Help please! New setup not sure what to do for amp/speakers

alanjrobertson · 02-09-2007, 11:36

Hi

I've taken the plunge and have got a Samsung LE40M87BDX LCD TV. I've also got Sky HD winging its way to me and already have an Xbox 360.

The missing bit that I'd really appreciate some help with is what to do for amp/speakers.

I've read in a couple of places about optical links between the Sky HD box and the amp/decoder - does this mean I have HDMI going to the TV and then optical going to the amp? How should I connect the Xbox?

As well as advice re. connections I was looking for some recommendations of products to go for. It's a new-build flat with laminate floor so it's a bit tricky speaker-wise.

Proposed setup is:

http://www.alanjrobertson.co.uk/imag...roomlayout.jpg

As you can see I can't run speaker cable down the left as its open-plan and down the right is the main door into the room

I was therefore quite interested in some of these systems that have wireless rear speakers - as you can see there is a power socket behind to sofa so this would work out well from that point of view. Does anyone have any suggestions of good systems to go with?

Many thanks for any info/suggestions!

Cheers

Alan

Jimmy Riddle · 04-09-2007, 15:06

The Sony DAV-DZ830W - DVD 5.1 Home Cinema System - With Wireless Rear Speakers & HDMI 1080i Upscaling has rear wireless speakers, but I don't know if you have a DVD player already.

alanjrobertson · 04-09-2007, 21:32

Hi Jimmy

Thanks for that - I'll go take a look at it now. I've already got a DVD player by way of being built in to the Xbox 360 but I'm sure the Sony system would be much better (less noisy at least!).

I was interested in the Logitech Z-5450 too but am a little worried it might be underpowered (although on the upside it has two optical inputs and wireless rear speakers for only £174) - does anyone have any experience of this system for home cinema rather than computer usage?

Cheers

Alan

PS - had a look at the Sony specs (http://www.sonybiz.net/view/ShowProd...DVD+Player#tab) - certainly much better power output than the Logitech (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/sp...s/229&cl=gb,en) but I see the Sony only has one optical in vs. the two on the Logitech. Does this make a difference for connecting my Xbox 360 and Sky HD? Is it possible to connect one to optical and the other to digital coax? Would this be just as good? Is it even an option with one of them?! Many thanks for any info!

Jimmy Riddle · 06-09-2007, 11:42

Optical on the XBox 360 and use the digital coax on Sky HD, obviously if you wanted to use both opticals then go for the Logitech (who are getting good reviews at the moment)

Pioneer also do a 5.1 surround sound but I think it is wired, but these can always be hidden in walls etc.

I use a Yamaha AV61 with 2 opticals on the AV Receiver for the 360 and Virgin HD and ir works very well.

In my opinion you wont go far wrong with the Sony or Logitech, although KEF have brought out some rear wireless (they are pricey though) and LG also do a 'semi-wireless' system.

If it was me, the Sony or Logitech would be on my shopping list.

alanjrobertson · 07-09-2007, 17:05

Hi again Jimmy

Many thanks for the reply. Overall I like prefer the look of the Sony system and it looks like it has better specs. Is there any particular benefit of 2x optical vs. 1x optical and 1x digital coax? Presumably both are digital connections anyway so it shouldn't matter?

Cheers

Alan

Nigel Goodwin · 07-09-2007, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanjrobertson

Hi again Jimmy

Many thanks for the reply. Overall I like prefer the look of the Sony system and it looks like it has better specs. Is there any particular benefit of 2x optical vs. 1x optical and 1x digital coax? Presumably both are digital connections anyway so it shouldn't matter?

No, they are essentially the same, and converters are freely available to convert between them - it's the same datastream, just either electrical or optical.

alanjrobertson · 07-09-2007, 17:29

Ah, OK - thanks Nigel.

Just had a look at the back panel for the Sky HD box and have realised that it only has optical digital output (no coax) so will need to go down the adapter/converter route.

Choices seem to be between...

1) optical to digital coax adapter - looks like they cost £12-16 and need an extra PSU (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130129278251 or http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130150164596)

2) twin optical adapter - cheapest at about £4, have heard of some problems with the Sky HD not properly cutting off its optical output in standby (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130148873984)

3) three-way adapter with selector switch - mid-price option at about £7, requires manual switching every time you switch source (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130150165608)

Does anyone have any experience/suggestions re. the above options? Any that I've missed?

Cheers

Alan

paulr2006 · 08-09-2007, 09:15

2) twin optical adapter - cheapest at about £4, have heard of some problems with the Sky HD not properly cutting off its optical output in standby (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130148873984)

I use one of these & it works perfectly, just remember to put the HD box into standby when using the other input otherwise you will get either no sound or garbled sound as the sources mix.

alanjrobertson · 08-09-2007, 10:49

Sounds good, Paul. I read somewhere about the HD box not properly shutting down it's digital optical output when in standby but from your experience it looks like that isn't a problem after all - excellent!

Cheers

Alan

alanjrobertson · 19-09-2007, 00:54

Just a quick follow-up thank you to Jimmy and Paul!

In the end I went for the Sony speakers Jimmy suggested and the 2:1 optical splitter Paul recommended and both are working perfectly! I've now got my Sky HD connected via HDMI to my TV, my Xbox 360 via component to my TV (v. impressed at the 1080p output!) and both connected via the optical splitter/combiner to the Sony system. Loving the wireless rear speakers too!

Thanks again for the help guys.

Alan

paulr2006 · 19-09-2007, 12:47

Glad to see your sorted Alan, I have this TV & I think you will agree it's great, enjoy!

