SEMTEX Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Right, I want a home cinema system (ampy thing with speakers). I need it to have at least 3 HDMI inputs and 3 optical audio inputs. I have absolutely no clue about this stuff, I just wanna achieve it as cheaply as possible. I would prefer a 5.1 system and DTS audio... and having a DVD Upscaler innit wouldn't be so bad. Does ANYONE have a clue about this stuff?? Cheers if you do, ta ta ta. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 You need a price, and how important sound quality is to you, how important space is and what other equipment will be used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 You need a price, and how important sound quality is to you, how important space is and what other equipment will be used. I was hoping you'd tag in :-) Okai, here goes Xbox 360, HDMI, Opt out WD TV player, HDMI, Opt Out Sky HD, HDMI, Opt Out Obviously theyre all capable of dropping down to the red'n'white audio if needs be, but would prefer not. My TV has 2 HDMI ports, but I cant for the life of me get my sky remote to change inputs and im NOT using the tv remote, so ideally i'd want something that had enough HDMI ports in so it can all be passed thru into 1 HDMI in the tv. Also, if ALL else fails I've got a joytech hdmi switcher. It's gay tho. Sound quality isn't particularly important to me when compared to convenience. I'm most bothered about something that will do all I need it to do, without having to use workarounds (joytech hdmi switchers!). Obviously I still wan't decent sound, but its just in my room (for now), which is hardly a palace. Price... erm.. its a tough one. I'm looking around £300 but I don't really have a clue and I'm moderately flexible. Space-wise... the stuff in the front can be big, but the surround sound bits would probably have to be minimal.. or on ridiculous thin n high pedestal things (not a look I particularly love). I can't think of anything HDMI that I may get in the future, but you never know, so the more ports the better. Stuff like DVD upscaling thingies are always welcome but by no means necessary. Really I'm just looking for an all-in-one box solution... but am open to bargainous seperates. Any more dets required? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 oh my sound atm is a creative inspire 5.1 computer speaker effort. i like the little bastard but the inputs aren't enough and ive got so many fucking switchers around here, its doing my head in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edd Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Why do you need HDMI and optical for all your kit? Most equipment such as your 360 will carry the audio through HDMI for you (although some older Home Cinema systems don't) I've got a PS3, 360 and Cable connected to mine using HDMI and the only optical cable I have is the one that goes from the TV back into the Home Cinema system ( for terrestrial and Freeview audio playback from the TV's receiver) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Why do you need HDMI and optical for all your kit? Most equipment such as your 360 will carry the audio through HDMI for you (although some older Home Cinema systems don't) I've got a PS3, 360 and Cable connected to mine using HDMI and the only optical cable I have is the one that goes from the TV back into the Home Cinema system ( for terrestrial and Freeview audio playback from the TV's receiver) I don't I guess. I just want DTS passthrough from my WD TV box to work and I want surround sound. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 also - done some reading - "Sky HD doesn't output a DD5.1 signal through its HDMI output, so if this is the only method you are going to use to feed your Sky signal to your amp, you won't get full surround sound. Only an optical connection gives you that." I don't know what the craic is with whether HDMI passes through surround sound for WDTV/Xbox. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Sony HTSF 1300 looking possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edd Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I've got a similar spec Sony and it's excellent. I don't know what the craic is with whether HDMI passes through surround sound for WDTV/Xbox. The 360 definitely passes 5.1 through HDMI. That's the way I have mine set up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I've got a similar spec Sony and it's excellent. I don't know what the craic is with whether HDMI passes through surround sound for WDTV/Xbox. The 360 definitely passes 5.1 through HDMI. That's the way I have mine set up. Ok cool, I've had a look for SKY HD+ and my WDTV and it seems neither do, so if the xbox could manage it i'd be rather pleased. What Sony is it that you have? the HTSF 1200 was an option cos its really f'n similar, but it was discontinued rather fast and has apparantly had issues taking optical audio when the input in question is via HDMI (so it was limiting itself to stereo rather than surround). But its like £65 cheaper and virtually identical. I just dunno if that sky hd issue is outstanding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edd Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 What Sony is it that you have? the HTSF 1200 was an option cos its really f'n similar, but it was discontinued rather fast and has apparantly had issues taking optical audio when the input in question is via HDMI (so it was limiting