[ianpetchey]

Just after a bit of advice.

I am thinking about getting a 5.1 surround sound system. I am looking for a cheap option, £150 or so (with stands).

My TV is in the corner of the room, so question 1, all the diagrams show the recommended layout of a 5.1 system as being a chair in the middle of a room facing a tv with the speakers around it (does anyone live like that?). Is there any point in the 5.1 system or should I just look for some external speakers and subwoofer?

Question 2, any recomendations? I am currently looking at http://www.acousticsolutions.net/product.asp?ID=181 which is £150 from Index with stands.

Ian.

[swr12]

This is a link to the what Home Cinema webiste which will show you how to set up a system depending on the shape and layout of your room.

http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...?articleid=478

about your choice of system Ive listened to acoustic solutions systems and I would rather recomend the LG FA-P3000 Home Cinema Speaker Kit from argos though it dosnt come with any stands it is a lot better quality at £140.

[ianpetchey]

Thanks,

The LG writeup says, "digital input (optical and coaxial)", I indend to use optical from the DVD player, can I also connect to the SKY box? Does it come with any cables?

Are there any such things as "wireless" systems?

[Davester]

That means the LG has two types of Digital Input: Optical (the laser) and Coaxial (Orange-Gold-ish Cable which looks like an RCA Cable but carries the same info as optical) but no doubt it will have Phono Inputs (red/white RCA cable) which will happily connect from your sky box to the LG.
Bear in mind while listening to the Sky Box to set the home cinema receiver to Dolby Prologic II - As Sky Doesn't do surround.
Dolby prologic II is a Pseudo surround effect which can output the stereo sound as surround sound (through all the speakers) and although it's not up to par with Proper Dolby Digital (DVD) Quality, it's certainly an improvement on standard stereo!


By the way.. Can you find out if your DVD player supports 'DTS' Sound?
Either check in the manual or look for this symbol on the front of the DVD player or on the front LED display (grab a torch and shine it on it)
http://www.danielswartz.com/ht/Logos/thumbs/WT_DTS.jpg

If it does, when watching DVDs, Change the Audio Source (AKA Language or a speaker icon on some remotes) from Dolby Digital to DTS as DTS usually has an improved 'surround' soundtrack and sounds more powerful. Bear in mind not all DVDs have a DTS track.. Only the really big sellers usually do.

[cyberdog]

If you have Sky+ it has an optical Dolby Digital 5.1 output.

[Davester]

I assumed he only had Standard Sky hence no + being added after it.

[ianpetchey]

Thanks for the advice, and it was just normal sky.

I like the look of the LG.

One of the things that I want out of this is to get rid of the old stero in the front room. I can listen to CD's and Radio using the equipment I will be connecting to this box, so presumably I should be able have sound without the TV being on.......

[oxygenuk]

look on ebuyer.com for good packages in your budget

[Scorpio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianpetchey

Thanks for the advice, and it was just normal sky.

I like the look of the LG.

One of the things that I want out of this is to get rid of the old stero in the front room. I can listen to CD's and Radio using the equipment I will be connecting to this box, so presumably I should be able have sound without the TV being on.......

Yes you will be able to do this..........infact, if you buy an amp rather than these all-in-one things, you can have the CD playing while watching a DVD or TV or VCR or............

remember, flexibility is much better with a dedicated amp, the problem with DVD/amps is that the unit assumes you want to watch a DVD just because you put it in the tray!!

Rgds,
Scorp

[Binternet]

Go with the LG, you will not be disapointed.