Recommendations for a noob

Hi there! This is my first post on the boards.

I'm about to begin working out and I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations on good combinations of proteins and if you can help me distinguish between all the variety here. For a little background on me, I'm 5'10", about 135-140 lbs, and a total ectomorph. I don't gain weight easily.

I'm looking for two things in specific: a good pre/post workout protein combination, and a meal replacement/rest-day combination.

In the first category I'm specifically looking for whey hydrolysates. PeptoPro looks like it's the standard recommendation around here for that, but there are also things like Hydrolyzed 520 and Anapure. Actually I guess PeptoPro and Anapure are casein hydrolysates, not whey. Is there much of a difference? The descriptions for all of these products pretty much say that they're "the best" so that just leaves me really confused about which one I should invest in. Does anyone recommend blending one of these with other products here for a good pre/post workout blend, or would it be more effective to take the one product by itself?

In the second category I guess I'm looking for something that is a little more complex/slow absorbing. Or I guess more preferably, a range of proteins that absorb at different speeds. Does that sound like a good approach? If so, what specific products would you recommend combining? There's so much to choose from.

Taste isn't a factor for me, so feel free to recommend anything that might taste like crap. I'm also willing to pay for whatever would be effective, so price shouldn't be part of the equation either.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to place an order soon!

pre/post...pepto combined with killer qc, electromuscle and gatorade...consume 1/3 before and remainder post. meal replacement should imo contain some monster v, the ultimate slowly absorbed protein source and the 1 i'm currently experimenting with, and a low gi carb source such as oatmuscle. with this combo can be added any number of differently absorbed proteins such as hydro 520..be careful with it's taste..all the way to plain isolate..just experiment that's part of the fun also dont forget the omegamuscle in ur mr, awesome product . different people respond differently to everything thats available...it's a very gradual process. i can assure u that if it's offered here it's top quality and yes each item offered is the best you'll find anywhere. oh yea..welcome to the boards