urban

iTrader: (1)

Guys,

I did a search, but got sidetracked too many times - plus most of the threads are out dated.

I currently have a JVC 5.1 home theatre system.
Its about 3 years old and cost me back then just shy of £350

I'm now looking for a replacement system.
I'd also like I suppose bluray on it too (even though I've got a PS3)

Its connected to an LG42 6100 scarlet LCD tv via component
I have my SKY HD & PS3 connected via HDMI
I have a Wii connected via scart

And the TV goes to the home cinema system via an optical cable
(Since researching, I think I've learned that this only gives me stereo output and not 5.1 unless everything is connected via optical)


Under £1,000 is what I have in mind.
Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Shaun

Jamz3k

LG do a system called the HB954 which has piano black tall boy up front speakers, Blu-ray player & hidden Ipod dock. It sounds and looks fantastic. Best bit about it though is that it has 2HDMI in and 1out so you could connect it up via HDMI and then have your SKY HD and PS3 running thru it. It also has 1optical 1coaxial and 1analogue audio input. Tis a really nice system at around the £699 mark.

http://www.lge.com/products/model/detail/hb954pbw.jhtml

urban

iTrader: (1)

Cheers James.

In my current setup with SKY/PS3 & Wii all audio sent to the TV gets output via optical to the surround sound system.

What way does this work in your post?
Excuses if thats a stupid question by the way.


EDIT: Where did you see this operating by the way?

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't be spending a grand on any LG home cinema system personally and why get a blu ray player when you already have one in the PS3. there was a thread last week coving a similar situation. search for 'Onkyo' that should bring it up.

Jamz3k

Well as the PS3 and SkyHD box would be going into the system Via HDMI, it should deal with all the audio side as well as video. Would check just to make sure SkyHD box does audio 5.1 via HDMI though as I can remember at one stage it didn't. As for the Wii it would still connect upto the tv via Scart with an optical lead going into the LG system.

I very much doubt that the Optical connection on your TV will actually carry a dolby digital from external sources but things may have changed as I've not had to do my homework in about 2years.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

Sky HD only does DD 5.1 via Optical. Stereo only via HDMI. Rubbish I know.

Jamz3k

I would tend to agree (although subsitute Onkyo for Denon) but from his post i took the assumption he was looking a 1box solution.

Jamz3k

well in that case, theres my idea out the feckin window What a useless piece of crap the SkyHD box is.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Another question if I may please?

I see that the rear speakers are wireless.
Are wireless setups OK nowadays from interference of other stuff?

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

Yeah it really is a poor oversight/cost cutting measure.

https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scooby...nd-please.html

Jamz3k

Wireless Rear speakers generally use a Rear Hub to which they are connected too (so there is technically still wires). The sound quality out of the current crop is very good imo. Particularly the Panasonic range. I recently demo'd this unit SC-BT100 - Overview - UK & Ireland with the additional wireless speakers and the sound quality was very good.

I have quite a good system myself so i can tell good from bad but i really do think that the 1box solutions out at the mo are really good efforts and great to use thanks to HDMI. The only downside to most 1box systems is the subwoofers imo.

urban

iTrader: (1)

What about this setting I've just found then?

SELECTING DIGITAL AUDIO OUT
This function allows you to select your preferred Digital Audio Output.
The TV can only output DOLBY Digital if a channel is broadcast with Dolby Digital audio.
When Dolby digital is available, selecting Dolby Digital in the Digital Audio Out menu will set SPDIF output to
Dolby Digital
If Dolby Digital is selected in the digital audio out menu when dolby digital is not available, SPDIF output will be
PCM.
Even if both Dolby Digital and Audio language have been set in a channel which broadcast Dolby Digital Audio,
only Dolby Digital will be played.

Jamz3k

It means, if you are watching Freeview and a film on the channel is decoded with 5.1, it will output it as a 5.1signal to your Amplifer

As for external sources, if you are using Sky+ via scart, it will take that feed and output it thru the optical as stereo(2channel) and your Homecinema Amplifier can then change it to Dolby ProLogic rather than Dolby Digital.

daddyscoob

I might / probably be wrong but I thought for true surround sound you have to use optical as HDMI doesn't support this ???

My system only has 1 optical input currently used by the PS3. I've ordered a Sky+ HD box - long wait - so bought a gadget from Maplins which takes multipul optical inputs and feeds them into one optical output.... It's switchable so you switch to whatever source you want.

As I'm still waiting for the Sky box I haven't tried it yet.

urban

iTrader: (1)

We'll I think I might go with the above LG954 kit.
Looks good, from what I read it sounds good and it probalby does all I need

James - don't suppose you know where in NI I could go see/hear this?

Cheers,
Shaun

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

LG for a home cinema system seriously? With your budget by separates.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Help me then please!

Here's what I have.
Current TV is an 42LG6100 LCD
I've got a PS3, Sky HD and a Wii

Tell me though, why seperates.
What more will I achieve compared to say that LG box at approx £600

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

Have a look at that link to a very recent thread I posted above.

