i want to buy a surround sound system but im not sure what features i should look for. can someone find a receiver that can get the most out of my ps3 and is preferably $300 or less? im using a hdtv so hdmi input/output is important
You don't NEED hdmi input/output on your reciever, you can run an optical cable to the reciever for your audio and run the HDMI cable to your TV for video. Finding a reciever alone without speakers with HDMI video switching for under $300 will be difficult.
Just make sure it has Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound at the very least, not Pro-Logic or some other fake virtual surround mode.
If you need speakers too for under $300 just look for a speaker/reciever package but like I said, make sure it has Dolby 5.1 and an OPTICAL input. Not coaxial.
You can find standalone recievers with HDMI pass-through(meaning video, just not sound) in that price range. The Onkyo TX-SR505 is a good choice. You'll still need an optical cable for sound, but it's still a pretty good reciever.
Most recievers that can play HDMI sound are still in the $500 neighborhood. The TX-SR605 is an example.
Well if you're going for a HDMI receiver for PCM sound (uncompressed) the cheapest will be a Panasonic XR57. It's less than $300 on Amazon I believe.
But you don't need to spend that much. Uncompressed sound is better, but Dolby Digital/DTS is better than stereo. Much better. I'd make sure you get the best speakers you can afford. Even if it means starting with just two or the three fronts.
Look on craigslist, people sell some good stuff on there. I found a sony surround system for 60$ on there with stands and everything, it sounds amazing, even has two optical inputs for my 360 and ps3..
I saw a nice set for $300 Canadian and it looked pretty good. I don't need it as I already have mine but that's for all those people living in Canada I guess.
So if your looking for a cheap reciever that has great features i bought this for myself at circuit city a few months ago and i love it. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Sony-5-1-Channel-Home-Theater-System-HT-SS2000/sem/rpsm/oid/181865/catOid/-12954/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do It's a 5.1 with dolby digital, prologic I/II, DTS and LPCM uncompressed, the only 2 codecs it doesent have are dolbytruehd, and dtshd which arent worht it for the price right now anyways cause they cost like 800 bucks...totally not worth it. The reciver i have also has HDMI passthrough (audio and video) with 3 in 1 out, coax and digital optical input, 3 rca inputs (for that older stuff) and if you buy it from circuit city there 50 bucks off msrp and if you use this coupon (LYAP4NTAU9) at checkout they give you 10% off. So its a little above your intended 300 price cap but for the extra 50 or so its so worth it. Oh ya and the sound is awesome.
*Edit* So i didnt see your post saying you already have a reciever and speaker system but didnt have a means for getting your ps3 to run 5.1 you can just spend 20 bucks at amazon for this http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-Coaxial-Optical-Converter/dp/B0002J2MV4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203491943&sr=1-2 this way you dont need any new equiptment.
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