New to home cinema

[connieboy]

Okay heres the deal,i'm new to home cinema and i want to get a home cinema system so i can watch films in 5.1 sound but i have a few questions to ask first...
A friend told me to go for a system with optical inputs as he said the quality is better if i got one with optical inputs could i connect a xbox via these inputs?
Also is it best to go for a complete system or a standalone amp.
I'm lookin at spending £250ish.
any body got suggestions of systems /amps with optical inputs for that sort of price
Thanks
Connieboy:thumbsup:

[rob roberts]

with so little to spend might i suggest a visit to richer sounds website and see what they have at your nearest store in the clearance section.

[connieboy]

How much do you think i should be upping the price too.
Am i right about connecting the xbox

[LicensedTaximan]

I don't know anything about X boxes, but without sounding like an av/hi-fi snob decent quality sound, whether stereo or 5.1 cannot be had for that level of investment. As to how much one should spend...well that's almost like saying how long is a piece of string. As a start I personally would think that you need to double your original spending, this is if the amount is for a system rather than just an amp. If this amount is just for an amp then your in with a chance, but as mentioned above pop into Richer Sounds, or log on to their website with a bit of dudicious searching you can get decent bargains.

Regarding the digital input/output situation well that is a case of constant debate, most including myself feel that the coax has the lead (excuse unintended pun) but see other threads for that one. Sorry to be so negative, but you did ask.;)

[shahedz]

if you go second hand your money will go a lot further. opticall is used to carry sound only, and is the only way of getting dolby digital DTS ,unless your source has an onboard decoder

[LicensedTaximan]

The only problem going second hand is that if anything goes wrong and you're buying privately it could be frought with problems, let's face it not everyone is fair, decent and honest, you are dealing with electrical equipment.:lesson:

Never the less if buying from one of the forum members i'm sure that in itself would be a sign of a guaranteed honest and decent buy. There are rules and regulations here to protect us which i'm sure all will abide by. Nobody here wants a bad name for themselves so it tends to be self regulatory anyway, but it's good to have the guidlines.:thumbsup:

[connieboy]

okay thanks for your help :thumbsup: