AMP or a/v reciever

[toothe]

Hi, im thinking of getting new soround sound kit, will be used for my 2 pc's xbox and ps3.

Just thinking about options. i know i can wire things into a pc sound card or get an amp. what you all think?

 

[toothe]

okies ive seen an offer on at a local shop. basically its hdmi dvd player with av reciver. it doesnt support hd stuff for video though but thats not really an issue. just unsure whether i need the dvd player an go for better av reciver.

 

[toothe]

jesus you seen the size of some of the av recievers. they huge

 

[toothe]

well the offer is on some yamaha suround speakers and a Onkyo TXSR505 with 1080p hdmi. so id be able use my new monitor with ps3 and xbox on high res. i can also play dvd's through one of the pcs thats not a problem. anyone know much about onkyo and this is for my bedroom so speakers will be fine i think. total cost is £320 or £280 with TXSR508 amp. not sure what do yet. might just get a set of pc 5.1 and run ps3 and xbox into optical input on pc. what would be best/

 

[toothe]

Video/Audio inputs & outputs: REAR:
2 x HDMI in (input assignable)
3 x video in (component video, S-video, composite video and stereo line in)
1 x video record out (S-video, composite video & stereo line out)
HDMI, component video, S-Video & composite video monitor outputs
RI interface, for use with remote-switchable devices such as an Onkyo iPod dock
Independent video and audio record switching
HDMI and component video switching is HD compatible

FRONT:
Composite video & stereo line in (via 3 x RCA/phono sockets)
6.3mm (1/4") headphones jack
Video format conversion: No
Analogue audio: REAR:
5.1 input for multi-channel SACD/DVD-Audio or use with a source (eg DVD player) with a built-in multi-channel decoder (6 x RCA/phono)
Subwoofer pre-output (RCA/phono)
Tape loop (2 pairs of RCA/phono stereo line in and out)
CD in (2 x RCA/phono)

FRONT:
6.3mm (1/4") headphones jack
Digital audio: 2 x coaxial digital inputs (via RCA/phono)
2 x optical digital inputs (via Toslink)
All digital connections are input assignable
Speaker outputs: 5 channel amplifiers on board.

5 speaker outputs via 4mm banana plug/binding post connections.


thats the cheaper amp. looks impressive. ill be able connect pc by hdmi and ps3 by hdmi and xbox360 by component. as i said its only for bedroom so size is an issue. and depending on how much dosh i have spare (booking holiday) will depend on path i take. would the sound qual on onkyo be good never heard of em .

 

[toothe]

the amp model numbers are :
Onkyo - HT-R508 HDMI or onkyo TX-SR505. there are others but wanted hdmi or equivilent if possible.

 

[toothe]

cant see much diff in them models except 50 quid. think 200 notes is more affordable. problem is they are huge lol

 

[toothe]

but would i be able to plug audio in via optical and select that?

 

[toothe]

okies, would i notice any advantage though because i'll only be using a 5.1 kit. is hdmi the only *** to process DTS (sorry im a bit of a n00b to this stuff)