I'd go for a dedicated amp which you'd connect you PS3 to via HDMI, the Sky HD via optical (for the 5.1 sound) and the Wii is just via component I believe. The amp would still have plenty of available connections should you look to upgrade your kit in the future. A dedicated amp such as an Onkyo, Denon or the like is made to be the centre of your home entertainment kit so will be able to control all the sound via it. you don't need a blu ray player as you have the PS3 so why pay for another one which you are with the LG. Also if the Blu Ray player in that packs up it's part way to becoming useless.

You then need to think about the speakers. I have some mordaunt short speakers.

Welcome to Mordaunt-Short

With sperates it allows you to buy speakers that suit the aesthetics of your home as well as to your budget but giving you the option to upgrade in future if you wish.

check out Richer Sounds website for an idea of what's available.

Richer Sounds - The UK's Hi-Fi, Home Cinema & Flat Panel TV Specialists!

Obviously it's just my opinion but for me you'd gain over the LG by having better quality kit from specialist manufactures giving you a greater range of upgrade and connection options while most likely gaining far better sounding kit then the out of the box LG.

Ant

Agreed with the above that sort of budget your daft buying a LG system.

A onkyo /denon receiver would be a lot better then a LG system.

Also with the onkyo(not sure on denon as I have a onkyo) you can still connect sky hdmi through the amp but assign it to use the optical input so you get 5.1

Setup. Is quite easy comes with a mic to adjust your speakers automatically the sub may need a little tweaking as it sets its really low

HTH

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Agree with above. Spend the full £1k and you wont regret it. £4-500 on the amp, the same on speakers and then £100 on cables. Job done.

I got the Onkyo 607 (£449) and spent about £650 on speakers.

Watched Die Hard on Blu-Ray the other night and when the 747 lands in the opening scene, it was like it was landing on top of our house. Awesome

ps dont spend silly money on HDMI cables. A £5 one will do the same job as an £80 one.

Jamz3k

My old Director has set up a Multi-room/TV/Home Cinema business in Larne, if you want i could PM you his number. His advice would geniunely be second to none on what you actually should go for. I would agree with alot of people on here that separates could be the way forward for your budget but separates aren't always for everyone and can overcomplicate things at times especially if its planning to used in a family room.

I used to work for Richer Sounds but i really couldn't advise going into the store for advice as they don't seem to know their own products anymore if i'm honest.

Jamz3k

100% disagree. I use QED Qunex HDMI-P cables and there is noticeable difference between cheapy cables if your TV and source are of good quality. I wouldn't spend £80 on an HDMI cable though about £50max after that the gains seems to deminish.

urban

iTrader: (1)

You see - thats the problem.
Its for the main living room.

Its bad enough as it is - have to provide instructions on how to
Get a call at work even after now 8 months of the new TV - "How do you play a dvd again"
"Select component on the TV, press DVD on the home cinema"

Imagine if the PS3 had to go on, then you had to choose to start the movie on it, then switch somethin on the AMP, then presumably pick an HD channel on the TV too?

I'll look into it a bit more I think and then decide.
My budget was < £1,000 - not spend even fecking penny of it
Realistically the budget would be now capped at £700


The HDMI cables - there's not a chance of me spending £50 on a cable.
Sky is using the free one it came with.
My PS3 is using one that I think cost me £10.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

Harmony remote can solve a lot of the problems associated with wifey using the equipment.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Ah - so I see, Nice little simple options "Watch a DVD", "Play a game"

Bit pricy mind, although it would as you say solve a lot of issues

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

play sometimes have codes for them cheap. the 525 was available for £30 not long back. I'm on the look out for one if they do the deal again.

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

sony 2400 av receiver will accept all inputs from sky and ps3 etc and will connect to your tv via your component. It will also upscale component output to 1080i, it can be had for less than £300 highly rated, leaves £700 for speakers. Im sure with the sony amp as well you can program the remote to control other things like tv / dvd /blu ray etc

urban

iTrader: (1)

**** it - Why can't I just have a substancial win on the lottery
New house with top of the range kit - electronically controlled everywhere, dedicated movie room in which I can turn the ****** up as loud as I want.
And with these - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/re.../4708&cl=us,en

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

The sticky thread on AV forums disagrees:

HDMI Cables - Just the facts ... - AVForums.com

I'm overjoyed with my sub £10 HDMI cables, so I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree

urban

iTrader: (1)

We'll I'm as confused as ever now.

I rang richer sounds in Belfast and asked for information.
Consensus is that seperates are far better than one box, however more involved to setup - using microphones etc and blah blah blah.

His advice was that seperates gives a far clearer & richer sound.
Cutting out all the bull, basically he says go for a receiver around £400 and if possible go for a seperate speaker setup of which they happen to have one featured in which RRP £900, but they're selling for £600.
But he'll look after me on a deal for both - yeah right - I'm sure you will. Fecking salesmen

He did say that the 5.1 speaker packs rely a fair bit on the sub woofer, whereas the seperates don't actually know if a subwoofer will be present or not

At least I now know a bit more on the connections to the amp and how that all works.
Its connected