i'm looking for some recommendations on an AV receiver.

the items that will be connecting to it are

Sky HD box
AppleTV
Samsung 32" LCD

i would prefer to use optical audio connection for both the SkyHD and AppleTV. both the SkyHD and AppleTV are connected to the TV using HDMI.

not looking for a huge box (needs to sit within the tv stand) and i'm not looking to spend silly money either.

i don't have any speakers so if it came with speakers then even better, otherwise some reasonable speaker recommendations too ?

should also add that it will be used for playing music as well as watching tv/movies.

I have this

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...8_03280009.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...8_03280001.jpg

Samsung 42" plasma
Sky Hd
PS3
Archos 704 wifi

I bought an old Sony STR 5.1 amp after xmas off ebay for £50

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=160194597979

and a complete JBL surround speaker and active subwoofer for a bargain £46

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=250202605890

The speakers came with all cables and bracketry so I was well chuffed.

Only down side to the amplifier is that theres only 1 optical input and the sky hd and ps3 have 1 each. Newer Sony amplifiers like this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SONY-STR-DB930...em140219016053

have multiple optical inputs to cover the amount of devices.

The set-up I have is completely flexible, you can shake the light fittings with the power and bass from the amp or just have it as an enhancement for tv/ps3. You can just have Dobly pro logic from the HD box from the stereo RCA connections if you like, which is good enough on most channels that dont have 5.1

For under £100 i'm very happy, but a newer amp is on my "to do" list.

Have a hunt on ebay, search for Sony Str and surround speakers and see what comes up. PM me if you need more help.

none of your links work

although i can safely say the sony DB930 is way too big for my space.

not sure why the links dont work, they did.

Anyway, what sort of available space have you got?

i have space underneath the main shelf, but i've had a one of those sony's before, and they're just too big really.

probably overkill for my need as well.

you can buy my sherwood for£50

nice vague description

This Yamaha package (Rxv361 & Nsp110) is what you are looking for... £200


This is what I want: http://www.yamaha-uk.com/av_amps_rec...product_id=185 (if I had silly money!)

that looks not bad.... are the speakers any good ?

If you don't need HDMI connectivity this is excellent value for money.

do i need HDMI ?

At the moment you look to be OK connection wise, Sky/Apple connected to TV via HDMI.

The only problem I can see would be if you wanted to connect another HDMI device in the future, you would either need to start swapping cables over, buy a HDMI switchbox or compatible receiver.

my TV had 3 hdmi inputs... so no problems there.

The reason HDMI is mentioned is that an AV amp or receiver can be used to switch video sources as well as audio. If you are happy for it to be used for surround sound only and all your equipment provide separate sound feeds then this is not important.

In that case I would say HDMI on the receiver side is not that important to you. Basically you need one that concentrates on the audio side not the video side, though most receivers have a certain amount of video switching and flexibility built in for the analogue connections.

Other receivers to look at are Denon AVR1507/AVR1907 and the base model Onkyo, all three very capable amps for the price.



Denon AVR1507

Denon AVR1907

Onkyo TX-SR505

next snag i will have is trying to place the speakers, as the tv is pretty much restricted to being in the corner of the room

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/...c96306.jpg?v=0