Is it worth to get a 7.1 Home theater for the PS3?

Besides Lair, anyone knows about games that support 7.1 sound?

IS there a great difference between a 5.1 and 7.1 HT?

ANyone uses 7.1 decoding ?

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

ultimameteora

That is a terrible, terrible lie. A good surround system with a nice woofer capable of reproducing accurate LFE REALLY adds to a movie. Your TV can't hold a 10"-12" woofer, I doubt it contains a "receiver" capable of decoding the latest and greatest in codecs, nor is it capable of true surround sound. Those surround sound bars can't even come close to the real thing and those cost hundreds. Don't kid yourself that TV speakers can pull that off.

As for 7.1 vs 5.1: Probably not worth it to be honest. VERY few movies include 7.1 soundtracks even with completely lossless tracks (DTS-HDMA or Dolby TrueHD) on the HD disc formats and I'm willing to bet even fewer games do. Pan's Labyrinth is the only movie I can think of off the top of my head.

Besides Lair, anyone knows about games that support 7.1 sound?

IS there a great difference between a 5.1 and 7.1 HT?

ANyone uses 7.1 decoding ?

N-REAL

If you're going to mix it with movie + gaming, then yes. But if it's for gaming alone, then no.

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

ultimameteora

If you know nothing about surround sound, don't say a word.

[QUOTE="ultimameteora"]

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

nosferatu

That is a terrible, terrible lie. A good surround system with a nice woofer capable of reproducing accurate LFE REALLY adds to a movie. Your TV can't hold a 10"-12" woofer, I doubt it contains a "receiver" capable of decoding the latest and greatest in codecs, nor is it capable of true surround sound. Those surround sound bars can't even come close to the real thing and those cost hundreds. Don't kid yourself that TV speakers can pull that off.

As for 7.1 vs 5.1: Probably not worth it to be honest. VERY few movies include 7.1 soundtracks even with completely lossless tracks (DTS-HDMA or Dolby TrueHD) on the HD disc formats and I'm willing to bet even fewer games do. Pan's Labyrinth is the only movie I can think of off the top of my head.

Thanks you beat me to it.

TS, 5.1 is good enough for me. But if you love the total experience I guess you should get it, but I'd be surprised if very many games are going to support this. I'm looking to get the Onkyo 605 for my HD sound soon. It's the best for the price that I can find.

Ill never see the point in spending extra hundreds for sound ... I mean cmon its sound....
* Woah man I can hear the helicopter fly over me * ( lasts 2 seconds ) Cost = hundreds.Hey_Big_Boy

I can understand that for movies, but for gaming i think it's worth it, to know where some one is shooting from in a FPS for example is very helpful, i have a 6.1 system while my cousin just has his TV speakers when playing against him online with resistance i can get him more times than he gets me simply because i can hear where he is at and change direction or move around to where he is, I know if he is directly behind or behind to the left or in front where as all he has is right and left he has to rely more on seeing where i am.

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

ultimameteora

I don't want to start flaming but built in TV sound is horrible. I would have to say that nowadays TV companies don't out any effort into speakers that are built as they expect you to use an external system. Which is right, I don't wanna pay for something I'm not going to use.

And to answer the topic creators question, I don't think many game support 7.1 as most people still use 5.1 there is just not much demand for it.

[QUOTE="Hey_Big_Boy"]Ill never see the point in spending extra hundreds for sound ... I mean cmon its sound....
* Woah man I can hear the helicopter fly over me * ( lasts 2 seconds ) Cost = hundreds.hellscovern

I can understand that for movies, but for gaming i think it's worth it, to know where some one is shooting from in a FPS for example is very helpful, i have a 6.1 system while my cousin just has his TV speakers when playing against him online with resistance i can get him more times than he gets me simply because i can hear where he is at and change direction or move around to where he is, I know if he is directly behind or behind to the left or in front where as all he has is right and left he has to rely more on seeing where i am.

