Help with new AV setup

TheKnat

TheKnat

TheKnat

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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 you're spending £600 you can do better than a Sony. As for a HDMI switching box, good but make sure you have a remote with macro function otherwise pain switching inputs all the time.

As for what speakers to buy, that depends on your budget. At a certain price I wouldn't buy the lot in one go (low end) instead buy them seperatly and get decent stuff. Also avoid the cheaper floorstanders.
 
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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hmm I think if you're putting £600 into a AV amp you need than £400 for the speakers (if 5 plus sub) £400 will get you nice pair of standmounts, or a ok pair of floostanders)

Go and have a few demos. As for AV amps I'd consider Harmon Kardon or Arcam.
 
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.
 
Yeah I would recommend at least £200 on standmount fronts, £150 for surrounds, £200 for centre, and £400 on subwoofer. Course you can spend more if you want, if you want real wood veneer, and higher end drivers, higher output subwoofer etc. For floorstanders I'd spend at least £400. Those £150 floorstander things from Richer Sounds...urgh. So £1K on the 5.1 speakers alone (new)

If the room is larger you might need more power (amp) and a subwoofer with higher output. I'd recommend the SVS 20-39 PC Plus, my old sub and it was superb.
 
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.
 
you might also want to think about buying some decent standmounts for your temporary fronts and then moving them round to the back when you have money for equally good fronts.

I have no idea how much you earn or how big the room is or anything though.
 
TheKnat said:
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.
Click to expand...

Didn't see anyone else answer this so I would just like to confirm to you that the elite comes with a dongle to allow hdmi video and optical audio.
 
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.
 
Again depends on your budget, if you buy fronts + sub looking at £600 (£200 + £400 sub) ie Kef Q1/B&W 601 as an example, with BK XLS200/Monolith for the sub. Or you could put £400 into just fronts, standmounts so get one you really want. Or you could just get the matching rears (monopole) for the fronts you're going to buy, but use them for fronts until you buy the rears. But first go and compare monopole/dipole/bipole/tripole surrounds. I prefer non discrete speakers, especially in smaller rooms. Currently using dipole for sides, bipole for rears.

Beauty of seperates, you can buy things in any order...or can move older gear to other parts, or upgrade using old parts for computer (which I'm doing) Because as you get used to fantastic sound quality, moving from your main system to the PC (cheap nasty speakers) system will be disappointing.
 
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.
 
I've got an Octava 5>2 HDMI Switch.
It also processes the sound from all 5 HDMI connections and outputs them via a single toslink to an amp of your choosing.
I can take a picture if you want.

They are not cheap though, about £220.
 
TheKnat said:
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.
Click to expand...

I'd go and demo somewhere else, those sales reps are "yes" men, they don't give you advice on the best possible kit for your money, just want to shift own products, and off the shelf. Usually rubbish stuff they don't sell either. Superfi are similar too. I can gurantee they're try and flog your Cambridge Audio or Sherwood, with Eltax speakers.

Doug Brady has lovely kit...mega snob. Cheapest think is probably £5000! :eek: although he doesn't demo to "poor people"
 
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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