For the AV experts

[Bazthemod]

Ok so i got a new Philips Ambilight TV and now want to make the most of it.
Already got multi-room for sky but im not impressed enough to upgrade to sky+HD after seeing the rather poor quality we get from it at work.

So basically i need advice for some sort of surround sound system that will let me hook up the computer to it and also sky.

Oh and looking for some way of streaming HD to my tv from the interweb, i kno theres an aplication that can be used by PS3. Does anyone watch HD/Blu-ray from their PS3? Do you notice the reported image noise? Also had a look at Apple TV but you seem to be limited in video formats over that.

Im thinking some sort of AV Reciever hooked up to a speaker system. The key is being able to connect the computer, sky and a HD Source of somekind.

Any ideas/advice? :Whistle:

Some pics so far...

http://file048b.bebo.com/6/large/2009/01/26/17/1799036806a9958750086l.jpg
http://file048b.bebo.com/6/large/2009/01/26/17/1799036806a9958750604l.jpg
http://file048b.bebo.com/6/large/2009/01/26/17/1799036806a9958750173l.jpg
http://file048b.bebo.com/6/large/2009/01/26/17/1799036806a9958750712l.jpg
http://file048b.bebo.com/6/large/2009/01/26/17/1799036806a9958750905l.jpg

[AndyP & Lenore]

Baz, I'm clueless on hooking a PC to a receiver.:confused: Do PC's have digital optical outputs these days? If so, I guess that would be the way to go.

As for a receiver, I always prefer Denon. You get a lovely rich sound from Denon's. All the Yamaha receivers I've heard just don't quite match Denon's, and sound a little metallic.

I've only watched a couple of movies on my PS3 in Blu Ray. Didn't notice any issues with picture, but the cooling fan on the PS3 made the whole experience awful. After that night, I put my perfectly capable Toshiba DVD player back in place and I haven't bought a Blu Ray disc since. The long term plan is to get a decent Blu Ray player and move onto buying Blu Ray discs again, instead of DVD.

A.:D

[bazzaric]

It's not going to sort all your problems, but will make you smile a little more each day...

Popcorn Hour A110 (https://www.ripcaster.co.uk/node/329)

Then you need to spend a bit of money and get a decent amp. If money is an issue spend more on the amp and get a 2.1 speaker setup. Then you can add the additional speakers to a 5.1 setup, then... 7.1 :D

I would buy the amp before anything, but get one with plenty of HDMI and optical in/out

[bazzaric]

P.S. The screen is lovely :clap:

[Scottie]

nice comfy looking chair:cool:

[Gismo]

I'm struggling to come up with something, but..............
You can get get pc video cards with hdmi output now, i guess that should work, but i don't know for sure.
I'm thinking you should be able to connect that to a suitable amp, i agree with Andy, Denon make fantastic amps, i have two, connect the hdmi out to the amp, Denons upsacle to 1080i usually, then connect to your tv.

What i would say is that if you're looking for excellent audio and video then seperates are the way to go.
All in ones are good in their own right, but, nothing compared to a well set up seperate system.
Besides, you can always add and exchange seperates as you like

[bazzaric]

If you get a good enough amp, you will be able to go over DVI. Then you can get a sound card with optical out

[Bazthemod]

At the moment my Desktop has digital audio out and i have a dvi-hdmi lead

If i install a video card that has HDMI out will this carry sound or will it still be separate like DVI?

My MacBook pro only has DVI out and sound would have to go via 3.5 Jack which is gonna be lousy for sound.

Been looking at this....

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hcs-cinema-surround-kit/ht-is100

I like the small speakers as the room isn't that big, seems like decent connectivity but i guess not as good as buying a proper receiver.

My budget is unknown, just cleared the garage and got lots of thing im planning on selling off like my Porter Cable polisher and other bits n bobs... so should be 4-500 in end.

Yeh love my computer chair... one of most expensive things in the room but so worth it!!

:popcorn:

[Gismo]

At the moment my Desktop has digital audio out and i have a dvi-hdmi leadSeems to me that's the best way to go, for the HDMI route you'd have to have some kind of interface between the audio card and the graphics card anyway.
HDMI carries audio and video whereas DVI only carries video.
DVI and HDMI are the same video wise hence the reason why you can easily connect between them.

