Surround sound for PS3

[htid]

I know there is lots online about this but I don't really understand any of it, I've never been into audio so have no clue what any of these things mean.

All I want is to be able to play surround sound on my 32" Samsung HDTV, with the DVD/BluRays being played through a PS3. I don't have much money now, I can spend max 200 (would much prefer 150). I see home theatre systems but they all seem to come with a DVD player which I don't need. I already have some speakers for my PC (these) which seem to get a good review, but for the £150 I paid for them they can't be too amazing can then?

From reading around it seems I would need an AV receiver. I see this one for a good price, which was recommended on AVForums, but I'm not sure if it's compatible with my speaker system, or indeed overkill.

I really just need advice on if the speaker system is ok (I can always upgrade later) and if a £200ish AV receiver is going to do the job. Even a link to somewhere explaining what I need in simple language would be appreciated

Cheers!

[dave87]

Samsung HTZ310.

If you run HDMI from the PS3 to the TV, run an optical back out from the TV to the surround sound set to give you audio on normal TV/Scart inputs, but crucially up to 5.1 through HDMI.

At the £200 range unless you go second hand you aren't going to get anything amazing in a proper amp & speakers, so buy something like this and keep it until you decide you want to go for an upgrade.

[snootyjim]

I went for some reasonably cheap speakers and an AV receiver, optical audio as well as mentioned in the post above. I've always found Richer Sounds to be really helpful and generally good value as well, but as Dave said the budget could be a little prohibitive.

[htid]

Originally Posted by dave87

Samsung HTZ310.

If you run HDMI from the PS3 to the TV, run an optical back out from the TV to the surround sound set to give you audio on normal TV/Scart inputs, but crucially up to 5.1 through HDMI.

At the £200 range unless you go second hand you aren't going to get anything amazing in a proper amp & speakers, so buy something like this and keep it until you decide you want to go for an upgrade.

Thanks for the info

I'm still not quite sure what you said there : The back of my TV has "DVI (HDMI 2)" "Audio Out" and "Digital Audio Out (Optical)". So you're saying I'd need a cable that goes from the Digital Audio Out (Optical) to the unit in the Samsung HTZ310? Isn't that just a DVD player though? If I want to play Bluray on the PS3, I don't get how it would work.

I would be happy buying a 2nd hand AV receiver, but if you think the Samsung HTZ310 would provide better quality than a 2nd hand 200 quid AV and my current speakers, then I'll look at that.

[dave87]

The HTZ310 is a Home Cinema set. Yes, it is basically a glorified DVD player, but it has all the bits you'd need to get 5.1 audio from your PS3 without breaking the bank and with minimal headaches in setting it up. Also, for those evenings where you just want to watch a DVD, then it saves having the noise of the PS3 whilst you are doing so.





That is to give you an idea how to wire it up.

Basically the audio from the PS3 runs to the TV over HDMI, which then passes it to the HTZ310 over the optical link. HDMI and Optical are both capable of carrying 5.1 encoded audio, so no problems there.

[htid]

Originally Posted by dave87

The HTZ310 is a Home Cinema set. Yes, it is basically a glorified DVD player, but it has all the bits you'd need to get 5.1 audio from your PS3 without breaking the bank and with minimal headaches in setting it up. Also, for those evenings where you just want to watch a DVD, then it saves having the noise of the PS3 whilst you are doing so.





That is to give you an idea how to wire it up.

Basically the audio from the PS3 runs to the TV over HDMI, which then passes it to the HTZ310 over the optical link. HDMI and Optical are both capable of carrying 5.1 encoded audio, so no problems there.

Right thanks, that helps a lot Now to cables : I would need an extra HDMI cable (already have 1), which would be a few quid, I read that you don't need to pay massive amounts for one as they are all the same, however it seems optical cable makes a big difference. How much should I look at spending? I don't know how much difference it will make considering the system isn't that great to start with (in comparison to buying speakers and AV separately).

