Any one know anything about Suround Sound

[Sony_Blue-Ray]

I have no clue what I am doing when it comes to suround sound. Ok with that said I will explaine what I need help with. Ok like any blue-ray inthusiast and gamer I will be purchasing a PS3 but I dont know what suround sound system to buy. I will be connecting the PS3 to my sony
"kdfe50a10" through hdmi. And here lies my quandry hdmi does video and sound so how do I run the sound to the suround sound sytem. Also I would like to purchase a good sony 5.1 suround sound system and need help picking one. All help is apreciated!! OK let the schooling begin

[zombie]

Originally Posted by Sony_Blue-Ray

I will be connecting the PS3 to my sony
"kdfe50a10" through hdmi. And here lies my quandry hdmi does video and sound so how do I run the sound to the suround sound sytem.

Since your receiver has an HDMI input the audio will be accessible from your receiver when connecting the PS3's HDMI cable to it. Then run another HDMI cable from your receiver's HDMI output directly to the TV. You'll need to have your receiver on and it's HDMI output selected to play a game on the PS3 but you'll be ready for gaming.

[AV_Integrated]

1. The Sony kdfe50a10 is his LCD rear projection television - so the HDMI he is referring to is right on the display.

2. Sony surround receivers and audio equipment has a VERY poor reputation and has for several years. If you care at all about getting the most value for your money, then they are a good brand to avoid with surround setups.

3. If you want to get surround into an A/V receiver then connect the digital optical or digital coaxial connection out of the DVD/PS2(3)/Cable/Sat. etc. from the device to the A/V receiver. You can run the audio completely separately and maintain the digital quality. My cable box, for example, has HDMI, digital coaxial, digital optical, and analog stereo audio outputs. So, that makes THREE different fully digital connection paths I can use.

There are tons of surround receivers and speaker setups available and they vary greatly depending on your budget and exactly what you are looking to do. If I were you, I would go to a more audio specific type website with reviews and a decent message board like over at www.audioholics.com

Surround setups can run anywhere from a few hundred bucks for very entry level to tens of thousands of dollars for really good stuff. Since budgets for systems vary greatly, and cheap systems really are 'cheap' you should have realistic expectations for the money you plan to spend, and keep in mind some people will spend over $1,000 on ONE speaker, while that is more than some others have for their entire budget.

[KC-Technerd]

Originally Posted by AV_Integrated

2. Sony surround receivers and audio equipment has a VERY poor reputation and has for several years. If you care at all about getting the most value for your money, then they are a good brand to avoid with surround setups.

I'm not so sure this is true. While I'm not a big fan of the mainline Sony receivers (model numbers starting in "STR-DE, or STR-DG"), I've not heard of them having "a VERY poor reputation for several years." Sony's ES line of receivers (model numbers starting in "STR-DA") are excellent, in my opinion.

[Sony_Blue-Ray]

Ok well at this time I will only be looking at spending around 500 dollars. And I would like to have a home theater in a box I think. If you had a budget of 500 dollars to spend on a suround sound system what would you buy? I would like it to connect to the PS3 to play blue-ray movies games and music. This is the only criteria that the suround sound system has to meet and looking good wouldn't hurt.

[KC-Technerd]

Being a Sony fan, I'd probably go with the "DVD Dream® SystemDAV-FX10/KIT" (Click here) .

The digital "S-Master" amplifier technology works well and can be packaged small because of it's low heat output. Of course this includes a DVD/CD/SACD changer. I suspect that PS3 will play DVD's too, so there will be some duplication.

Best Buy has these on sale right now. Other brands probably offer something similar.

I suspect connection with the PS3 would either be by optical digital or coaxial digital connection. This unit has one input for each.

[AV_Integrated]

I will not get into it further than saying if you actually speak to installers and professionals, Sony is NOT at the top of their game in the receiver department, including the ES line. Yamaha, Pioneer, and Denon are the forces to be reckoned with. But, at $500.00 for the entire system, we are talking entry level...

So what to get?

The Onkyo HTS-790 is a true 7.1 setup.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do
It includes multiple component video INPUTS as well as multiple digital audio connections and most of all, it uses industry standard connectors on the back which allow for you to upgrade speakers or components as you feel fit.

There is also a digital model from Panasonic (?) I believe that I have heard good things about.

A few hundred more and you could swing a Pioneer 815TX and separate speakers - but the pricing is a bit tight on that. Sound would be much improved over the Onkyo - and far more than the 'Dream System' from Sony.

EDIT: I feel this is exactly why you need to go to a more audio specific site where people deal heavily with a lot of audio products every day. You will get a lot more than 2 options on what you are after.

[Sony_Blue-Ray]

I beleive I might wait on this one and start reading some audio forums. Both of you were very helpfull but I believe AV is correct about not going with a sony set up. I love sony products and I like having everything match from the tv out but I don't know if thats very smart so time to do some research. Also what do you think is better "Home theater in a Box" or Building your own?

[KC-Technerd]

I think you'll be much happier with your purchase if you take time to research it yourself, as AV has suggested. There are also several resources online, such as cnet.com, and magazine articles that you might find helpful. In addition, I would recommend avoiding the recommendation of salesmen at stores such as Best Buy. My experience is that they have little product knowledge. Best to go into the store knowing what you want.

As far as home theater in a box vs. seperates... It's all in what you want. The Onkyo system that AV mentioned above looks like a great way to go if you want to get the theater in a box, but keep it expandable for later.

