Hi, Firstly new here so sorry if done anything wrong. i looking at buying a home theater sysyem off e-bay but having touble choosing which to get. Do i really need one with HMDI out,as i have a PS3 already which i use to watch dvds and play games on my HDTV, really all i want to do is have the surround sound to go with it. will i get same quality sound without running it through hdmi and just through the playatation. also what would be the best set up so i could have tv and playstation running through it. thanks in advance for any you can give me james
If I understand correctly, you are interested in a Home Theater Sound System to work with your PS3. (And hopefully an HD TV source of some sort - now or later). HDMI switching is not required for what you want to do. There is an Optical output from the PS3 that can go into a Home Theater Reciever and provide the surround sound (and other) signal. HDMI is just one of the latest "goodies" added to Recievers to try to get them to sell. If you have multiple HDMI devices (PS3, DVD Player, Cable Boxes, Satelitte Recievers) and only a couple of inputs on the back of a TV; some folks buy and HDMI reciever to accomodate more inputs devices as well as switch the Audio about in one Box. It keeps it simple for them but in your case in would be overkill. I hope this is helpful.
Hi, Thanks for you help Jim, i've alreadly ordered a dvd theatre system with dvd player but don't think it has optical output or hdmi on it. I've had a look at the spec and it says you can use scart Y Pb Pr socket if your tv has progessive scan audio in aux socket and thats it, have i wasted my money or will i still be able to use this and it sound good? Thanks James
James, I'd be very surprised if the DVD Theatre System didn't have at least one Optical INPUT (not outputs). However, I just bought a really, really, cheap one for my son just to play music and regular DVD movies in the Basement (where I don't have to listen to it). I knew it didn't have any inputs at all before I bought it. (It's an AM / FM / DVD / CD / MP3 / Jpeg Photos only.) Our PS3 is hooked up via an Optical Cable as I described to my Sony Reciever upstairs. Please post the make & model of Theatre System and I'll check out it's specs. and advise.
Hi, I downloaded the manual (53 pages) and checked out the specifications. Grab it here: Code: http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/h/hts3154_05/hts3154_05_dfu_eng.pdf The Phillips HTS 3154 Theatre System does not have a digital input of any kind (Optical, or SPDIF=> coaxial) so you will not get "true" 5.1 sound by connecting your PS3 (or any other device) to it. However, there is a pair of Stereo RCA Audio Input Jacks on the back (see page 16 of the Phillips manual) that you can use to connect it to the PS3 (you may need to purchase an option PS3 connector) and use all 6 speakers via Dolby Pro Logic II. From page 44 of the Phillips HTS 3154 Manual: The available output modes for Multi-channel include: Dolby Digital, DTS (Digital Theatre Systems) Surround and Dolby Pro Logic II. Stereo broadcasts or recordings will produce some surround channel effects when played in a surround mode. A SCART connect may provide an audio connection as well but it too is only a stereo output according to scart specifications. Scart was designed to facilitate Video Signals up and down between devices => connecting (eventually at times) to a TV. It's being replaced by better technology these days like the HDMI cable. I hope this is helpful.
Yea that does help cheers, is there no way i can connect through optical input on my hdtv or any way of routing it all through the tv. Or do you think i should just re sell it when i get and get a better one, if so any you could recommened? Cheers again for your help
My first impression is to advise you to move onto another system but the financial penalty reselling may force you away from that. If your TV has an optical input (very rare - most are outputs) it still won't help you get 5.1 sound into your Phillips HTS 3154 Theatre System as it's the home theater package that lacks any 5.1 input. So as long as you keep this system you cannot get true 5.1 decoded sound. As for recomending a system that would be foolhardy as I'm in Canada (and I think you are in Europe) and the costs and models available will be quite different there.
