HDTV + PS3 + Home Theater System = CONFUSION?

Question

I have an HDTV and a PS3 connected to it via HDMI. Thinking about getting a Home Theater system. I wanted to be able to watch Blu-Ray on the PS3 with surround sound. I was wondering how I would be able to connect it all using HDMI. How many inputs/outputs would the theater system need? Can anybody help? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Inexpensive receivers will have 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output Like this Pioneer VSX 1017TX. Here's a Link...
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/PioneerReceivers/ci.VSX-1017TXV-K.Kuro

The problem with these receivers is they don't process the audio from the HDMI. You end up running a digital audio cable to the receiver from each device or the TV.

Denon has a receiver that does process the audio from HDMI in their lower end receivers for only $599.00. Look at this Unit...
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3635.asp

The receiver has great audio but lacks with it's remote. You don't want this one if you Parents ever come over as you'll never be able to leave the house if they want to watch something.

Yamaha and Pioneer Elite allow you to use HDMI and have great control. These receivers have all the bells and whistles but at the expense of you wallet. But your dad might even show you something new if you spring for one of these when you leave him at home with it.

Here's a link to the VSX-91TX from Pioneer Elite...
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/EliteReceivers/ci.VSX-91TXH.Kuro

And here's a link to the Yamaha RX-V1800...
http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=558291&CTID=5000300

I think you can look at these and make a decision with the audio side. Now come’s Speakers.

I like Klipchs, JBL, and Infintiy.
So lets look at box set to help keep it simple.

Klipchs:
This set sound great for the price. At only $799.99 the Quintet SL 5-Piece Home Theater System. Take a look at them at BestBuy. Here’s a link...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8351696&type=product&id=1176507037737

This is the Infinity Primus Theater Pack II Home Theater System. This set will work great with the Pioneer Elite or that Yamaha. It cost less because you have to buy a subwoofer separate.

http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=34007

What we haven’t look at is a speaker set for a smaller system. So let’s look at the JBL speakers. For less than $350.00 you can get a complete set. Heres a link to a ad at Best Buy…
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8304596&type=product&id=1172882131588

Well I hope this help you out.

A home theater system is a nice thing to have if you like movies. I hope yours will sound as good as your local theatre, Shouldn’t be hard to set up using HDMI.

Drop me a line if you have any more question.

Answer 2

Does the TV have an OPTICAL output?

If so - you are gold. Just run an optical cable from the TV to the "DVD" input on the surround sound system and you will get 5.1.

ALTERNATE:

Does the PS3 have a optical/coaxial-digital output in addition to the HDMI? If so - just run a short optical cable from the PS3 straight to the receiver. Use the TV speakers for casual gaming/DVD watching, or fire up the receiver for more serious sound.

THIRD CHOICE:

Look for a AV Receiver that has HDMI switching and supports the newer sounds (like TrueHD). Then hook things up:

PS3 -> Receiver -> TV

Answer 3

simply use a toslink fiber optic cable from the ps3 to receiver (set audio out to optical on ps3). unfortunately the ps3 cannot process lossless audio such as dolby hd and an hdmi audio out connection is worthless because you cannot take advantage of the features of hdmi audio. also most receivers only handle the video portion of hdmi and NOT the audio. so hook the hdmi to the tv as it is and a fiber obtic cable to the receiver. that's it.