Just 1080P LCD TV + Playstation 3 + surround sound (1 Viewer)

[funkhouserjm]

Hey guys,
I need some help. Right now I have the tv and the ps3. I want surround sound, but I don't know what to shop for or even how to hook it up. I want HDMI everything and I have hardwood floors so I want to run speaker wire under the house to strategically place the speakers around the room.
If someone could tell me what plugs into what --- like does just one HDMI go from the ps3 to the receiver and then another to the tv??? or do i even need a receiver??? I don't have cable and will never buy it.
I'd appreciate it if someone could list some products that maybe would work with my scenario too. Thanks a lot guys and I look forward to learning something I feel like I'm out of the loop on this one.

 

[funkhouserjm]

Thanks for the reply.
Quick question, though. I was looking at the Sony Soundbar system -- wouldn't that be a simple fix that would let me do this cheap and without a receiver?

 

[schan1269]

Sony only makes one soundbar now?

 

[funkhouserjm]

i was referring to the sony soundbar hctc150

 

[NickSI]

Yes it would make sound it might even sound ok and it would be "simple"... but with hifi as in life those who take short cuts miss out. Is your concern about keeping it simple a cost worry or a worry about actually hooking everything up. If it is the later and you decide to hook up a whole system I'll call you and help you set it up.
Since you have a PS3 and will never get cable can I assume you play mostly video games? and maybe some netflix? If this is true you will greatly benefit from a true surround system (especially when playing games). Trust me, don't skimp because it would be simpler. Unless you have a new born or something then go be with your child.

 

[schan1269]

That 150 is a decent soundbar. It isn't a really basic one(really basic only have optical input and 1 or 2 analog).
This one has HDMI switching. If you choose to put up with the headache of CEC, you can use ARC.
The issue, like mentioned above, is a lack of soundstage. It is the nature of the beast with soundbars.
The best one made still lacks soundstage...but it tries hard. Look at the Yamaha YSP-5100. I'm sure it is way out of your price range(I personally think it is ridiculous it is even made)...but at least you'll have a benchmark to see how far back the Sony 150 is.
But, here is the ultimate point. Flat TVs sound bad(Mitsubishi was the last panel maker that made an earnest attempt to make great sounding tvs...and look where it got them...)...
Our office has an older Toshiba connected to a cassette boombox(that is like 20 years old) using a cassette adapter. That 20 year old boombox is light years better sounding than the Toshiba.

 

[funkhouserjm]

Very helpful replies guys, thanks. YES, only video games and netflix. Beyond that I just have an antenna TV. I just don't really like TV that much.
My TV is a few years old but it is 1080P flat screen, 42 inches -- and it has a SPDIF digital audio out. I've noticed that some of these systems want a digital OPTICAL out... not sure if there is an adapter.
I have had this tv for a few years and I've ONLY used the tv speakers. They are terrible and anything would be an improvement. I don't really want to spend more than $400 for a setup.

 

[schan1269]

SPDIF is optical.
You'd need an adapter if you had a digital coax.
SPDIF=TosLink=optical (sorta)
At one time (late 80s???) that wasn't the case. But eventually Sony/Philips and Toshiba(the correlation of the names should make sense now) decided to play nice together.
In a nutshell...
SPDIF is the "format" itself...which utilizes...
optical cable with either...
TosLink
Min-TosLink
Or coax with
RCA
BNC
TRS
Edit:
This Sony has both digital coax and toslink. The (stupidly marked) COAX IN/Video(on the bottom right) is the digital coax.

 

[Todd Erwin]

What is your budget for receiver and speakers? What is the model number of your TV?

With the answers to those two key questions, you'll probably get a few system recommendations.

 

[Martino]

I have had this tv for a few years and I've ONLY used the tv speakers. They are terrible and anything would be an improvement. I don't really want to spend more than $400 for a setup..

Looks like the budget is maxed out at $400.00
For that budget - you can get a 5.1 referbished receiver and have a 2.1 speaker system - with the ability to upgrade later if you wish to a full 5.1 system.....
To start with - the 2.1 system below will sound much better than your TV speakers, and will have the flexability to grow that you cannot get with a sound bar.
2 speakers
Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers Pair - 99.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3rHome+Audio+SpeakersPioneer82117405
1 Sub:
Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered Subwoofer - $119.00
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-629
1 Receiver:
DENON AVR-391 5.1 Channel AV Home Theater Receiver - 124.99
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR391/DENON-AVR-391-5.1-Channel-AV-Home-Theater-Receiver/1.html
Total 2.1 system cost: $342.99 - comes in under your $400 budget...
Leaves $58 of the budget for the wiring:
Speaker Wire: $12.29 - cut to length (25' max per side) and connect recevier to front speakers
50ft 14AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable (For In-Wall Installation)
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2819&seq=1&format=2
Sub Cable: $4.66 - run from receiver sub out to sub in on sub.
12ft High-quality Coaxial Audio/Video RCA CL2 Rated Cable - RG6/U 75ohm (for S/PDIF, Digital Coax, Subwoofer, and Composite Video)
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=2682&seq=1&format=2
HDMI connections:
PS3 to Receiver Input - 4 ft
4ft 24AWG CL2 High Speed HDMI® Cable w/ Net Jacket - Black - $5.67
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=4965&seq=1&format=2
Receiver output to TV input - 8 ft - $9.07
8ft 24AWG CL2 High Speed HDMI® Cable w/ Net Jacket - Black
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&cs_id=1024004&p_id=4967&seq=1&format=2
System cost with wiring - $373.99 - still $26.31 under the $400.00 budget
That will provide a much greater sound than what your TV produces, and you have a path to upgrade later if you ever wish too....
Full 5.1 Upgrade path: for an extra $200.00 to upgrade to a complete 5.1 system....
The first upgrade would be to get the matching center channel - making it a 3.1 system - for another $100.00
Matching Center Channel:
Pioneer SP-C21 Center Channel Speaker Each - 99.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117404&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3rHome+Audio+SpeakersPioneer82117404
If you wanted to go with the full surround system - add another $99.00
2 matching speakers for the rear:
Pioneer SP-BS21-LR Bookshelf Loudspeakers Pair - 99.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117405&nm_mc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r&cm_mmc=OTC-pr1c3grabb3rHome+Audio+SpeakersPioneer82117405

 

[funkhouserjm]

Thank you a lot Martino that looks great. My only question on that system is that my tv only has an SPDIF digital out. I didn't see a digital audio in on that receiver, which means I couldn't watch tv on antenna and hear it through the speakers right?
My tv is a Phillips 42PFL3603D/F7
Budget under 400

 

[Martino]

My only question on that system is that my tv only has an SPDIF digital out. I didn't see a digital audio in on that receiver, which means I couldn't watch tv on antenna and hear it through the speakers right?

I took a screen shot of the back of that receiver, and it has both a coaxial and an optical digtial input...so you can hook up your TV to one of these and hear the sound through your system.
Just in case it was a bad picture - tried another source as well:
http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/denon-avr-391/4507-6466_7-34078977.html
From that one - shows it has both....
Coaxial Digital Input Yes .
Optical Digital Input Yes
-- In your case - you will use the Optical Digital input.....same as SPDIF......
Don't break the bank on one of these cables - monoprice sells them - here is a 10ft cable for $5.66 - but various lenghs are available. You need to connect the digital output of your TV to the optical digital input on your receiver...
10ft Premium Optical Toslink Cable w/ Metal Fancy Connector
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022904&p_id=6270&seq=1&format=2

 

[schan1269]

I already posted earlier...
SPDIF and Toslink are the SAME THING.