Posted: 14 November 2010 at 2:54am | IP Logged

Anyone know much about setting up surround sound with a HD TV?

I've been reading about it with a view to purchasing a system next year some time. I've got a Sony TV so would lean towards getting a Sony AV receiver too so it can do its funky Bravia Sync shizzle, but also I would consider other brands too if price was favourable. The speakers can be any respectable brand if the price is decent.

As I understand it, I need to get a receiver with either 5.1 or 7.1 capabilities (5.1 will do me fine I think). I will be plugging in at least two devices via HDMI so need multiple HDMI input. Am I right in understanding that HDMI 1.3 onwards carries surround sound, so I don't need to use optical audio cables for that side of things, but is there further benefit to using separate optical audio rather than all via HDMI?

I had a look at the price of all in systems (incl speakers) and noted that the cheaper end systems don't include multiple HDMI input which is a problem. So trying to understand whether it's preferable to get an all-in system, or build separately from receiver and speakers?

I don't need it to do BluRay/DVD/play mp3 etc as other devices will do all this, although obviously it's no problem if it happens to do that anyway.

Are there other features that would be useful/I should be aware of?

Any handy tips from anyone?