Speakers/monitors w/Digital Optical input and decoder for use w/Panasonic 32x1 LCD?

[DualMonitors]

Hi All: i just purchased a Panasonic TC-L32x1 which will soon be connected via HDMI to a Samsung SMT-H3050 High Definition box from Time Warner NYC. (this is my bedroom TV set)

As the sound of the 32x1 is very mediocre, I thought that i'd get speakers for it. the 32x1 ONLY has an optical audio out (there's no analog audio outputs).

So the thought crossed my mind about getting a pair of external powered speakers/monitors that not only has built-in amps, but also an optical input and, by definition, also has to have a digital to analog converter, so i can simply connect the Panasonic 32x1 to the "digital optical input monitors" and let the external speakers/monitors decode the optical audio output, amplify the signals, and play it back via the speakers/monitors.

I looked at various web sellers and found these Behringer MS40 Digital Monitors. Links: http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHMS40

Owners' Manual and Spec sheet is under the "Docs" tab on that page via the link above.

I'm uncertain that these are the only possibilities or these are the "best" and most suitable possibilities.

I also thought that if i can input into these hypothetical monitor speakers a tuner input, that can provide background music for my dog when i'm out. Currently, he has a Yamaha receiver (low end) and CD carousel from a number of years ago - too bulky (both boxes are not small) and the Yamaha receiver lacks optical audio outputs. However, the front headphones jack (1/4" jack) can be used to output into 2 RCA's for right and left audio outputs and plugged into the Behringer MS40 monitors mentioned above.

This is not a well thought out scenario but I thought that it is a start. May i kindly ask for further thoughts, suggestions, alternatives, advice?

Thanks in advance!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Hi.

Is this the TV you're hooking up to the cable box?
If so, are you going to be using the TV's internal tuner or not?

If you're not using the TV's tuner, then you can just hook up any pair of speakers you want to the analog output on your cable box, right?

(Just thinking of possible alternatives since speaker sets with digital inputs don't leave you with many options)

 

[DualMonitors]

Hi.

Is this the TV you're hooking up to the cable box?
If so, are you going to be using the TV's internal tuner or not?

If you're not using the TV's tuner, then you can just hook up any pair of speakers you want to the analog output on your cable box, right?

(Just thinking of possible alternatives since speaker sets with digital inputs don't leave you with many options)

Hi there "jello": thx for your reply.

yes, this is the tv i'm hooking up to the new cable box. BUT, the cable box is ~50 ft from the tv, so i'm getting a 50 ft HDMI cable for that purpose. thankfully, the HDMI includes both video and audio (obviously), so only one cable necessary.

to use the analog output on my cable box has 3 issues that i can think of:

- i think that by saying "...you can just hook up any pair of speakers you want to the analog output on your cable box", you actually meant NOT hooking up a pair of speakers to the analog output of the cable box, as the cable box's analog output is not amplified. I think you actually meant that i can take that analog output (from the Samsung cable box from Time Warner) and hook it up to any RECEIVER (or amplifier), and THEN hook any regular (non amplified /non active) speakers to the receiver/amplifier. I think this is what you really meant to say?

- one more pair of RCA left and right cables for 50 ft (not too costly from monoprice, i suppose)

- using the TV's remote from Time Warner nyc, i don't think that by using the volume up/down on the Time Warner remote will control the cable box's analog sound output volume, right? how would i change the volume?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Hi there "jello": thx for your reply.
- i think that by saying "...you can just hook up any pair of speakers you want to the analog output on your cable box", you actually meant NOT hooking up a pair of speakers to the analog output of the cable box, as the cable box's analog output is not amplified. I think you actually meant that i can take that analog output (from the Samsung cable box from Time Warner) and hook it up to any RECEIVER (or amplifier), and THEN hook any regular (non amplified /non active) speakers to the receiver/amplifier. I think this is what you really meant to say?

I meant any pair of Powered Monitors or Computer Speakers. You aren't looking for a receiver / passive speakers setup, right? If you were getting a receiver, this wouldn't even be an issue I suppose.

- using the TV's remote from Time Warner nyc, i don't think that by using the volume up/down on the Time Warner remote will control the cable box's analog sound output volume, right? how would i change the volume?

Using the TV's remote from Time Warner?
What does that mean?

I haven't messed around with cable boxes much.
Would the volume control on the Time Warner remote control the volume output of the analog outputs of the cable box?
I think it will?

 

[Modelworks]

The berhringer speakers you linked should be pretty good. I have the MS20 that I use for my pc connected via optical and they sound great. The MS40 are twice the wattage and should be plenty loud enough for almost anyone.

I like the simplicity of them. Plug in the AC cord and connect the optical cable, no amp , wiring to mess with. They are built well and are pretty heavy for the size of speaker so I expect them to last for a long time.