[edfdave]

My main TV is an old analogue Sony CRT which I use with a Humax PVR9200T to get Freeview and also an old Sony DVD player (DVP-NS305). I'm on the verge of getting a LED/HD TV with built in Freeview and an array of inputs/outputs. Inevitably my research has led me to think about Home Theatre and Surround Sound. I understand that I will need also an A/V Receiver to decode the signals from audio/video devices, send the video to the TV and the audio to 5.1 Surround Sound speakers. I have 2 very basic questions at the moment tho' which I'm hoping someone can clear up for me please:

1. Can I plug my PVR9200T into a AV Receiver and watch Freeview programmes or recorded video on the TV while hearing the audio in Suuround Sound over the 5.1 SS speakers?

2. Can I watch a programme using the built in Freeview on the new TV while hearing the audio in Surround Sound over 5.1 SS speakers via the A/V receiver?

I guess I'll inevitably need a new DVD/Bluray player too. Could be an expensive upgrade ;;; I'd be most grateful if anyone can answer these basic questiosn and maybe point me in the direction some useful toturials on the internet.

[chrisjr]

Yes and yes. Provided you avoid the cheap and nasty all in one systems (ie those with the amp built into a disk player). They tend to have few if any inputs for external kit so you may not always be able to plug in all the devices you now own or may acquire in the future.

Some indication of budget would help in recommending suitable kit.

For example the good old standbys of Onkyo HTS3405

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-hts3405-blk

and Sony BDP-S380 Blu-Ray

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ny-bdps380-blk

would get you a very nice system for the right side of 400 quid.

You get a proper AV amp and decent speakers and a very nice Blu-Ray player.

[gomezz]

Note that viewing the 9200T will only give you simulated surround sound in Dolby Pro Logic. And the Freeview HD channels (not supported by the 9200T) which do use full surround sound *but* in the AAC format. Either the TV needs to be capable of transcoding that to Dolby Digital or the amp needs to be able to recognise native AAC. The Onkyo amp mentioned does not.

One option while you have got your wallet out is to replace or supplement your 9200T with a Freeview HD PVR which does support AAC audio transcoding. The Humax Fox T2 or a Digital Stream model would suit.

For what it is worth I route all my DPL audio sources to the amp through the TV using RCA analogue connections. Which means I can leave the amp switched to the same audio input regardless.

[tealady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

For example the good old standbys of Onkyo HTS3405

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-hts3405-blk

Says call for price, but as I was at work, a tracking ad popped up later saying 299.95.

[chrisjr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tealady

Says call for price, but as I was at work, a tracking ad popped up later saying 299.95.

Think the last time I saw it listed with a price it was something like 350 give or take.

Bearing in mind you could spend that amount on a vastly inferior all in one system it's a steal.

[edfdave]

Thanks very much for the help. No budget really yet as this all started with simply fancying a Sony KDL 32ex523/4. The suggestions look really good tho as I'd only want a basic set up of reasonable quaility.

I think I'll likely need a newer PVR too. I dont suppose there is a reasonable all-in-one device that combines AV receiver, dvd and pvr out there is there ?! Or we talking a fortune for a half decent such a device ?

[chrisjr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edfdave

I think I'll likely need a newer PVR too. I dont suppose there is a reasonable all-in-one device that combines AV receiver, dvd and pvr out there is there ?! Or we talking a fortune for a half decent such a device ?

If such a device exists I wouldn't personally touch it with your barge pole much less mine

I am no fan of all in one devices for several reasons. The main one is basically sticking a shed load of functions in one box means that if any one goes belly skywards then you lose everything while it gets fixed. Or if it can't be fixed you have to chuck the whole lot away and start again from scratch. Even the bits that aren't broken.

Also if you buy a DVD based unit and want Blu Ray for example then yet again you have to chuck away a perfectly good amp and all the other bits and get a new unit with Blu Ray.

With separate units for each function you have a number of advantages. You can mix and match the components within your budget. So you could, say, get a better disk player and compromise a bit on the sound system. Or vice versa.

If any one bit goes wrong then you can still use the other bits while the broken unit is sorted. Equally if you want to upgrade a component then you only spend on that component not an entirely new system.

[edfdave]

I thought that'd be the view. I guess I'm still digesting the ins & outs of home cinema. It sounds like a basic/reasonable system including your suggestions for amp/spkrs/dvd plus TV and PVR is going to be £1k ish. That's probably quite cheap. I think I'll start with the TV and upgrade from there, quite a bit of research to do yet. Thanks for all the advice.

[chrisjr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edfdave

I thought that'd be the view. I guess I'm still digesting the ins & outs of home cinema. It sounds like a basic/reasonable system including your suggestions for amp/spkrs/dvd plus TV and PVR is going to be £1k ish. That's probably quite cheap. I think I'll start with the TV and upgrade from there, quite a bit of research to do yet. Thanks for all the advice.

£1k is certainly cheap compared to this system....

http://gizmodo.com/353963/6-million-...orth-the-money

Might just buy the sofa though

[gomezz]

Shame the sofa is too far away from the screen.

[call100]

That's four years old now...even the Sofa will have been superseded!!!