replacing dvd player and not all home cinema system

monkey · 24-10-2010, 23:16

i have a dvd home cinema system (5.1 and 100w total output). I am happy with the sound, but is it possible to buy a blu ray player with speaker connections at the back to replace the dvd player and continue to use the same speakers? Preferably samsung as it will link to my samsung lcd.

chrisjr · 24-10-2010, 23:22

Yes.

But they tend to come with speakers of their own. That is the problem with all in one systems. By and large the only options if you need to replace any part is to chuck the whole lot away and start again.

The point about the bit that you insert a DVD disk into in your current system is that it is not just a DVD player. It is a DVD player and amplifier system. A bog standard stand alone DVD or Blu-Ray player does not have the amplifier section. So would be unable to drive the speakers.

I have yet to see on sale anywhere just the player/amp section of a home cinema system. There is no real reason why such a thing could not exist, just that if they do exist they seem very well hidden by the major players in the market.

gomezz · 24-10-2010, 23:29

If the existing HCS has an input for audio from an external device (ie optical digital / TOS connector) then that can be used with a Blueray and give you surround sound.

Matt-08 · 24-10-2010, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezz

If the existing HCS has an input for audio from an external device (ie optical digital / TOS connector) then that can be used with a Blueray and give you surround sound.

Yes, it's quite possible to keep the existing DVD Player and route the additional Blu-ray's audio through it's built in amplifier, providing it has an optical INPUT.

pocatello · 24-10-2010, 23:50

Next time don't buy a dvd player+speaker system in one. You might as well buy an ipod with permanently wired headphones...
Unless it has surround input it wont do it.

RobAnt · 25-10-2010, 01:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt-08

Yes, it's quite possible to keep the existing DVD Player and route the additional Blu-ray's audio through it's built in amplifier, providing it has an optical INPUT.

Or Coax SPDIF.

All blu-ray players have a much superior output than Dolby Digital 5.1 - modern players have HD audio. This discrete multi-channel output is sent via independant analogue channel outputs or digital HDMI connections (for suitably equipped amplifiers) and Digital Optical and/or Coax.

So I would chuck away any one-box with speakers system, unless it has a blu-ray player and loads of inputs.

Onyko have a nice keenly priced seperates system you could try - look on the Richer Sounds website.

Pugwash69 · 25-10-2010, 10:43

Some very confused replies on here!

You can buy a new player and amp seperately. You might find any amp is far more powerful than 100w total though. It's not unusual for cheaper systems to quote "PMPO" (Peak music power output), and 6 channels giving 100w total is very low.

A second-hand 5.1 amp off ebay might set you back £50 and provide 50w RMS per channel into 6 channels. Just check if your speakers are 4ohm or 8 ohm too. You're likely to damage them if you drive them too hard. Get one with optical-in ideally.
A cheap blu ray player can be bought for £60 with optical-out. An optical cable will be under £5 and any cheap one will do if it's long enough.

gomezz · 25-10-2010, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAnt

Onyko have a nice keenly priced seperates system you could try - look on the Richer Sounds website.

The OP sounds like they are on a budget, or at least are careful with their money. Even a low-end system from Richer may be more than they are willing to spend.

pocatello · 25-10-2010, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezz

The OP sounds like they are on a budget, or at least are careful with their money. Even a low-end system from Richer may be more than they are willing to spend.

Well that is what got him into trouble in the first place, buy cheap..buy twice.

gomezz · 25-10-2010, 12:51

Why do you say they are in trouble? They may have had many years happy use from their current system.

I bought expensive many years ago and have an AV amp which does not have any HDMI connectivity nor support the latest audio surround formats. By your argument am I in trouble too?

pocatello · 25-10-2010, 13:08

You do not need hdmi or audio surround formats as long as it takes analog in or simply the old dd/dts in. Anyways on a budget you won't hear the difference between dts and dts-hd.

24-10-2010, 23:16	#1
monkey Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Herts Posts: 471	replacing dvd player and not all home cinema system i have a dvd home cinema system (5.1 and 100w total output). I am happy with the sound, but is it possible to buy a blu ray player with speaker connections at the back to replace the dvd player and continue to use the same speakers? Preferably samsung as it will link to my samsung lcd.

24-10-2010, 23:22	#2
chrisjr Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 27,916	Yes. But they tend to come with speakers of their own. That is the problem with all in one systems. By and large the only options if you need to replace any part is to chuck the whole lot away and start again. The point about the bit that you insert a DVD disk into in your current system is that it is not just a DVD player. It is a DVD player and amplifier system. A bog standard stand alone DVD or Blu-Ray player does not have the amplifier section. So would be unable to drive the speakers. I have yet to see on sale anywhere just the player/amp section of a home cinema system. There is no real reason why such a thing could not exist, just that if they do exist they seem very well hidden by the major players in the market.

24-10-2010, 23:29	#3
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	If the existing HCS has an input for audio from an external device (ie optical digital / TOS connector) then that can be used with a Blueray and give you surround sound.

24-10-2010, 23:36	#4
Matt-08 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6,258	Quote: Originally Posted by gomezz If the existing HCS has an input for audio from an external device (ie optical digital / TOS connector) then that can be used with a Blueray and give you surround sound. Yes, it's quite possible to keep the existing DVD Player and route the additional Blu-ray's audio through it's built in amplifier, providing it has an optical INPUT.

24-10-2010, 23:50	#5
pocatello Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8,622	Next time don't buy a dvd player+speaker system in one. You might as well buy an ipod with permanently wired headphones... Unless it has surround input it wont do it.

25-10-2010, 01:24	#6
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Quote: Originally Posted by Matt-08 Yes, it's quite possible to keep the existing DVD Player and route the additional Blu-ray's audio through it's built in amplifier, providing it has an optical INPUT. Or Coax SPDIF. All blu-ray players have a much superior output than Dolby Digital 5.1 - modern players have HD audio. This discrete multi-channel output is sent via independant analogue channel outputs or digital HDMI connections (for suitably equipped amplifiers) and Digital Optical and/or Coax. So I would chuck away any one-box with speakers system, unless it has a blu-ray player and loads of inputs. Onyko have a nice keenly priced seperates system you could try - look on the Richer Sounds website.

25-10-2010, 10:43	#7
Pugwash69 Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The Sticks Posts: 3,720	Some very confused replies on here! You can buy a new player and amp seperately. You might find any amp is far more powerful than 100w total though. It's not unusual for cheaper systems to quote "PMPO" (Peak music power output), and 6 channels giving 100w total is very low. A second-hand 5.1 amp off ebay might set you back £50 and provide 50w RMS per channel into 6 channels. Just check if your speakers are 4ohm or 8 ohm too. You're likely to damage them if you drive them too hard. Get one with optical-in ideally. A cheap blu ray player can be bought for £60 with optical-out. An optical cable will be under £5 and any cheap one will do if it's long enough.

25-10-2010, 11:25	#8
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	Quote: Originally Posted by RobAnt Onyko have a nice keenly priced seperates system you could try - look on the Richer Sounds website. The OP sounds like they are on a budget, or at least are careful with their money. Even a low-end system from Richer may be more than they are willing to spend.

25-10-2010, 12:48	#9
pocatello Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8,622	Quote: Originally Posted by gomezz The OP sounds like they are on a budget, or at least are careful with their money. Even a low-end system from Richer may be more than they are willing to spend. Well that is what got him into trouble in the first place, buy cheap..buy twice.

25-10-2010, 12:51	#10
gomezz Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Buckingham Posts: 28,590	Why do you say they are in trouble? They may have had many years happy use from their current system. I bought expensive many years ago and have an AV amp which does not have any HDMI connectivity nor support the latest audio surround formats. By your argument am I in trouble too?

25-10-2010, 13:08	#11
pocatello Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8,622	You do not need hdmi or audio surround formats as long as it takes analog in or simply the old dd/dts in. Anyways on a budget you won't hear the difference between dts and dts-hd.

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replacing dvd player and not all home cinema system