New Home Cinema Rig... Surround sound?

AuchWell · 01-11-2006, 16:53

Hi all!

Don't usually post on this part of the site but I need some advice... please!?!

This weekend I'm moving into a new house and we're going to invest in a new LCD TV and a semi-decent home cinema system.

We have our eye on a couple of LCD's - that's not really the problem... we're just not sure how much point there will be in getting the speaker system.

We're looking at one of the Currys kits (probably the one by LG with the "Tall boy" speakers - 500W) which is currently on sale at £180.

Now, we don't watch THAT much TV, but we do want to watch films and for it to feel a whole lot better than just out of the plain old TV.

We are going to go with a Freeview box I think and see how we get on, so there won't be any Sky Digi or NTL Digi here...

Will we be able to get any surround sound from the digital Freeview feed? Do we need any special equipment?

Similarly with our DVD player, will we need a special digital output on that for it to hook up to these kind of cinema kits?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers.
AW

FlatProblem · 01-11-2006, 17:01

There generally optical cable connections - but note that freeview is broadcast in 2.0, so you'll get Dolby ProLogic surround sound on freeview rather than the 5.1 Dolby Digital that you get from a DVD - but it's still surround sound non the less! If you're freeview box doesnt have an optical output, you can still get prologic surround from the 2 L & R analogue feeds.

AuchWell · 01-11-2006, 17:09

Cool

Thanks for that mate.

So even if I get the 5.1 kit, (for DVDs mainly), the 2.0 surround sound from Freeview will still sound good enough going through the 5 speakers?

Is there any difference in quality between using the optical output and the L/R analogue feed from Freeview?

Also, what about PS2's? Are they just standard L/R audio?

Thanks again.
AW

pcWizz · 01-11-2006, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuchWell

Cool

Thanks for that mate.

So even if I get the 5.1 kit, (for DVDs mainly), the 2.0 surround sound from Freeview will still sound good enough going through the 5 speakers?

Is there any difference in quality between using the optical output and the L/R analogue feed from Freeview?

Also, what about PS2's? Are they just standard L/R audio?

Thanks again.
AW

Dolby prologic is generally when 2 channels are upmixed to 5 channels, so you should get 5.1.

assuming that the console has optical out, you can feed it directly in your AV decoder. PS2 games usually support Dolby 5.1

Last edited by pcWizz : 01-11-2006 at 17:40.

AuchWell · 01-11-2006, 18:09

Thanks for that mate.

My PS2 does have an "Optical Out" but it says (Optional) in brackets with a little plastic cover.

Hopefully this comes off!

Cheers
AW

Scorpio · 01-11-2006, 18:10

Normally, Pro-Logic gives you the same sound from the rear pair (no Left/Right separation as in true 5.1) but Pro-Logic II (today's std PL) is very good.

Getting the surround system is really worth it, you will get DVDs in true 5.1 and everything else in PL-II.

Even bog std progs like the news now sound more (slightly!) interesting.

Rgds,
Scorp

AuchWell · 01-11-2006, 18:54

Cheers Scorpio. Defo going for it then.

Which Panny 32" do you have???

Also, I've noticed the Optical Out on the PS2 is just a lil' flap so it'll be compatible with the surround system.

What cable do I need to perform this? Where does it go from the PS2?

Cheers man.

Scorpio · 01-11-2006, 19:09

Still on a CRT, though a lovely TV (bit bulky). I have a Sony amp (will be as your sound system) with 2 optical inputs. One comes from my Sky+ box for listening to movies in DD 5.1 - this cable also send the non Dolby sound streams (PCM) for Sky channels not in DD. I just leave the amp on AUX for all my sky progs.

The other optical input comes from my Panny DVDR for listening to DVDs in DD 5.1

Good luck with the connections.

Rgds.
Scorp

FlatProblem · 01-11-2006, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuchWell

Thanks for that mate.

My PS2 does have an "Optical Out" but it says (Optional) in brackets with a little plastic cover.

Hopefully this comes off!

Cheers
AW

The "optional" just means that they dont give you a cable for it

It depends on the game for the sound - but I think most of em are pro logic?

