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Sky + and Dolby Digital 5.1


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Old 30-11-2001, 16:30
Jimbo2
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I am considering getting Sky + as I am told from December it will output Dolby Digital 5.1 via an optical out.
I have a Sony STR- DE- 445 amp which has digital inputs (coaxial and optical) for dvd.
Does anyone know if I can also connect the Sky + box to this amp, either with or without having to swap over the connectons from the dvd player?
I would be obliged for any views.
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Old 30-11-2001, 17:52
Mark Hughes
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You would be able to connect it using the optical input. They both use the same TOSlink standard.

Mark
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Old 30-11-2001, 19:48
Jimbo2
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Thanks for the reply Mark.
I still remain unconviced (due i'm sure to my lack of knowledge).
If connect to the optical input, which has above it [COLOR=red]DVD/LD[/COLOR] and then select Satellite as the source (as the Sky + will be connected to sat - video in), will this work?
Many thanks.
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Old 01-12-2001, 10:00
wicket
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What Mark said is correct. You would just connect your optical cable between the two. Does your dvd player have a co axial output to save messing about with optical cables?
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Old 01-12-2001, 11:18
Jimbo2
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Thanks Wicket, I will go ahead now and order Sky +
Jim.
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Old 01-12-2001, 11:20
Jimbo2
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Oops, forgot to mention. Yes, my dvd player has a co axial output as well as optical.
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Old 01-12-2001, 15:48
wicket
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Sounds like you are sorted James. The 5.1 sound is a definite selling point for the Skyplus for me too. I am hanging back on buying one till all the bugs are sorted out and I am not too happy about paying an extra £10 in subscription costs.
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Old 03-12-2001, 12:41
Jimbo2
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Okay Wicket, I appreciate your comments.
Now then, you have got me wondering whether or not I should wait a while for Sky +
Do you think that in a few months they will produce one with a bigger harddrive?
I think this would be all that would be worth waiting for, as any other improvements would be software based wouldn't they?
I suppose another improvement could be a co-axial digital out.
What do you think?
Jimbo2
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Old 03-12-2001, 17:35
wicket
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It is possible that they will bring out a bigger hard drive but I thought the one installed would be ample. It depends on how much taping you intend to do.

Any other improvements, as you state, would be software based and it would be handy to have a coaxial output for those people with this input on their amps.

I am wary about buying Skyplus, at the moment. I was one of those people who invested in the original digibox only to find 2 months later it was given away free which was a bit of a stinger. Though I cannot see Sky making the same mistake twice.

If Sky dropped the £10 extra subscription charge I would be more in favour of buying it but as it stands, at the moment, I do not want to be paying out £44 a month on Sky.

There does seem to be quite a few bugs on it when you read through the threads in PVR which again is off putting but these are sure to get sorted out. I very much like the thought of being able to record via it and the 5.1 sound. However, as I have a perfectly good digibox I cannot justify laying out the money (we have bought a dvd player, a new home cinema kit and a 32 inch tv this year so it has been quite expensive without adding the Skyplus to it). If my digibox broke down tomorrow, I would have no hesitation in going out and investing in the Skyplus however.

Till the need arises I am perfectly happy just sitting back, watching it improve and then buying it when I need to. However, please do not let me put you off, there is enough information of this site for you to make your own decision and plenty of forum members who actually have the Skyplus who would be able to give you a more informed opinion on the Skyplus. As technology is you could be waiting to buy something forever, if you say I will just hang on till they do this to it, etc. You have to jump in sometime and one thing is for sure, better models will always become available.

Hope this helps.

Wicket
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Old 04-12-2001, 00:57
Jimbo2
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Thanks Wicket, I do appreciate your views.
I think I will hang on for a while to see what develops. Like you I paid for my digibox, so think a few months wait could be worthwhile.
Regards.
Jimbo2
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