This guy is right. Do you know how many times my surround sound has saved my ass in GEARS? For gaming and movies you need surround sound otherwise it is just not the same.

You dont have a good sound system do you?

[QUOTE="hellscovern"]

[QUOTE="Hey_Big_Boy"]Ill never see the point in spending extra hundreds for sound ... I mean cmon its sound....
* Woah man I can hear the helicopter fly over me * ( lasts 2 seconds ) Cost = hundreds.ALLoY1717

I can understand that for movies, but for gaming i think it's worth it, to know where some one is shooting from in a FPS for example is very helpful, i have a 6.1 system while my cousin just has his TV speakers when playing against him online with resistance i can get him more times than he gets me simply because i can hear where he is at and change direction or move around to where he is, I know if he is directly behind or behind to the left or in front where as all he has is right and left he has to rely more on seeing where i am.

This guy is right. Do you know how many times my surround sound has saved my ass in GEARS? For gaming and movies you need surround sound otherwise it is just not the same.

You dont have a good sound system do you?

I think a 8 year old could figure that out. I don't need sound to own, honestly.
I mean if you have cash to splash go ahead but IMO I dont see the benefits.
I have a Sony 5.1 surround sound but dont bother setting it up to the new HDTV.

Ill never see the point in spending extra hundreds for sound ... I mean cmon its sound....
* Woah man I can hear the helicopter fly over me * ( lasts 2 seconds ) Cost = hundreds.Hey_Big_Boy

I got a 7.1 setup with SVS speakers and a sub that rocks the foundation of house (ok I may be exaggerating a bit). The difference between a 5.1 setup (most games still only come with 5.1 support) isn't that big, but I never regretted the purchase of a 7.1 system, and when playing Resistance FOM with Linear PCM 7.1 it does sound amazing :)

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

ultimameteora

This statement however is way of IMO. My TV have a "built in Surround Sound" and the difference between that an my system is as night and day.

Ok, as far as I can remember RFOM doesn´t support 7.1 PCM....or am I wrong?

I´d say that you need a not-so-big room for a 7.1 and all speakers.....

Besides, 7.1 HT are quite expensive....All games should have an option for 7.1 channels.

It´s time the PS3 to show all its potential, not only graphics but also sound department. Wouldn´t be great to play COD4 on 7.1 PCM?

Ok, as far as I can remember RFOM doesn´t support 7.1 PCM....or am I wrong?

I´d say that you need a not-so-big room for a 7.1 and all speakers.....

Besides, 7.1 HT are quite expensive....All games should have an option for 7.1 channels.

It´s time the PS3 to show all its potential, not only graphics but also sound department. Wouldn´t be great to play COD4 on 7.1 PCM?

N-REAL

RFOM supports 7.1, in fact a lot of ps3 games does. RFOM is even THX certified. For a list of PS3 games that support 7.1 check out this list. (Post #3. It's only a forum post so I can't vouch for its validity)

Besides Lair, anyone knows about games that support 7.1 sound?

IS there a great difference between a 5.1 and 7.1 HT?

ANyone uses 7.1 decoding ?

N-REAL

5.1 is enough unless ur living room is gigantic.

I still can hear everything you hear, Its not like surround sound gets special content...Hey_Big_Boy

Wow, either you're deaf or you've never heard a decent sounding system. Sound adds SO much to the experience and immersion of movies. Being completely enveloped in that sounds helps makes you feel as though you are a part of that action. It adds so much to it that I'm completely baffled by your statement, I don't even know what to say.

[QUOTE="N-REAL"]

Ok, as far as I can remember RFOM doesn´t support 7.1 PCM....or am I wrong?

I´d say that you need a not-so-big room for a 7.1 and all speakers.....

Besides, 7.1 HT are quite expensive....All games should have an option for 7.1 channels.

It´s time the PS3 to show all its potential, not only graphics but also sound department. Wouldn´t be great to play COD4 on 7.1 PCM?

humanclip

RFOM supports 7.1, in fact a lot of ps3 games does. RFOM is even THX certified. For a list of PS3 games that support 7.1 check out this list. (Post #3. It's only a forum post so I can't vouch for its validity)

Wait, thx certified? Listen to your main assult rifle you have. It sounds like crap. Sniper rifle sounds odd as well. Also has the worst shotgun sound I've heard in a game in years...

But back on topic. Just no matter the sound system, make sure you get one that supports hdmi uncompressed pcm. Its starting to become big, and blu-ray movies also can benefit by it. I'd say go for 7.1 for now, unless its just that more expensive.

i have used 5.1 for years

i would say 7.1 if you want to 'brag' but for price, and just because every format since PS2 has support 5.1 surround in some way i would go with 5.1 ;)

7.1 is nice for when HD films take off over DVD

i dont think 7.1 will be worth it unless they come out with high quality, wireless, very small speakers that make it very easy to set up without all the clutter. that or if you have a house built with a pre-existing in wall setup or something.OneWingedAngeI

I have a wireless system and it just isn't as good as a good quality hardwired system if you have a lot of wireless things in the house like I do. There seems to be all kinds of interference problems even when I try to keep everything on a different frequency. This is just something I am constantly dealing with. Unfortuantly when I had the house built I didn't think ahead enough to have it prewired for asound system. And the way the floor plan and the location of the entertainment system it would cost a small fortune to have it wired correctly with all the wires hidden like they should be.

If you get a decent 5.1 set up you are not going to tell a single difference. I don't care what anyone says, our ears will not notice. There are plenty of 5.1 systems that create the same effect as 7.1 systems. The only way to be able to tell a significant difference is by using expensive audio measuring equipment. The only thing 7.1 systems are good for is bragging rights.

7.1 support is limited because in the long run, the equipment necessary to encode it is just too expensive, and not worth it when the 5.1 systems that are out now are fully capable of creating the same effect.

At work, the only time I tell people to purchase a 7.1 surround system is when I want a nice commission check.

Ill never see the point in spending extra hundreds for sound ... I mean cmon its sound....
* Woah man I can hear the helicopter fly over me * ( lasts 2 seconds ) Cost = hundreds.Hey_Big_Boy

I felt the same way until my brother bought me a 5.1 system for X-Mas a few years ago. After watching Star Wars Episode I, and hearing the Podracers go around you, just frickin wow.8)

First off it depends on room size. I thought about it, but when I considered the size of the room I have my set up in it would be overkill. The other thing to consider is how many games and movies actually support 7.1. Cars and Lair that's all I can think of. It doesn't look like companies are jumping on the 7.1 bandwagon either. So if you buy it now you might feel the way I did a year after buying a mini disc player. The best thing you can do is buy a 5.1/7.1 receiver. My receiver supports 2.1/5.1/7.1 and if it looks like 7.1 is getting more support by games and movies then I'll go out and buy 2 more speakers. If not I'll just keep it at 5.1.

Ill never see the point in spending extra hundreds for sound ... I mean cmon its sound....
* Woah man I can hear the helicopter fly over me * ( lasts 2 seconds ) Cost = hundreds.Hey_Big_Boy

[QUOTE="N-REAL"]

Ok, as far as I can remember RFOM doesn´t support 7.1 PCM....or am I wrong?

I´d say that you need a not-so-big room for a 7.1 and all speakers.....

Besides, 7.1 HT are quite expensive....All games should have an option for 7.1 channels.

It´s time the PS3 to show all its potential, not only graphics but also sound department. Wouldn´t be great to play COD4 on 7.1 PCM?

humanclip

RFOM supports 7.1, in fact a lot of ps3 games does. RFOM is even THX certified. For a list of PS3 games that support 7.1 check out this list. (Post #3. It's only a forum post so I can't vouch for its validity)

Thanks for the info Humanclip!!!! :)

I´d love to hear RFOM IN 7.1!!!!!!!!!!!.

RESPECT TO EVERYONE......... PS3 ID: NREAL

I just recently put together my surround sound system, so I can add a little bit to this discussion. I wanted to take full advantage of my PS3 (and X360 w/ HD DVD) so I put together a lnice system. After trying out several combinations (I suggest going to a Magnolia center in a Best buy, you can play with a lot in an accoustic chamber):

The difference between TV speakers (even included "surround") and supplemental sterospeakers is big, the difference between stereo and suround is a quantum leap.

Now the step up from 5.1 to 7.1 is tricky. Yes, there is a difference if your room is big enough. If you are building a home theater or a large living room, you will likely notice the difference, but it is subtle. In smaller rooms (like a bedroom, or so) you probably won't.

Also note that the difference with 7.1 is subtle, and sort of an incremental improvement over 5.1, rather than the quantum leap from stereo to 5.1 surround.

If you are familiar with the arguments that people make with HDTV, that 720p is a huge difference compared to 4801/p, but to really appreciate the difference between 720p and 1080p, you need a big TV (>40"), this is sortof the same phenomenon.

Also, the points previously made concerning a derth of 7.1 soundtracks is true, they they are improveing. Also note that a lot of recivers on the market now can't decode TrueHd, you may very well end up paying extra for it.

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

ultimameteora

You're correct. Mines came with built in surround sound and it sounds great...especially when it's playing with my surround sound.

[QUOTE="ultimameteora"]

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

MusashiSensi

You're correct. Mines came with built in surround sound and it sounds great...especially when it's playing with my surround sound.

Oh good god! This is even worse. The 1st guy is just claiming something that is wrong. You are actually claiming that, having spent the money on a surround sound system, corrupting the localization of sound with dual, unsynched sources by concurrently pumping it through your TV speakers sounds better? Loud does not equal good, you know that right?

[QUOTE="ultimameteora"]

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

MusashiSensi

You're correct. Mines came with built in surround sound and it sounds great...especially when it's playing with my surround sound.

I agree with this, when I was at Best Buy I was thinking that the Sony Bravia's built in speakers sounded better than my 3 year old surround sound. I plan on buying one, so I can have the best of both worlds. Have to wait till it's under $1500 though.

7.1 home theater system owner here... and I'd say at this moment in time, 5.1 is all you really need. But sooner than later 7.1 will be more prevalent and will have fuller sound. This is a subjective topic and it all depends on how much of an audiophile one is.

I'd say that 7.1 (or 5.1) is more important and prevalent in games than it is in movies at the moment. Only a couple of blu-ray players are capable of either decoding or sending the 7.1 DTS-MA raw bitstream... which is th emost common 7.1 audio format in blu-rays at this time. There are a couple of 7.1 uncompressed PCM tracks on some blu-rays... but those are few and far between.

There are actually quite a bit of games that support 7.1 sound... whether it be uncompressed or other forms. Every once in a while I see myself spinning around in circles just to ake advantage of my 7.1 system... but watching most movies in 5.1, I think it's definitely sufficient and not any less enjoyable than the couple of 7.1 titles I have watched/listened to.

To get true 7.1 sound from the PS3, you will need a receiver capable of accepting PCM over HDMI. Someone mentioned the Onkyo 800 HT system.... that person is not getting true 7.1 sound. He is either getting 5.1 Dolby Digital or DTS audio, and his receiver is matrixing the 5.1 sound into 7.1. Basically it is just outputting the same thing in the surround and rear speakers instead of having 4 distinct channels.

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

ultimameteora

Nevermind. You qualify for the upcoming SPC. Congrats. Hope you don't disappear prehand.

[QUOTE="ultimameteora"]

Most big TVs nowadays come with built in Surround Sound that rivals actual systems IMO.

MusashiSensi

You're correct. Mines came with built in surround sound and it sounds great...especially when it's playing with my surround sound.

Mine came built in as well.

I STILL can tell the difference with a simple 5.1 setup.;)

Instantly.