Page 1 of 5.1 Home Cinema setup advice needed...

I currently have the following:
LG Plasma TV
Sony PS3 (for games and BD`s, connected via HDMI, with optical audio)
Xbox 360 (for games, connected via component, with optical audio)
Toshiba EP35 (for multi-region DVDs and HD DVDs)
Nintendo Wii (connected via component)
Sky+ Box (connected via SCART)

All of which plugs into a Yamaha YPS-800 (which also has a seperate sub) which is all fine, but really just doesn`t do the job of true 5.1 speakers. So I`m thinking of replacing the Sound projecter with a true 5.1 setup.

Because I`m a bit of a hardware dunce, I`m looking for advice. Would I be best to buy an Amp and separate 5.1 speakers? Or should I buy a home cinema all-in-one?

Any recommendations appreciated, thanks in advance!

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Depends on the amount of $$$ you want to shell out. Samsung and Yamaha do some decent HTIBs(home theatre in a box) setups which can usually be had pretty cheaply. But I would recommend if you are spending the money to go the extra mile to get a decent 5 speaker setup, a sub and an amp.

Something like this would be primo: http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&cat=41&sub=230&prod=23074 is a decent set of speakers. Combine them with an amp - http://www.hiwayhifi.com/site/product.asp?section=1&cat=39&sub=237&prod=100725

Would make a decent starting point.

If you want to spend more money, then go for this combination:

http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/product/brand/bandw/product/30/product.aspx

or

http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/product/brand/kef/product/108/product.aspx

paired with

http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/product/brand/yamaha/product/117/product.aspx

My New Toy

Cant get the URLs to work TC.

I have posted a link to a Denon 5.1 set up I have 2 of. I cant fault them and in fact have rcommended them to 5 mates all all have them without any complaints. I will have a poke about.

Here is the setup.

and the back of the amp.


EDIT: link now added.

The Jackal

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This item was edited on Monday, 21st July 2008, 08:33

Nice! Very affordable too. A couple of questions - how good is the 5.1 and does it upscale?

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"Why should YOU go to jail for a crime someone else noticed?" - Bob Loblaw
DVD Reviewer News Hound
Tales from the Script @ MyReviewer.com

I`m in a similar position, looking at the possibility of an amp + speakers. (For use with PS3, DVD player, Wii etc.) Rather than an all in one system.

But I`m on the lookout for one with HDMI inputs & output.
The Yamaha one posted by Timechaser above looks nice...but can`t see a price for it. (Admittedly haven`t done an extensive search).

EDIT: With regards to the one that Jackal posted...I can`t see any video (HDMI/Component) outputs so I would have thought there`s no upscaling.

"Build a man a fire, and he`ll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he`ll be warm for the rest of his life."
-Terry Pratchett.

This item was edited on Monday, 21st July 2008, 09:08

I have a Denon something or other and it is great but no HDMI switching. A chap here at work has just bought an Onkyo 606 (?) and he rates it. Deffo does the HDMI switching as well.

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Now that Onkyo 606 looks the business.
www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/4128

Now I just need advice on how to get it past the Mrs! ;)

"Build a man a fire, and he`ll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he`ll be warm for the rest of his life."
-Terry Pratchett.

Sorry - my links are not clicky. You need to copy and paste...

Miles - the onkyo looks pretty slick and at that price is a steal. The Yamaha setup is pretty good too!!!

I am currently using a Yamaha amp, B&W speakers and an REL Storm 5 sub. Works nicely for me.

My New Toy

Yeah, just need to convince the Mrs to ditch the VHS recorder that`s taking up valuable space under the TV!...it hasn`t been powered up for 4 years now and she hasn`t noticed!!

"Build a man a fire, and he`ll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he`ll be warm for the rest of his life."
-Terry Pratchett.

The Onkyo`s of late are superb!! Amazing bits of kit (not just `for the money`) and get excellent reviews.

Ste

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We will pay the price but we will not count the cost..