Help with new AV setup

TheKnat

TheKnat

TheKnat

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Joined
13 May 2007
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Lancashire, UK
I'll be moving into my new flat soon and with a new flat comes a new AV setup!

I currently have a Sony 46X2000 TV, which only has 2 HDMI inputs. Now as far as I know I'll be needing 4 for my Xbox (games), PS3 (blu-ray films), Sky HD and Apple TV (for streaming my dvd collection from a server). This obviously leaves me 2 HDMI ports short.

As I haven't got my surround sound setup decided on yet, I thought I might be able to get an AV receiver that can act as a HDMI repeater, whilst also processing the sound over HDMI as well (unlike my current sony system which is just a HDMI switch). I don't mind having to buy separate receiver/speakers but I would rather not spend a fortune on this setup (around £500 maybe) and I would prefer it if the receiver wasn't the size of a small African country.

So do any of you home cinema buffs out here have any recommendations for me, that fits in with my requirements ?

Also whilst I'm asking questions, whilst I already have an Apple TV sitting in a cupboard somewhere, does anyone have any better solutions that are as simple to use ? I don't really want a media centre PC sitting under my TV so something like the apple TV but with more compatibility would be better.
 
Ok so I've been looking around myself and I've seen the following receiver which seems to do the job for me.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3552

Anyone know if this will be any good ? Or can someone point me in the direction of a better one for around the same price.

Also as for the speakers, is it better to buy a set of them or just get the 4 floors, 1 centre and a sub on their own.
 
The switching boxes don't also send sound if I'm not correct. This wouldn't be a problem with everything apart from the Xbox (and maybe PS3 ??) but I'm not sure if the elite one comes with a separate cable to also allow it to be connected to a surround system via optical. Maybe someone with a 360 elite and PS3 can tell me if they can transmit sound via optical and still use HDMI for video.
 
If not the sony then what ? If I'm not going use it for HDMI switching/repeating then I don't need all the features of that box. The sony was the only one in the price range I could find that had at least 3 HDMI repeating connections.

As for the speakers, if I could get them for the remainder of £1000 that would be good (if £600 on amp, then £400 on speakers).
 
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Damn I thought I might have to spend more than that. I might get some cheaper speakers as a stand in and then look at getting some better ones later.
 
OK I got a temporary new plan. To start with I'm only going to look at getting the front 2 speakers along with the sub. At least that way I'm not wasting any money buying equipment that I would get rid of in the future. Then as soon as I have enough dosh, I'll add more speakers into the mix.
 
Great thanks. At least that means I might be able to use a box with HDMI switching (which seem to be generally cheaper) and still get optical sound.
 
Well I'm going to visit a local Richer sounds today to look at the Av receivers and speakers today so I'll see what I can get.

Thanks for all the advice.
 
Well that was an expensive trip. Went to richer sounds and they were a bit poo to be honest. They couldn't tell me what I wanted to know so left the shop and luckily there was another AV shop right next to them!

I ended up buying an Onkyo TXSR705E and a pair of Kef IQ5SE speakers to go with it (also picked up a Logitech Harmony 1000 remote). I've seen some nice rear speakers and a good sub as well to go with them, but that will be when I have some more pennies to spend.
 
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