Upgrade time (Surround Sound, Media Centres, Mac Minis etc)

[Gaz.]

I'm quite antiquated now in my TV/Media setup in my room (and my knowledge too if I'm honest). I have a fairly old Hi-Fi, a Samsung 933HD TV, a very Sony old DVD/Surround sound combi (5.1) and an Xbox 360.

TV - Normal Viewing in Stereo
Xbox - Hooked up to the surround sound, and also into the TV via Component
DVD/Surround Sound - so old, the it only does surround for the DVD built in and the Xbox.
Hi-Fi - never use it, just listen on my MacBook

So I was thinking, I might as well scrap the Hi-Fi and gain some room there. Then I was thinking maybe get a second hand Mac Mini and use that as a media centre somehow to play DVDs & Music. I could then hook that up to some sort of surround sound, that'll also do the TV.

Is that possible? Any recommendations?
Anybody using a mac mini as a media centre (might make an Apple chat thread about that yet)
Not looking to spend a fortune, the TV is only a baby for a start.

 

[Gaz.]

Right, looks like I need two RCA inputs. One for the media centre, and one for the Xbox. Thing is, nobody seems to list inputs online.

Also, pass on whether I can hook my TV up to surround sound.

 

[Gavin.]

I going to go get one of these next week, it will run my skyhd and my ps3 throught the hdmi ports (audio & video)

Bargin at £140

http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/sony/strdh510/sony-strdh510

 

[Gaz.]

Ah I never thought to look for AV Receivers.