Silly Question - Surround Sound

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Aharon

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Hi,

I currently have the following setup - LED / LCD TV, 2P DSTV Decoder and regular single view decoder.

I also have a home theatre system (non HDMI) (ie DVD player and 5.1 speakers which connect to that DVD player).

So, obviously DVD's / USB Media plays with 5.1 sound on the DVD player. However, how can I get the DSTV decoder to also use the speakers for surround sound. Alternatively what DVD / Home Theatre system can I buy that will support this setup? PS - I would like anew set up to include Blu_Ray
 
You should be able to go from your tv using the audio out into the amp and then select aux, but you will only have the front 2 playing audio
 
Your DVD player/amp needs to have either an optical input or coaxial audio input, you would then connect either of these from the HDPVR to the DVD player/amp
If it only has a stereo (red+white) input then you're outta luck

There are plenty of those packaged surround sound kits you can choose from, just make sure it has a surround sound input. Most over R1.5k will have
 
So just the audio goes into the DVD player? What cable does it use, cost? And where do u get?
 
Aharon said:
So just the audio goes into the DVD player? What cable does it use, cost? And where do u get?
Click to expand...
Yup, but check you have the input connection first. Optical will be a squarish port, coaxial is usually orange
Cables are about R50 or less, Google Optical audio & coaxial audio to see what they look like
 
Aharon said:
So just the audio goes into the DVD player? What cable does it use, cost? And where do u get?
Click to expand...

It depends on what your DVD/amp/receiver supports. As Smurfatefrog points out, if it's two jacks, one red and one white you'll probably only get stereo. If it's optical or coaxial you should be able to get surround. Optical is square with one side slightly rounded (TOSLINK), coaxial is usually a single RCA connector. You'll have to read the small labels next to each connector to determine whether they are input or output, audio or video and the type of connection it requires. Many entry level DVD/HTiB systems (<R2k) don't have audio input and if they do, they're usually only stereo.
 
Thanks all. This is my model, from what I see it has none of the above. Please would u confirm.

http://m.lg.com/za/tv-audio-video/home-theater-system/LG-dvd-home-theater-system-HT355SD.jsp

Also please would you recommend a replacement that has full surround input and a blu ray player?
 
Aharon said:
Thanks all. This is my model, from what I see it has none of the above. Please would u confirm.

http://m.lg.com/za/tv-audio-video/home-theater-system/LG-dvd-home-theater-system-HT355SD.jsp

Also please would you recommend a replacement that has full surround input and a blu ray player?
Click to expand...
Seems like you will only be able to get stereo, since it only has an analogue input.

What's your budget for a replacement? Would you be willing to build a decent system from scratch, or does it have to be an all-in-one system?

If you must have a similar all-in-one system, then go with the Samsung HT-D5500. It has 2 HDMI inputs, optical and coaxial inputs, blu-ray player, will do 3D, and lots of other little niceties out the box.
 
Hi,

Don't mind building a system from scratch. How much approx would the samsung set me back? Budget prob around 3000.
 
Aharon said:
Hi,

Don't mind building a system from scratch. How much approx would the samsung set me back? Budget prob around 3000.
Click to expand...
Your budget is a bit low to build a system, since even an entry level receive will set you back about R3000 alone.

The Samsung system posted above costs between R3800 - R4200. Have a look here: http://www.fotodiscountworld.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/2014

Alternately, you could get an entry level receiver, and plug your existing DVD player, speakers and DSTV into it. Then slowly start building it up as your budget allows.

Choice is yours, but the guys here on the forum will gladly assist if you have any questions.
 
Thanks Mike :) Could probably manage the above at the price. Only place google on my phone picked up the product was Wantitall at a price of R7000 which I was horrified at, lol.

Thanks everyone for your assistance :)
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Your budget is a bit low to build a system, since even an entry level receive will set you back about R3000 alone.

The Samsung system posted above costs between R3800 - R4200. Have a look here: http://www.fotodiscountworld.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/2014

Alternately, you could get an entry level receiver, and plug your existing DVD player, speakers and DSTV into it. Then slowly start building it up as your budget allows.

Choice is yours, but the guys here on the forum will gladly assist if you have any questions.
Click to expand...
This would be a good starting point for him http://www.avforums.co.za/index.php/topic,11504.0.html
 
The Samsung set that Mike Hoxbig suggests is quite a good entry-level system. Has blu-ray player, two HDMI inputs and one optical (if I remember correctly). I own one of these and quite happy with it. The only downside is the build quality of the speakers/sub but for better you probably need a semi/pro system, way more than cost of the HT5500.
 
Aharon said:
Hi,

Don't mind building a system from scratch. How much approx would the samsung set me back? Budget prob around 3000.
Click to expand...

If you increase to R4k you can start with an entry amp and 2 bookshelf speakers. Not physical surround but will end up being a helluva lot better. Also virtual surround sound tech like Dolby Pro Logic is pretty incredible. You can then add a sub, rears and center as you budget allows...
 
Aharon said:
Thanks Mike :) Could probably manage the above at the price. Only place google on my phone picked up the product was Wantitall at a price of R7000 which I was horrified at, lol.

Thanks everyone for your assistance :)
Click to expand...
Currently on sale at Makro R3,499
 
On 2x speakers you'll get Dolby Pro Logic surround. I'm currently using red/white to my amp with Dolby Pro-Logic 2 - sounds great. You still have 4x distinct directions.
 
unskinnybob said:
On 2x speakers you'll get Dolby Pro Logic surround. I'm currently using red/white to my amp with Dolby Pro-Logic 2 - sounds great. You still have 4x distinct directions.
Click to expand...

Probably much better than standard stereo but I think it's "synthesized surround sound" so not quite the same as hearing it in "true" surround where the audio is recorded and played back on specific channels.
 
stevenv said:
Probably much better than standard stereo but I think it's "synthesized surround sound" so not quite the same as hearing it in "true" surround where the audio is recorded and played back on specific channels.
Click to expand...

Sure, but you'd be surprised.

You could tell your friends you have surround speakers hidden in the side/rear walls, and they'd probably believe you. :p

It's incredible, especially when using decent headphones/sound card (in the case of a PC).
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking DPL but if you're on a budget and not an audiophile, you can get "proper" surround sound with all the bells and whistles (e.g. HDMI input, DTS, DD etc) for the same price (or less) as a matrix 2 channel system. Sure, it may not be a semi/pro amp and not big-brand speakers but still pretty decent IMO.

@op an alternative is one of th Onkyo HTiB systems that have a more "pro" receiver, not sure of the speaker quality though.
 
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