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Old 04-03-2005, 20:16
skeggysteve
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Hi people,

First point to make is that I'm new to this home cinema thing - well thats why I'm asking

What I want is a speaker system so I can get better sound quality from my tv.

I think I could connect it to my sky box rather than the tv. So it would work on all channels when watched thru' the digi box.

But what should I be looking for?

Any advice would be welcome.

Many thanks, in advance.

Steve
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Old 04-03-2005, 20:38
matty4donna
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What is your price range?

If you are looking to get better sound from your TV, you will not go wrong with a surround system that incorporates a Dolby Pro Logic I/II decoder (converts stereo sound to 4.1/5.1 respectively). It works well on just about any source and if the channel is broadcasting in Dolby Surround (most movies are and a lot of popular programmes are), then it is actually very close to the great Dolby Digital.
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Old 04-03-2005, 21:08
skeggysteve
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Matty,

Thanks for the reply....

Price range = as little as possible!

Not sure I understand most of the rest of waht you said (told you I was new to this!) so any products you could point me towards?

Steve
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Old 05-03-2005, 09:32
cyberdog
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Steve,

if you give us some idea of what you're prepared to spend, then I'm sure someone can make some recommendations.
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Old 05-03-2005, 09:57
MacBurp
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Originally Posted by skeggysteve
Matty,

Thanks for the reply....

Price range = as little as possible!

Not sure I understand most of the rest of waht you said (told you I was new to this!) so any products you could point me towards?

Steve
If its cheap and cheeful you want, try the Acoustic Solutions DS533 from Argos. I was able to hook up my DVD player and Telewest box to this for a great budget solution. I paid £90.

regards,
Paul
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Old 05-03-2005, 10:04
skeggysteve
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Yes £90 sound good.

I could probably stretch to £150 without the Wife moaning too much.
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Old 05-03-2005, 12:36
Davester
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Well, since your max is around £150, this should do you nicely at £119.
I've heard VERY good reviews about it aswell! And LG is a very good, trusted brand. I'd go for this.
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...clickfrom=name

Now, if you have a DVD player the best way to connect it up to get surround sound is to use an Optical cable or Coaxial Cable (Don't confuse this for the TV aerial cable, there is a specialised home cinema lead called a Coaxial lead).
You must first check to see if your DVD player has one of these two ports at the back. They should be marked 'Optical' or 'Coaxial, and then if you do see one, you need to buy the appropriate cable. (I can provide links if needed)

Now.. for other items...
You can't connect it directly to your tv, but you CAN connect to a sky box, using a standard Red/White Phono Cable.

You Won't get surround sound, but if you turn on Dolby Pro-Logic, this will take the Stereo Sky source and turn it into Surround Sound. You wont have to do this for the DVD player because the specialised cable you bought already carries the Surround info.
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Old 05-03-2005, 18:42
skeggysteve
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Many thanks for that info Davester.

Having listened to all the advice I changed my mind! OK it was slightly influenced by teenage son.

So I ended up getting a Phillips DVD home cinema system:

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...o.x=14&go.y=16

As Davester suggested I have connected the Sky box to it via phono leads.

Very pleased with the whole set up. Sound quality very, very good well compared the tv speakers!

But our Old English Sheepdog is totally confused by the surround sound, she keeps looking around the room!

Many thanks for all replies.

Steve
Just off to put old DVD on Ebay!
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