My set up- what to do?

randomshenans

randomshenans

randomshenans

Soldato
Joined
11 Sep 2009
Posts
14,064
Location
France, Alsace
So I would like to get the sounds in the lounge all set up and sorted, but unsure what to go for, or how to do it.

I have an LG 60" plasma, Mac Mini and Orange TV (frenchness) that I would like to hook up, but just looking for advice.

The mac mini is the older version and I have an HDMI cable for it to the TV at present, but the sound is via a 3.5mm jack. So my understanding is that you can get a 3.5mm cable to optical (checked on amazon).

If I bought, say, an AV receiver, would I plug in the mac HDMI and optical audio in, and it would work out to put the sound & video together? May sound like a dumb ass question, I know.

The rest I can just HDMI in and be done with it, no bother. Then, would it be best to go for a good AV unit, and buy speakers in bits (I would like a decent set up, but the Mrs would get the hump a bit if I chucked thousands straight at it)?

Can you get a decent AV receiver that's easy to use (some I've used are far to complicated for anyone to use, bar me, which would mean more ear) for about 400?

Then, are powered subs worth it, do you get non powered versions? A flat I was renting had some of the tiny Bose speakers at the front up high on the walls, what are the benefits of such small ones, vs. some nice floorstanding units?

Just trying to understand it all, my options and what you guys would recommend really. New in this section... go easy :D
 
Also, as the mac mini hasn't got massive storage on it, I'd like to get some more storage. Would I be best off getting something like this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-079-AK

Couple of 1TB drives in that and attaching it to the mac mini?

Or, as the TV also can grab things off the network, get a NAS setup, and use that to grab it from that instead?

Unsure which provides the best performance etc.
 
If you are looking for media storage the HP microserver is by far the best option, after rebate they are £130!!

Does the mac not do audio over hdmi? But in answer, hdmi + optical would also work

If you look at an Onkyo receiver at around your price range you could not go wrong.

If you want to make thigns easy to use for everyone, get a Logitech Harmony One remote, they are the dogs balls.
 
where can I find the Microserver at that price? Link?

Nah it doesn't have it over HDMi, annoyingly, looks like I'll get that cable.

Are Onkyo any good? I've seen a few of them around but mixed reviews.

I love the look of the harmony 1100 :P
 
So I remembered I have a time capsule with is 2TB, so I set that up, and my receiver arrived today, so hoping the cable will arrive soon as well for the optical audio out the mini mac. Should give me a nice little set up to start.

Got my eye on some mini satellite speakers for the front tops, I have some speakers for the front bottom. When the Mrs doesn't realise, I'll get a nice neat sub, centre and rears for the wall. Sorted.
 
All hooked up, optical audio to AV from mac mini, time machine all set up as well. Nice little set up, and cool (if not a little buggy) remote control app for the iPhone/Pad so we an change songs etc. from other rooms :)

Been using Vuze as a DLNA server on the mac as well so I can access tunes straight from the app without having to go and preselect them. I might try the VLC app though as Ive heard that is pretty good for controlling your stuff on the machine remotely?
Anyone used it? Or others?

Next is a bluray player I think and this sub and better fronts :) I'm well pleased with it so far.
 
Just thought I'd add to the set up, as everyone needs a sub, so I just ordered the Wharfedale SPC 10. What Hifi gives it 5 stars, so hope it's a decent unit.
 
OK, so now my setup is:

TV - LG 60PS8000 60" Plasma
Mac Mini 1st gen
2TB Time Capsule
250GB Black Xbox 360
Onkyo TX-NR609
Wharfedale SPC-10
Front Surround - Monitor Audio Radius R 45 HD
Front Speakers - JBW Bookshelf Speakers, I have had for eons. Need to replace...
Rears - None at the moment but I think I'm going for the Monitor Audio RX FX

I'm going to be looking at replacing the fronts with some nice floorstanders soon, anyone got any good suggestions?

Also, what are peoples thoughts on the RXFX's for rear surrounds?

Cheers!
 
If your going for the RXFX rears why not get the RX6 for fronts and the centre too?

For AV it's a fantastic set up. What's your budget?
 
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