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Vierra amp for surround sound - confused!!


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Old 14-09-2012, 13:31
cezzy
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We purchased a Panasonic TX-L37ET5B a couple of weeks ago & as the sound quality is appalling, we brought a JBL Cinima 500 surround sound system. It now appears we need an amp or pre amp or receiver & boy am I confused?

We would like if possible to get a Vierra link amp so that we can control the speakers thought the TV, but I don't know where to look? From what I can tell, if we had a Panasonic DVD it would appear that this has a built in amp? As we have a Sony blue ray player which is never used, again I'm left confused.

Can any one help?
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Old 14-09-2012, 13:37
Nigel Goodwin
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Vierra link is what Panasonic call HDMI-CEC, so any CEC capable system should be OK.

That JBL 'system' appears to be just speakers and an active sub-woofer, so you need an amplifier to feed them.
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Old 14-09-2012, 13:45
cezzy
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Thank you Nigel
You are my knight in shining armour
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Old 14-09-2012, 14:26
bobcar
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Yes I have a Vierra and that works with my Yamaha sound system to control via the TV with no probs.
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Old 14-09-2012, 21:12
iangrad
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You should get a amp or sound bar or bluray home cinema kit etc that is "ARC" compatible . Then the TV will talk to the amp via the HDMI lead . No other connections are needed as the TV will relay its own sound back down the hdmi lead providing you connect the hdmi to socket No 2 on the TV .
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Old 14-09-2012, 22:38
grahamlthompson
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You should get a amp or sound bar or bluray home cinema kit etc that is "ARC" compatible . Then the TV will talk to the amp via the HDMI lead . No other connections are needed as the TV will relay its own sound back down the hdmi lead providing you connect the hdmi to socket No 2 on the TV .
Only if the TV is also arc compatible.
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Old 15-09-2012, 14:01
iangrad
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Only if the TV is also arc compatible.
All the current Pana range have ARC on hdmi 2 and the OP's tv is brand new so it will be fine .
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Old 15-09-2012, 14:39
Nigel Goodwin
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All the current Pana range have ARC on hdmi 2 and the OP's tv is brand new so it will be fine .
Interesting it's on HDMI2 (most sets are on HDMI1) - presumably then they still do the 'auto-detect' thing on HDMI1? (hence can't do CEC and ARC over it).
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Old 15-09-2012, 20:07
Chris Frost
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We purchased a Panasonic TX-L37ET5B a couple of weeks ago & as the sound quality is appalling, we brought a JBL Cinima 500 surround sound system. It now appears we need an amp or pre amp or receiver & boy am I confused?

We would like if possible to get a Vierra link amp so that we can control the speakers thought the TV, but I don't know where to look? From what I can tell, if we had a Panasonic DVD it would appear that this has a built in amp? As we have a Sony blue ray player which is never used, again I'm left confused.

Can any one help?
Much of the base information is already covered in the replies you have, so this is really just to pull some of that together and make some firm product recommendations to help coalesce a system.

So, to recap: The TV can give an audio out signal via HDMI using the ARC feature. It can also give you sound out using the optical connection. The sound results will be the same either way.

The speakers you have need an AV amp to sit between them and the TV to make it all work. With the JBL speakers you have then you've already leapfrogged the usual home-cinema-in-a-box all-in-one kits with amp/DVD/Blu-ray player + speakers as a package. That's a blessing in disguise. Those kits aren't great sounding and have rather limited connection possibilities.

This brings us back to an amp choice. The amp will be the hub of the entertainment system. It will take the signals from your TV, DVD/Blu-ray player, TV recorder/Sky box plus any other devices such as games consoles or legacy devices (VHS, laser disc etc) and do all the signal decoding so that you have the best possible sound from any source. This is one big difference between the a proper AV amp and the all-in-ones people typically fall for.

Now, one important consideration is size. AV amps have a lot of connections and they house some potent amplifier power too. This means the box is about 6" high, just so you know. There are a couple of slimline versions available without too many compromises, but more about those later.

If I were in your shoes the question I'd ask myself is "Should I keep the JBL speakers and buy an amp. Or should I get a refund and for the same money as the JBLs cost get a complete solution?"

If the latter is still an option because you can return the speakers then have a look at either of these very capable AV packages. Both will do everything you need and give fabulous results all for about what the JBLs cost.

Onkyo HTS3505 or this Sony + Tannoy package

If returning the speakers isn't an option then you need to be looking at just an AV amp/receiver. Look for Sony, Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha. All are good brands. AV Amps and Receivers go up in price to well in the the £1000+ territory, but they start at a very accessible £170. This will cover all the basics including 3D support, and even these budget amps will make those JBLs sing.

For slimline receivers look up the Pioneer VSXS300 (£220*) or Marantz NR1403 (£349*). These use less potent amplifier technology but can give great results too, especially the Marantz.

* the prices guides given are already heavily discounted. By all means shop around, but I'd be surprised if you could achieve anything more than £5-£10 off if that.

Good luck
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Old 15-09-2012, 21:03
chrisjr
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If you are on a tight budjet then the Onkyo 309 is a pretty decent place to start

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ky-txsr309-blk

And for 140 quid it's a steal. For a bit more try this...

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...3/onky-txsr313
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Old 15-09-2012, 22:03
bobcar
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Interesting it's on HDMI2 (most sets are on HDMI1) - presumably then they still do the 'auto-detect' thing on HDMI1? (hence can't do CEC and ARC over it).
My older Panny plasma allows CEC on either HDMI port but only does auto-detect on HDMI1, no idea about the newer TVs.
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Old 16-09-2012, 11:18
Nigel Goodwin
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My older Panny plasma allows CEC on either HDMI port but only does auto-detect on HDMI1, no idea about the newer TVs.
Thanks, good to know.
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Old 16-09-2012, 11:19
iangrad
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Interesting it's on HDMI2 (most sets are on HDMI1) - presumably then they still do the 'auto-detect' thing on HDMI1? (hence can't do CEC and ARC over it).
All but one of the current range panasonic auto detect on hdmi 1 but the arc is on hdmi 2 because you select either internal speakers or home cinema via the "veira tools" ( big green button on the handset ) . The TV remembers the last used setting , waking up both when you come out of standby and the home cinema / sound bar / amp will switch of when you put the tv into standby .
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Old 19-09-2012, 15:35
cezzy
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Sorry to take so long to get back. Decided to let my tech savvy son look into the matter but he's confused himself. Tech savvy son also Cracked the plug on the speakers so unable to return the JBL system. Will look into those recommendations &

THANK YOU to all those who have written. Will let you know how things pan out
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Old 20-09-2012, 12:59
cezzy
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One more query,

Chris Frost, I appreciate you putting all the info together for me. That's extremely helpful, but here's that query for you or anyone else who can advise.
If I am to purchase the Pioneer VSXS300 (for example), do I still need to purchase the HDMI CEC cable? Looking at the Pioneer details it says It has a control with HDMI.

Edited to add about the particular amp mentioned, we have 5 speakers. Is it suitable as it states it's an ideal companion for 2 speakers.
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