02-09-2007, 11:36	#1
alanjrobertson Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 422	Help please! New setup not sure what to do for amp/speakers Hi I've taken the plunge and have got a Samsung LE40M87BDX LCD TV. I've also got Sky HD winging its way to me and already have an Xbox 360. The missing bit that I'd really appreciate some help with is what to do for amp/speakers. I've read in a couple of places about optical links between the Sky HD box and the amp/decoder - does this mean I have HDMI going to the TV and then optical going to the amp? How should I connect the Xbox? As well as advice re. connections I was looking for some recommendations of products to go for. It's a new-build flat with laminate floor so it's a bit tricky speaker-wise. Proposed setup is: http://www.alanjrobertson.co.uk/imag...roomlayout.jpg As you can see I can't run speaker cable down the left as its open-plan and down the right is the main door into the room I was therefore quite interested in some of these systems that have wireless rear speakers - as you can see there is a power socket behind to sofa so this would work out well from that point of view. Does anyone have any suggestions of good systems to go with? Many thanks for any info/suggestions! Cheers Alan

04-09-2007, 21:32	#3
alanjrobertson Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 422	Hi Jimmy Thanks for that - I'll go take a look at it now. I've already got a DVD player by way of being built in to the Xbox 360 but I'm sure the Sony system would be much better (less noisy at least!). I was interested in the Logitech Z-5450 too but am a little worried it might be underpowered (although on the upside it has two optical inputs and wireless rear speakers for only £174) - does anyone have any experience of this system for home cinema rather than computer usage? Cheers Alan PS - had a look at the Sony specs (http://www.sonybiz.net/view/ShowProd...DVD+Player#tab) - certainly much better power output than the Logitech (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/sp...s/229&cl=gb,en) but I see the Sony only has one optical in vs. the two on the Logitech. Does this make a difference for connecting my Xbox 360 and Sky HD? Is it possible to connect one to optical and the other to digital coax? Would this be just as good? Is it even an option with one of them?! Many thanks for any info! Last edited by alanjrobertson : 04-09-2007 at 21:48. Reason: extra after reading Sony specs

04-09-2007, 15:06	#2
Jimmy Riddle Banned User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,447	The Sony DAV-DZ830W - DVD 5.1 Home Cinema System - With Wireless Rear Speakers & HDMI 1080i Upscaling has rear wireless speakers, but I don't know if you have a DVD player already.

06-09-2007, 11:42	#4
Jimmy Riddle Banned User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,447	Optical on the XBox 360 and use the digital coax on Sky HD, obviously if you wanted to use both opticals then go for the Logitech (who are getting good reviews at the moment) Pioneer also do a 5.1 surround sound but I think it is wired, but these can always be hidden in walls etc. I use a Yamaha AV61 with 2 opticals on the AV Receiver for the 360 and Virgin HD and ir works very well. In my opinion you wont go far wrong with the Sony or Logitech, although KEF have brought out some rear wireless (they are pricey though) and LG also do a 'semi-wireless' system. If it was me, the Sony or Logitech would be on my shopping list.

07-09-2007, 17:05	#5
alanjrobertson Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 422	Hi again Jimmy Many thanks for the reply. Overall I like prefer the look of the Sony system and it looks like it has better specs. Is there any particular benefit of 2x optical vs. 1x optical and 1x digital coax? Presumably both are digital connections anyway so it shouldn't matter? Cheers Alan

07-09-2007, 17:12	#6
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by alanjrobertson Hi again Jimmy Many thanks for the reply. Overall I like prefer the look of the Sony system and it looks like it has better specs. Is there any particular benefit of 2x optical vs. 1x optical and 1x digital coax? Presumably both are digital connections anyway so it shouldn't matter? No, they are essentially the same, and converters are freely available to convert between them - it's the same datastream, just either electrical or optical.

07-09-2007, 17:29	#7
alanjrobertson Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 422	Ah, OK - thanks Nigel. Just had a look at the back panel for the Sky HD box and have realised that it only has optical digital output (no coax) so will need to go down the adapter/converter route. Choices seem to be between... 1) optical to digital coax adapter - looks like they cost £12-16 and need an extra PSU (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130129278251 or http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130150164596) 2) twin optical adapter - cheapest at about £4, have heard of some problems with the Sky HD not properly cutting off its optical output in standby (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130148873984) 3) three-way adapter with selector switch - mid-price option at about £7, requires manual switching every time you switch source (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130150165608) Does anyone have any experience/suggestions re. the above options? Any that I've missed? Cheers Alan

08-09-2007, 09:15	#8
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	2) twin optical adapter - cheapest at about £4, have heard of some problems with the Sky HD not properly cutting off its optical output in standby (eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=130148873984) I use one of these & it works perfectly, just remember to put the HD box into standby when using the other input otherwise you will get either no sound or garbled sound as the sources mix.

08-09-2007, 10:49	#9
alanjrobertson Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 422	Sounds good, Paul. I read somewhere about the HD box not properly shutting down it's digital optical output when in standby but from your experience it looks like that isn't a problem after all - excellent! Cheers Alan

19-09-2007, 00:54	#10
alanjrobertson Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 422	Just a quick follow-up thank you to Jimmy and Paul! In the end I went for the Sony speakers Jimmy suggested and the 2:1 optical splitter Paul recommended and both are working perfectly! I've now got my Sky HD connected via HDMI to my TV, my Xbox 360 via component to my TV (v. impressed at the 1080p output!) and both connected via the optical splitter/combiner to the Sony system. Loving the wireless rear speakers too! Thanks again for the help guys. Alan

19-09-2007, 12:47	#11
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Glad to see your sorted Alan, I have this TV & I think you will agree it's great, enjoy!

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Help please! New setup not sure what to do for amp/speakers