basically im after a set of speakers for my new TV and PS3 but im a bit confused as to what i need.
would something like this work? or would the speakers only work with the DVD player?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Panasonic-DVD-...item33591f0903
or should i pop over to chester one night this week for one of these?
http://www.richersounds.com/product/...yama-nsp270-si
cheers all

 

If Logitech products are available try the Z5500 5.1 set. They are very good.

 

make sure to get a surround sound system with a digital optical input, that way u can link it directly to your TV/PS3's optical out socket, and use the aux mode on the surround unit.

 

What you need is a system from Sony. Why?

Because the PS3 outputs it's HD audio via the HDMI output. However, it decodes the HD Audio internally, and what it actually outputs is multichannel PCM through the HDMI.

So what you need is a system that accepts both video and multichannel PCM over HDMI. Of which, the only ones known to do this properly are the Sony units - since they are specifically designed to do so.

The PS3 *can* output multichannel audio via optical, but only 5.1 and only Dolby Digital and DTS. To get 7.1 in Dolby HD, DTS HD, TrueHD etc, you'll need to output the audio over HDMI.

In order for you to get "surround sound" from your TV, the receiver part of the system needs to be able to do Dolby Pro Logic I/II, and have a connection to accept either optical from your TV (if your TV has an optical output) or stereo RCA/Phono. Your TV will only output stereo sound anyway, so you'll not get proper surround sound from it, all you'll be able to do is send the receiver a stereo signal, which the DSP will create a "pseudo" surround (ie, fake) using Pro Logic.

IMO? Don't bother using fake surround from the TV - it'll never sound right and it's not worth it. 2.1 is the best you can get from a stereo signal (which is the normal stereo signal, with the lower frequencies being sent to the sub to boost them) and connect the PS3 via HDMI to a system than can accept multichannel PCM audio over HDMI, then run a single HDMI from the system to the TV and bobs your uncle

 

I have my ps3 sending audio and picture to my Onkyo 605 via hdmi( when it is not in my sons room), ps3 is sending out as LPCM. would I be right in saying that the ps3 still decodes DTS hd internally or has one of the past updates now allowing it to be send out to the audio reciever.
It has been a while since I had it hooked up downstairs so I cant remember if the dts-hd or Master audio lights come on

 

If you have a "fat" PS3, then it has a hardware limitation that will only allow it to output HD audio as LPCM. The new slim models can output DTS HD and DTS HD Master Audio as bitstream over HDMI, but the older one can only PCM

 

cheers for the info.
as usual im trying to do it on the cheap though
my tv has a S/PDIF out, there is a sony DAV S800 5.1 system on ebay thats 5 mins down the road from me which has an S/PDIF input. would i be right in thinking i could just leave the PS3 connected to the tv via HDMI and connect the tv to surround sound via S/PDIF?

 

oh and its a PS3 slim if that makes any difference.

 

Sadly no. Very VERY few TV's will pass through a digital surround audio signal, and even fewer (in fact I've never heard of any) will take the multichannel audio from a HDMI and pass it out through it's optical output

You could plug the optical from the PS3 into the DAV system and enjoy Dolby Digital and DTS in 5.1 from the PS3, and just have to mute the TV when in use, but unless it has another connection, you won't be able to pipe any audio from your TV to the DAV

 

agreed they are the nuts got mine from amazon

 

sorry to but in, but curious what kind of room size are you useing that logitech set up in?

 

not the best type at the mo, its a rectangle room, 13 foot by 25ft tv is in one corner and most of the surround sound is aimed at one sofa just in front of the tv, once i move i will set it up properly

 

ahhh right, cheers again.
how about connecting both the S/PDIF outputs from the tv and PS3 into one of these
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...C=SO&U=strat15
then the output of this to the input of the DAV?
the dav is at Ł66 on ebay with 12 hours left, i might just buy it and try and make it work later

 

Splitter won't work, you'll need a proper switch.

To be honest, plugging your TV into the DAV is pointless. The sound from the TV will only ever be stereo, and the sound in the programmes broadcast on your TV (ie, Freeview or Freesat) will only ever be stereo, so plugging into a surround sound set up is pointless as the DAV will only ever see a stereo signal coming in. If it has Dolby Pro Logic it can pretend it's 5.1 and take the stereo signal and output it as a fake surround, but it will sound awful and very very soon you'll not bother using it.

Personally, just have the audio as it was intended - either proper 5.1 DD/DTS or stereo. Simple as that.

 

ive got one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-HT-X71...item4ced2d214a

optical in and sterio in for my sky HD and Xbox 360