[hencam]

Hi,

I've been looking at getting a blu-ray player for some time now to go with my 40" W4000 Bravia, and I'm thinking of going for the PS3 slim, as then I'll get Bravia Sync and gaming too

I have a question though - my amp is an old Technics 5.1 which will take optical from the PS3 so no problem there, but would I be better having the video + audio from the PS3 go to the TV via HDMI, then use the optical from the TV to the amp, or straight optical from PS3 to amp + only the video via HDMI?

Cheers

Neil

[StevieBuck]

Connect the HDMI out to the TV for video, and use an optical direct from the PS3 to the amp for audio.

Most TVs only output stereo sound from it's optical output, so you will lose the 5.1 signal if you go through the TV. I've heard people saying some of the latest TVs can passthrough 5.1 audio, but I can't confirm this.

[hencam]

Thanks!

I also understand that I won't get 'TrueHD' sound through the optical, but am I correct in thinking I'll still get DD5.1 and DTS (if present on the disc) as I do from my current DVD player?

One last thing - does the PS3 make a good first blu-ray player? Is it quiet? I don't want anything that sounds like a hoover going in the background..!

Cheers

Neil

[StevieBuck]

Optical doesn't have the bandwidth to support HD audio - so yes you are limited to standard 5.1 Dolby Digital & dts.

Yes, the PS3 is a more than capable Blu-ray player. You can hear the fan at times, especially during quiet scenes in your movie - but that's the only bad thing I could say about it. Of course, this applies to the original PS3 which I own - I can't say what the new slim PS3 will be like!