Gaming

[festering]

All right, I was sent to this particular site for some audio help. I'm looking to pick up some sort Home Theatre system, but I really don't want too spend much money on one. It'll be used primarily for gaming, so I would like some advice from some of you on what I have for options.

I just want some sort of improvement in the sound category. I just have a 27" Sony Wega in my room used for gaming. Games usually eat up most of my spare
money, so I want to keep it cheap with decent quality.

Can anyone steer me in the right direction, or is it not even worth it? If I do decide to pick up a system it'll be online via Ebay, likely used.

Gaming Set-up:
PS2 - S-Video
Xbox - S-Video - I'll likely pick up a set of component High-Definition cables for the Xbox.
Dreamcast - Rarely use it. Standard Audio and Video set-up.

I don't know where to start, I have no knowledge in this department. What do I need for features that will enable me to play my games and movies properly with a Home Theatre system. Consider I know nothing when taking everything into consideration.

Thanks
Phill

[HDTV_432]

What kind of budget are you talking about?

For $100-200, I'd say there are plenty of 5.1 Xbox systems out there that are all inclusive. Similar to:
http://hardware.teamxbox.com/articles/xbox/806/Xbox-51-Surround-Sound-System-Preview/p1

For $500+/-, seems most (including myself) recommend the Onkyo HT-S770 HomeTheaterInABox system from Circuit City/crutchfield or other online retailers.

For $600+ people suggest you buy things seperate, to get the best sounds. (see the Onkyo speakers have no clarity thread)

[jamawass]

Xbox is the only console that outputs Dolby 5.1 Sound. If you hook it up via optical cable in the AV pack you'll experience spatial surround sound during gaming(eg locating where someone is shooting at you or coming up behind you) and is one of the strengths of the Xbox. All other consoles are 2ch stereo which some receivers will convert to Dolby PLII/X to give the impression of surround but not true surround.
I heard that the Onkyo 570 is decent if you're on a budget, but essentially you want a receiver that has optical and coax digital inputs and Dolby PLII. Pioneer & Panasonic also make good entry level receivers.

[JnC]

While underpowered and pricey, here's a really interesting system with a clean digital amp and entry level Mirage speakers:

Spherex Link (http://www.spherexinc.com/products_xbox51.asp)

[festering]

ONKYO HT-S770(B) 1000Wt HOME THEATER IN-THE-BOX - Used

Total power: 1000Wt
130Wt per channel 6.1-Channel High-Current Receiver
DTS-ES & Dolby EX for 6.1-Channel Audio
Dolby Pro Logic II
30 Preset AM/FM Tuner
A/B Speaker Switching
SKF-520F Pair of 2-Way Front Speakers: Dual 5.25'' Magnetically Shielded Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKC-520C One 2-Way Center Channel Speaker: Dual 4'' Magnetically Shielded Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKM-520S Pair of 2-Way Surround Speakers: Dual 4'' Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKB-520 One 2-Way Surround Back Speaker: 4'' Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKW-520Down-Firing Powered Subwoofer: 220Wt Dynamic Power Amplifier and 10'' Woofer for Thundering Bass.

Any suggestions on this set-up?

[jamawass]

Originally posted by festering
ONKYO HT-S770(B) 1000Wt HOME THEATER IN-THE-BOX - Used

Total power: 1000Wt
130Wt per channel 6.1-Channel High-Current Receiver
DTS-ES & Dolby EX for 6.1-Channel Audio
Dolby Pro Logic II
30 Preset AM/FM Tuner
A/B Speaker Switching
SKF-520F Pair of 2-Way Front Speakers: Dual 5.25'' Magnetically Shielded Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKC-520C One 2-Way Center Channel Speaker: Dual 4'' Magnetically Shielded Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKM-520S Pair of 2-Way Surround Speakers: Dual 4'' Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKB-520 One 2-Way Surround Back Speaker: 4'' Woofers and 1'' Precision Balanced Dome Tweeter
SKW-520Down-Firing Powered Subwoofer: 220Wt Dynamic Power Amplifier and 10'' Woofer for Thundering Bass.

Any suggestions on this set-up?

I own this setup and love it. IMHO it's the best HTIB for $400. The 770 on this forum is a lightning rod so expect a lot of comments for and against.

[festering]

Gaming wise, can I use both of my primary systems with the 770 Home Theatre, or is the PS2 not compatible? What features and functions do I need in-order to make eveything work?

Thanks

[JnC]

On the Xbox side you'll need the HD pack or equivalent if you don't have it already. The HD pack has a Toslink output that can be used for Dolby 5.1 audio. You'll need a toslink fiber optic cable.

I'm not familiar with the PS2.

Regards,
JnC

[jamawass]

How much does the used 770 cost? There are really good deals on new 770's at Circuit City and online vendors. If you do buy used, buy it locally in case there's a missing item so you can return it as the box is huge.

[Mr2Spyder]

If I remember correctly the PS2 has a optical digital output in the back. I have the original ps2 and did not buy any special adapter to hook it up to my Onkyo 770 using an optical digital cable.

I would highly recommend the Onkyo. It is definitely worth the money and will work great for gaming. (Ghost Recon 2 sounds like youre right in the middle of a battlefield.)

[festering]

All right, the Onkyo system I was watching on Ebay is now gone. I didn't have enough information at the time to make such a decision. Especially if something was out of whack. Not very keen on sending it back and fourth!

I'm totally oblivious, so I have a few more questions in hope that it straighten's my situation out.

1)DVD Player - Do I necessarily need a DVD player with the system If I already own say a PS2 that will play DVD's, or will I likely require the certain jacks that might exist on the DVD player?

2)I own a few back-up's of my original games that are on DVD-R. I noticed a few DVD players support DVD-R, but not all. Will it matter if I do get a system that doesn't? Aslong as my PS2 or whatever device I'm using is capatible with the Home Theatre system.

3)Surround Formats: Dolby Digital, Dolby Prologic, Dolby Prologic II and DTS. What's considered too be the current standard?

4)Features: Component Video Output, Digital Audio Output, MP3 Input, Progressive Scan, S-Video Output . Are they all necessary? MY PS2 is connected to my television via S-video and on the back of the PS2 - Digital Out Optical. The Xbox will have a component hook-up. Does it really matter? I take it my systems will have to be connected to my receiver so I need component and S-video connections?

5)A few systems:
Pioneer S-HTD520 500 Watt
TOSHIBA SD-V55HT
NEW 2005 JVC HOME THEATRE SYSTEM 5.1 W/DVD DS-TP582DVD
SONY HT-V2000DP 510 WATT

Any opinions?

[festering]

Sorry for my lack of knowledge.

1)S-video inputs: 0 / S-video outputs: 1

What's the difference?

2)SONY DAV-BC150 5 DVD PROGRESSIVE HOME THEATRE SYSTEM - Any opinions on this Sony set-up?

[Ragamuffin143]

Originally posted by festering
Sorry for my lack of knowledge.

1)S-video inputs: 0 / S-video outputs: 1

What's the difference?


Well, that means it can't can't accept S-Video cables (which is a type of high-quality video cable just beneath component input cables) from another source (like say, a video game system), however it does have an s-video output for the DVD player.