5.1 Gaming, is it worth it?
Discussion
So, i'm thinking about getting a 5.1 setup in my lounge/living room/place of gaming. I've just moved into a new flat and the sofa layout finally makes sense for some speakers behind me.
What i'd like to know is, has 5.1 enhanced your gaming experiance? Feel free to talk about any game but i'm talking about Forza 3 mostly or any war game (yes, cod)
What i'd like to know is, has 5.1 enhanced your gaming experiance? Feel free to talk about any game but i'm talking about Forza 3 mostly or any war game (yes, cod)
I bought a panasonic theatre system and put my ps3 through it and for me it makes all the difference, especially in COD when you can tell what side people are coming at you from!!
I also put my sky box through it which is also good.
Im not sure about the xbox but the PS3 has an "optical" connection thats used for the 5.1, You'll need to make sure the system you buy has an optical connection ( I think )
I also put my sky box through it which is also good.
Im not sure about the xbox but the PS3 has an "optical" connection thats used for the 5.1, You'll need to make sure the system you buy has an optical connection ( I think )
ajprice said:
The 360s optical connection is on the back of the AV connector. Does HDMI support 5.1 or is it just for video on the 360?
Yes it does. I route my audio via HDMI to the TV, then optical from TV to amp and it comes out 5.1 from the speakers. (I do this as Sky and PS3 also connect to TV via HDMI, so I simply flip the source on the TV and the audio follows automatically.)Back to the main thrust of the topic: Yes, 5.1 is GREAT for gaming. As others have said, it's good for finding out where the other players are. e.g. FPS games you can hear gunshots etc, and in racing games you can tell if the car behind is lining up a pass on the right or left! really really handy and a definite advantage over stereo only.
shakotan said:
5.1 + Condemned = bloody scary when someone whispers in your left ear or a box falls over behind you.
I've genuinely jumped up out of my chair thinking someone/thing is there!
+1 Although Resident Evil a few years back on the GameCube (the remake of the first)...I've genuinely jumped up out of my chair thinking someone/thing is there!
Utterly terrifying... I almost had a heart attack nightly when I was playing through it!
mrmr96 said:
Yes it does. I route my audio via HDMI to the TV, then optical from TV to amp and it comes out 5.1 from the speakers. (I do this as Sky and PS3 also connect to TV via HDMI, so I simply flip the source on the TV and the audio follows automatically.)
I thought (actually, I think I read on the TV forum on PH) that Sky boxes don't output 5.1 over HDMI? I think you need to use the optical outon the Sky box for true 5.1.
I'm also running a 360 on 5.1. It's fantastic! It's brilliant on racing games, as you can hear where the opponents are, but it is best on single shooters and horror games. It really used to s
t me up when playing RE5 or FEAR (back when i had my PS3) as i used to hear something creaking in the background, and would keep on checking around incase something was there. Works best with the curtains closed and the lights off. 
t me up when playing RE5 or FEAR (back when i had my PS3) as i used to hear something creaking in the background, and would keep on checking around incase something was there. Works best with the curtains closed and the lights off. 
jamieboy said:
mrmr96 said:
Yes it does. I route my audio via HDMI to the TV, then optical from TV to amp and it comes out 5.1 from the speakers. (I do this as Sky and PS3 also connect to TV via HDMI, so I simply flip the source on the TV and the audio follows automatically.)
I thought (actually, I think I read on the TV forum on PH) that Sky boxes don't output 5.1 over HDMI? I think you need to use the optical outon the Sky box for true 5.1.Gassing Station | Video Games | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff