Surround Sound Help Required Please?

Harveydog · 04-07-2010, 13:52

Hi,

I am thinking of replacing my old Panasonic SC-HT05 with a more up to date and hopefully better sounding 5.1 system.

The Panny has been great, and still delivers acceptable sound, but I fear that it does not live up to the potential for superb sound through the blu ray player. It has no HDMI inputs or outputs.

All I'm after is a reciever, and 5.1 speaker set up. I'm not bothered about running HDMI etc through it, as I have more HDMI sockets on my TV than I need, I just want excellent sound. The output from the blu ray is through coaxial. Maybe I'm being an idiot, but is the sound also carried through the HDMI and processed in an amp via an HDMI input?

I have seen some Onkyo set ups that include speakers & amp for approx £350; however the most I'd be looking to spend is approx £300.

Can any help with suggestions?

Many thanks

prankz · 04-07-2010, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harveydog

Hi,

I am thinking of replacing my old Panasonic SC-HT05 with a more up to date and hopefully better sounding 5.1 system.

The Panny has been great, and still delivers acceptable sound, but I fear that it does not live up to the potential for superb sound through the blu ray player. It has no HDMI inputs or outputs.

All I'm after is a reciever, and 5.1 speaker set up. I'm not bothered about running HDMI etc through it, as I have more HDMI sockets on my TV than I need, I just want excellent sound. The output from the blu ray is through coaxial. Maybe I'm being an idiot, but is the sound also carried through the HDMI and processed in an amp via an HDMI input?*Yep. Blu-Ray is best heard through HDMI so you can experience full Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio*

I have seen some Onkyo set ups that include speakers & amp for approx £350; however the most I'd be looking to spend is approx £300.

Can any help with suggestions?

Many thanks

Onkyo make great amps. You can't go wrong with Onkyo. What models, set-ups were you looking at?

chrisjr · 04-07-2010, 14:52

Here you go

Comet Onkyo 380

Don't go too mad with your 1p change though

Proper specs and info here

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/AVX-380.html

The Onkyo will indeed process audio over HDMI.

Far easier to connect all the HDMI sources to the receiver and let it switch the feed to the TV. That way you are guaranteed to get full surround sound, especially the new HD Blu-Ray formats. You will need a digital or analogue audio connection back from the TV for it's internal tuners as well.

But even if you use a digital connection it cannot be 100% guaranteed you'll get the full surround signal passed through from HDMI. So plug it all into the receiver and you will be much more likely to get it working from the start.

grahamlthompson · 04-07-2010, 14:57

The OP should be aware that hdmi is required to use the more advanced audio formats found on a bluray (DTS-HD etc). A S/Pdif doesw not have the bandwidth for these

hardeep · 04-07-2010, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

Here you go

Comet Onkyo 380

Don't go too mad with your 1p change though

Proper specs and info here

Add the code AW5199 when you check out saves another £15. Definately a good deal.

RobAnt · 04-07-2010, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by grahamlthompson

The OP should be aware that hdmi is required to use the more advanced audio formats found on a bluray (DTS-HD etc). A S/Pdif doesw not have the bandwidth for these

Many blu-ray players (except the PS3) can output multi-channel analogue audio. So if you have 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 discrete analogue audio channels on your AV receiver you can let the BD player do the HD audio processing.

So, in terms of digital outputs you're correct, but that's not the whole story.

The Onkyo 380 cannot handle either digital or analogue high definition audio at 7.1. The best it can do (which ain't bad as it stands) is 5.1.

It also has spring clip speaker connections: :shudder

Recommendation: - Go for a slightly better specified AV Receiver and three more speakers for true HD surround sound.

chrisjr · 04-07-2010, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAnt

Recommendation: - Go for a slightly better specified AV Receiver and three more speakers for true HD surround sound.

Which is going to cost considerably more than the £300 budget specified in the OP.

I quite agree there are limitations in the Onkyo set up. But given the amount the OP is looking to spend it represents a pretty good deal.

