[judy10]

We have a Panasonic TX-P50U30B, the sound has never been great but is more and more tinny sounding, we aren't able to change the tv, but wondered if a soundbar might help?
Can anyone recommend one that would work with our Virgin V+ remote, we are getting on a bit an too many remotes cause confusion

[evil c]

I can't help with the Virgin V+ remote problem because I don't know what devices they can connect to or not. Maybe a universal remote?

Re your soundbar you have given no idea of how much you want to spend. A good match for your TV would be the Panasonic SC-HTB20. If you connect it via HDMI to the TV HDMI ARC input 2 then you can also connect any other devices you have to the soundbar, such as a Blu-ray player and a PVR. Enable HDMI-CEC and then you can use one remote for all connected devices and possibly the TV too.

You can also connect the soundbar via the Optical Digital Audio Out on the TV, and you'll need to purchase a TOSlink cable like this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/TOSLink-Opti...=toslink+cable

Soundbar with 2yr gtee: http://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-s...c_pr_200_40000

HDMI v1.4 cable if required: http://www.amazon.co.uk/1-8m-HDMI-Ca...able+v1.4+1.8m

[meltcity]

Quote:

Originally Posted by judy10

We have a Panasonic TX-P50U30B, the sound has never been great but is more and more tinny sounding, we aren't able to change the tv, but wondered if a soundbar might help?
Can anyone recommend one that would work with our Virgin V+ remote, we are getting on a bit an too many remotes cause confusion

Many TVs are able to control AV receivers (amps), and possibly some soundbars, via HDMI.

For example, when I turn on my TV it automatically sends a signal to the amp to come out of standby, and also automatically disables the TV's speakers. If I use the TV's remote to turn the volume up or down, the TV passes on the message to the amp. When I switch off the TV it tells the amp to switch itself off. Quite clever, don't you think?

[gomezz]

So clever that it is often too clever for it to work properly. Which is why an activity-based universal remote wins hands down.

[bobcar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomezz

So clever that it is often too clever for it to work properly. Which is why an activity-based universal remote wins hands down.

I've never had any problems with it working for me with my Panasonic TV and Yamaha sound bar. On the other hand although I have a Harmony remote I found activity mode a real pain and use it in device mode (still like the remote but not activity mode).

[judy10]

Our maximum spend on a soundbar is 200

[Nigel Goodwin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by judy10

Our maximum spend on a soundbar is 200

Have you got any old PC speakers you could try? - or 'borrow' the ones off your computer?.

Simply plugging them in the sets headphone socket will greatly improve the TV sound, depending on the quality of the PC speakers - but ones with a sub-woofer should be pretty decent.

Even with a soundbar, if you connect it via the headphone socket it will then be controlled via the TV remote, or the V+ one assuming it works your TV.

[evil c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by judy10

Our maximum spend on a soundbar is 200

The one I recommended should do then. There are more expensive Panasonic soundbars but they don't sound any better. An expensive price tag is no guarantee of better performance when it comes to soundbars, unless you pay silly money, in which case you might as well buy a cheaper 2.1 speaker system or a complete 5.1 surround sound system. Here's a comprehensive review of the Panasonic: http://www.trustedreviews.com/panaso...-System_review