Surround Sound For PS3

[BoschRock]

Hello,

Long story, short: I have a HDTV, a PS3, a growing Blu-Ray collection, and a home-theater-in-a-box kit I paid $200 for a year or so ago. Needless to say, I am highly anticipating (and needing) an audio upgrade. I have came here for advice.

Keep in mind, I'm a college student and have a part-time job. I am looking to stay around the $500 mark for everything (receiver, sub, and speakers). Also, this would be going in my room, so I don't need a super powerful system, just something to add a little zing and surround sound to my Blu-Ray collection!

What should I be looking for in a receiver, to make sure it's PS3 (surround sound--5.1 at least) compatable? After I purchase a receiver, what should I be shopping for next?

I don't know much about home theater audio yet, so any advice would be highly appreciated.

[walmat]

Since you're using a ps3 for bluray it'll decode all HD codecs so for a reciever all you need is for it to have hdmi input in order to hear them all. This will save much $$$$ in amps if they don't have to decode HD sounds. As for cheap most nondecoding amps are all cheap. I've seen them under $200.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by walmat

I've seen them under $200.

unfortunately those you've seen under $200 probably do not process hdmi audio. AKA passthrough.

having an HDMI input does not guarantee anything.

[crackinhedz]

sony str-dg720

Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System

~$500

[BoschRock]

Thank you for the quick responses!

If I was to buy a receiver, how do I go about connecting the PS3 to the TV?

I believe it'd be: a HDMI cable from the PS3 to the receiver's HDMI-IN, and a separate HDMI cable from the receiver's HDMI-OUT to the HDTV. Will this enable me to see the picture, without connecting the PS3 to the HDTV directly?

[darkpoet25]

Originally Posted by BoschRock

Thank you for the quick responses!

If I was to buy a receiver, how do I go about connecting the PS3 to the TV?

I believe it'd be: a HDMI cable from the PS3 to the receiver's HDMI-IN, and a separate HDMI cable from the receiver's HDMI-OUT to the HDTV. Will this enable me to see the picture, without connecting the PS3 to the HDTV directly?

Yes it should work fine that way. That is how I have mine connected to my Onkyo 805 and Sony 50" SXRD tv. It's just a matter of assigining the video input on your tv and reciever to get the sound and picture.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by BoschRock

Thank you for the quick responses!

If I was to buy a receiver, how do I go about connecting the PS3 to the TV?

I believe it'd be: a HDMI cable from the PS3 to the receiver's HDMI-IN, and a separate HDMI cable from the receiver's HDMI-OUT to the HDTV. Will this enable me to see the picture, without connecting the PS3 to the HDTV directly?

Yes, you are correct. All you need is two HDMI cables. You can purchase them at eBuyHD.com. Make sure you set the audio to PCM in PS3's menu. eBuyHD.com and eHDMI.com are two other names for Monoprice.com.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

sony str-dg720

Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System

~$500

This is the man to listen to!!! He knows his sh*t!

[BoschRock]

Awesome!

Last question, promise: Can I connect the PS3 to the receiver's HDMI-IN via a HDMI cable, then from the receiver to the HDTV via a yellow RCA-type cable? Will this still let me acheive my surround sound, even with the picture quality lacking?

[Lepidopterous]

Check your receiver if it's HDMI-audio compatible first. Then get 2 HDMI's and connect it that way for both video and audio.

I use one HDMI directly to my HDTV for video and a PS3 digital optical cable from the ps3 directly to the receiver for sound. However, I don't get lossless audio this way, but it's still really great quality.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by BoschRock

Awesome!

Last question, promise: Can I connect the PS3 to the receiver's HDMI-IN via a HDMI cable, then from the receiver to the HDTV via a yellow RCA-type cable? Will this still let me acheive my surround sound, even with the picture quality lacking?

Just use 2 HDMI cables, one from the PS3 to the receiver and one from the receiver to the TV. Buy your HDMI cables from monoprice.com. Don't buy the expensive cables from a store. You can get 6ft cables for about $4 each. I bought 2 for $12 with shipping. Had them in 3 days and never a problem with them.

[BoschRock]

Originally Posted by fireman325

Just use 2 HDMI cables, one from the PS3 to the receiver and one from the receiver to the TV. Buy your HDMI cables from monoprice.com. Don't buy the expensive cables from a store. You can get 6ft cables for about $4 each. I bought 2 for $12 with shipping. Had them in 3 days and never a problem with them.

