Surround sound newbie

[grandmaster]

Hello,

Apologies if there is a thread about this already, but if there is, I don't know where it is.

I have a Sony Bravia 32" LCD TV which I use for watching normal TV and also films that I play through my PS3 - both standard def and Blu-ray.

However I do not have any sort of surround sound or speaker system set up. I only have the in-built speakers that are in the TV, that's it. I would like some sort of surround sound system but I know very little about them. I know there is 7.1 now which I guess is to replace 5.1 but are there only certain films or audio tracks that work with 7.1?

Also, do I need an amp AND a subwoofer? I'm based in Ireland so I had a look at what's available in the Argos store but most of their surround sound systems seem to come with a dvd player which is something I don't need.

I just wanted to get some advice as to what I should look for/avoid in a surround sound system. I know I could go into a shop to check them out as well however as I know so little about them I don't want some salesman brainwashing me into buying something that I don't really want/need.

Thanks