How to set up a home theatre surround sound for my place?

[Gizmocreative]

Hey guys/Girls,

with the almost complete renovations of my place I want a surround sound system for my movie and gaming interests and have always found the idea of home theatrws a bit daunting. If anyone has any advice on prodicts and how to set it all up i would be greatful, I have overloaded my tv Currently with:

Sony Bravia 36'' LCD

LG VCR
LG Digital Set Top Box
LG DVD Player
Sony Playstation 1
Sony Playstation 2
Sony Playstation 3
Xbox
Nintendo Gamecube
Nintendo Wii
Sega Dreamcast

The cabling is rediculous and thats the issue i have with the setup

Gamecube and Xbox go into an AV switch that goes into one of the tvs av ports

PS1, PS2, Dreamcast go into another AV switch then into the next TV AV port

VCR goes to third AV port

PS3 and Set top box go into into a HDMI switch and into the only HDMI port in the TV

Wii goes into one component port

DVD player goes into the other Component port.

The thing that bothers me is that switching between systems means swithing the ava selectors etc and adding a surround sounds system means changing av switches, turning on sound systems and switching inputs on the tv. It may or may not be a complicated exercise and am open to any ieas. I dont have a budget in mind but the systems at the $1000 mark tend to have speakers that would be a bit much for a two bedroom apartment so the sony systems that are around the $500-$600 mark look to be ideal, but im more worried about implementing it into a system that will be easy to install and integrate between movies and gaming relatively seamlessly.

anyone who has a clue on this and isnt totally confused by the prior text is a hero in my books.
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[EvilHayama]

I have a similar amount of stuff (although I don't hook up ALL my consoles at once!) I solved it by buying an amp with component switching and some optical inputs so I could put all the high-priority stuff into that for easy switching. I bought component cables for all my PS2s, the wii, the xbox, and the 360, put the older stuff through another switch then into one input, put the main stuff directly into the Amp.

The amp plus 5.1 speakers cost me $700, but you can get cheaper now. Ideally the other switch would have a remote and I would buy a universal remote to control everything, but I like being the only one who knows which input does what
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[Sinthesys]

Personally, I find the Logitech Z5500 to be both more than adequate and affordable (hunt around: $380). See if you can rig up the PS3, set top box, Wii (not sure) and the DVD player with optical audio cables into an optical switch. Then, see if you can bundle all the other devices into a L/R stereo switch (or alternately, see if the TV has an Audio out) and then simply plug both switches into the back of the Z5500s. Then, buy a harmony remote and program it to automatically set the channels and inputs, etc. I hope that helps a bit, I'm not too sure what sort of input/output options each device has available or what devices you are willing to sacrifice the surround sound for if it comes to it (mainly the older consoles).

EDIT: EvilHayama is a sneaky post ninja.
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[döppelgangbang]

This is always the rub with being a gaming enthusiast. My friends often marvel at how nonchalant I am when switching cables in and out and round about to get everything the way it needs to be, usually on the fly and usually defying logic.

Recently I invested in an ONKIO amp to sort the surround sound situation. it has alleviated the time I spend with my arse sticking out of the TV cabinet. I think it was more expensive than the options you've listed. The Onkio has a shitload of holes in the back which has increased the permutations available. Some consoles plug in the Bravia which outputs sound to the amp, some of the consoles plug into the amp which in turn outputs to the TV. I have always attained the premium cable for my consoles, and by virtue of their variety I have managed to find a hole to stick everything into: S Vid. Component, Composite, HDMI, and optical out alike.

The Onkio has a universal remote. I can change TV/AMP inputs on the fly as well as cue DVD etc all from the one control. Getting the exact combo right to watch any one thing though takes a university degree and a elephant like memory. Your Girlfriend WILL NOT be able to use it.

Take your TV instructions and a list of outputs down the electronics emporium, take photos of the back of all their amps. You should be able to do away with switchers.

Does this help?

[Gizmocreative]

oh yes, it all helps, thanks for the help guys ill have to write down all my outputs and options and just hit up a stereo store for the best option.
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[arbok]

Hey gizmo - i don't know much about sound systems - but you could probably do with less consoles under your TV. I'd probably take the PS1 and gamecube out for a start - seeing as you can play all those games on your PS3 and Wii. - Then I'd probably buy a glass cabinet from Ikea and put all your gaming memoribilia and your unused consoles in it. Well that's what I'm going to do when I move out. Good Luck with that.
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[Gizmocreative]

but you see, i need the ps1 to play my imported playstation final fantasy games and other games that wont run on a ps2, plus the gamecube will run my import games and the gba games in the gameboy player.

im a sucker for all my games and every now and then i love to get into the classics. but good advice nonetheless, maybe i could set them up only when i need them, or set up a second tv just for retro gameing maybe. hmmm decisions.
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[Sinthesys]

Actually, the second tv for retro gaming would probably work quite well.
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[EvilHayama]

Probably easier to set up the old ones on a separate switch (they're probably composite outputs anyway) and hook that up to your TV on a separate input. That way you can use them quickly but it doesn't get in the way of your usual stuff.
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[SoxyRob]

So your tv has
3 composite inputs
2 Hdmi
2 component inputs

you need
6 composite inputs
2 hdmi and
2 component inputs

Is this correct?

What do you want surround sound for? just the ps3 and digi box?

Why do you have a DVD player connected? Couldn't you use your ps3 instead? it upscales and looks better through hdmi and getting rid of the dvd would free up a component slot.

I run my own business and am a Home theatre installer. I have installed hundreds of home theatre systems for people, and it is very daunting. It usually confuses people more than using a switcher. But if you are managing all of those different sources with the complicated setup you have, than using an amp shouldn't be any trouble for you.

Anyway, you need an amp with 2 hdmi inputs, 2 component inputs and at least 4 composite inputs. The other 2 or 3 (the ones you dont need to have surround sound) composites can go straighht into the TV.

you can get amps with 18 inputs, which would be more than you need. but it'll cost ya way over $2000, and nobody wants to pay that much for such a small box.

[ObsoletE]

couldn't you get some piggyback AV cables?

something like these. that's what i use for my DVD player and PS2, since my TV only has 2 AV ins (XBox 360 uses the other, with sound going to another output.)

they can't be used for everything, really only the VCR, STB and DVD - maybe the PS1 depending on what type of output from the console it has, but get those 3 piggy-backing 3 consoles and you're laughing.

(there's probably going to be someone saying there's a lot of crossfeed interference or something, but personally i've never noticed. and tbh i was expecting something.)
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[Kurupt]

Just hire a guy to do it all for you. That's what my parents did. But then you have to get him out every time something fucks up.

[Nephilim]

Purchase a couple of remote controlled av switches and a logitec universal remote.

You can set those things up to perform several functions on a single button press, for example.

button 1 - turns on the tv, sets the right av channel, also sends a signal to the correct av switch to flick to the correct port for console a, turns on surround

button 2 - makes sure the tv is on, changes the channel to the right component channel and flicks the relevant av switch to the correct port for console b, turns on surround

button 3 - turns off all un-nessary equipment and flicks the tv to free to air mode.

Ive seen my girlfriends brother with a similar setup. absolutely amazing.

It may be confusing to get it setup, but just draw a flowchart mapping the functions you need and you can getit all done in a few hours MAX.

[DancesInUnderwear]

1) Put it all in a truck
2) Drive to my house
3) ???
4) Profit!
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[Gizmocreative]

[döppelgangbang]