Find me a home cinema?

[s_kinton]

Audio systems are probably the electronics area I know least about so here I am.

I want a home cinema system to hook up to my PS3 and LCD TV (integrated freeview). Heres a link to my main LCD TV: Sharp LC32AD5E.

Now the PS3 obviously has optical and HDMI out, but the TV only has audio out LR (phono) (see link above for inputs etc.

I'm using my mates old Sony 5.1 home cinema system at the mo, it doesnt have optical or anything so I'm just using the audio out LR on my TV into the back of the amp, but obviously this is only 2 channel for everything, although it ouputs to all the speakers and sub.

Questions:
- How do I get true 5.1 from the TV? Is it even possible? (i'm thinking no)
- Is there a way to get true 5.1 from the PS3 without using optical?
- Recommend me a decent (but not overly expensive) home cinema system to start me off

[SiM]

If the source/device is stereo only you can't get proper 5.1 out of it (you can use an amp with PLII to "upcale" to 5.1 though)...

You will need a surround sound receiver/amp and 5 speakers and a sub...

What's your budget?

For the amp, this is a good deal... I would go for the 605 if you are on a reasonable budget... 505 if you are on a tight budget... if you read down the thread you will see AV Sales are also price matching this deal

[s_kinton]

Not sure on budget really, was looking on the internet at some sets from the usual high street suspects just to get a feel of whats out there and what they do!

By PLII I guess you mean ProLogic II.

I don't want anything with stupid power and I want something compact. Wireless rear speakers would be good but hard to find...

[bigblue]

I'd try to help, but you'd really need to give a few more details if that's ok ?

-Is it a home cinema in a box type thing you want ? Or just an audio system ? Or even separates ?
-Budget ?
-Any brands you like/dislike ?
-Any decor considerations, such as colour ?
-Any other technical info that may be helpful, such as anything you plan to hook up in future ?

Let me know, and I'll try and list some of the good/popular options

[Gunbuster]

How about a Logitch Z-5400 set for £150? Logitech Z-5400 5.1 THX 310W RMS Home Cinema Speaker System - Ebuyer

You should be able to use the optical for your PS3 and phono for freeview (2.0 only on Freeview)

[s_kinton]

Originally Posted by Gunbuster

How about a Logitch Z-5400 set for £150? Logitech Z-5400 5.1 THX 310W RMS Home Cinema Speaker System - Ebuyer

They look pretty good, I want to put the 4 satellites on stands though and not sure if they can be attached. Any ideas?

Originally Posted by bigblue

1) Is it a home cinema in a box type thing you want ? Or just an audio system ? Or even separates ?
2) Budget ?
3) Any brands you like/dislike ?
4) Any decor considerations, such as colour ?
5) Any other technical info that may be helpful, such as anything you plan to hook up in future?

1) I want either an audio system in a box as posted by Gunbuster or a home cinema in a box i.e. includes DVD player etc
2) Around the £200 mark, maybe more depending on how carried away I get!!
3) Any brand not fussed
4) Preferably black or silver
5) Wireless rear speakers would be a massive bonus! Will be using phono LR from my LCD TV, optical from my PS3 and possibly hook up my PC using optical or analog

I want the front and rear speakers to be on stands (a lot of sets have tall, slim speakers) or at least have the option of buying stands. I don't want the sub to be too big in size, my mates is absolutely massive!

All help appreciated!

[s_kinton]

I've looked at the Creative G550W's but they don't have opitcal. I've also looked at the Logitech Z-5450's but they dont have optional tall speaker stands. I'm thinking a proper home cinema setup is where I'll find the tall speakers etc

Both sets have wireless rears and apparently kill any wifi signal in the room which is a massive no no for me, so maybe wireless rear speakers are gonna have to be dropped.

[Gunbuster]

The Z-5400 is the all wired version of the Z-5450.

Based on this (Logitech Z5500 Speaker Stand... - Audio - PC Hardware) I would guess you would want flat top stands or at least ones with a choice.

Otherwise you might want to look at seperates system, you can probably buy a kit. Yamaha, Sony and Onkyo all do them. They might be more expensive though.

