Blu ray and surround sound start-up - what equipment to get?

[darvman]

Well its my first post so here goes...

Last year I bought a Panasonic 37PX80b after trawling through hundreds of posts here and spending hours in the shop comparing and I'm very impressed, its brilliant to be honest.

I now feel that the TV is crying out to reach its full potential, so I want to take the plunge to blu-ray (and my girlfriend has finally agreed, so we're good to go).

My question is which blu-ray player to go for? I know the Panny BD-35 is a great player and its only £150 now on Amazon. I would just buy it, but now I'm thinking about 5.1 surround sound possibilities.

I think (although I'm not sure) that the bd35 only has 2.1 output if you don't go for HDMI surround sound (which I don't think I can afford), is that right?

Basically any input about what my options are would be great?! I'm not committed to anything yet. Are there any (decent) blu-ray / 5.1 home cinema systems out there? Or it is better to get a good blu ray player and separate sound system?

Thanks for any help!


Setup:
Panasonic 37PX80b
XBox 360 (which I would like to go through s/sound too if possible)
Humax PVR9300T (not fussed about this going through surround sound too much, but would be nice)
A BIG GAP FOR MY NEW BD PLAYER

 

[kingfats]

I think (although I'm not sure) that the bd35 only has 2.1 output if you don't go for HDMI surround sound (which I don't think I can afford), is that right?

Hi.
2ch phono out for stereo yes plus of course digital optical for your 5.1 if you want to take that route.
All the best.

 

[darvman]

Thanks for the reply!

I'll have a look at some other threads before asking my next stupid question

 

[darvman]

OK I think I'm getting there...

So basically I need the blu-ray player (obviously) and either a receiver (amplifier) that has digital optical input or HDMI input, and then the speaker system?

Is there an easier way to do it, or is that the only way?

Thanks!

 

[kingfats]

OK I think I'm getting there...

So basically I need the blu-ray player (obviously) and either a receiver (amplifier) that has digital optical input or HDMI input, and then the speaker system?

Is there an easier way to do it, or is that the only way?

Thanks!

Basically that's it yes have you set a budget at all?

 

[darvman]

Basically that's it yes you can go amp/speakers and sub for HDMI audio or cheaper with say optical to DD/DTS only setup.

OK, so what's the difference / drawbacks of optical to DD/DTS only? Will all blu-rays work with this? Is it just a quality thing?

 

[darvman]

Sorry forgot to mention budget...

Not really set one at the moment. Blu ray player no more than about £150 as there's no need to spend much more at the moment with the bd35 and s350 about.

Surround sound, no idea to be honest. I don't mind spending if its good, but if its great value and a little worse quality, I'd be happy too

 

[961]

Sorry forgot to mention budget...

Not really set one at the moment. Blu ray player no more than about £150 as there's no need to spend much more at the moment with the bd35 and s350 about.

Surround sound, no idea to be honest. I don't mind spending if its good, but if its great value and a little worse quality, I'd be happy too

bd35 & s350 will both do fine

As for the amp/receiver, there are a load just being introduced. Wait for the reviews in the next couple of months. Don't forget you'll need speakers and cables too

I'd say £150 for the blu ray player, £250/300 for the amp, and the same for the speakers

Will that match your budget?

 

[kingfats]

OK, so what's the difference / drawbacks of optical to DD/DTS only? Will all blu-rays work with this? Is it just a quality thing?

The drawback with optical only is that you won't get the new HD soundtracks (TrueHD and DTS-MA) but will still sound very good with DD/DTS 5.1 surround sound.
All Blu-ray discs will work no problem with this connection.

 

[darvman]

bd35 & s350 will both do fine

As for the amp/receiver, there are a load just being introduced. Wait for the reviews in the next couple of months. Don't forget you'll need speakers and cables too

I'd say £150 for the blu ray player, £250/300 for the amp, and the same for the speakers

Will that match your budget?

Doesn't sound too bad to me. Mind the pun

If I wanted something cheaper, would we be talking the same style of setup, just with poorer quality amp / speakers? For example, are the all in one packs any good? My brother has the LG HT503PH and raves about it non-stop. Would that be compatible?

Thanks for the tip on waiting

 

[darvman]

The drawback with optical only is that you won't get the new HD soundtracks (TrueHD and DTS-MA) but will still sound very good with DD/DTS 5.1 surround sound.
All Blu-ray discs will work no problem with this connection.

OK thanks - still leaves the option of a future upgrade open if I get a pay rise!

 

[kingfats]

My brother has the LG HT503PH and raves about it non-stop. Would that be compatible?

As long as it's got an optical Input you could connect up the player there for your surround sound.

 

[darvman]

As long as it's got an optical Input you could connect up the player there for your surround sound.

Brilliant, thanks.

Last question (for now...)

The BD35 only had one HDMI output, so if I get an amp with HDMI input, how does that work? Do I need a splitter, or will the signal run through the amp and to the TV (or vice versa)?

I'm showing my true amateur colours now hey!

 

[kingfats]

Brilliant, thanks.

Last question (for now...)

The BD35 only had one HDMI output, so if I get an amp with HDMI input, how does that work? Do I need a splitter, or will the signal run through the amp and to the TV (or vice versa)?

I'm showing my true amateur colours now hey!

Yes runs through the amp,so you go HDMI from player to amp and then out again HDMI to TV. (need 2 HDMI cables)

 

[961]

Doesn't sound too bad to me. Mind the pun

If I wanted something cheaper, would we be talking the same style of setup, just with poorer quality amp / speakers? For example, are the all in one packs any good? My brother has the LG HT503PH and raves about it non-stop. Would that be compatible?

