Hi

I know there are many threads of this type, but Im completely ignorant of all things audio, so I thought Id better ask....

I want to get a Surround Sound system for our lounge. We currently have a PS3, Sky+ (not HD but may upgrade) and a Samsung HD LCD TV.

We watch films fairly regularly but arent going to worry whether what we have it is best possible sound quality or anything like that.

Id like to keep to a budget of £200 if possible. I dont feel I can justify more given the amount it would be used and my relative lack of appreciation of the finer sound qualities.

Can anyone suggest something with the appropriate connectivity to get the best out of my PS3?

Many thanks

Tim

£300 is about as cheap as it gets to get the best out of the PS3, this will be HD audio.

You can get cheaper systems but you will be limiting yourself to DD5.1 and DTS from the PS3.

Both systems are suitable for Sky+/Sky+ HD.

If HD audio isn't important then the Yamaha AV63 will do the job.

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz...63.shtml?fshop


If you want HD audio....

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...Y-STRDG820-BLK

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...id=YAMA-NSP110

Increase the budget and you will be able to upgrade the Yamaha NSP110's to something a little better.

The Yamaha AV Packs are exceptionally good value. You will get clear rich natural sound from the normal Dolby or DTS input anyway without HD audio.



as Deacon1972 has shown for HD audio you will have to pay a little extra on the amp. Check out Pixmania for the NSP in black.

If i was you try and splash out the extra- you will have a system that is future proof for longer, but there's no real loss with the AV packs.

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

Im not particularly fussed about future proofing at the moment. If and when the time comes, Im happy to simply ditch or sell on the old system and buy a new one.

Im thinking that the AV63 looks like the best bet for me.

As I said, Im completely ignorant on these matters. What is the best type of connection to use between the PS3 and the Amp? It seems to have HDMI and (I assume) Optical but I seem to remember seeing something about the PS3 not outputting a certain type of audio through the HDMI ...

Probably completely wrong!

Tim

if you go the cheapo route then its optical for you

thanks.

can you explain wh?

This link

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz...a_rxv363.shtml

says that the AV has dual HDMI inputs and a single output. Is this not preferable?

thanks

any amp with HDMI inputs and outputs are the way forward.

So you simply have 1 cable going to the telly.

What you have to consider is 2 in and 1 out. Okay its fine just now and does what you require. However HDMI is the new scart and you may easily run out. With getting Sky HD , that will take up the other HDMI slot and thats it.

Also to take into consideration is HDMI version 1.3 Can the Yamaha handle that? I dont think so and is there any speakers with that?

So your better spending £50 on a speaker package to get you going and get an amp that handles HDMI 1.3

the new sony amp at £250 with 4 in/ 1 out can handle HDMI 1.3

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...Y-STRDG820-BLK

Onkyo
http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/pro...8_5935286.html at £400 and 4 HDMI

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/pro...8_5875566.html £300 2 HDMI in

Denon

http://www.denon.co.uk/site/frames_m...detail&Pid=388 £400


speakers from £50 upwards

http://www.richersounds.com/productl...PEAKERPACKAGES


Yamaha are a good make, with their prices around £1000 new.

Only if you intend to switch the amp on each time you want to watch TV. And a lot of people certainly wouldn't want to do that.

Use an amp for what an amp is designed for - playing audio. Use your TV for what your TV is designed for - showing pictures (and playing back the audio through its stereo speakers if that is all you want to hear). No need to run multiple visual connections through an amp, unless your amp is also acting as a switch.

Doing it just for the sake of doing it simply means you are adding one further piece of kit to the mix to interfere with digital signals, means that one further piece of kit has to be powered on (and turned down if you don't want to hear the news in full surround sound).

Try and keep it simple if you can.

Connect the PS3 to the TV via HDMI for the video then optical from PS3 to the amp for the audio.

Connect Sky+ to the TV via scart then optical from Sky+ to the amp for the audio. If you decide to go for Sky HD then the scart will be replaced with an HDMI cable, the optical remains in place.

The Yamaha does have 2xHDMI but I believe it will only switch the video, I don't think HDMI carries audio on this model, therefore for yourself there would be no benefit in connecting via the amp.

HD audio is only available on the PS3 via LPCM/HDMI, as this amp is not capable of HD audio and AFAIK it will not supply the audio over HDMI, optical will be the preferred connection.

Thanks everyone.

Its all becoming a little clearer now.

Tim