Ive got a technics dv 290 stereo with dts surround sound, only problem is it doesnt have an optical in, only rca, with the dvd player and the stereo having dts, will they decode the signal properly so i get good surround sound or is it a waste of time, can someone help with this so i know if i have to save up and get a proper stereo

you will still get good surround of it, but to trully benefit for HD or Blu Ray you need an amp with HDMI 1.3

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/products/pro...8_5935286.html

connect everything via HDMI to it and use your speakers from Hi- Fi AND connect Hi Fi to it

Thanks for that, so the dvd player goes throught the receiver and that connects to the stereo, but how does the sound change any, its still connected with rcas, am i just being slow, im new to this, thats why i need help

Most titles will work correctly in Dolby Digital and DTS with digital RCA in (COAX). It is identical to Fibre Optics in that respect.

There must be digital audio in on your Technics to support Dolby Digital and DTS.

You don't need HDMI, if you don't want it, in your case.

And many surround systems don't even accept it, they may accept multiple switched HDMI sources, but still require optical connections (or coaxial) for the sound.

The stereo is pro logic and dts, so all i have to do is connect the hd dvd player to the stereo using digital coax and it should be fine?

Yes. but you'll find that if it supports DTS it probably supports Dolby Digital as well as Dolby Pro Logic. Which is even better. In fact, I think they've always been incorporated into the same chip set as each other. But no doubt someone will find some highly esoteric bit of kit that bucks the trend.

Thanks for all the input today, i got there in the end, and just checked the manual, it has pro logic, dts and dolby digital.
Thanks again

Just had a look at the online manual and the system does not support DD5.1/DTS from external sources. All you have is a 1x audio input, stereo, that's it.

DD5.1 and DTS are only available via the onboard DVD player.

Oh well that kills that idea then, will have to look into changing the system all together

This is your system yes?

http://panasonic.ch/doc/4601_4700/46...v290eg-s_-.pdf

I think a little clarification might be needed. Are we talkiung about the SC-DV290? I've found several Technics bits that claim to be DV290.

I haven't found anything that says the SC-DV290 can accept ANY external source, apart from those that come with it. And presumably that's all in a one box solution apart from the speakers.

The OP states that it accepts RCA phono. If there are two and they're coloured Red/White, then I agree - Analogue only, no other digital devices accepted.

Looking at that setup guide, the DVD In socket is for Composite Video from the sets DVD/CD player - Definitely NOT recommended for picture quality, and not able to process any audio signal.

Nice catch Tommy.

Its the dv290 with the 5 disc dvd, the inputs are rca plugs (vdp in), i was told that the hd dvd player would plug in through them cause it doesnt have an optical in plug.
On page 44 of the manual it shows what they call a laser disc player (dvd player) plugged in and that it because of the dolby pro logic circuitry it produces the same sound as found in cinemas, so will that not give me surround sound?

You can if you wish connect your HD DVD player via the stereo inputs as shown on page 44 of the user manual, this will give you DPL (surround sound), it will not give you DD5.1/DTS or any of the newer HD audio formats.

It would do just now until i can get seperates though or am i better just sticking to normal dvd and getting dd5.1/dts?

You mentioned you have a HD DVD player so assume you have a HDTV to take advantage of the HD picture quality, the choice would be down to you, depends what's more important to you, audio or video quality, the choices are - HD picture quality with surround sound (DPL) or SD picture quality with DD5.1/DTS audio.

Ive got the samsung 42" Q97 tv, and the toshiba EP30 hd dvd is in the post, is the picture not more important and the sound secondary, would love both together but wont be happening for a while unless i can find cheap enough seperates, suppose all i need is a good receiver and an amp and reuse the speakers?