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What to buy and how to connect


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Old 22-02-2004, 00:07
Faust
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I am considering taking the plunge and buying a surround sound system to compliment my widescreen t.v. Not sure what I should purchase, but would like to choose Panasonic, budget up to £400. I know that a system with a DVD player included is cheaper than one with just the amp. However, I already have a DMR E30, and it seems a waste to have another dvd player stuck on the same shelf. Another concern, what are my options for connections, as I have no scarts left available. Present equipment being Panasonic PL1, Panasonic Sky digi box, E30, and Sony SLV730 video all linked via scarts. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. TV AV1 and 2 are in use.
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Old 22-02-2004, 13:33
Ste_2000
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If you've already got a DVD Player than i would advise the Acoustic Solutions DS533 from argos its an amplifier and can work with any DVD player and sky. Also has rear speaker sdtands which are useful.
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Old 03-03-2004, 23:28
Scorpio
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Although you dont say what you use your VCR for (I'm guessing in my example) here's a stab at the best connectivity -

Sky+ vcr out ---> VCR in
VCR out ---> TV AV2
Sky+ TV out ---> DVDR in (RGB)
DVDR out ---> TV AV1(RGB)

Re: the amp - Try the Panasonic SAX R15 (search Kelkoo for best price) at around £199 should do the trick.

Rgds,
Scorp.
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Old 04-03-2004, 10:46
engaged
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You could also consider the Acoustic Energy Aego P5 system - you can get it for around the £400 mark now. I considered it myself a year or so ago, but ended up spending several times that amount a month ago...

Acoustic Energy Aego P5
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Old 04-03-2004, 13:25
wicket
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No ooooooo!

Hi there again Faust.

I would definitely go down the separate amp path as you have decided to do. I don't think you have to worry about scart sockets because you are dealing purely with sound. What you have to watch is that the amp you buy has enough sound inputs for your equipment.

As you know the digital inputs are optical and coaxial (orange plug). Your first step is to ensure you can connect your DVD Recorder which will be by one of the above methods. However, you are interested in Skyplus (mine is still working fine by the way) and may well decide to take the plunge with this at some stage so you will need an optical input for this. Amps also have phono inputs too.

Right if you have all your existing stereo equipment connected to your tv via scart leads the tv is then able to output stereo signals via the phono plugs on the tv. These phono leads would then be connected to your amp enabling Dolby Prologic sound/stereo to be emitted by the amp for these pieces of equipment. Then you could probably just have the amp set on 'tv' to listen to all this equipment. You would need to select a digital source on the amp to listen to your DVD player in 5.1/dts sound.

I know you have never been fussed by movies so am wondering why you are getting a home cinema kit. DVD discs usually are in 5.1 sound and a few are in dts (which is superior in my book). Another sound system on the market at the moment is Dolby Prologic 2, this takes existing Dolby Prologic material and gives in a pseudo 5.1 sound, eg it will make separate sounds come from the rear two speakers on a basic level.

So when you go in your local Euronics store you are looking for a system that has optical, coaxial and phono inputs and is able to output 5.1/dts/Dolby Prologic 2 sound.

I have not bought a new system for a few years now but am still happy with my Sony one so cannot really recommend one to you. I would presume Panasonic ones are just as good.

Hope this has been of some help to you though when will you get rid of those gas lights you still insist on using?
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