[wn5]

please excuse because i am a total novice to all this, i have a Toshiba WLT66 32 Inch HDTV and would like to no if i can make it into a surround sound tv like my last Toshiba crt tv was. I have a liteon DVD Recorder and if i connected speakers to this (if thats possible)and watched my tv through this the picture is not as good as on the tv hope this makes sense, i have a picture of the connection on the back of the TV, but dont no how to upload it

[the hamster]

if the tv doesnt have seperate speaker connections for surround/satellite speakers then you will need an AV amplifier or (dare I say it) an all in one dvd/surround kit.

With either of these you can connect from the tv via scart or RCA cables (red/white connectors on the back of the tv) to input the sound through an input on the surround sound. Just means you need a seperate remote to control the volume.

[broadz]

I have the same TV.

I've connected the audio output from the TV into the audio input on my surround sound amp using RCA stereo connectors (the red and white cables). It's obviously only stereo sound (which gets upscaled to Dolby Pro-Logic by the amp) but it's better than nothing.

(I've also got my Sky HD box and my DVD recorder connected to my amp using optical and coaxial cables respectively, so I am getting DD and DTS when appropriate; it's only the Freeview stuff from the idTV that I only get in stereo/DPL.)

[RobAnt]

Yep - connect all your "source" equipment to an AV amplifier or receiver.

Connect your AV receiver to the TV via the monitor socket(s). You can use S-Video, composite video or component video - component being best, followed by S-Video. Usually it is easiest to chose a common video type, because most AV Amps can't convert from one to the other (say Component to S-Video). But you can use either optical, coax or analogue for the sound, and which ever you chose can be associated with the video input type.

The sound will then completely bypass the TV and if you get it set up correctly you'll be able to change sources using your AV Amplifier or Receiver and the TV will display whatever source on the AV amp you select.

If you have Freeview on your TV then simply connect the audio out on the TV to the audio auxiliary or (if not used) tape in. To watch Freeview you set the TV to view Freeview and the AV amp to the aux in you chose for it.

This might sound complicated, but if you get an AV Amp or Receiver the setup guides are usually very good.

[broadz]

Ignore what Rob says - he's talking about trandferring video to an amp (for some reason). No monitor outs on TV - don't know what he's on about. Just connect audio out on TV to audio in on amp - surround sound. Job's a good un.

[wn5]

i think i get the idea broadz but do you buy an amp and then buy speakers or can you buy the amp and speakers as a package and what price are we talking about for a decent one, i no you only get what you pay for but funds are a bit tight at the moment, thanks for all your replys.

[the hamster]

have a look at the Richersounds website

They have all in one systems or av amplifiers and surround speaker packages.

Then decide what you can get for your money and post your ideas on here for review.