In a quandry!

[admin_exported]

My first hesitant post. I am planning to set up a second lounge as an 'entertainment room'. I have narrowed the choice of TV to Samsung PS 50Q97HDX or Panasonic TH-50PX70. I already have Sky+ HD (currently in another room, will move it), my kids have PS3 and Wii and I want to add a PC with the TV as monitor for internet, music, digital photos and home movies. I have a reasonably clear idea of what I need until I come to the surround sound system. It seems the more I read up on the subject and appreciate the options that are available the less decisive I get! If someone with experience could give me a few pointers I would be very grateful. Maybe a few specific questions:-

- I'm assuming I can use the PS3 as upscaling DVD player (and Blu-ray) so I don't need DVD player, just receiver and 5.1 speaker package? In any case I tend to think connectivity might be restricted with a DVD Home Cinema package?

- to keep the 'better half' on side it needs to look good and properly coordinated, so we have a black gloss theme in mind (Wii excepted!)

- without so much as a thought about it's function she loves the look of the new LG 'Champagne Flute' DVD Home Cinema package but that seems to go against my first point?

- I like what I read about the Onkyo TX-SR505 (in black of course) but how on earth do I choose an appropriate speaker package?

- can I expect to play music from MP3 files on my PC via the 5.1 system and if so how would I connect it up?

- would I connect the PS3 to the receiver via HDMI for sound and picture or use one of the available HDMI inputs on the plasma TV and have separate audio connection to the receiver?

- similarly would I connect up the Sky+ HD box via HDMI to the TV and use audio connection to the amp?

- I haven't been persuaded that the extra cost of 1080p over 720 is worth it when the quality difference is barely perceptible to my eye and I can spend the money saved on something else I need within a limited budget: did I miss something?

I hope I've addressed my questions to the appropriate forum and thanks in anticipation for any guidance you can offer.

 

[professorhat]

Hi Geoff,

You can find a lot of answers to your questions by running a search on the Home Cinema forum, but I'll try and answer a few of the ones I know for you here:

Yup, PS3 makes a pretty good upscaler. It's not as good as some of the dedicated upscalers you can get for the same price, but that would be a lot to ask. However, I can tell you I sold my old very expensive standard Denon DVD player when I got the PS3 as the pictures were far superior when used through HDMI upscaled to 1080i. Obviously Blu-Ray is covered too with the PS3 and Blu-Ray movies look fabulous. On connectivity, your best bet is to get an amp with HDMI socket capable of handling the sound output by the PS3 as this will give you "HD Sound". However, if you have to compromise, just make sure it has an optical connection. It's what I use for PS3 and it's still very good.

On your choice of amp and speakers, if you can get a decent amp (like the Onkyo you mention) and if it's not pretty, hide it away somewhere, that should keep the other half happy! You can always get one of the Harmony wireless all in one remotes which will allow you to control it even if you don't have direct line of sight for IR. On speakers, if it must look pretty, check out What Hi-Fi's buying guide, have a look at the style speaker packages in your budget and audition them with your amp and then choose your favourite. We can recommend some, but at the end of the day, you need to hear them as everyone's taste is different. Basically, if you can possibly avoid it, don't get a Home Cinema package - separate DVD, Amp and speaker packages will give you better performance.

On playing music from your PC, there will probably be a way this can be done, but it will depend what soundcard you have on your PC and what inputs you have left on your amp! However, it's likely at worst you can get a 3.5mm mini-jack to analogue phono lead which will give you stereo. Your amp may then be able to process this into 5.1 sound if you wish (not true 5.1, but basically where the stereo signal is sent to all 5 speakers around the room and the sub. It's not Hi-Fi, but it's good for parties!).

I've talked about PS3 connection above, Sky HD would be best connected via HDMI to TV and then optical to amp. If your amp only has one optical socket, you can get adaptors which will allow you to plug in more.

My TV is "only" 720p / 1080i and looks great (it's a Panasonic, though an older model to the one you're looking at above). To be honest, I think most people are hard pushed to see the difference of 1080p on anything less than 42". However, what is important is what you see, not someone else. If you can't see the difference, then it's not worth it.

The best advice is find a good dealer who can advise you on some things you're not sure of. Sevenoaks Sound and Vision have always given me very good advice. But basically anyone who's willing to let you make up your mind on what sounds better rather than try and hard sell you something you don't want is good!

Hope this helps!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Professorhat for taking so much trouble to answer my questions, very helpful and much appreciated!

Geoff

 

[Andrew Everard]

Was about to offer some advice, but looks like the hat's got it sorted!



Wouldn't argue with any of that

 

[professorhat]

No problem - I'm a bit of an insomniac at the moment so glad I can do something to help!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks anyway Andrew. Maybe just one further piece of advice - I know you can't choose my speakers for me but how can I be sure they will be suitable for the amp? Is it just a case of matching power ratings and crudely assuming similar price corresponds with similar quality?

Thanks again

Geoff

 

[professorhat]

Hi Geoff. Matching power ratings is definitely a start, but my main advice would be to read some reviews of ones that you like the look of, fit your budget and will fit in with the look you want to have in your room. Once you have this shortlist of good performers that fit this list, you can post here and hopefully someone with experience of those speakers can say what they think of them. Also, have a look at this article.

The best thing you can do once you've got your shortlist is then visit your dealer and have a listen. Remember, good dealers are specialists and will know what will work and what won't. I'm off to Sevenoaks this weekend to hear my own shortlist on speakers, and after a 20 minute phone call to the dealer yesterday, he's written off some of my choices straight away as they won't work with my amp and made some recommendations I hadn't thought about which I'm looking forward to hearing! Once you've heard them all, it should be fairly easy to decide which you want hopefully!

 

[Anonymous]

Very useful tips again, much obliged to you for taking the trouble. Hope you find what you're looking for too this weekend (speakers I mean!)

Geoff