itself to stereo rather than surround). But its like £65 cheaper and virtually identical. I just dunno if that sky hd issue is outstanding. Yeah that's what I have (I think. Stupid bloody naming systems ) but I'm doing all my audio through HDMI so wasn't aware of any problems using optical audio. I don't have Sky so can't comment on that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Aye something to do with the priority that the box picks. If thats a decent piece of kit though, I'll just continue my research to see if its fixed somehow. If it has been, I'm all over it cos it'd work out cheaper. (ooh and i think another number for it is htsf 2000. god knows why) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 the plot thickens i may have got confused between the 2. apparantly the newer one has the sky issue! confused. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edd Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 lol. I remember all the different models confused the shit out of me at the time as well. not helped by that numbering system. I've checked and I actually have the 2000. IIRC it's exactly the same as the 1200 as far as the unit, center speaker and woofer are concerned. The difference is with the 4 "surround" speakers. On the 2000 the tall thin speakers come with stands, where as the 1200 ones don't (for wall mounting). * see next post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 http://www.ebuylounge.com/products?sub=item&id=24530&cid=91&search_string= .... ! (bt god knows if that pic is correct) Sony HTSF 1300 Sony HTSS 1300 Sony HTSF 1200 Sony HTSS 1200 Sony HTSF 2000 Sony HTSS 2000 Sony HTSF 2300 Sony HTSS 2300 ALL are practically the same. Some discontinued, some not! The bold ones are my probable picks based on finding a cheap version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edd Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 OK ignore me, I'm talking bollox again. Looking at the two codes you've highlighted I've remembered that what I said about the speaker stands was wrong. The HTSF is like the one in the link you just posted with speakers on stands, but the HTSS has smaller speakers and no stands like this: http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/4143 So the Sony HTSS 1300 you highlighted should have these smaller speakers (or similar) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 ok. roger that. HT-DDWG800 has popped in to say hello also. :'( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clay Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Does the Sky box not have an audio optical output? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 yeah it does like. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I think the way you are going with this mate is pretty much a good route, the difficult part is getting all those connections for the price range. I'd personally buy an AMP, nice home theatre system amp, then two bookshelf speakers...for now. You'll get the inputs you need, much better sound quality for around the right price. Then when you've got more money you buy two massive floorstanders, put them to the front, and the two bookshelves at the back, while getting a centre and a sub of your choice at a later date again if needed. This was my plan about 7 years ago. Bought a Marantz SR6200 and a pair of Mission M74's with silver bi wire cables and thought i'd buy the rest at a later date (well that and the DVD/SACD player cost £1k+) but never actually needed too. I'm i missing much on gaming for surround? I don't know, it was the cabling that put me off, pulling up the carpet etc for some speakers didn't get me going. I understand space is a consideration, so this probably isn't the best route, especially if sound isn't priority, but if you feel like taking this step and future proofing your system and getting the best out of your coin it really is the only way to go. I'm off now (sorry been snowed under this week) so will have a look about today while am chilling. Recommended a Samsung 5.1 for my mate, and set it up for him, it was a DVD set, the thing was stunning and rocked the room, ideal for him, only £300 as well, but, i doubt it had anywhere near the level of inputs you require. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Is it possible to get home cinema kits with wireless speakers? We have laminate floors in our rented flat, so I'd love to just be able to whack some freestanding speakers around the sofa without having wires everywhere. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Ah, they still need power! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 HT-DDWG800 has won the battle. It has shatloads of inputs and isn't too complicated for my brain. Lets see how it goes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Edd Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Enjoy it dan. 5.1 is just stunning for gaming in particular and IMO in many games adds more to the experience than an HD display does. Ah, they still need power! You can get battery powered ones Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEMTEX Posted January 28, 2009 Share Posted January 28, 2009 http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7820/dscn4108ba8.jpg I've completed my purchases, for like.. ever. I've got everything. (Apart from a good camera... hmm...) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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