Hi just ordered the Samsung LE40M87BD 40" LCD and the HT-TX35R Home Cinema system. Also have a PS3.

Please could someone advise me on cables to connect the three? Guess it involves HDMI (a purchasing minefield) and optical cables (don't know where to start).

Also heard that decent TV's need a new plug cable because of interference?

Links to buy would be much appreciated as I need to get this stuff ordered soonish

anyone?

[ows90]

You will need 2x HDMI cables, an optical lead and a stereo phono audio cable.

Connect the PS3, and the TX35 to the TV, each via HDMI.

Connect the PS3 to the Digital optical audio in on the TX35 with an optical lead.

Connect the TVs R/L Audio out with a phono lead to the TX35s AUX IN 2 phono input.

When you want to listen to Freeview, press the AUX button on the remote such that AUX 2 appears on the display.
When you want to listen to the PS3, do the same such that DIGITAL IN appears on the display.

Also when listening to AUX 2 you can press the PL II (MODE) button (to get PRO LOGIC on the display), to listen to Freeview in pseudo surround.

Optical cable, HDMI cable, Stereo phono cable

Don't worry about getting a new plug.

[davepuma]

You will need 2 x HDMI for the PS3 and all-in-one s/s system. You will also need 2 x optical cables plus a splitter, or 1 x optical for PS3 and 1 x pair of RCA phonos for the TV to get surround sound (of sorts) from the built in freeview. Your all-in-one s/s system has only 1 optical input, so you will need the splitter to select between PS3 and TV or go with one optical and one RCA phono (stereo) cables.

HDMI (the ones at a fiver will do, digital is digital. If you fancy spending more check out molex which are used by a few folks on here)
optical
RCA phono
optical splitter

Good luck and enjoy your new kit!

Excellent advice from both of you. The kit comes on Saturday so I will plug it all together and kick back!

Why don't I need a new plug, does it make a difference?

[davepuma]

No problems, good luck with your new setup. I have never heard of "decent" TV's requiring a new plug. I know some people may benefit from a mains conditioner etc. if they get interference from microwave ovens and the like but that's on any TV. I know my parents used to get it everytime their central heating kicked in. Better waiting to see if you do get any interference before splashing out. If you simply mean upgrading the 'kettle' lead, again, I wouldn't bother. Plenty people on here will say that upgraded mains cables DO make a difference and plenty others say it DOESN'T. It usually ends up in an arguement. Unless someone shows me side by side comparisons, which you don't even see in AV magazines for video cables, then I would keep your money. On another subject, I recently viewed a site that showed side by side comparisons of SD, Sky HD and HDDVD which was kind of useful. That's what you would like to see before splashing out £££'s on What Hi-Fi's latest recommendation. (I've stopped paying attention to a lot of mag reviews as they simply don't back up their claims). I have upgraded my mains cables on my stereo equipment but that was simply as they weren't dear and they look good (got em from ebay). I can't tell the difference TBH but they do look good! I don't usually fall for the expensive = better nonsense.