Entertainment System Overhall

[leowyatt]

Hopefully we'll be able to buy a new HDTV in the next couple of months but I'm having headache trying to work out how to connect stuff and if we can utilise what we have. I figured I'd ask you lot what was the best way to do it all.

The TV stand will need to hold at least;

Xbox 360,
V+ box
Wii

Now those connections seem rather simple, V+ (HDMI), 360 (Component) and Wii (Scart/Composite).

We also have a Panny DMR-E55S which we use to back up our V+ recordings on and use to watch films. So that needs to be connected too. This would ideally be used as a dvd player so would need a decent connection for the picture. I'm possibly thinking the 2nd scart socket (if the Wii isn't using it) This does have component and s-video out though.

All that might seem simple to you all and a fairly logical system. However the problem occurs when I want to introduce our Phillips home cinema system. Issues with this is we have an extra dvd drive we don't want. I also need to have all the audio from the above going through it, or at least the dvd player, V+ & 360. Given where the TV and couch will be we need the rear speakers to be wireless.

To solve this problem what I think we need is a DVD Recorder which upscales and is a home cinema system too. Or do you have a better way?

[Dr. Z]

A decent AV amp would sort out your problems. You would have upscaling if/where you need it, enough inputs to connect up everything to a single point for switching etc and your recording etc would be much simpler.

You could drive your current speakers with it too and upgrade/add on some rears later on. I would do literally anything to avoid wireless speakers though, absolutely anything!

[leowyatt]

well I already have a pair of eltax floorstanders that aren't used. Only problem is Kitten doesn't really want any cables going across the room as the rears will be quite a distance from amp as we have an oddly shaped room.

I think it would probably be best sticking with 2.1 for the time being. I've found a sony AMP STR DG710 which could work. It's got a HDMI out for the TV and enough inputs for all the gubbins and I can use my existing speakers which are currently gathering dust :(

[Dr. Z]

Personally I would steer clear of the Sony and pay just a smidgen more for a unit from Denon etc, I keep hearing good things about Onkyo amps too, although I havent heard one myself.

As for the cabling situation, you can get flat cable that will lay under even fairly thin carpet or laminate floors undetected. You can also go all the way around the edge of the room too if you wanted!

[Zirax]

I am just getting into the whole AV thing, however I would seriously look around avforums. If not firstly for advice, also for the second hand section.

I have seen the cabling that DRZ is talking about, good but expensive per m (if memory serves).