but of sound quality ; separates [component in ur words] have better sound quality n also ability to upgrd components/speakers wifout throwing anyting out..

Concealing spkr cables is possible but u nid to buy separate - if budget is tight - jln Pasar ones are sufficient for the surrounds..

Id suggest u got try out n if u like HtiB's thn go for it, its cheaper..
but if like me n u continue in tis hobby then separates is d way to go for upgrds are part n parcel of .. life [at least in tis hobby.. ]

D

1. component. better upgrade or re-use path.
2. no.
3. any 2 wires (1 for positive, 1 for negative) will make a single speaker cable. you can DIY if u want. just make sure the 2 wires are not electrically shorted.
4. up to you
choose the size based on wire length and speaker impedance. u can buy it from electrical / av / hardware shops / online
http://www.audioholics.com/audio-video-cab...ker-cable-gauge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_wire

disagree. using a media player/bluray/dvd is irrelevant. using htib/component just to play windows alert sound is under utilize.
digital downloaded movie from internet is just another form of distribution/media. the quality varies. it can be better/equivalent/worse than dvd.
it's not a waste.

You just have to know where to find a good source.

Haha i just got MCS333 the lowest in the series coz no point im paying more when the highest in the series (MCS838) that comes with the same speakers & sub and the similar watt output. And 333 still networked HiTB and selling so cheap ~RM500 on Gemfive. With that price you can have all rooms in your house with 5.1 sound system exclusively

I dont need a higher series that come with speaker stand or wifi. (kinda joke that pioneer market them based on these).

Im using for couple weeks and im quite impressed (as compared to my 7.2 Onkyo component system)

Pro

+ DTS HDMA/ DD TrueHD is good, sub quite powerful too
+ 4 x HDMI input enough for a lot of people (PS4/Astro/HyppTV/AppleTV or ChromeCast)
+ USB recording CD song and FM radio to mp3. just put thumbdrive into the rear usb and press record. WOW!
+ Built in FM radio can preset up to 50 ch.
+ Extensive karaoke function:-
++2 mic jack (3.5mm) with echo and key control on any song/music from any input (wow)
++function to remove vocal on any song on the go (almost perfect and so convenient) no need to buy karaoke dvd.
+ Stream media / video and song wirelessly from your phone and tablet flawlessly. It has dedicated function to scan media server or computer connected to the same network and able to browse photo/video/music/playlist and play them.
+ Play Youtube, Picasa & Vtuner and it has dedicated button for youtube on the remote! WOW
+ It's a bluRay player!
+ White led display is nice.
+ It may not have advance auto speaker volume like audyssey but you can adjust vol of each speaker manually.
Cons

- Can only read FAT32 formatted usb, newest one like exFAT cannot , i think for hard disk too
- FM Radio no RDS, you dunno what channel is playing and other info like song title
- Mic inputs using 3.5mm, not enough power to support professional microphone. I tried using adapter but no sound.
Cable length is fixed and not very long, but they're enough for "surrounding" my room.

Unfortunately,

Over here in Mal.. u can't really try out all - as models are limited unless u plan to go all over the place - looking for a demo model..
I hv bought most of my avrs based on rvws.. but then again, l am more for durability then sound quality - tat isn't much spoken about anyway or can be try/test at the shop..

D