01-11-2006, 16:53	#1
AuchWell Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 65	New Home Cinema Rig... Surround sound? Hi all! Don't usually post on this part of the site but I need some advice... please!?! This weekend I'm moving into a new house and we're going to invest in a new LCD TV and a semi-decent home cinema system. We have our eye on a couple of LCD's - that's not really the problem... we're just not sure how much point there will be in getting the speaker system. We're looking at one of the Currys kits (probably the one by LG with the "Tall boy" speakers - 500W) which is currently on sale at £180. Now, we don't watch THAT much TV, but we do want to watch films and for it to feel a whole lot better than just out of the plain old TV. We are going to go with a Freeview box I think and see how we get on, so there won't be any Sky Digi or NTL Digi here... Will we be able to get any surround sound from the digital Freeview feed? Do we need any special equipment? Similarly with our DVD player, will we need a special digital output on that for it to hook up to these kind of cinema kits? Any help would be appreciated. Cheers. AW

01-11-2006, 17:01	#2
FlatProblem Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire Posts: 901	There generally optical cable connections - but note that freeview is broadcast in 2.0, so you'll get Dolby ProLogic surround sound on freeview rather than the 5.1 Dolby Digital that you get from a DVD - but it's still surround sound non the less! If you're freeview box doesnt have an optical output, you can still get prologic surround from the 2 L & R analogue feeds.

01-11-2006, 17:09	#3
AuchWell Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 65	Cool Thanks for that mate. So even if I get the 5.1 kit, (for DVDs mainly), the 2.0 surround sound from Freeview will still sound good enough going through the 5 speakers? Is there any difference in quality between using the optical output and the L/R analogue feed from Freeview? Also, what about PS2's? Are they just standard L/R audio? Thanks again. AW

01-11-2006, 17:38	#4
pcWizz Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 92	Quote: Originally Posted by AuchWell Cool Thanks for that mate. So even if I get the 5.1 kit, (for DVDs mainly), the 2.0 surround sound from Freeview will still sound good enough going through the 5 speakers? Is there any difference in quality between using the optical output and the L/R analogue feed from Freeview? Also, what about PS2's? Are they just standard L/R audio? Thanks again. AW Dolby prologic is generally when 2 channels are upmixed to 5 channels, so you should get 5.1. assuming that the console has optical out, you can feed it directly in your AV decoder. PS2 games usually support Dolby 5.1 Last edited by pcWizz : 01-11-2006 at 17:40.

01-11-2006, 18:09	#5
AuchWell Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 65	Thanks for that mate. My PS2 does have an "Optical Out" but it says (Optional) in brackets with a little plastic cover. Hopefully this comes off! Cheers AW

01-11-2006, 18:10	#6
Scorpio Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,048	Normally, Pro-Logic gives you the same sound from the rear pair (no Left/Right separation as in true 5.1) but Pro-Logic II (today's std PL) is very good. Getting the surround system is really worth it, you will get DVDs in true 5.1 and everything else in PL-II. Even bog std progs like the news now sound more (slightly!) interesting. Rgds, Scorp

01-11-2006, 18:54	#7
AuchWell Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 65	Cheers Scorpio. Defo going for it then. Which Panny 32" do you have??? Also, I've noticed the Optical Out on the PS2 is just a lil' flap so it'll be compatible with the surround system. What cable do I need to perform this? Where does it go from the PS2? Cheers man.

01-11-2006, 19:09	#8
Scorpio Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,048	Still on a CRT, though a lovely TV (bit bulky). I have a Sony amp (will be as your sound system) with 2 optical inputs. One comes from my Sky+ box for listening to movies in DD 5.1 - this cable also send the non Dolby sound streams (PCM) for Sky channels not in DD. I just leave the amp on AUX for all my sky progs. The other optical input comes from my Panny DVDR for listening to DVDs in DD 5.1 Good luck with the connections. Rgds. Scorp

01-11-2006, 19:25	#9
FlatProblem Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire Posts: 901	Quote: Originally Posted by AuchWell Thanks for that mate. My PS2 does have an "Optical Out" but it says (Optional) in brackets with a little plastic cover. Hopefully this comes off! Cheers AW The "optional" just means that they dont give you a cable for it It depends on the game for the sound - but I think most of em are pro logic?

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New Home Cinema Rig... Surround sound?