Need Advise: Integrating Gaming Console To Home Entertainment System.

[junky 0]

Dear friends,

I am an avid reader of this forum and I decided to post my puzzle.

I have been thinking about this matter for the longest time. I am going to move in to my new apartment in a few months time and I would like to have an integrated entertainment system (if such a thing exist).

I would like to connect my Wii and PS2 to my Sony Bravia X series, 46 inch. At the same time, I intend to get a good home entertainment system. I am thinking of getting some good quality speakers and a good 'disposable' DVD player.

My question is, is it possible to all 3 components hooked up to the LCD Sony TV? I have tried doing so with my existing entertainment system. This resulted in using all the AV ports behind and the side. With the cables sticking at the side, it is not very sightly.

I would like to know, is there a way where the gaming console and entertainment system is connected together and then goes to the TV?

Do I need a Home Theatre Receiver?

Is there anything I should consider in this type of set-up?

I look forward to hearing your views.

[mighty6 0]

I would like to connect my Wii and PS2 to my Sony Bravia X series, 46 inch. At the same time, I intend to get a good home entertainment system. I am thinking of getting some good quality speakers and a good 'disposable' DVD player.

My question is, is it possible to all 3 components hooked up to the LCD Sony TV? I have tried doing so with my existing entertainment system. This resulted in using all the AV ports behind and the side. With the cables sticking at the side, it is not very sightly.

I would like to know, is there a way where the gaming console and entertainment system is connected together and then goes to the TV?

Do I need a Home Theatre Receiver?

Is there anything I should consider in this type of set-up?

All depends on the connections available. Home Theatre system gives you connectivity to your Audio / Visual enjoyment and if you look for a system that allows you to connect all your DVD, Wii and PS2 to it that will be ideal but costly... Consider other inputs from SCV, Cam-corders etc before making that decision.

You may want to consider getting those Selector switch boxes from SoundTech or other brands with multiple inputs (4,6 or more) with 1 or 2 output (less than S$100). They come in models of manual selection or remote controlled ones as well. Sim Lim have alot of choices.

With this, you can connect all your input via this box and output to your LCD via RCA and have the TV output to your Entertainment system for Amplified sound enjoyment. Thus you will have the option of just playing them via your TV settings or blasting via your Receiver.

In my case, I can connect my X-Box 360 via HDMI directly to my HD LCDTV for clarity.

Hope this helps...

[Starscream 0]

I'm not well-versed but I think when buying the LCD TVs we should have a careful look at how many HDMI or whatever ports it provides. Plugging an external switch unless hidden, would be equally unsightly. Maybe you can use this TV for another room in the house and buy a spanking new one? Haha

[owm 0]

Hi there!

I recommend you doing some research on the local HT forum at:

Xtremeplace

My short take on your issue is that your Bravia X LCD TV should have enough ports to connect your Wii, PS2 and DVD player, unless you are only using the AV composite outputs (yellow for video, red and white for audio; worst quality). You should connecct your Wii via component and your DVD player via HDMI. Not sure what kind of outputs are used by the PS2.

If you are serious in looking for a good HT system, then visit KEC Sound System at The Adelphi and ask the helpful people there to recommend some systems for your audition. I would avoid the systems sold at Best, Courts, HN etc. as they do not sound as good but they are cheap, small and inconspicuous.

You definitely need a HT receiver if you are planning on enjoying full surround sound for movies/games and the HT receiver can also act as a video switcher (ie. only one cable from the receiver outputs to your Bravia, all other video and audio cables inputs to the receiver).

[Cantona7 0]

Hi there!

I recommend you doing some research on the local HT forum at:

Xtremeplace

My short take on your issue is that your Bravia X LCD TV should have enough ports to connect your Wii, PS2 and DVD player, unless you are only using the AV composite outputs (yellow for video, red and white for audio; worst quality). You should connecct your Wii via component and your DVD player via HDMI. Not sure what kind of outputs are used by the PS2.

If you are serious in looking for a good HT system, then visit KEC Sound System at The Adelphi and ask the helpful people there to recommend some systems for your audition. I would avoid the systems sold at Best, Courts, HN etc. as they do not sound as good but they are cheap, small and inconspicuous.

You definitely need a HT receiver if you are planning on enjoying full surround sound for movies/games and the HT receiver can also act as a video switcher (ie. only one cable from the receiver outputs to your Bravia, all other video and audio cables inputs to the receiver).

I totally agreed with OWM, u may wan to go down to "The Adelphi" walk ard and check with the sales ppl b4 u committed into it cos different ppl got different taste and of course BUDGET.

Looking at ur spec I think u are planning to upgrade to PS3 in future that why u need a disposal DVD plyer.

And u definitely need an AV Receiver, however if u are soley into gaming I suggest those normal HTiB (Home Theatre in a Box) will suit you, cos no point spending so much on the HTS as is only for gaming.

