Home Theatre advice

stephen2203 · 23-09-2009, 20:36

I'm considering getting a home theatre system for my living room and was hoping for some advise.

My currrent system is:-[LIST][*] Samsung plamsa with a Digital Audio Out / Optical connection. There's also 1 free HDMI connection but this is on the side of the screen so would like to avoid using this if possible.[*]PS3[*]Sky+ HD (being installed next week

)[/LIST]I don't want to have to run cables around the room for speakers. I'd like a compact system which sits in an alcove under the television (wall mounted) so suppose this means I need a 2.1 system

I notice that most these systems usually come with a DVD / Blu Ray drive. As I have the PS3 I dont really need this. If it comes with the system is it neccesary and will the system work without it?

What inputs should I be looking for when shopping for a home cinema system for this set-up and how would I connect everything up? Could someone maybe even recomend a suitable product? I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible (no more than about £150)

Thanks in advance for the help and sorry if my questions are a bit silly but I have no experience at all with home cinema systems.

Chris Frost · 23-09-2009, 21:52

£150 isn't a lot of money to play with to buy a home cinema system. Any less and you'd probably be looking at a supermarket home cinema kit or some PC speakers. The major compromises will be a lack of inputs for your PS3/TV/any other source, and the fact that your £'s are getting spread really thin to cover the cost of the DVD player you don't need, a dolby/DTS decoding amp, stereo speakers and a sub. It's not much money for each item.

There is an LG system HT321 on Richer Sounds web site for £150. There's not much info about audio inputs though, so you might not be able to connect the PS3. On the same ite there's a Philips system for £169 which does have a stereo input.

If we think outside the box a little though things become far more interesting...

Concentrating on just the essentials - an amp and speakers - you could put together a far better sounding system.

Have a look at the budget stereo amps on the RS web site - they start at £50. Couple it with a pair of really good quality small stereo speakers such as the Wharfdale Diamonds for £50 and you'll have something with enough inputs for the PS3, the TV and a couple of other sources besides.

When you're ready to upgrade to a better surround system the £100 stereo kit will still be a really useful and valuable bit of kit.

23-09-2009, 20:36	#1
stephen2203 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Ballymena, Co. Antrim Posts: 708	Home Theatre advice I'm considering getting a home theatre system for my living room and was hoping for some advise. My currrent system is:-[LIST][] Samsung plamsa with a Digital Audio Out / Optical connection. There's also 1 free HDMI connection but this is on the side of the screen so would like to avoid using this if possible.[]PS3[*]Sky+ HD (being installed next week )[/LIST]I don't want to have to run cables around the room for speakers. I'd like a compact system which sits in an alcove under the television (wall mounted) so suppose this means I need a 2.1 system I notice that most these systems usually come with a DVD / Blu Ray drive. As I have the PS3 I dont really need this. If it comes with the system is it neccesary and will the system work without it? What inputs should I be looking for when shopping for a home cinema system for this set-up and how would I connect everything up? Could someone maybe even recomend a suitable product? I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible (no more than about £150) Thanks in advance for the help and sorry if my questions are a bit silly but I have no experience at all with home cinema systems.

23-09-2009, 21:52	#2
Chris Frost Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cheshire Posts: 6,462	£150 isn't a lot of money to play with to buy a home cinema system. Any less and you'd probably be looking at a supermarket home cinema kit or some PC speakers. The major compromises will be a lack of inputs for your PS3/TV/any other source, and the fact that your £'s are getting spread really thin to cover the cost of the DVD player you don't need, a dolby/DTS decoding amp, stereo speakers and a sub. It's not much money for each item. There is an LG system HT321 on Richer Sounds web site for £150. There's not much info about audio inputs though, so you might not be able to connect the PS3. On the same ite there's a Philips system for £169 which does have a stereo input. If we think outside the box a little though things become far more interesting... Concentrating on just the essentials - an amp and speakers - you could put together a far better sounding system. Have a look at the budget stereo amps on the RS web site - they start at £50. Couple it with a pair of really good quality small stereo speakers such as the Wharfdale Diamonds for £50 and you'll have something with enough inputs for the PS3, the TV and a couple of other sources besides. When you're ready to upgrade to a better surround system the £100 stereo kit will still be a really useful and valuable bit of kit.

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Home Theatre advice