Options
Surround Sound Setup Question
JimmyCarrFan
Posts: 160
Forum Member
✭
Hi guys,
Just acquired one of these:
LG HT304SU
....and I'd like to be able to get surround sound whilst watching Sky. I have the unit connect to the TV via HDMI, and also the Sky HD box connected to my LG TV via HDMI too. I know I have the speakers wired up correctly because it's evident when watching a DVD.
I'm a bit of a beginner with these sort of things so please be gentle - what am I missing?
Just acquired one of these:
LG HT304SU
....and I'd like to be able to get surround sound whilst watching Sky. I have the unit connect to the TV via HDMI, and also the Sky HD box connected to my LG TV via HDMI too. I know I have the speakers wired up correctly because it's evident when watching a DVD.
I'm a bit of a beginner with these sort of things so please be gentle - what am I missing?
0
Comments
digital optical would be best, but I don't see it listed in the spec.... they usually have one though. can you have a look?
The latest HD boxes have both Optical (toslink) and Coaxial S/Pdif sockets. Assuming the OP's has both just use the one that matches whatever digital audio inputs the Audio kit has.
The Sky box only outputs surround sound on the optical digital output, not over the HDMI. So to get surround sound out of it you have to connect an optical cable from the Sky box to the surround sound system. And this is where it all falls apart in your case.
That LG system has no Optical Digital input. So no way to connect the Sky box to it. The very best you will get is Stereo via the AUX in connections on the back of the system connected to a similar set of AUDIO OUT sockets on the TV or the Sky box. Alternatively if the TV has a headphone socket you can use that with a suitable lead.
You can then use the Dolby ProLogic decoder in the surround system to generate a sort of surround effect but it will not be the same as the true surround from the optical out on the Sky box.
if its anything like my old panasonic one, it will still sound like surround sound........ as the box generates some kind of dolby pro logic surround........ or something.
it just wont be 5.1 surround.
The two channel source can also be encoded with Pro Logic compatible surround information which enhances the effect considerably. I've heard it on a few US programmes and it can be quite convincing. Not sure if it's used that much in the UK though.
But even on plain stereo it can be quite good. On sports programmes you often get an enhanced sense of being in the middle of the action as it were with crowd effects coming from the surround speakers.