HDMI Surround sound?

[Chillalex]

Hi guys

I just got paid madd cash on account of everything ruling hard

I want to get a proper 5.1 surround sound system (currently repping 2.1 ) but I have a few questions, namely, how the fuck does it work with like PS3/360 stuff? If I normally connect to my TV via HDMI cable, how do I get the sound split to the surround sound system and the picture split to the TV?

Confused bro's

AND

does anyone have any suggestions for good set ups? I got paid more than enough but I don't want to spend 1000 on sound you know And ideally it'd be wireless, as setting up the wiring is a pain in the arse.

[jitz]

Digital optical audio mate. The 360 needs an adapter to do it with HDMI though, or a screwdriver and brute force to remove the cover from the standard X-Box cables that house the optical output. The PS3 has it straight out the back, Sony weren't wankers and just went with standard outputs.

As for setup, I cringed as wireless. Why get 5.1 sound when you're going to listen to it though an AM radio? The quality loss is noticeable, and sound sells an experience, it's more important than video. Speaker cable is pretty small and fits snugly under the carpet in the corners of the room for a quick fix.

Recommending gear is hard, it's all down to personal preference, your ear drum, and the room it's going in. Just go out and buy what ever sounds the best, it could be the cheapest one in the store, doesn't matter. Make sure the salesman demos them at a level you would actually listen to it at though, they have a nasty habit of cranking it so loud you can be standing on the other side of the store but it sounds like the Autobots are waging war right nex to you. When stuff is that loud, they all tend to start sounding good, and pretty much the same. You just want to make sure it still packs punch and is crisp are normal levels. And lastly, make sure you buy from a store with a really good return policy. Speakers like to sound great in a large store, but very shit in your little room. It can sometimes be a simple matter of swapping to your second instore preference, for a twice as good listening experience at home.