[The Dogfather]

Baz, all Apple's have a 3.5 connection that doubles as an optical out. An optical out can carry a 5.1 signal to an amp. My Macbook is connected to my Pioneer amp in this way. I much as I like Denon amps they are expensive compared to other makes.

Delivering 7.1 on a £500 budget is very tricky, the first component I would buy is a PS3. Its a great Bluray player and I have to say I've never seen the noise that you mention. Its future proof and a media hub as well.

Second item on the list is a 7.1 amp with full 1.3 HDMI compatibility, this Sony unit is a bargain at £229. Does all the latest HD Audio codecs such as Master Audio etc.

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=SONY-STRDG820-BLK

Then comes speakers, there aren't many films that use 7.1 at the moment so this speaker package is a great starter at £150, you can always buy the other two at a later date.

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=TANN-SFX5.1-SIL

Its also available in Black for an extra £50.

So that's a total budget of under £700, not sure how cheap PS3s are.

[Scottie]

im planning on selling off like my Porter Cable polisher


:off topic: what make and age:off topic:

[Craig]

I have a Denon amp, Tannoy F4 Mercury Custom Floor standers and Centre Speaker and Tannoy EFX Sub all got from Richer Sounds and Wharfedale bookshelf speakers (donated by a really nice man..;) All in, it prob all cost me about £500 and I have to be honest, the sound and quality is phenomenal... :thumbs up::thumbs up:

best of luck with your search, the sound does get addictive tho... Jude keeps telling me to turn it down.. :nag::Whistle::Whistle:

[The Dogfather]

Baz, make sure your amp is HDMI 1.3 compatible and does all the newest codec for HD Audio. I didn't and as a result I have a 700w Pioneer Cinema amp in my office driving two speaker, oops!

[AndyP & Lenore]

I have a Denon amp, Tannoy F4 Mercury Custom Floor standers and Centre Speaker and Tannoy EFX Sub all got from Richer Sounds and Wharfedale bookshelf speakers (donated by a really nice man..;) All in, it prob all cost me about £500 and I have to be honest, the sound and quality is phenomenal... :thumbs up::thumbs up:

best of luck with your search, the sound does get addictive tho... Jude keeps telling me to turn it down.. :nag::Whistle::Whistle:

Nae wonder.:frown: I've seem some of the utter dribble you watch and ask you to turn it down too if I were there. You have an excellent set up, put together by craftsmen, installed by an expert, and you use it to watch Kevin & Perry. Why did I bother.:frown:

A.:D

[Craig]

Nae wonder.:frown: I've seem some of the utter dribble you watch and ask you to turn it down too if I were there. You have an excellent set up, put together by craftsmen, installed by an expert, and you use it to watch Kevin & Perry. Why did I bother.:frown:

A.:D

:thud::thud:

that is a quality film to hear the sound of the great music in it thro 5.1 digital sound processing... and it's hilarious.. :clap::clap:

you have no taste..:Whistle::Whistle:

[Gismo]

Trying to stay on topic :rolleyes:
Above you're listed budget, but, if your looking for a speaker set up then the MT-30 (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1480&sc=ht) is fantastic.
Or, you can buy the M-1 (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1183&sc=ht) speakers seperately.
I have the M1's in my games room and they are brilliant, especially when you hear the knife going into AndyP's back on COD4 :knife:

[The Dogfather]

Alan, did you not see Baz's budget that system is £1500 :laugh:

[Bazthemod]

:off topic: what make and age:off topic:
It's Porter Cable 7424... all guys on detailing world recommended it to me last year. I detailed my black mini with it and got rid of my swirls :cool: Never used it again though and having a white car now the swirls wont annoy me as much. :rolleyes:

It has the sonus pads with it... the transformer to make 240/110... also got mezerna polish i have never even opened.

Will post it in for sale at weekend or put it on ebay


Paul that Sony looks the business, good price too! Are those Tannoys going to be good for music playback?

No concerned about 7.1 as 5.1 would be the max set up i could do in the space i have. That's a plus point about the mac 3.5mm port :D Might just leave the bluray/ps3 option till later and use my mac meantime ;)

[The Dogfather]

They're pretty good with the sub, they'll never replace a proper set of floorstanders, but no sub/sat system will.

