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T

The Lad

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Greetings everyone,

So I'm a complete newbie here and I apologize if this is something that's already been discussed elsewhere, but I'm hoping somebody might be able to help me with this!
(I'm sorry if this is a bit long-winded, I just want to be as descriptive as possible).

Here's a brief description of the hardware I currently have:

* Hisense 42" HD LCD TV
* Xbox 360
* HD PVR decoder
* LG DVD surround sound system

The surround sound system and PVR are new additions to our setup at home. The DVD player is capable of HD upscaling and is therefore plugged into an HD port on the TV. Then, I've got the PVR plugged into another HD port on the TV, as well as left and right (red & white) RCA cables going from the PVR into the DVD player (which acts as an amp for the surround sound since all the speakers and the sub are connected to it as well). The surround sound system is sort of a middle of the road unit and cost about R1500.00 (Christmas pressie from the Mrs!), and subsequently only has 1 RCA left and right (red & white) input.

Then, I've got my Xbox 360 plugged into the component input on the TV. I want to be able to have the Xbox left and right (yes, red & white) audio cables plugged into the surround sound system while co-existing with the PVR's audio cables, using the single input on the surround sound unit.

I bought an RCA splitter cable that's male on one side and male/female split on the other side (http://www.national-tech.com/hires/10r1-025.jpg), and basically daisy-chained my setup. With everything plugged in this way, my Xbox and DStv only operate at half the volume (even with the PVR and surround sound system cranked to "MAX").
I had even tried exploring using an optical cable since both the PVR and the Xbox have optical outputs, but my surround sound unit doesn't have an optical port (FML!).

What would be my next best option to get both devices to run on a single input on the surround sound system?

Many thanks in advance chaps!

Update: With the setup explained here both devices run at half volume as I mentioned, but if I turn on my Xbox while I'm watching DStv the volume returns to normal - as it would when I've just got the PVR plugged into the surround sound unit. So it's almost as if I'm not getting enough power to both devices. Perhaps this extra info will help...(?)
 
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OK cool. I almost bought one of those splitter boxes yesterday, I just thought I could get away with buying a R40 RCA split cable.
Unfortunately the TV doesn't have any sort of audio out, that would have been ideal!

Well at least this confirms that the splitter box should do the trick. I'll go pick one up today and post an update as soon as possible.

Thanks!
 
I see that the LG unit have Portable in?
Is that perhaps a mini stereo jack?

If so, why not just get an RCA to mini stereo converter or cable (around R20-R40) and then connect the one device into that port?
 
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SeRpEnT said:
I see that the LG unit have Portable in?
Is that perhaps a mini stereo jack?

If so, why not just get an RCA to mini stereo converter or cable (around R20-R40) and then connect the one device into that port?
Click to expand...

Hey,

That's not a bad suggestion. The only crap thing is that port is on the front underneath a flip-down panel and it'll just look a bit untidy like that (I know, I know...I'm weird that way).
I'm still gonna go pick up a splitter box and post an update, hopefully that will solve it. If not, I might need to pick your brains again ;)
 
So, I'm sorry for the late reply.
I went and picked up an RCA switch and it works like a charm!

Thanks for all of your input everybody.
 
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