Home theatre with my Sony Bravia 3LCD HDTV

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pelican

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Wannabe Geek

#53212 9-Dec-2009 03:48

Hi, I just recently purchased a Sony Bravia 3LCD HDTV rear projection model number kf-55e200a and I want to purchase a freeview HD tuner (terrestrial not satalite) and a home theatre system. I have a PS3 too running into my one and only HDMI port on the telly. Now I'm trying to get round the fact that i may have to buy an HDMI switcher AND a digital optical switcher for the PS3 and tuner to get surround sound from both. Does anyone have any alternatives or suggestions on freeview box or HTS?

thanks

sbiddle

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#280590 9-Dec-2009 06:52

Some home theatre systems have multiple HDMI inputs and do HDMI switching. This means you can plug your Freebox box and Xbox into the home theatre system and only need one HDMI cable running to the TV.

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pelican

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Wannabe Geek

#280757 9-Dec-2009 13:00

Is the digital optical not the best way to hook up ps3 to hts?the way you mentioned both audio from ps3 and freebies tuner would be using hdmi?

pelican

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Wannabe Geek

#280758 9-Dec-2009 13:00

Is the digital optical not the best way to hook up ps3 to hts?the way you mentioned both audio from ps3 and freebies tuner would be using hdmi?

chiefie

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#280791 9-Dec-2009 13:48

Does your HTS take multiple HDMI inputs?
IF so, connect all HDMIs into HTS and from HTS to TV via its HDMI output.

IF not, does your HTS takes multiple Digital Optical inputs?
IF so, HDMIs to TV directly, then Digital Optical to HTS. Configure both units to output audio through Digital Optical, at the right bitrate to your HTS.

IF not, then you'll have to pick on over the other to use the Digital Optical on HTS, or a switcher of some sort that can switch optical (which I find is useless).

I doubt your TV has optical output and even if so, it will be downgraded from 5.1 to 2.1 to HTS.

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pelican

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Wannabe Geek

#280808 9-Dec-2009 14:06

I haven't bought my hts yet.tv only has
one hdmi input.what's the best audio format to use for hts?hdmi or optical?

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#280815 9-Dec-2009 14:14

What HTS are you going for? I recently got Sony HTIS-100 (NZ$599) from Sony's Online Outlet store for less than of its original price (of NZ$1199).

IT has 3x HDMI in, component-in and composite-in and upscale them to Full HD or 576p (composite). And couple of optical digital in and coax I think.

I do recommend this unit if you don't have HTS, the golf-ball size speakers are amazing.

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Handle9

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#280827 9-Dec-2009 14:31

pelican: Is the digital optical not the best way to hook up ps3 to hts?the way you mentioned both audio from ps3 and freebies tuner would be using hdmi?

It's definitely not the best way to hook your PS3 up to your HTS. It means that you can't get uncompressed audio into your HTS as optical and digital coax don't have the bandwidth.

HDMI is the best way to do it if your HTS accepts HD audio and doesn't just do video switching. There is lot's of reading you can do on this online.

juliant

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#286688 3-Jan-2010 15:22

I have the same TV as you (although the 50inch version). I also have a PS3 and Hometheatre system.

The fact that the TV only has one HDMI unit does mean you need to think carefully about how you would prefer to have things hooked up, and then choose a HT system that allows this.

HDMI is best beause it keeps things tidy (less cables), and lets you switch between sources easily

Since you havent bought a HT system yet, you are in a good position, as all you need to do is ensure you get one that has at least 2 or 3 HDMi inputs (they all have one HDMI output). All current model receivers will have HDMI

I use a Onkyo receiver as the hub if you like. HDMI from PS3 to HDMI 1 on the Onkyo and HDMI from Freview box to HDMI 2 on the Onkyo. Then HDMI out from Onkyo to the TV

That way you can leave your TV setting on HDMI and switch between Freeview and PS3 with your HT remote. Thats what I do. My HT receiver even passes through the Freeview signal when in standy so for everday TV watching I can just use the TV speaker rather than having the receiver on.

However if you are thinking more of a home theatre in a box type system, you may need to be careful as I dont know if these things offer the same funtionalty as a stand-alone receiver.

There is also issues to be aware of with the PS3 and high definition audio. The PS3 does do the decoding as long as you set it to LPCM, but it needs to be connected by HDMI to your receiver to get High def audio - an optical cable does not have the bandwidth. This also means you dont need a receiver that does onboard HD decoding itself provided you use the PS3

The new slim PS3 is the only model that gives the option of outputting bitstream allowing the receiver to do the decoding (once again still has to be via HDMI). People debate it, but for most there is no real world difference whether the PS3 does it or your receiver does.

However you pay for what you get - aside from doing High def decoding, more expensive models have more power, and other features. If you arent bothered about Hidef audio, or having lots of cables, you can save a lot of money buying a 2 or 3 year old receiver without HDMI - mines on Trademe for $150 and I paid a $1000 for it 3-4 years ago (on sale!)