Quick question on new home cinema setup?

[MarkCup]

Just about to order new TV, Sky HD, and DVD theatre package.

Already got an Xbox360.

What do I need the DVD theatre thingy to have to be able to handle 5.1 digital from both the 360 and SkyHD?

2 optical inputs?

What other connection options are there?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Chili Red]

I don't know the answer but can I come and watch films round your house?

 

[RichMcc]

This is the problem I have, my digital TV works in surround, so does my DVD but I cant get the 360 or laptop input to work surround :S

 

[KAT182]

Sky HD is an optical output, it does have a HDMI output but not to sure if any 5.1 amplifiers have HDMI support. The xbox is optical i think, so yeah you need an amp with 2 or more optical inputs.

Kate

 

[MarkCup]

I don't know the answer but can I come and watch films round your house?

Always welcome. No chick flicks though, all films must have either special effects or automatic weapons, none of this Four Weddings Notting Hill malarky.

Sky HD is an optical output, it does have a HDMI output but not to sure if any 5.1 amplifiers have HDMI support. The xbox is optical i think, so yeah you need an amp with 2 or more optical inputs.

Kate

Bugger. Can anyone recommenrd a reasonably priced home theatre kit with two optical inputs? Failing that, a decent AV receiver and speakers?

 

[RichMcc]

The 360 doesn't have an optical port

 

[cava83]

if you get the components, that has an optical out

 

[RichMcc]

Can you explain? I have the component cable, and the VGA cable. Is there an optical cable?

 

[Munson]

I recommend seperates. A good AV amp will have all the audio (and probably video, for switching) that you need. I would run HDMI/DVI into the TV/display. Mute the TV. Run coaxial or optical to the amp for sound. I have always liked coaxial digital audio because it's purer, but any amp worth its salt will have a selection of coax & optical - X360 et al will most likely be optical outputs.

BTW all of the above is based on my experience of spending thousands. I've been out of the loop for a couple for years though

 

[MarkCup]

I recommend seperates. A good AV amp will have all the audio (and probably video, for switching) that you need. I would run HDMI/DVI into the TV/display. Mute the TV. Run coaxial or optical to the amp for sound. I have always liked coaxial digital audio because it's purer, but any amp worth its salt will have a selection of coax & optical - X360 et al will most likely be optical outputs.

BTW all of the above is based on my experience of spending thousands. I've been out of the loop for a couple for years though

Sorry Roy, that was just noise to me.

In English?

 

[RichMcc]

AV fries my mind.... I'll put up with it in stereo lmao... where the beer

 

[Munson]

I recommend seperates. A good AV amp will have all the audio (and probably video, for switching) that you need. I would run HDMI/DVI into the TV/display. Mute the TV. Run coaxial or optical to the amp for sound. I have always liked coaxial digital audio because it's purer, but any amp worth its salt will have a selection of coax & optical - X360 et al will most likely be optical outputs.

BTW all of the above is based on my experience of spending thousands. I've been out of the loop for a couple for years though

Sorry Roy, that was just noise to me.

In English?

Buy seperates if you want the best.

 

[RichMcc]

But theres no optical output on the 360, and Ive not seen an optical cable for it.
I assume your talking about like a hifi setup with seperate components that stack on top of eachother?

 

[Craig]

there is a optical port on the 360 its just a different size isnt it? yes he means the ones you can buy seperate and stack them up

 

[Ibanezman]

But theres no optical output on the 360, and Ive not seen an optical cable for it.
I assume your talking about like a hifi setup with seperate components that stack on top of eachother?

I use optical out from my 360, and use the cable I had for my DVD player, works perfect with surround sound

It's part of the bit where all the cables go to your tv

 

[Gareth]

But theres no optical output on the 360, and Ive not seen an optical cable for it.
I assume your talking about like a hifi setup with seperate components that stack on top of eachother?

there is optical from the 360, its on the VGA cable, where the cable connects into the 360 the optical feeds into there (the connector going into the 360) I've got mine running on optical.

 

[MarkCup]

Sorry Roy, that was just noise to me.

In English?

Buy seperates if you want the best.

Re-read what you wrote now with a clearer head. Makes sense.

Recommendations?

 

[domtheone]

Assuming your budget is in the thousands (since you're buying new tv etc etc).

If the tv's 32" or more then get the 360 HD-DVD drive add on for starters.

HD is the way forward:approve:

Get a decent AV Amp (guessing £200 upwards although it'll be a lot more if you want to be future proof for the new HD sound formats) and a 5-6 Speaker package, possibly AE, Mission, B&W, Brands. Few hundred to few thousand £££.

Should easily kick into touch these all in one packages with Speakers the size of a tin of beans.

Course you need the £££ and the room to fit all this stuff.

 

[rich[182]]

Checkout www.avforums.co.uk loads of info their on this kinda stuff

 

[cava83]

Where the main block is, next to the cable where it outputs, there is an optical output there

And I know for sure this product definately has it .

http://www.dabs4work.com/productview.aspx?QuickLinx=421P

That should help you out

 

[RichMcc]

Oh I see now its on the big connector that goes into the back of the xbox! Cool I'll have to buy another cable to plug into it