[Gismo]

Alan, did you not see Baz's budget that system is £1500 :laugh:Aye, but take out the PV1, still voted best sub by which.
The M1 speakers are approx £125 each and are brilliant, you can even use one as a centre channel, they are very discreet, ideal for Baz's room, probably wouldn't ned a sub anyway

[The Dogfather]

You need a sub for home cinema. Still 5 speakers at £125 that Baz's budget gone in a oner :wag:

[AndyP & Lenore]

Trying to stay on topic :rolleyes:


But to be fair Alan, check which forum this thread is in.:hand:

A.:frown:

[The Dogfather]

By the way, I love B&W stuff just can't afford it :sad:

[Gismo]

By the way, I love B&W stuff just can't afford it :sad:My cinema system is built around B&W
Fronts (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1155&sc=ht)
Centre (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1162&sc=ht)
Rears (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1164&sc=ht)
Sub (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1187&sc=ht)

[Scottie]

My cinema system is built around B&W
Fronts (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1155&sc=ht)
Centre (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1162&sc=ht)
Rears (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1164&sc=ht)
Sub (http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1187&sc=ht)


Tinnitus:yes nod::shut up::shut up:

[euan]

My mate has a PS3 for blueray and it is awesome, however...he has moved his into a cupboard that sits behind his lounge (in fact, all his AV gear is in there now) as the controllers are bluetooth so you don't need line of sight. That way, he avoided the noise of the fan.

I'm considering going the same way when I replace my DVD surround sound (7 year old Pioneer, still blows me away with the full DTS effect!) but the DVD player doesn't upscale so I'll want to replace it at some point. But as it has an optical in, I'll probably hook the PS3 into that in the short term.

Personally, I'd get a decent amp and speakers (start at 2.1 if that's all you can afford) first so long as you've got an upscaling DVD player (which I can't recall if you do). That way, you can build onto it over time. Richer Sounds is a good starter for ten, but have a look at avforums.com for the really geeky view of the world.

Have you checked the connections on the TV? Mine came with the connectors for the PC, though I've not tried it yet.

[Bazthemod]

Think i will go with a combination of the sony unit and the tannoy speakers... then later in year i can get a PS3 from work.

Just need to get my finger out and put all the stuff i bought and never used on ebay haha :rolleyes::p

[The Dogfather]

You won't be disappointed with either the sony or the tannoys

[The Dogfather]

Oh, if you want the Tannoys in black, a bit cheaper than Richersounds

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3804

[The Bull]

I can wholeheartedly recommend the Sony amp, I have one. To go with my Mission M33i fronts, Mission E3ASR subwoofer (to the right on the floor), Mission E3C centre speaker and JBL bookshelf speakers for the back.

I use my PS3 (it's hidden behind the telly) with it as well as my Sky+ HD box and love it. My mates don't want to leave when they come to visit.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Picklehammer/Forum%20Images/FujiS55002009_0130_194229.jpg

[Fairy]

http://file048b.bebo.com/6/large/2009/01/26/17/1799036806a9958750173l.jpg



Mmmmmmmmm....Jason Statham....mmmmmmm:p Hes so pretty!!!
(i think he is my soul mate!!!) I know...:off topic::hand:

[AndyP & Lenore]

Mmmmmmmmm....Jason Statham....mmmmmmm:p Hes so pretty!!!
(i think he is my soul mate!!!) I know...:off topic::hand:

Still :off topic: but Mr Statham is back on 17th April in Crank 2: High Voltage. Cannae wait.:D

A.:D

[Bazthemod]

Mmmmmmmmm....Jason Statham....mmmmmmm:p Hes so pretty!!!
(i think he is my soul mate!!!) I know...:off topic::hand:


LMAO you would get on with my maw! :rolleyes:

[Scottie]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Picklehammer/Forum%20Images/FujiS55002009_0130_194229.jpg


I love OCC. Mikey is my fav:cool: not the same now that Vincent and cody have moved on

[euan]

Seconded on the OCC fans! Shame I can't get it anymore since I ditched cable!

Nice setup that though, love the floorstanders, all looks very well thought out with the woods colours. Now, if only I can convince my missus that's the way to go!