Best home cinema solution when your Blu-Ray player is a PS3?
Discussion
The wife and I watch an average of 2-3 films on Blu-Ray or DVD a week, sometimes some streamed stuff from LoveFilm, and the ubiquitous Sky HD etc.
Current set up is a Panasonic 42" plasma and a PS3 (as well as the usual XBox, Wii, Sky+ HD box etc.) and we'd like to upgrade the sound to match the (imo) excellent picture that we currently get. I've looked at sound bars (plenty of room for one if necessary) but I wouldn't mind speakers all over the place as long as it sounds good.
Trouble is every set up these days seems to require me buying a new blu-ray player. I'd rather not as I like the PS3, there isn't much room for one and it seems daft to spend money on something I already have.
Is there a way of taking a signal from the PS3 or indeed the telly that will run a "proper" 5.1 surround sound system?
Current set up is a Panasonic 42" plasma and a PS3 (as well as the usual XBox, Wii, Sky+ HD box etc.) and we'd like to upgrade the sound to match the (imo) excellent picture that we currently get. I've looked at sound bars (plenty of room for one if necessary) but I wouldn't mind speakers all over the place as long as it sounds good.
Trouble is every set up these days seems to require me buying a new blu-ray player. I'd rather not as I like the PS3, there isn't much room for one and it seems daft to spend money on something I already have.
Is there a way of taking a signal from the PS3 or indeed the telly that will run a "proper" 5.1 surround sound system?
HereBeMonsters said:
Is there a way of taking a signal from the PS3 or indeed the telly that will run a "proper" 5.1 surround sound system?
The PS3 has an optical audio output, which supports 5.1. So if you buy a surround sound system that supports optical audio input, then you simply connect them together using an optical audio cable, and alter the sound settings in the PS3 menu to output via the optical cable instead of HDMI.Egg Chaser said:
The PS3 has an optical audio output, which supports 5.1. So if you buy a surround sound system that supports optical audio input, then you simply connect them together using an optical audio cable, and alter the sound settings in the PS3 menu to output via the optical cable instead of HDMI.
No, not good! You need hdmi output from the ps/3 to get the highest def pictures and sound.hdmi to a amp, then hdmi out to the tv. Do you have a slimline ps/3 or the old big jobbie? The slimline one is better cos it does hardware dolby digital / dts decoding. You also need a 5.1 speaker package. http://www.richersounds.com/ are very good for one stop shopping.
Tonto said:
No, not good! You need hdmi output from the ps/3 to get the highest def pictures and sound.
You can still have picture output from the HDMI cable whilst having the sound output from the optical cable.As I said, you just need to alter the sound settings on the PS3, which is easily done.
As far as I'm aware, there should be no difference in sound quality between the HDMI and optical audio outputs.
This is an example rather than a specific recommendation, but you could buy something like this:
Onkyo TX-NR414 + Boston Acoustics speakers
Decent quality amplifier with discrete speakers. Plenty of the other options on that site and the deals seem decent.
Your PS3 would plug into the amp using HDMI along with your Sky box and whatever else you might have, then all you need is a single HDMI connection from the amp to your TV
Onkyo TX-NR414 + Boston Acoustics speakers
Decent quality amplifier with discrete speakers. Plenty of the other options on that site and the deals seem decent.
Your PS3 would plug into the amp using HDMI along with your Sky box and whatever else you might have, then all you need is a single HDMI connection from the amp to your TV
Thanks for all the replies chaps. I genuinely didn't know half this stuff - you can plug HDMI into a decoder, then "pass through" the video part into a telly? It's like we're living in the future!
For those who asked - it is a "slimline" PS3 (although it's still a bit of a beast, sitting as it does next to a slimline PS2) so it does all the bits and bobs.
Recommendations gratefully received. I was hoping to spend no more than £500, and would go cheaper than that if there a decent budget option. Anything would be an upgrade from the TV speakers!
For those who asked - it is a "slimline" PS3 (although it's still a bit of a beast, sitting as it does next to a slimline PS2) so it does all the bits and bobs.
Recommendations gratefully received. I was hoping to spend no more than £500, and would go cheaper than that if there a decent budget option. Anything would be an upgrade from the TV speakers!
Using the same site there is this bundle. Again, do your research, I'm making these 'recommendations' purely on price not based on how good they are. They're both reputable brands though and will out perform your typical Currys/Comet offering.
Egg Chaser said:
Tonto said:
No, not good! You need hdmi output from the ps/3 to get the highest def pictures and sound.
You can still have picture output from the HDMI cable whilst having the sound output from the optical cable.As I said, you just need to alter the sound settings on the PS3, which is easily done.
As far as I'm aware, there should be no difference in sound quality between the HDMI and optical audio outputs.
Also, If you are planning to use HDMI to a compatible amp, then there is no advantage in using optical connectivity as HDMI transports the sound and picture though the same cable.
HereBeMonsters said:
Thanks for all the replies chaps. I genuinely didn't know half this stuff - you can plug HDMI into a decoder, then "pass through" the video part into a telly? It's like we're living in the future!
For those who asked - it is a "slimline" PS3 (although it's still a bit of a beast, sitting as it does next to a slimline PS2) so it does all the bits and bobs.
