3d Bluray Home Cinema Kit recommedation

davyk31 · 12-25-2011, 03:16 PM

Have ordered a new Samsung LED and thinking of also upgrading my old Sony home cinema kit.

Budget approx £300, main players seems to be Samsung and LED, maybe also Sony. The Samsung is the more obvious choice but the rear tall speakers seem a bit ugly and obtrusive.

Anyone any experience or recommendations ?

Also a bit of help with what cables I need to make it all connect together, will have a Smart TV, Bluray sound system and a Sky box, currenty Sky+ but hopefully upgrading to Sky HD.

davyk31 · 12-26-2011, 02:52 PM

Any thoughts on this or even advice on separates for a similar cost?

Dr Dave · 12-26-2011, 03:17 PM

I'd suggest a decent AV amp and a half-decent set of speakers but this will be well out of your budget.

I started out with a Panasonic DVD/Home Cinema combo unit, gave a fairly decent sound but nowhere near my current Onkyo/KEF setup.

davyk31 · 12-26-2011, 04:01 PM

What budget would I need for a decent amp, speakers and 3d Blu ray player?

jimmylimmy · 12-26-2011, 04:11 PM

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...a-scbtt370-blk

Dr Dave · 12-26-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmylimmy

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...a-scbtt370-blk

Thats a great all-rounder to start you off.....beware, the AV bug bites hard!!!!

davyk31 · 12-27-2011, 10:50 AM

That Panasonic looks interesting. Have Also been looking at Samsung ones to keep the same brand as the tv to ensure everything integrates. Was keen on the HT-d6500 as it has wireless Internet built in. Anyone any thoughts on these.

Also would really appreciate some advice on cables. I will be getting a Sky HD box which I think comes with its own HDMI cable, is that right?
That leaves cabling for the home cinema kit, I assume again it's HDMI it needs but some also mention HDMI with eithernet, what is that all about and do I need it? Is that all cabling I need or do I need an optical audio cable as well, and what does it too? Want to maximise the system as much as possible.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:04 AM

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:04 AM

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:05 AM

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:05 AM

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:05 AM

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:05 AM

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyk31

That Panasonic looks interesting. Have Also been looking at Samsung ones to keep the same brand as the tv to ensure everything integrates. Was keen on the HT-d6500 as it has wireless Internet built in. Anyone any thoughts on these.

Also would really appreciate some advice on cables. I will be getting a Sky HD box which I think comes with its own HDMI cable, is that right?
That leaves cabling for the home cinema kit, I assume again it's HDMI it needs but some also mention HDMI with eithernet, what is that all about and do I need it? Is that all cabling I need or do I need an optical audio cable as well, and what does it too? Want to maximise the system as much as possible.

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 11:06 AM

IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.

davyk31 · 12-27-2011, 01:35 PM

So if my TV and my Home Cinema Kit both connect to my home hub then I don't need an HDMIe cable, is that correct?
And what is the Optical cable about, the uninterested sales person in Currys today told me i need an HDMI and Optical.

chris330D · 12-27-2011, 03:13 PM

You need the optical if you want surround sound out of the Sky box if I remember correctly. Something about the way the box is designed. Yes you only need the HDMIe cable if the devices are not directly connected to your home hub.

225_AB · 12-27-2011, 03:37 PM

Sky+ and sky+hd do not output 5.1 sound over HDMI so you will need optical or digital co axial to achieve 5.1 sound. HDMI with Ethernet is as far as I know not actually used at present. The blu ray player should output 5.1 via hdmi. So connect blu ray to amp via HDMI. Connect sky via HDMI AND OPTICAL to amp. Connect amp to tv via HDMI. Even if amp is in standby should allow pass through of signal.

Whats your budget?

225_AB · 12-27-2011, 03:39 PM

Ok saw your budget is £300.

Could look at second hand kit but might have to add kit as you go.

You will struggle at that budget to get separates so either save up a bit more or get kit then upgrade.

davyk31 · 12-27-2011, 04:35 PM

Ordered the samsung 6500 and some pretty basic cables. Can upgrade them if necessary.

225_AB · 12-28-2011, 08:53 AM

dont waste money on expensive HDMI cables

davyk31 · 12-28-2011, 09:10 AM

Once my new Home Cinema Kit arrives I will have this box and a Sky box, how do I connect all this up to the TV?

At the moment my Sky + box is connected by Scart, is there a better way, doesn't seem to be HDMI connection on the Sky + box. Will probably upgrade to Sky HD soon which will connect by HDMI.

How do I connect the Bluray/Amp box, is this just by HDMI to the TV. What about the optical cable, does this run from the Sky box to Bluray/Amp or from Sky to the TV.

Sorry about the basic questions !!!!

