I need some help...

I didn't want to spend a gazillion bucks on a sound system, so I was just looking at entry level 5.1 systems. I almost bought one when I realized that the amp only has a HDMI-out port. My first thoughts were, where the hell do I plug in my HDMI from my PS3!?

So then the useless salesmen was clueless and pointed me to a very expensive system that did indeed have an HDMI input. Well, I'm not looking to spend that kind of money right now so that won't work...

I am rather clueless on this subject, so if someone could answer:

1. What type of setup do I need to plug in my PS3 so I can enjoy my games in 5.1? What is the specification called?

2. Is what I'm looking for necessarily super expensive?

3. My S-Video port on the PS3 doesn't work anymore, so I'm not even thinking of using the red-yellow-white cable. It would sacrifice visual quality anyways.

THANKS!

http://manuals.playstation.net/document/en/ps3/current/settings/audiooutput.html

It looks like the ps3 has hdmi audio, and optical for 5.1, You would need a system that has a hdmi in or a optical in if you want to play 5.1 surround.

If you want to link to some that you are interested in I am sure someone can tell if they are compatible.

If you can briefly explain the pass-through or decoding terminologies then that would be great.

What I need is simple:

Surround Sound through my PS3.

I have such a basic and common requirement, yet the few stores I visited are CLUELESS. Damn Idiots.

I think I'm going to look for an amp with an optical input.

/thread

All you should need is any surround soundd with a hdmi input or an optical input. I dont really know a whole lot about sound set up so i dont know if I could answer those questions.

Yeah I didn't know about the optical input option. That's what I'm going for. Tx

As far as I can tell from your question, it's been answered. You just need a system, whose amplifier has Optical or HDMI inputs, and D/A conversion. Something as simple as this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-5.1-Channel-Blu-ray-Disc-Home-Theater-System-SC-BT230/14269377?sourceid=1500000000000003142050&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=14269377#Specifications

from panasonic. Look at the specs. If it says, "Optical Digital input" you should be good.

The D/A converters are needed to change the pure Digital signal from the PS3 to and Analog signal that can be split and sent out 5.1 style.

Hope we helped!

What sort of budget are you looking at and what's your gaming space like?

Just saw that I forgot to say: thanks