Thanks for the tip on waiting

You're still not quoting a budget, which makes it hard to advise

However, you are talking the same set up with the bits tailored to how much you want to spend

There are two ways

One is to buy an one in all pack and upgrade bit by bit if you feel the need

You've a Panny tv, buy a Panasonic all in one. Probably better than LG. For many that will be all they want. Sound much better than that from the tv set

If you find that not quite enough, buy an amp/receiver and some speakers which can easily be second hand

But for best advice tell us how much you want to spend

 

[signs]

Brilliant, thanks.

Last question (for now...)

The BD35 only had one HDMI output, so if I get an amp with HDMI input, how does that work? Do I need a splitter, or will the signal run through the amp and to the TV (or vice versa)?

I'm showing my true amateur colours now hey!

BD player -to amp- to Tv

my tip would be spend the most you can afford

I have onkyo 605 ,kef 305s ps3 EP35 and xbox 360 and the amp takes the lot

 

[darvman]

You're still not quoting a budget, which makes it hard to advise

However, you are talking the same set up with the bits tailored to how much you want to spend

There are two ways

One is to buy an one in all pack and upgrade bit by bit if you feel the need

You've a Panny tv, buy a Panasonic all in one. Probably better than LG. For many that will be all they want. Sound much better than that from the tv set

If you find that not quite enough, buy an amp/receiver and some speakers which can easily be second hand

But for best advice tell us how much you want to spend

Thanks for the advice 961...

For the surround sound I'm looking to spend around the £200 mark - not afraid to stretch up to £250 ish if there's a vast difference between the two. Then in the future I may upgrade, but probably not worth it until I have a bigger place and the price of HDMI input comes down. I'd rather have a good quality optical system than a bad HDMI one.

 

[signs]

have a look at this ..

http://www.avforums.com/forums/all-one-systems/767436-sony-htis100-home-audio-system.html

 

[darvman]

have a look at this ..

http://www.avforums.com/forums/all-one-systems/767436-sony-htis100-home-audio-system.html

Cheers - that looks pretty much like what I need. Seems like Sony have filled the "I don't want an all-in-one but I don't want a separates system" niche pretty well there.

Is there anything else like this on the market?

 

[kingfats]

Is there anything else like this on the market?

Panasonic do one but it might be 2.1 only? not sure. (check on the official site)

 

[Passingbat]

Cheers - that looks pretty much like what I need. Seems like Sony have filled the "I don't want an all-in-one but I don't want a separates system" niche pretty well there.

Is there anything else like this on the market?

have a look at this ..

http://www.avforums.com/forums/all-one-systems/767436-sony-htis100-home-audio-system.html

If I've correctly understood the spec. sheet for this, you'll need to get the Panny BD35 rather than the Sony S350, as it only accepts LPCM decoded HD audio via HDMI. Unless things have changed recently, the S350 doesn't decode DTS-MA. The BD35 is a cracking player and at the current price an absolute bargain.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/extras/Sony/Sony_HT-IS100_brochure.pdf

 

[Passingbat]

Is there anything else like this on the market?

I think it's worth a browse of the dedicated forum on these all-in-ones.

All-in-one Systems - AVForums.com

 

[tamick25]

Hi Darvman,

Others here have already given great advice on a setup, but just thought I'd throw my two-penneth worth in.

If you're after a 5.1 all-in-one system you might want to consider the following Onkyo set-up:

Onkyo Europe - HTX-22HD

It's a 2.1 channel system with support for the next gen Blu-Ray audio formats (Dolby True HD and DTS-Master Audio). It also has two HDMI inputs and optical in so would support your gear.

Most importantly its £300 (probably available for £250 or less on the web).

Spend another £100 and you can pick up the extra speakers for full 5.1, so it offers a bit of flexibility. Its had favourable reviews, but not quite in the same league as a dedicated receiver.

If you've got more cash to splash I'd reommend a Sony STR-DG820 (great budget HDMI and next gen audio receiver £200-300) if you can find one, maybe paired with Kef 1005.1 or Tannoy FX spekaers (£150-200). Richer Sounds should do you a good deal on a bundle, and you'll get great results with these. Failing that there's a range of new Sony budget HDMI receivers on the way Aug/Sept so may be worth waiting a bit.

Hope this helps.

 

[kingfats]

Hi Darvman,

Others here have already given great advice on a setup, but just thought I'd throw my two-penneth worth in.

If you're after a 5.1 all-in-one system you might want to consider the following Onkyo set-up:

Onkyo Europe - HTX-22HD

It's a 2.1 channel system with support for the next gen Blu-Ray audio formats (Dolby True HD and DTS-Master Audio). It also has two HDMI inputs and optical in so would support your gear.

Most importantly its £300 (probably available for £250 or less on the web).

Spend another £100 and you can pick up the extra speakers for full 5.1, so it offers a bit of flexibility. Its had favourable reviews, but not quite in the same league as a dedicated receiver.

.

I was trying to remember that one yeah for the money it's a great buy.
Just under 250 here.

 

[Passingbat]

If you've got more cash to splash I'd reommend a Sony STR-DG820 (great budget HDMI and next gen audio receiver £200-300) if you can find one, .

Apparantly now back in stock at RicherSounds

http://www.avforums.com/forums/av-a...68-sony-strdg820-back-sale-richer-sounds.html