n00b with some questions about surround sound, plasma, etc

[MikeInCardiff]

Hi Guys first post, not had chance to read everything on here yet (and for some reason the site is blocked access by Orange).

Anyway down to business - I have just bought a nice 50" phillips plasma tv, the exact model escapes me but it was the one for sale recently for £999... it may not be top of the range but it fulfills my needs anyway! But I would like a nice 5.1 surround sound system to go with it, and ive seen these packages for £2-300, but I dont particularly want a DVD player, just an amp and speakers - can anyone recommend a good setup? I'm not a purist exactly, as long as it sounds ok I would be happy, I dont want to spend hundreds of pounds! maybe £200 would be a good budget target?

Also, how is this connected to my TV? surely not through the headphone socket? I will be connecting a PS3, my computer to play films and also probably normal tv (Sky) to the TV so ideally I would like the sound from all of these to come through my nice surround sound system, but I have no idea how it would be set up!

Thanks in advance guys

 

[TEDDYBASS]

Mike,

If you are not bothered about playing DVDs the only time you will get the true benefit of a surround system will be during some sky movies that output Dolby digital 5.1.
If you dont have sky you dont need a true 'surround' system and might be better off getting an amp and 2 stereo speakers.That way you could get better quality kit for your budget and you can always add the other 3 speakers and subwoofer later, if you decide you want to integrate a DVD player or sky movies.
The connection to your Tv would, ( dependant on the sockets available on the amp and your TV ) be via an optical, fibre optic or 2 channel audio leads.

 

[MikeInCardiff]

Hi Teddy

That sounds a good suggestion, it would be suitable for what I want I think, only thing I'm likely to play films on is the computer or the PS3 - can you recommend a good (but not bank-breaking) amp and speaker set up? which would allow for the rest of the surround sound set up if required?

Thanks

ps. at the mo I play all my computer sound thru the auxilary thing on my hifi set up, would this suffice for the TV aswell? or would it work?

 

[Warthog33uk]

Hi Mike,

Have a look at this: http://www.futurehome.co.uk/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=711&GCID=C13982x002

Well within your budget and a good package for what you need.

Spencer

 

[DolbyDan]

OR

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/denondht1356xp-denondht-1356xp.shtml?froogle

These are your best options

Dan

 

[MikeInCardiff]

Hi Guys thanks for the replies

another quick question, how do you connect these up? Cos looking at my tv theres no "audio out" specific sockets, just the SPDIF coaxial or whatever it is, is this suitable? all the red/white plugs seem to be audio in... or do these work both ways?