04-07-2010, 13:52	#1
Harveydog Forum Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 167	Surround Sound Help Required Please? Hi, I am thinking of replacing my old Panasonic SC-HT05 with a more up to date and hopefully better sounding 5.1 system. The Panny has been great, and still delivers acceptable sound, but I fear that it does not live up to the potential for superb sound through the blu ray player. It has no HDMI inputs or outputs. All I'm after is a reciever, and 5.1 speaker set up. I'm not bothered about running HDMI etc through it, as I have more HDMI sockets on my TV than I need, I just want excellent sound. The output from the blu ray is through coaxial. Maybe I'm being an idiot, but is the sound also carried through the HDMI and processed in an amp via an HDMI input? I have seen some Onkyo set ups that include speakers & amp for approx £350; however the most I'd be looking to spend is approx £300. Can any help with suggestions? Many thanks

04-07-2010, 14:52	#3
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Here you go Comet Onkyo 380 Don't go too mad with your 1p change though Proper specs and info here http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/AVX-380.html The Onkyo will indeed process audio over HDMI. Far easier to connect all the HDMI sources to the receiver and let it switch the feed to the TV. That way you are guaranteed to get full surround sound, especially the new HD Blu-Ray formats. You will need a digital or analogue audio connection back from the TV for it's internal tuners as well. But even if you use a digital connection it cannot be 100% guaranteed you'll get the full surround signal passed through from HDMI. So plug it all into the receiver and you will be much more likely to get it working from the start. Last edited by chrisjr : 04-07-2010 at 14:53. Reason: fix link

04-07-2010, 14:45	#2
prankz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 1,400	Quote: Originally Posted by Harveydog Hi, I am thinking of replacing my old Panasonic SC-HT05 with a more up to date and hopefully better sounding 5.1 system. The Panny has been great, and still delivers acceptable sound, but I fear that it does not live up to the potential for superb sound through the blu ray player. It has no HDMI inputs or outputs. All I'm after is a reciever, and 5.1 speaker set up. I'm not bothered about running HDMI etc through it, as I have more HDMI sockets on my TV than I need, I just want excellent sound. The output from the blu ray is through coaxial. Maybe I'm being an idiot, but is the sound also carried through the HDMI and processed in an amp via an HDMI input?Yep. Blu-Ray is best heard through HDMI so you can experience full Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio I have seen some Onkyo set ups that include speakers & amp for approx £350; however the most I'd be looking to spend is approx £300. Can any help with suggestions? Many thanks Onkyo make great amps. You can't go wrong with Onkyo. What models, set-ups were you looking at?

04-07-2010, 14:57	#4
grahamlthompson Forum Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Redditch Worcs Posts: 17,293	The OP should be aware that hdmi is required to use the more advanced audio formats found on a bluray (DTS-HD etc). A S/Pdif doesw not have the bandwidth for these

04-07-2010, 15:01	#5
hardeep Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 2,163	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisjr Here you go Comet Onkyo 380 Don't go too mad with your 1p change though Proper specs and info here Add the code AW5199 when you check out saves another £15. Definately a good deal.

04-07-2010, 19:16	#6
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Quote: Originally Posted by grahamlthompson The OP should be aware that hdmi is required to use the more advanced audio formats found on a bluray (DTS-HD etc). A S/Pdif doesw not have the bandwidth for these Many blu-ray players (except the PS3) can output multi-channel analogue audio. So if you have 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 discrete analogue audio channels on your AV receiver you can let the BD player do the HD audio processing. So, in terms of digital outputs you're correct, but that's not the whole story. The Onkyo 380 cannot handle either digital or analogue high definition audio at 7.1. The best it can do (which ain't bad as it stands) is 5.1. It also has spring clip speaker connections: :shudder Recommendation: - Go for a slightly better specified AV Receiver and three more speakers for true HD surround sound.

04-07-2010, 19:54	#7
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Quote: Originally Posted by RobAnt Recommendation: - Go for a slightly better specified AV Receiver and three more speakers for true HD surround sound. Which is going to cost considerably more than the £300 budget specified in the OP. I quite agree there are limitations in the Onkyo set up. But given the amount the OP is looking to spend it represents a pretty good deal.

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Surround Sound Help Required Please?