On a side note, I might agree Yamaha is a force to be reckoned with. I set up a Yamaha receiver for a friend of mine. Not a very user friendly setup menu, but it is a low end unit. Pioneer is quality equipment, although I'm not familiar with their latest line up. I've heard good things about Denon, but have no personal experience with them.

[JTK]

If you really must go Home Theater in Box, imo, I think Onkyo gives you the best bang for your buck, followed by a few of the Yamahas.

[AV_Integrated]

As an FYI: I love Sony stuff as well. Got a VCR, computer monitor, two DVD players and I haven't had any issues... well, the VCR is 13 or so years old, so it's starting to wear out... But, still, good stuff.

Matching equipment for me makes no sense. The industry has standardized so that there can be real competition. You can buy a Panasonic DVD player, Samsung Blu-ray, Sony projector, Pioneer plasma, Yamaha receiver, B&W speakers and put them altogether as one cohesive, seamless setup with the best of the best in every category if you want.

Building a system from the ground up for surround almost always yields better results, but typically costs a bit more. There are some people out there (not me) who can list you off exactly what to buy for $500.00 - $700.00 that will blow the Onkyo system away (relatively speaking). Audio is actually an area that where you spend more money you can get SIGNIFICANT improvements in quality. I replaced a $500.00 subwoofer with a $1,200 model and the improvement was simply astounding. I replaced my home theater in a box speakers (Kenwood) with Definitive Technology models and the jump again was enormous.

As for cheap A/V receivers, many have poor on screen menus, but once you have the receiver setup, you will likely never need to go in and use those menus.

[theknub]

hey guys... long time reader, first time post. why i never registered, no idea.

i'm a huge home audio (and video) nut. i'm one of those cooks who can build you a system given a certain budget and name the majority of most parts off the top of my head. i don't know every single feature, but i know performance...

so to start with, if you're budget is under 500 (or close), sadly your best bet is a HT in a box. if you'd like something really nice and can afford something in the 700 range, you can get 4 b&w 300 series speakers a center, and a low end denon or yamaha receiver along with an ok sub for around 700-1k. it all depends on budget really. and to be honest, this system will absolutely crush anything ur friends have. however, as i convinced my dad when he got a new t.v. and system, i'd rather have the amazing sound than the amazing image. why? the sound makes the experience more enjoyable. it brings the experience to life and immerses u in it. if you just have an image and can't hear anything, it does you no good. but if u have a so-so image, and great sound, it instantly improves the experience. this is how i convinced him to spenk 2500 for his system. still not as good as mine, but he is happy he did it. so when it comes to HT, i am a believer in sacking up and doing it because of how much better the experience becomes. after all, you don't want to waste that 4k t.v. (or 2k t.v. if u have a tube) on $500 speakers.

[AV_Integrated]

I agree with theknub on that entirely. So, if your budget is limited, you want to be darn POSITIVE that you are buying equipment that is upgradable. That is, it uses industry standard connections. This is what the Onkyo offers which many other cheap HTIB systems don't offer.

As with all things speaker preference is as much personal opinion as it is fact. B&W, to pick on them, makes excellent speakers, but tend to cost more than the quality competition, without delivering any more sound quality. A lot of 'brand name' with them - but backed up with performance, and a slightly hefty price tag.

When I started I had my HTIB setup and mated it with a front projector that I got free. Later I switched up to a better front projector, and shortly thereafter went to a $3,000 A/V receiver and about $4,000 in speakers. That is way more than the majority of people are willing to spend, I am aware, but the sound is so nice, it really does make the experience complete.

Since then I've switched the subwoofer out a couple of times... and downgraded the center channel (huge mistake). This year I'm looking for that new center channel and next year I'm hoping for the 1080p projector to mate with Blu-ray... hopefully.

[FernandoSQ]

Originally Posted by Sony_Blue-Ray

I have no clue what I am doing when it comes to suround sound. Ok with that said I will explaine what I need help with. Ok like any blue-ray inthusiast and gamer I will be purchasing a PS3 but I dont know what suround sound system to buy. I will be connecting the PS3 to my sony
"kdfe50a10" through hdmi. And here lies my quandry hdmi does video and sound so how do I run the sound to the suround sound sytem. Also I would like to purchase a good sony 5.1 suround sound system and need help picking one. All help is apreciated!! OK let the schooling begin

Hi there, I also have the kdfe50a10, Im not 100 % sure but I think that if you connect the ps3 via hdmi, the soy kdfe50a10 has an audio digital out via toslink so Im pretty sure you can make a bridge between the tv and the reciever with this. the sony has also an option to turn the speakers off and just pass the sound to the reciever, so I guess that would be the anwser. By the way I have the Onkyo s870 its great but im not sure if its actually better than the 790 more than the thx certification.

Hope this helps.

[Sony_Blue-Ray]

Thanks for the tips. Also how much do you love that tv I am in "aww" everytime I get in front of it. All though some programs are just grainy or I will see the square pixelation when fast motion occurs. But it is not often enough to be worried yet and in most cases is for a split second on realy badly done hd programming.

[JTK]

As good as those A10's are, I think the Sony SXRD LCOS sets are even better.

[suprmallet]

To be honest, if you're getting a PS3, just play the sound on whatever setup you have now and wait until receivers come out that accept HDMI 1.3. Since the PS3 will have HDMI 1.3, you will be able to pass HD audio through the HDMI cable, but only if your receiver is capable of accepting the signal. Start saving up now for a low-end Denon with HDMI 1.3 capabilities and a nice set of speakers to go with it (HT in a box is worthless, imo), otherwise you will be kicking yourself for buying a crappy system that won't even play everything the PS3 offers sound-wise.