Today, a friend brought round his PS3 for me to see bluray on my tv. We looked at The Dark Knight and Hancock. I thought with Hancock that the sound was better, even through just my TV's speakers, and the picture a little sharper. Thought TDK was just OK in both repects really, but then it is generally darker than Hancock, so i find it hard to tell. I also concluded that the ps3 was slightly better with DVD pics than my Panny S52.
I was holding out for the new Panny BD80, but I thought, "meh, at the price it isnt really worth it to me as im less of a HC buff than a mucic/2 channel fan, and i want more stereo kit this year too". I then thought i could get a better DVD player, such as the Oppo, for under £200, and be happy. However...i found the BD35 for under £200 including p&p so Ive ordered one. Amazon, BTW.
Now, I'm only really considering two audio setups:
1) Active speakers plugged into my TV (i want to boost the TV sound too) - the Audioengine A5s or A2s, not sure yet.
2) An AV amp, kept totally separate from my hifi setup (none of that pre-out connection stuff, utilising a separate set of front speakers, and a centre - just those 3 channels for starters). This would require a drastic room change, but can be done i think.
So, if i go with method 1, as the BDP decodes HD audio, will it come out of the active speakers as HD? (im guessing the answer is no, but i could live with this as it would be a relatively inexpensive way of getting better TV, movie and radio - via sky - sound).
And have i shot myself in the foot getting a bdp without multi-channel inputs, which the bd55 has (and it too decodes all hd formats doesnt it?)? I mean, i have possibly cost myself an extra £400 or so to get something like the Onkyo 606 later on. But couldnt i simply have connected traditional speakers and speaker cable to the bd55...?
Phew. Sorry. Bit lost.
EDIT - Sorry. What I really mean is, I realise that the answer re: active speakers is probably "no" to HD sound, but, as i say i could forego it if it gets me improved sound through the Tv too. even the 55 wouldnt do that would it? Can it be left on and used in that way, as an AV amp can?
Anyway, the crucial elements are that i only want to go with one of the above options if possible, and would like improved sound through the TV aswell as when watching disks - HD is unessential but preferable.
EDIT - Mind, the active speaker thing is a possible holding position anyway, but I'd like to have a longer term plan in mind, even if they are it.
I was holding out for the new Panny BD80, but I thought, "meh, at the price it isnt really worth it to me as im less of a HC buff than a mucic/2 channel fan, and i want more stereo kit this year too". I then thought i could get a better DVD player, such as the Oppo, for under £200, and be happy. However...i found the BD35 for under £200 including p&p so Ive ordered one. Amazon, BTW.
Now, I'm only really considering two audio setups:
1) Active speakers plugged into my TV (i want to boost the TV sound too) - the Audioengine A5s or A2s, not sure yet.
2) An AV amp, kept totally separate from my hifi setup (none of that pre-out connection stuff, utilising a separate set of front speakers, and a centre - just those 3 channels for starters). This would require a drastic room change, but can be done i think.
So, if i go with method 1, as the BDP decodes HD audio, will it come out of the active speakers as HD? (im guessing the answer is no, but i could live with this as it would be a relatively inexpensive way of getting better TV, movie and radio - via sky - sound).
And have i shot myself in the foot getting a bdp without multi-channel inputs, which the bd55 has (and it too decodes all hd formats doesnt it?)? I mean, i have possibly cost myself an extra £400 or so to get something like the Onkyo 606 later on. But couldnt i simply have connected traditional speakers and speaker cable to the bd55...?
Phew. Sorry. Bit lost.
EDIT - Sorry. What I really mean is, I realise that the answer re: active speakers is probably "no" to HD sound, but, as i say i could forego it if it gets me improved sound through the Tv too. even the 55 wouldnt do that would it? Can it be left on and used in that way, as an AV amp can?
Anyway, the crucial elements are that i only want to go with one of the above options if possible, and would like improved sound through the TV aswell as when watching disks - HD is unessential but preferable.
EDIT - Mind, the active speaker thing is a possible holding position anyway, but I'd like to have a longer term plan in mind, even if they are it.