[Dreamofgilgames]

Dear Group, after owning my old TV for over 20 years it's finally given up the ghost, so, time to get a new one.

I know what TV i hope to get so that not a problem, it's a flash looking 37" LCD jobby. I also own a DVD player so again, no probs.

What i would like to ask is this. I've heard about "Cinema Sound" and from what i can understand of it, it means having several speakers dotted around my lounge for the full effect.

But, i haven't got a clue about what they actually do and what i need. I don't watch DVD's all that often, but i do watch the TV a far bit, as do my kids. Would these sound systems give the "all around" effect from my TV or not, thats what i would like to ask you? Plus, if you have any recommendations or links to give me so much the better.

Many thanks

[paulyoung666]

yes , you are right , sound all around , i love it , if you get one , then make sure it has hdmi inputs

[broadz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

yes , you are right , sound all around , i love it , if you get one , then make sure it has hdmi inputs

More importantly, make sure that the TV you get has some form of audio out (so that you can feed the audio signal from your TV when watching standard television to your surround sound receiver) and make sure that the surround sound receiver that you get has RCA, optical and coaxial audio inputs - all DVD players and Sky+ and Sky HD boxes output audio using coaxial and/or optical, most Freeview boxes have standard RCA audio outputs.

Check what audio outputs your DVD player supports, and make sure your amp has the equivalent inputs. HDMI inputs on amp aren't that important, unless you have Sky HD, a Playstation 3 or an upscaling DVD player you won't be using HDMI.

[Chris Simon]

I have a Denon AV amp, it cost a bomb but it sounds fantastic! Loads of inputs, analogue and digital, so all sound sources catered for. There are many decent cheaper systems, many are 'bundled' as a DVD system or a complete hi-fi unit. You'll be able to see them at your local Comet, Currys etc.

Just some quick guidance on surround sound if you've never encountered it before...

Was your old TV stereo and did you get stereo sound from it? If so, you'll know what to expect, it's just that there will be more speakers. If not, you're in a for a big shock! Using a TV only, you are only likely to get stereo sound, out of its internal speakers (although some TVs have built-in surround systems so you can plug in external speakers).

If you take the output of your TV, or an external box such as Freeview or DVD player, into a surround amplifier then not only can you get stereo but also Dolby Pro Logic surround, which gives you the full surround effect providing you have all the speakers. You may have to switch modes on the amplifier, to change between stereo (2 channel) and Pro Logic mode. Sometimes, you can leave it on Pro Logic but some programmes might not be designed to work with surround and you'd be better off putting it back into 2-channel. Music sources sometimes don't work very well in surround either. Best thing is to experiment and see what you prefer.

although you will have at least 5 speakers and probably a subwoofer too, Dolby Pro Logic is actually only 4 channels. the two rear speakers are not independent - the sound coming from them is exactly the same.

If you take a digital output from your DVD player, you will also be able to get 5.1 Dolby Digital surround which is the next step up. (5 channels/speakers, plus the subwoofer) You might actually prefer going back to analogue Pro Logic for certain films - the sound levels are quite different. Again, experiment with it.

Many surround amplifiers also have synthesised and effects modes which you can play with for amusement! But I quickly get fed up with those and go back to normal stereo or surround.

Some amplifiers have a multi-channel stereo mode. This is different from surround and probably works best with music. It will reproduce the front L&R speakers on your back L&R speakers, so giving you a stereo signal front and back, as opposed a true surround signal where the back speakers are independant.

PS. What surround systems actually do is to decode the surround information that's encoded in normal stereo signals or a digital output from a DVD player, and provide amplifiers for each speaker.

[Dreamofgilgames]

Wow thanks very much chaps, that's so helpful of you.

As to whether my existing TV is stereo, well probably not, it is getting on for 25 years old!

Heres the model i am considering buying, it's a Samsung LE37R87BDX and here's what connections it has, at least according to Samsung's site:

Input & Output (Side) Headphone 1
S-Video 1
HDMI -
USB 2.0 -
Composite, L/R -
Input & Output (Rear) RF Input 1
Component(Y/Pb/Pr) 1
Scart 2
S-Video -
Headphone(Earphone) -
Composite (AV) -
HDMI 2
WISELINK (USB) -
PC Input (D-sub) 1
Audio Out, L/R 1
Optical sound out 1
RS232C (for service only) 1

As for what connections my DVD player has, well a picture is worth a thousand words so here's a picture:

http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000135100285442248][IMG]http://aycu07.webshots.com/image/29206/2000135100285442248_rs.jpg

(PS, you might have to copy and paste the link)

Right then, and my apologies if this is hard work. If my TV and DVD are compatable, does the TV volume control then raise the volume via the Home Cinema setup or does one have to use yet another remote control? And, if my TV and DVD are ok is it possible to buy the kit minus the DVD player?

Thanks for your patience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamofgilgames

Right then, and my apologies if this is hard work. If my TV and DVD are compatable, does the TV volume control then raise the volume via the Home Cinema setup or does one have to use yet another remote control? And, if my TV and DVD are ok is it possible to buy the kit minus the DVD player?

Thanks for your patience.

The home cinema set up will have it's own volume control, and yes, you will have another remote control.

You can by a system minus the DVD player.

There are a few ways in which to do this, how it is done does depend on your budget.

A system consisting of separates is recommended, this would be an AV Receiver and speakers. There are all in one systems but they tend to be very sparse on the connection side and IMO don't represent good value for money.

Richer Sounds is a good place to start, they have some very good deals which will enable you to put a good starter system together without breaking the bank.

Something like the Yamaha system below, all for under £220

Yamaha RXV361

Yamaha NSP 110

Have a look around, if you are unsure, just post the model numbers/link and I'm sure someone will offer some guidance.

[Dreamofgilgames]

Ah i see! Thanks Tommy. I have some idea of what's required now that the veil has been lifted so to speak. So it's basically just an amplifier that one's TV, DVD Digibox or whatever, connects into with a set of speakers.
Thanks for the links btw, very interesting.

Many Thanks

[Dreamofgilgames]

Right, thanks for your help so far, i think i have a clearer idea of what's what now. But, if i can just add one more supplemental question.

Assuming i soon get my new TV, and my Cinema Sound as recommended by you chaps, the next thing on the list is replacing my aged VCR. Hard Disk DVD recorders seem to be the thing don't they? I don't have Sky or anything like that and my new TV will have a Freeview tuner included.

So, am i right in thinking that as long as the DVD Recorder has a HDMI port and it's a decent make thats about all i need?

Many Thanks

[Apollo 1875]

If you're looking at buying from Richer Sounds you could even get a 6.1 speaker set-up and amp for a very reasonable price. This Cambridge Audio receiver and Sony speaker package would be just under £320.

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...B-AZUR540R-BLK

http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...pid=SONY-SSP88

Your living room (or your budget) might not accomodate an extra center speaker behind your sofa, but it gives you an idea of what you can get for that kind of investment.

This Cambridge Audio amp is reduced to clear so you may need to get it delivered from a different store than your normal local one, but you should be able to get the Sony speakers from any branch.