Not quite sure that I want/need :-)

stoofa · 12 Jan 2010 at 12:07

At the moment we have the following setup:

Samsung 40" LCD
Sky HD Box - Connected via HDMI to LCD
PS3 - Connected via HDMI to LCD

Old Acoustic Solutions home cinema setup:
5.1
Sub is attached via Optical cable to the PS3.
So we can have surround sound when we're watching DVD or Bluray.
At the moment we have no surroudn sound when watching regular TV.

So - What I want.

I'd like to get a new "Sub", containing codecs, which will allow we to connect the Sky HD box via HDMI, the PS3 via HDMI and the Samsung LCD via HDMI.
The "Sub" will then do all of the work - whichever device I'm using it will simply give me surround sound.

I'm pretty sure what I want is standard equipment - I just don't know the name of it

Budget - Well we're in a credit crunch.
I do not demand "perfect audio quality" - and anyway, that would all be down to the speakers (to a degree).

So please, if you can give me some makes/models and approx. pricing of what I'm looking for it would be very much appreciated.

probedb · 12 Jan 2010 at 12:56

You mean an all-in-one? I.e. amp, sub and speakers? Pretty much every major manufacturer does them, i.e. Sony, Panasonic, Philips etc, just check their websites to see what's available.

They vary a lot in pricing so unless you give a budget people can't really suggest anything.

cram · 12 Jan 2010 at 13:15

Sky HD can only output stereo sound over HDMI. If you want 5.1 you have to use one of the optical connections

jaybee · 12 Jan 2010 at 14:10

I just wrote a long reply then decided to remove it and ask for more info as I was speculating. i can't really answer without you linking us to what you already have. Can you link me to this "Old Acoustic Solutions home cinema setup"?

Phil99 · 12 Jan 2010 at 15:54

If you're happy with your equipment in general it sounds like you could get away with an optical switch box.

Sky/PS3 -> TV via HDMI as normal
Optical from Sky & PS3 -> switch box -> optical to speakers

It's not all automatic as you'd have to swap the TV channel and switch box when going between PS3 and Sky, but it's probably a lot cheaper than other options.