Home Entertainment

scotty_d · 07-08-2005, 06:32 PM

Just Curious to some of the set ups you guys have at home and if there intergrated into your computer.

Is it weird difficult using the computer on a big screen.

I'm after a set up that incorparates my wide screen, dvd, playstation, surround sound and computer into one package.

Is it even possible to have surround sound with your computer?

I want to start from scratch and have a budget of 5-6k for the lcd screen , new computer and speakers.

Any input on what you recomend or what you have would be much appreciated.

Cheers Scott

EFFalcon · 07-08-2005, 06:34 PM

plenty of sound cards handle 5.1 surround now.
and a lot are digital output, even optical on some.

Citric GT · 07-08-2005, 06:36 PM

Mine handles 7.1, but I only have 2.1. Still good for a computer though.

Walkinshaw · 07-08-2005, 07:31 PM

Ive got a 6.1 Setup,

Mirage Speakers
Yamaha RX-V1
Thompson 52"

I hook into it with my laptop occasionaly, usualy only to Download from the PVR or from the FoxTel box.

I had my previous computer hooked up to it, this ran 5.1, but you are right using a big screen for PC use is a bit overkill and i found it very difficult and annoying. 15.4" LCD does me fine.

Danny · 08-08-2005, 03:03 PM

I dont understand why you'd set up 5 or 6 or 7.1 on a computer. They are meant for a dedicated cinema room with a good TV, speakers and couch set up. I dont understand why anyone would want to watch a movie like that on their computer.

Each to their own though I suppose.

XplosiveR6 · 08-08-2005, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

I dont understand why you'd set up 5 or 6 or 7.1 on a computer. They are meant for a dedicated cinema room with a good TV, speakers and couch set up. I dont understand why anyone would want to watch a movie like that on their computer.

Each to their own though I suppose.

thats what hes trying to to, to intergrate his PC with the good TV and sorround sound.

to get any decent picture your going to need a high resolution plasma or LCD screen to use your pc on a large TV, as a normal standard definition TV will not cut it and you will not be able to make out a thing, unless your using something like Windows Media Centre or something that uses large text and graphics.

to hook your PC up to a SD TV you need to make sure you have a S-Video/Composite output on your graphics card. and for 5.1 you need a soundcard/onboard sound with either a coax or optical digital out, most half decent current motherboards have this, or alternatively a Soundblaster Audigy 2 ZX

megsy · 08-08-2005, 05:06 PM

Depending on how the room you wish to use is set up, hav you thought about a decent quality projector rather than a huge plasma or LCD?

Pilch · 09-08-2005, 04:06 PM

I'll have to look into this when my Laptop arrives, fingers crossed for this week! I have a sd widescreen tv, and 5.1 surround system. Hopefully the Laptop will have S-Video although I doubt i'll use it anyway. Would definetly connect it up for sound though, predominantly for playing MP3's!!!

DivHunter · 09-08-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

I dont understand why you'd set up 5 or 6 or 7.1 on a computer. They are meant for a dedicated cinema room with a good TV, speakers and couch set up. I dont understand why anyone would want to watch a movie like that on their computer.

Each to their own though I suppose.

Games that use surround sound rock with 5/6/7/8.1 surround setup

**russellw** · 09-08-2005, 06:14 PM

I've stuck with 2.1 in the study but used the Klipsch Promedia's for their quality audio. I don't game much anymore so the addition of surround is irrelevant.

I sometimes use the laptop with the Plasma via a wireless media adaptor but only to stream things like the big pond V8 S/C feed - and the quality is crap anyway.

A couple of the newer DVD recorders are coming with Ethernet interfaces built in and I suspect that may be the way to go in the longer term to integrate the PC / laptop and the rest of the computer infrastructure with the home entertainments system for those who don't want to introduce a media PC into their home entertainment area. These ethernet ready systems will allow transfer of files from other storage media at good speed but also allow recorded meda to be shared back the toher way. I'd certainly be happy to stop burning DVD-RAM discs so that I can edit recorded programs.

Cheers
Russ

Aussie Falcon · 09-08-2005, 09:52 PM

If you really want some big screen game action check out this
http://hoyts.ninemsn.com.au/session/DigitallyInsane.asp

For home you can setup a Home theatre PC with a digital tuner card