HD Setup on a budget

[admin_exported]

I'm new to all this - but after having got Wife approval, I'm looking to install my first surround sound set. The wife is stipulating it's as small and discreet as possible - so at the moment I'm looking at the Jamo A102s.

I've got SKY HD, PS3 and am also planning on getting Apple TV to stream music and HD video (PS3 interface just isn't good enough for me). So that's 3x HDMI sources. Can anyone suggest a resonably proced amp?

I have been looking at the Sony STRDG820 or the Onkyo TSXR506 but theres talk of HDMI decoding on which confuses me!

Which one (if either?) would be best? Any help, greatly appreciated for a newbie...

 

[Anonymous]

I'm also new to all this to, being on a budget I am looking at the Sony STRDG820 as I don't have a PS3 or Blue ray player..Yet

My thoughts below for what its worth;

STR820 can decode the HD sound

TSXR506 can't decode HD Sound

Your PS3 can decode all the HD Sounds if you use this as your Blue ray player and connect to both.

Maybe more an issue I would of thought is the Onkyo can't carry multi channel audio over the Hdmi, and thats when people with more detailed input here will be able to help you ( think the sony can.)

For me and my budget the sony ticks all the right boxes, and allows me as much flexiabilty on my budget as possible, where the sony is not so strong I am choosing products that can cover its short falls, such as up conversion to 1080p from none HD material.