[bigblue]

Originally Posted by s_kinton

Wireless rear speakers would be a massive bonus! Will be using phono LR from my LCD TV, optical from my PS3 and possibly hook up my PC using optical or analog

At that sort of price point, you'd probably be best sticking with wired rears, as you'll definitely take a hit in performance with wireless. Also you may have issues with line of sight with the receivers.

I want the front and rear speakers to be on stands (a lot of sets have tall, slim speakers) or at least have the option of buying stands. I don't want the sub to be too big in size, my mates is absolutely massive!

Pretty much anything you buy can go on stands of some shape or form, but if you want the sort of "lifestyle" look slim speakers, and decent performance, it's gonna cost ya ! Most decent packages some with a reasonably sized sub, too small and there simply isn't ability to generate bass.

The package that strikes me as perfect for your needs is the Sony HT-SF 1100. It's nearer £300, and doesn't have DVD, but it has tall slim speakers and not too big a sub. Also, stands are included, so that accounts for a bit of the price. The best place for the stats is Sony's own site... Sony : HT-SF1100 (HTSF1100) : United Kingdom but it's obviously cheaper elsewhere, Amazon for instance are about £270, and I've seen it about for nearer £250.

[s_kinton]

That Sony HT-SF1100 kit looks like just the job! More than I wanted to pay but I'll do some serious price hunting. Theres a set going on eBay today, currently at £150 so I might bid....

[bigblue]

Cool ! Happy to help

It gets pretty good reviews, and looks the biz too.

I think there's maybe a 1200/1300 model available also, but I don't know as much about those ones Think it has HD audio support to some extent though it's a little more expensive. The only places I've heard of having the new models currently are Sony Centres, as you'd expect.

[jonathan_phang]

Sorry to bring this back, but currently in the process of doing some searching for a surround system too. Was thinking about the Z5500, but after finding this thread, it seems that S_kinton has the same reqs as me!!! So, did you manage to find a set? If so, any chance that you could PM me or reply here, as I might plump for it too really.

They look swish and not too large (esp sub) so would be grateful for some input. I may be starting a thread soon though, so may catch you on there.

Cheers in advance

JP

[bigblue]

My bro-in-law bought an LG TV/surround package.

The surround set was https://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/pro...HT752TH/173892

That seems to fit requirements of slim speakers too. Haven't heard them though, but will sometime this week. Certainly nice looking

[s_kinton]

Originally Posted by jonathan_phang

Sorry to bring this back, but currently in the process of doing some searching for a surround system too. Was thinking about the Z5500, but after finding this thread, it seems that S_kinton has the same reqs as me!!! So, did you manage to find a set? If so, any chance that you could PM me or reply here, as I might plump for it too really.

Hi. I haven't actually bought anything yet as I've been in Barcelona on holiday! Just come back to this thread and found some new responses. I'l let you know what I see/buy and vice versa

Originally Posted by bigblue

My bro-in-law bought an LG TV/surround package.

The surround set was https://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/pro...HT752TH/173892

That seems to fit requirements of slim speakers too. Haven't heard them though, but will sometime this week. Certainly nice looking

I'm gonna try and find some reviews on those, certainly look the part. Thanks.

[jonathan_phang]

That LG set seems to be nice, but I looked at the 'detailed' specs on that page and there doesnt seem to be any digital inputs. Might be okay for you depending on what you want, but I think it'll rule me out unfortunately....

I would like to have digital inputs as I was going to run SPDIF from my shuttle to get full surround sound. Love the look of the Sony and after looking at the spec sheet, there are tons of inputs (2x HDMI in, 2 optical, coax, phono etc) so it has flexibility, but you pay for that...

If only the Z5500 had a smaller bass unit... May have to research the product line, and get down the sony centre to see if i can see it in the flesh..

JP

[Gunbuster]

You could allways go down the component route and use a slimline AV Receiver like the Samsung AVR620 SAMSUNG AVR620 at Richer Sounds - HI-FI Separates, Home Cinema, Speakers, MP3 DVD Portables, Plasma LCD, etc.