Quote:
Originally Posted by Barewolf
Ok, So if the Blu-Ray has the optical output and I get a Theatre System with Optical input, How does the rest work? as in how does it connect to the TV to have surround sound from normal channels like BBC1, Sky1 etc, Provided the STB can do that (Which it will be able to when I get the HD Box)
Does anyone have any reccommendations on 5.1 Theatre Systems for the set up I want?
Basically I want to watch normal TV channels with Surround sound, and play a DVD or Blu-Ray via the Blue Ray player and have 5.1 surround sound when I watch it.
|
OK its more complicated than it needs to be and can result in you buying the wrong kit. Before HDMI became widespread video was analogue and surround sound audio was digital.
The Video could be sent over composite, RGB, or Component. using either dedicated cables or SCART depending on your system.
Audio used the SPDIF standard, this can be either a copper phono style lead or optical TOSLink cable.
http://www.audioholics.com/education...-interconnects
Until very recently AV Amplifiers could only switch analogue video signals. I have a Yamaha AV Amp which I use for surround sound but each piece of kit is linked to the TV using HDMI to get the best picture quality.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Using this configuration means that you have to change the TV channel and the amplifier channel at the same time, not such a hard ship though.You get full surround sound when available and the option of using the AV amp to give you pseudo surround with stereo sources.
However the latest generation of AV Amplifiers have full HDMI capability with multiple inputs, some even feature upscaling so that you can mix and match video sources. This does give a simpler installation which is easier to use.
You need to be careful though because there are different flavours of HDMI.
As previous posters have said Richer Sounds is a good starting point.
You can get a decent AV Amp from about £150, although HDMI capable Amps may be £200+, motto is check how many inputs you need, check again and then add at least one ! You may be able to use your existing speakers, if not Richers do a good Yamaha set fro about £80.
Note Other AV retailers and systems are available !!!