That's definitely what I'll be doing in the long-run. I ask if I can temporarly use a yellow RCA cord for the video, because I will be moving in with my girlfriend and may be forced to use an old school TV, until we save up enough money for a HDTV.

If that doesn't work, I can use a fiber-optic digital cable for surround sound. Correct?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by BoschRock

Can I connect the PS3 to the receiver's HDMI-IN via a HDMI cable, then from the receiver to the HDTV via a yellow RCA-type cable? Will this still let me acheive my surround sound, even with the picture quality lacking?

yes, the PS3 will output audio over the hdmi cable to the receiver while outputting video over the yellow composite.

But if you have an TV with hdmi, then just use all hdmi.

[plowmanjoe]

also consider the onkyo tx-sr605. i just got mine from ecost.com for 260 shipped. it's refurbished with a one year warranty. i've read bad things about ecost but as of lately i think they've improved.

[cconne69]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

sony str-dg720

Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System

~$500

I own the 720 and it works GREAT! very happy with it and so inexspensive

[BoschRock]

Originally Posted by cconne69

I own the 720 and it works GREAT! very happy with it and so inexspensive

After giving the situation some additional thought, I plan on buying the Sony STR-DG720. While the Sony STR-DG720 is quite inexpensive itself, I know if I try to save money and buy a cheaper unit, I am going to regret it.

What speakers do you have, cconne69? Also, since the speakers/sub and the receiver will be bought separately (~month apart) is there any way I can check to make sure the receiver is working properly?

[Bean79]

Originally Posted by cconne69

I own the 720 and it works GREAT! very happy with it and so inexspensive

I can also agree with this statement. If you read around these message boards you will get a better understanding of what you need. I did 3 months of research before I bought the STRDG720 and the Polk RM6750's. This is a great combo that will not only be good for an apartment setup but will also give you the option to grow to a 7.1 system when you move into something bigger. Do not bother with any HTIB's it is a waste of money. Since you already have the PS3 you should get this setup to hear the best sound possible. I would wait and buy the speakers, receiver, and cables all at once. While you wait to save up download the STRDG720 manual to get an idea of how to set it up and operate it before you get it, this makes setup alot faster.

[arrt vandelay]

I have recently got my hands on a Sony STR-DG720 and a set of Polk RM6750's for my first foray into home theater(the wife was very generous on my b-day). I can say I am very happy w/ this set-up. In the next few weeks I'll be getting my friend's 40GB PS3 for $250.00 and I think I'll be all set. My main uses for the system currently has been w/ my Xbox 360 which this system is perfect for. Also, I'd recommend Frys.com for the Polk speakers. It was the cheapest price I could findfor my wife-216.00 for everything...

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but last night I did come across a comment on the amazon.com reviews for the dg720 stating it could not play Dolby True HD/Master Audio no matter what, and that this came from sony. All the research I've done has come to the conclusion that the 720 can accept the hd audio formats through PCM as long as it's coming from a source(PS3) connected via HDMI. Am I being totally paranoid about this one amazon.com comment? I'm still in my 30day return window for the receiver just in case. I could still return for an 820...

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by arrt vandelay

All the research I've done has come to the conclusion that the 720 can accept the hd audio formats through PCM as long as it's coming from a source(PS3) connected via HDMI.

you are correct my friend.

(you can also use multichannel analog...but with a PS3 it must be HDMI)

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by arrt vandelay

I have recently got my hands on a Sony STR-DG720 and a set of Polk RM6750's for my first foray into home theater(the wife was very generous on my b-day). I can say I am very happy w/ this set-up. In the next few weeks I'll be getting my friend's 40GB PS3 for $250.00 and I think I'll be all set. My main uses for the system currently has been w/ my Xbox 360 which this system is perfect for. Also, I'd recommend Frys.com for the Polk speakers. It was the cheapest price I could findfor my wife-216.00 for everything...

I don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but last night I did come across a comment on the amazon.com reviews for the dg720 stating it could not play Dolby True HD/Master Audio no matter what, and that this came from sony. All the research I've done has come to the conclusion that the 720 can accept the hd audio formats through PCM as long as it's coming from a source(PS3) connected via HDMI. Am I being totally paranoid about this one amazon.com comment? I'm still in my 30day return window for the receiver just in case. I could still return for an 820...

if your using your ps3 your fine. sonystyle.com states it accepts 7.1 pcm. thats all it will get anyway. maybe on amazon theyre talking about decoding. but from what little i have read on amazon, i prefer to avoid thier forums and comments.