Recommendations gratefully received. I was hoping to spend no more than £500, and would go cheaper than that if there a decent budget option. Anything would be an upgrade from the TV speakers!
.For those who asked - it is a "slimline" PS3 (although it's still a bit of a beast, sitting as it does next to a slimline PS2) so it does all the bits and bobs.
Recommendations gratefully received. I was hoping to spend no more than £500, and would go cheaper than that if there a decent budget option. Anything would be an upgrade from the TV speakers!
You might want to gen up on the features available in amps these days. They are very clever boxes. My amp Yamaha RXV771 has the following features which you might find useful;
ARC
(audio return channel) This allows me to automatically output the audio from the TV to the amp, so the TV is the sound source, not just the PS/3 or Sky/cable box.
Remote Control
You can use an iphone/android app to control the amp. This also allows you to stream music from your phone or media server direct to the amp.
Ethernet/wifi connectivity
You can stream music from the internet or locally from your media server/phone/pc.
HDMI 3D
A lot of amps will not pass through the correct signals for 3DTV. (The PS/3 does 3D in case you didn't know)
Just stuff to think about.
Egg Chaser said:
Tonto said:
No, not good! You need hdmi output from the ps/3 to get the highest def pictures and sound.
You can still have picture output from the HDMI cable whilst having the sound output from the optical cable.As I said, you just need to alter the sound settings on the PS3, which is easily done.
As far as I'm aware, there should be no difference in sound quality between the HDMI and optical audio outputs.
The PS3 will end up playing the dolby digital sound track. Some people cant tell the difference, but DTS is far better quality.
So OP, get an amp, centre & 4 surround speakers and a woofer. Make sure the amp supports sound over HDMI.
HereBeMonsters said:
Gingerbread Man said:
An amp and surround sound speaker package would sort you out.
Everything else just plugs into it, then one lead sends it all to the TV as and when required.
So they take HDMI in, then HDMI out to the TV? With no loss of quality etc.?Everything else just plugs into it, then one lead sends it all to the TV as and when required.
Tonto said:
HDMI 3D
A lot of amps will not pass through the correct signals for 3DTV. (The PS/3 does 3D in case you didn't know)
I did not know that. I don't have a 3D TV now, but a good idea to future-proof, I guess.A lot of amps will not pass through the correct signals for 3DTV. (The PS/3 does 3D in case you didn't know)
This is a minefield. Thanks for all the advice - very excited about these wi-fi devices you can control with your phone etc. Tomorrow's World was right. This is amazing.
Also - Richer Sounds? Any good?
GhostDriver said:
Sorry fella, but you got this wrong, you cannot get DTS master audio through an optical cable.
The PS3 will end up playing the dolby digital sound track. Some people cant tell the difference, but DTS is far better quality.
So OP, get an amp, centre & 4 surround speakers and a woofer. Make sure the amp supports sound over HDMI.
I concurr - I am currently playing around with my system (rewiring and fitting some cooling to the AV cabinet) and I ha always thought that the best solution was HDMI for video and Optical TosLink for Sound - I think my thinking was that having a "dedicated" line for the sound was better. After doing a bit of research into this, its seems this actually is not the case - GhostDriver is correct, HDMI is the best solution for both Video and Audio. Broadly speaking the reason being that HDMI can carry more data than Optical, and supports more formats. The PS3 will end up playing the dolby digital sound track. Some people cant tell the difference, but DTS is far better quality.
So OP, get an amp, centre & 4 surround speakers and a woofer. Make sure the amp supports sound over HDMI.
I now have a load of Optical Cables i dont need !.
R.
HereBeMonsters said:
I did not know that. I don't have a 3D TV now, but a good idea to future-proof, I guess.
This is a minefield. Thanks for all the advice - very excited about these wi-fi devices you can control with your phone etc. Tomorrow's World was right. This is amazing.
Also - Richer Sounds? Any good?
They are very good. The people there are enthusiasts, not just box shifters.This is a minefield. Thanks for all the advice - very excited about these wi-fi devices you can control with your phone etc. Tomorrow's World was right. This is amazing.
Also - Richer Sounds? Any good?
HereBeMonsters said:
This is a minefield. Thanks for all the advice - very excited about these wi-fi devices you can control with your phone etc. Tomorrow's World was right. This is amazing.
In which case, a lot of the new and last Onkyo range have an iPhone and Android app so you can use your phone as a remote control.I've recommended this setup a few times http://www.richersounds.com/product/1-box-home-cin....
1080p 3D passthrough, 4 HDMI in, 1 HDMI out, full speaker package including an active subwoofer.
I've got this connected to my PS3, Tivo, BluRay and it's great. Decent power output, not ground shaking but it's actually unbeatable for the price.
I've upgraded the centre, fronts and sub and it really does impress! No need to have fancy options on the amp if you've got a PS3/smart TV as they do it all!
Just my humble opinion of course.
1080p 3D passthrough, 4 HDMI in, 1 HDMI out, full speaker package including an active subwoofer.
I've got this connected to my PS3, Tivo, BluRay and it's great. Decent power output, not ground shaking but it's actually unbeatable for the price.
I've upgraded the centre, fronts and sub and it really does impress! No need to have fancy options on the amp if you've got a PS3/smart TV as they do it all!
Just my humble opinion of course.
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