12-25-2011, 03:16 PM	#1
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	3d Bluray Home Cinema Kit recommedation Have ordered a new Samsung LED and thinking of also upgrading my old Sony home cinema kit. Budget approx £300, main players seems to be Samsung and LED, maybe also Sony. The Samsung is the more obvious choice but the rear tall speakers seem a bit ugly and obtrusive. Anyone any experience or recommendations ? Also a bit of help with what cables I need to make it all connect together, will have a Smart TV, Bluray sound system and a Sky box, currenty Sky+ but hopefully upgrading to Sky HD. Last edited by davyk31; 12-25-2011 at 03:21 PM..
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12-26-2011, 02:52 PM	#2
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Any thoughts on this or even advice on separates for a similar cost?
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12-26-2011, 03:17 PM	#3
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 112 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	I'd suggest a decent AV amp and a half-decent set of speakers but this will be well out of your budget. I started out with a Panasonic DVD/Home Cinema combo unit, gave a fairly decent sound but nowhere near my current Onkyo/KEF setup. __________________
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12-26-2011, 04:01 PM	#4
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	What budget would I need for a decent amp, speakers and 3d Blu ray player?
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12-26-2011, 04:11 PM	#5
jimmylimmy Captain 19 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 'charged VXR8 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	http://www.richersounds.com/product/...a-scbtt370-blk __________________ E92 335d Stealth Edition \| Gone VXR8 Wortec Carbon Edition \| Gone Golf R \| Incoming...
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12-27-2011, 10:50 AM	#7
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	That Panasonic looks interesting. Have Also been looking at Samsung ones to keep the same brand as the tv to ensure everything integrates. Was keen on the HT-d6500 as it has wireless Internet built in. Anyone any thoughts on these. Also would really appreciate some advice on cables. I will be getting a Sky HD box which I think comes with its own HDMI cable, is that right? That leaves cabling for the home cinema kit, I assume again it's HDMI it needs but some also mention HDMI with eithernet, what is that all about and do I need it? Is that all cabling I need or do I need an optical audio cable as well, and what does it too? Want to maximise the system as much as possible.
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12-27-2011, 11:04 AM	#8
chris330D Major 36 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sussex, UK iTrader: (0)	IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.
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12-27-2011, 11:05 AM	#10
chris330D Major 36 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sussex, UK iTrader: (0)	IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.
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12-27-2011, 11:06 AM	#15
chris330D Major 36 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sussex, UK iTrader: (0)	IIRC my sky HD box came with a HDMI cable. The only issue you may have is cable length depending on how close together the units are. HDMIe lets the devices share an Internet connection eg the amp can be connected to your router and the tv can connect through the amp. Generally HDMI is your best bet to connect together. When buying amp check the number of inputs it has versus the number of devices you want to connect. You can buy a splitter to share an input but it is not as good as a dedicated one.
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12-27-2011, 01:35 PM	#16
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	So if my TV and my Home Cinema Kit both connect to my home hub then I don't need an HDMIe cable, is that correct? And what is the Optical cable about, the uninterested sales person in Currys today told me i need an HDMI and Optical.
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12-27-2011, 03:13 PM	#17
chris330D Major 36 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sussex, UK iTrader: (0)	You need the optical if you want surround sound out of the Sky box if I remember correctly. Something about the way the box is designed. Yes you only need the HDMIe cable if the devices are not directly connected to your home hub.
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12-27-2011, 03:37 PM	#18
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	Sky+ and sky+hd do not output 5.1 sound over HDMI so you will need optical or digital co axial to achieve 5.1 sound. HDMI with Ethernet is as far as I know not actually used at present. The blu ray player should output 5.1 via hdmi. So connect blu ray to amp via HDMI. Connect sky via HDMI AND OPTICAL to amp. Connect amp to tv via HDMI. Even if amp is in standby should allow pass through of signal. Whats your budget?
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12-27-2011, 03:39 PM	#19
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	Ok saw your budget is £300. Could look at second hand kit but might have to add kit as you go. You will struggle at that budget to get separates so either save up a bit more or get kit then upgrade.
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12-27-2011, 04:35 PM	#20
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Ordered the samsung 6500 and some pretty basic cables. Can upgrade them if necessary.
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12-28-2011, 08:53 AM	#21
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	dont waste money on expensive HDMI cables
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12-28-2011, 09:10 AM	#22
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	Once my new Home Cinema Kit arrives I will have this box and a Sky box, how do I connect all this up to the TV? At the moment my Sky + box is connected by Scart, is there a better way, doesn't seem to be HDMI connection on the Sky + box. Will probably upgrade to Sky HD soon which will connect by HDMI. How do I connect the Bluray/Amp box, is this just by HDMI to the TV. What about the optical cable, does this run from the Sky box to Bluray/Amp or from Sky to the TV. Sorry about the basic questions !!!!
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