[dave87]

Buy the cheapest decent quality optical as it is going to run at most a metre, and the same with the HDMI lead (I'm guessing the TV you've got is 720p?) as again, it isn't going far and isn't at the highest of resolutions (1280x720).

Some Samsung items have been coming with the HDMI leads in the box, but it isn't guaranteed. They aren't great but may do the job, however if you are placing an order for the lot together, you may aswell get a cheap HDMI incase (£5-10 is enough unless going longer distances or higher resolution, or indeed buying in a highstreet store).

[htid]

Originally Posted by dave87

Buy the cheapest decent quality optical as it is going to run at most a metre, and the same with the HDMI lead (I'm guessing the TV you've got is 720p?) as again, it isn't going far and isn't at the highest of resolutions (1280x720).

Some Samsung items have been coming with the HDMI leads in the box, but it isn't guaranteed. They aren't great but may do the job, however if you are placing an order for the lot together, you may aswell get a cheap HDMI incase (£5-10 is enough unless going longer distances or higher resolution, or indeed buying in a highstreet store).

Cheers. I'm not sure what the TV is - before I bought it, I thought there was a difference between 720p and 1090i, then after I got it I seemed to read that it's basically the same :S Whoever I spoke to in shops said it's it's both, so I'm not sure. The Samsung website says the res is 1366x768, so you tell me :

Just out of interest, how much would you expect to pay for an OK AV receiver then? If I went down that route instead, I could use my existing Logitech PC speakers? Just seems that would be wiser to get an AV receiver, then I can just replace the speakers in future. By getting the home theatre system, I'd have to buy an AV receiver AND speakers in the future.

[dave87]

Yup, that is a 720p set.

With regards your current speakers and an AV Amp, I'd suggest either selling them, and using the money you have got plus what you make from selling them to buy a second hand amp & speakers. I fear that trying to connect the two will end up with poor sound quality and one unhappy owner.

The advantage of something like the HTZ310 is that Samsung have done all the legwork, and created an amp and speaker combo that work well together, so you don't have to. You are, however, quite right in saying that next time you upgrade, if you want to go the separates route you would need to buy all new stuff.

The only thing I would say is how discerning a user are you? If it is just for gaming & movies and you don't have to have the biggest and the best, then something like a small HTK (Home Theatre Kit) is probably about right. If you want this to be the start of a Home Cinema build, upgrading bit by bit, then this is not the way to go.

I'm thinking realistically if you have £200 to spend then you are more likely to get a better setup out of the kits, unless you are really lucky and find someone selling older kit more cheaply.

The other thing is space, how much have you got? To give the true home cinema experience, then it might require sizeable speakers, especially if you are guided by budget rather than aesthetics. The advantage of something like the 310 is it just works, and doesn't take up too much space.

If you can up the budget a bit (roughly double it) then you are likely to be able to pick up some decent kit from places like AVForums, but it'll take time, and perhaps a bigger budget than you have available atm.

[htid]

Originally Posted by dave87

Yup, that is a 720p set.

With regards your current speakers and an AV Amp, I'd suggest either selling them, and using the money you have got plus what you make from selling them to buy a second hand amp & speakers. I fear that trying to connect the two will end up with poor sound quality and one unhappy owner.

The advantage of something like the HTZ310 is that Samsung have done all the legwork, and created an amp and speaker combo that work well together, so you don't have to. You are, however, quite right in saying that next time you upgrade, if you want to go the separates route you would need to buy all new stuff.

The only thing I would say is how discerning a user are you? If it is just for gaming & movies and you don't have to have the biggest and the best, then something like a small HTK (Home Theatre Kit) is probably about right. If you want this to be the start of a Home Cinema build, upgrading bit by bit, then this is not the way to go.

I'm thinking realistically if you have £200 to spend then you are more likely to get a better setup out of the kits, unless you are really lucky and find someone selling older kit more cheaply.

The other thing is space, how much have you got? To give the true home cinema experience, then it might require sizeable speakers, especially if you are guided by budget rather than aesthetics. The advantage of something like the 310 is it just works, and doesn't take up too much space.