[kriegs 0]

Get an AV receiver that has HDMI out for your flat panel. That way, all your device can be connected via your receiver, which should have tons of inputs for u.

Downside is that your AV receiver has to be turn on everytime.

[junky 0]

Thank you for the reply and the advise so far.

What if I want to add a Small Factor PC into this equation. Can it be hooked up to the AV Receiver?

Am I right to say that the AV Receiver will be the heart of the whole set-up?

Again, any advise or tips is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

[NiVleK 0]

Ok. First of, I am gamer at heart, was a hardcore one, now due to work, studies and family committments, I cut that down tremendously.

I have all the video consoles available now. How I connect them?

Presently I have a AVR, its an old onkyo, cant remember the model. My XBOX, Wii, Xbox360, DVD player connects via component to it and the AVR outputs component to my 32" TV in my bedrm. The PS3 connects via HDMI directly to the tv but digital sound goes back to AVR.

Decades ago, I connect using a switcher, that time no component TV so all max is S-Video, I just simply connect using a 5 S-Video Switcher.

Coming soon, at my new place, I got myself a budget AVR, the Onkyo 606. With 4 HDMI in and 1 out, its really plentiful.

HDMI Inputs

1) PS3

2) HD Set top box

3) DVD Recorder

4) Empty

TV Side HDMI Input

1) For the occasional connection to my laptop via HDMI

Component Input

5) Xbox360

6) Wii

All output through HDMI to my TV.

Hope this helps.

Edited May 8, 2008 by NiVleK

[owm 0]

Yes, the PC can still be hooked up to the AV receiver. You just have to ensure that the PC's display card has the required video output (S-video, component, DVI, VGA) and audio output (Co-axial, TOSLink for digital signal output to be processed by the AV receiver).

The AV receiver is definitely the heart of the set-up as most audio signals requiring DD, DTS and other multi-channel surround formats will be decoded by the receiver. For video, it is less important as you can always directly connect it to the TV unless the video switcher unit in the receiver is good.

Do a search on Google for connection to AV receiver, many guides and suggestions abound to assist you in understanding this further.

[junky 0]

Hi there!

I recommend you doing some research on the local HT forum at:

Xtremeplace

My short take on your issue is that your Bravia X LCD TV should have enough ports to connect your Wii, PS2 and DVD player, unless you are only using the AV composite outputs (yellow for video, red and white for audio; worst quality). You should connecct your Wii via component and your DVD player via HDMI. Not sure what kind of outputs are used by the PS2.

If you are serious in looking for a good HT system, then visit KEC Sound System at The Adelphi and ask the helpful people there to recommend some systems for your audition. I would avoid the systems sold at Best, Courts, HN etc. as they do not sound as good but they are cheap, small and inconspicuous.

You definitely need a HT receiver if you are planning on enjoying full surround sound for movies/games and the HT receiver can also act as a video switcher (ie. only one cable from the receiver outputs to your Bravia, all other video and audio cables inputs to the receiver).

Hi OWM, thanks for your reply.

I did a visit to Adelphi over the weekend and I could not find a KEC Sound System shop. There was nothing on the directory nor anything remotely the same name. There is a Kingsley Sound though. Am I missing anything?

Please advise.

[Cantona7 0]

Hi OWM, thanks for your reply.

I did a visit to Adelphi over the weekend and I could not find a KEC Sound System shop. There was nothing on the directory nor anything remotely the same name. There is a Kingsley Sound though. Am I missing anything?

Please advise.

Check out their address, their shop is at Level 01 but quite further in the corner.

http://www.hifibargain.com/

[owm 0]

Yup, their location is off the main walkways.

I am surprised that you went down, found Kingsley on the 4th floor but did not try asking either the Kingsley personnel or any other passer-by or shop owner for KEC's exact location. Wouldn't you have saved a wasted trip if you had done so?

[junky 0]

Yup, their location is off the main walkways.

I am surprised that you went down, found Kingsley on the 4th floor but did not try asking either the Kingsley personnel or any other passer-by or shop owner for KEC's exact location. Wouldn't you have saved a wasted trip if you had done so?

Yes, you are right. I should have done so. However, the first thing that came to my mind when I could not locate the the shop was they must have moved. I should have checked with the Security Personnel.

Nevertheless, I have another question that I hope I can get assistance.

Will the AV Receiver be just as effective with a all-in-a-box 5.1 HTS as compared to buying the speakers and DVD/Blu-Ray player separately?

Any advise is truly appreciated.

[owm 0]

An all-in-a-box HTS or HTiB (Home Theater in a Box) system will come with a AV receiver already so there is no need for a separate AV receiver.

Advantage of a HTiB will be its small form factor and ease to integrate into a room with less cables and space taken up. However, in nearly all cases, a separate AV receiver + speaker cum subwoofer package will outperform a HTiB.

Your choice will depend on which is more important to you...form versus function.