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5.1 Surround Sound People - I need help!

W

waylman

Diamond Member
So the wife bought me a 5.1 surround system for xmas....It's the Panasonic SC HT05
Now, it seems my DVD player only supports 2 channel sound. Should my DVD player actually have 6 audio outputs to support this? Also, is it possible to watch TV in surround? It seems I'm only getting 2 channels with the TV. Any help for the surround n00b?
 
You need a digital hookup between your DVD player and receiver. You also need one between your cable/sat box and your receiver.

It can be optical or coax. But it needs to be digital. Otherwise, you'll have 2.0. You can set your reciever to run dolby prologic if you can't get the digital hooked up.
 
Originally posted by: waylman
Could you clarify exactly what you mean by "digital hookup." Sorry, total n00b with this stuff.
Click to expand...

Either a coax line out, or a toslink (optical) line out.
 
Originally posted by: waylman
Could you clarify exactly what you mean by "digital hookup." Sorry, total n00b with this stuff.
Click to expand...

RTFM. If your DVD player, cable box or sat box supports digital sound out, they will have either a coax or optical digital out hookup on the back.
 
Look for SPDIF outputs on the back of your DVD player, and SPDIF inputs on the back of your sound system. They're little square black ports, usually they have little plastic nub caps in them. Like the ones here.

Like Amused was saying, your sound system will probably support Dolby Prologic. Which, in effect, takes a stereo signal and splits it into 5 channels. You might hear some heavy compression and crappy sound effects at high volume, depending on the quality of the sound system. The only way to avoid that is to use true 5.1 surround. You'll need the digital hook up for that (TOSlink) or those individual composite cables that carry the Front, Rear and Center/Sub channels. I doubt your DVD player doesn't have at least one of these accomodations. Give us the model of your DVD player.
 
Originally posted by: waylman
OK, I'll check it out. Thanks guys!

PS Who actually RTFM???
Click to expand...

People who like to do it right the first time in 1/8 the time and avoid the frustration you are experiencing right now. Duh. :roll:
 
Originally posted by: waylman
Wife reported back - DVD Player is Toshiba SD1200
Click to expand...

We need the model number of the optical cable that you want to use. And don't forget the gold connectors on the .1 optical cable either.



 
Also, make sure the Toshiba DVD player is set to send PCM signals from the player to the receiver - to enable 5.1 surround.

In addition to what Amused has stated, Dolby Pro Logic II or IIx are great for taking 2 channel source material and converting it to surround sound format.

Also, keep in mind when you start to play a movie, you might have to go into the movie and ensure it is set to playback as 5.1 surround - whether it be DTS or DD. Some just default to 2-channel playback until you go into the movie menu and choose the format.

Oh, and most people do RTFM. For basic hookups, I might avoid it - however, to get the most out of my gear, I read the manual to determine what kind of features that are offered.

 
Looks like your receiver accepts Coax In... So, pick up a cable, enable the options, and you should be good to go!

Welcome to the world of surround sound, you'll never go back. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
normal TV you can watch in 5 channel stereo
Click to expand...

NO!!!

5 channel stereo is horrible for TV. Watch it in prologic or DD.
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I watch normal tv in 5 channel stereo. I like it better than prologic. You can't watch normal tv in DD.
 
Originally posted by: Muadib
Originally posted by: Amused
Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
normal TV you can watch in 5 channel stereo
Click to expand...

NO!!!

5 channel stereo is horrible for TV. Watch it in prologic or DD.
Click to expand...
I watch normal tv in 5 channel stereo. I like it better than prologic. You can't watch normal tv in DD.
Click to expand...
Same here. I watch in 7 channel stereo on my Pioneer. Sounds much better than Pro logic IIx.

 
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