If you can up the budget a bit (roughly double it) then you are likely to be able to pick up some decent kit from places like AVForums, but it'll take time, and perhaps a bigger budget than you have available atm.

Ok thanks for the info Yeah I'm just going to be playing games and films from time to time. I guess it won't really be the start of a home cinema kit - that can wait until later. I think I'll be looking at the HTK then, thanks a lot!

[htid]

Originally Posted by dave87

Yup, that is a 720p set.

With regards your current speakers and an AV Amp, I'd suggest either selling them, and using the money you have got plus what you make from selling them to buy a second hand amp & speakers. I fear that trying to connect the two will end up with poor sound quality and one unhappy owner.

The advantage of something like the HTZ310 is that Samsung have done all the legwork, and created an amp and speaker combo that work well together, so you don't have to. You are, however, quite right in saying that next time you upgrade, if you want to go the separates route you would need to buy all new stuff.

The only thing I would say is how discerning a user are you? If it is just for gaming & movies and you don't have to have the biggest and the best, then something like a small HTK (Home Theatre Kit) is probably about right. If you want this to be the start of a Home Cinema build, upgrading bit by bit, then this is not the way to go.

I'm thinking realistically if you have £200 to spend then you are more likely to get a better setup out of the kits, unless you are really lucky and find someone selling older kit more cheaply.

The other thing is space, how much have you got? To give the true home cinema experience, then it might require sizeable speakers, especially if you are guided by budget rather than aesthetics. The advantage of something like the 310 is it just works, and doesn't take up too much space.

If you can up the budget a bit (roughly double it) then you are likely to be able to pick up some decent kit from places like AVForums, but it'll take time, and perhaps a bigger budget than you have available atm.

Just quoting you again instead of replying in case you didn't look again

I've just found it on Dixons for £189.99, which, with a voucher I found on AV forums makes it £146 - great Just one thing I forgot to ask - you said get a cheap decent optical cable. How do I know which ones are decent? Any recommendations, I don't really know what to look for?

[dave87]

On the optical cable front, I spent a few quid and went for something like this (I needed it in a longer length though) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Audio-O...624199&sr=1-13



On the otherhand, something like this will probably do everything you need: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGH-PROFESS...2624128&sr=8-1

Your choice really, both should work fine

Originally Posted by htid

Ok thanks for the info Yeah I'm just going to be playing games and films from time to time. I guess it won't really be the start of a home cinema kit - that can wait until later. I think I'll be looking at the HTK then, thanks a lot!

You're welcome mate, enjoy your new setup.

[snootyjim]

Originally Posted by htid

Just quoting you again instead of replying in case you didn't look again

I've just found it on Dixons for £189.99, which, with a voucher I found on AV forums makes it £146 - great Just one thing I forgot to ask - you said get a cheap decent optical cable. How do I know which ones are decent? Any recommendations, I don't really know what to look for?

Hope you enjoy it

[htid]

Came today! Unfortunately I wasn't expecting it to arrive that quickly and don't have the optical cable yet so can't try it out!

Originally Posted by dave87

On the optical cable front, I spent a few quid and went for something like this (I needed it in a longer length though) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Audio-O...624199&sr=1-13



On the otherhand, something like this will probably do everything you need: http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIGH-PROFESS...2624128&sr=8-1

Your choice really, both should work fine

Just to make sure, I'll need 2 HDMI cables right? Exactly as you've written on that diagram above.

[Tommythecat]

As he said you only need two HDMI cables if you intend on actually using the samsung DVD player to watch dvds. If you are only using the PS3 one HDMI cable will suffice.

[slick411]

how about getting the thx 7.1 dts surround sound kit, i have it hooked up to my ps3, it runs straight to my tv and then through optical to the back of my tv, it sounds the price it should do, u can get them for around the 200 mark, its well worth it, does exactly what it says on the box, loud and powerful subwoofer,. will bring your house down! lol....but please be aware, they are loud and are well worth it, no amp needed, has a pre amp built in, and its got a 100rms in total. check them out.

slick411