Quick question from an audio neophyte...

[thetxstang]

So here's the situation: I recently purchased a new Samsung LN52A550 LCD TV from Amazon and it should be here within the next 10 days or so. I don't want to use the TV's built-in speakers for audio, but rather, an old receiver I've been using along with two speakers.

The receiver and the two speakers actually sound pretty decent for a simple setup, but the receiver is old school, with only RCA type jacks (both in and out). For a number of reasons (including budget constraints and space limitations), I can't go with a 5.1 or better surround sound system, at least for the meantime.

So here's my question: How do I hook all of this up? The components involved are the aforementioned TV, a new PS3 I just purchased, a DirecTV HD DVR, the receiver and the two speakers.

My thinking is that I would need to have the PS3 and the DirecTV HD DVR hook directly to the TV using HDMI cables. Then, in order to get sound through the receiver's speakers, I'd need to hook up RCA audio cables from the PS3 directly to the receiver, and from the DirecTV HD DVR to the receiver.

Does this sound right? If not, what am I doing incorrectly? If this is the right way to hook everything up, will I experience any sound sync issues since the video connections are separate, bypassing the receiver?

Many thanks to anyone who can help me with these mundane questions.

 

[vi edit]

Not to sound like a jerk, but if you are spending 2 grand on a TV and have a pile of other HD devices (PS3, Direct HD) then you really need to ante up and spend $300 on a current gen AVR that does processing on the latest formats.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Not to sound like a jerk, but if you are spending 2 grand on a TV and have a pile of other HD devices (PS3, Direct HD) then you really need to ante up and spend $300 on a current gen AVR that does processing on the latest formats.

He could probably spend $100 and get what he needs, actually - he just needs a receiver with optical-in. His TV should, I think, take the audio inputs and decode them to two-channel LPCM.

It'd be easier if he had a coax SPDIF jack on his existing receiver, but the implication of the post is that it's strictly analog stereo.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: vi edit
Not to sound like a jerk, but if you are spending 2 grand on a TV and have a pile of other HD devices (PS3, Direct HD) then you really need to ante up and spend $300 on a current gen AVR that does processing on the latest formats.

He could probably spend $100 and get what he needs, actually - he just needs a receiver with optical-in. His TV should, I think, take the audio inputs and decode them to two-channel LPCM.

It'd be easier if he had a coax SPDIF jack on his existing receiver, but the implication of the post is that it's strictly analog stereo.

You could, but with the level of hardware he's using, I just see that as $100 being mostly wasted when another $200 will get you full HDMI processing and a bit of future proofing.

If you are sitting on $2500 in hardware, it's a pretty small part of the budget.

 

[krotchy]

First off, to people complaining he isnt buying a new receiver. Some people like Video significantly more than Audio (ME!!). So dont tell him what his spending priorities should be, lol. 52" awesome Samsung screen with old receiver sounds like a pretty fine setup to me, and its not like he cant upgrade later.

As to the OPs question, just take the TV and have it' L/R outputs go into the receiver directly, then run every device you have into the TV. The L/R outputs from the TV will pass the sound just fine to your current 2.0 setup without interfering, and since there is no surround or anything, nothing will be lost by not using SPDIF or anything. Also the TV should be able to decode the HDMI audio and pass the sound out to the receiver as well cutting down on wires.

 

[Muadib]

I have to go with the crowd. It's really is a crime to have a PS3 & HDDVR, and have just stereo sound.

However, we all can't be made of money. I'm just using the speakers from my DLP set, and I don't see that changing when I get my PS3 next month. It will do for now thetxstang,as long as you stay away from friends with the proper setup.

 

[bendixG15]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Not to sound like a jerk, but if you are spending 2 grand on a TV and have a pile of other HD devices (PS3, Direct HD) then you really need to ante up and spend $300 on a current gen AVR that does processing on the latest formats.

I agree, you do sound like a jerk. The OP wants advice on setting up equipment and not advice on how to spend his money.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I'm going to say that you should just sit a week or 2 and get a decent receiver that can accept HDMI. You'll be more happy with it in the long run.

I never understand how people can have thousands of dollars in gear and use $10 speakers. Audio is a HUGE part of the experience for both games (your PS3) and movies (blu-ray anyone?)

 

[s44]

Unless he can spend real money (~the cost of the TV itself), two-channel will do him better anyway.

 

[thetxstang]

Originally posted by: krotchy
First off, to people complaining he isnt buying a new receiver. Some people like Video significantly more than Audio (ME!!). So dont tell him what his spending priorities should be, lol. 52" awesome Samsung screen with old receiver sounds like a pretty fine setup to me, and its not like he cant upgrade later.

As to the OPs question, just take the TV and have it' L/R outputs go into the receiver directly, then run every device you have into the TV. The L/R outputs from the TV will pass the sound just fine to your current 2.0 setup without interfering, and since there is no surround or anything, nothing will be lost by not using SPDIF or anything. Also the TV should be able to decode the HDMI audio and pass the sound out to the receiver as well cutting down on wires.

krotchy, I want to thank you for answering my specific question, rather than tacitly scolding me for not upgrading to a new A/V receiver. As I tried to carefully explain in my original post, cost and space considerations simply don't allow me to upgrade, at least for the time being.

You were the only one in the thread who actually answered my question and I appreciate it. Your instructions worked perfectly and the sound from my two speaker system sounds more than adequate with my "old" Harmon Kardon receiver and Polk speakers.