External HDD to a home cinema surround system

tara1999

Hi guys,

I'm buying a new surround sound system for my house and was wondering if someone could answer a few questions for me. I currently own a 50" rear projection lcd sony bravia tv with I bought a couple of years ago and I have my laptop connected to it to watch movies through my pc onto the tv. I have most of my media on an external HDD which is where my question lies. Can I get a home cinema system where I can plug in my HDD via usb on the dvd player I presume and watch my movies on the tv? All my files are in Avi format and if I didn't have to convert them it would be super! I'm also not going to spend the sun moon and stars to buy one, probably around €200-€300 ( in these recessionary times thats a lot!!! ).

Cheers

JDxtra

Can highly recommend the WD TV device. Its only €100 and can play everything I have thrown at it, including HD material. Its made by Western Digital but will work with any USB storage device.

neosmaster

Get the WDTV device.
The best €100 you'll ever spend.
I have yet to find a format it won't play.
Even plays 1080P/24Hz without a problem

tara1999

Cheers guys. Can I plug my external HDD into the WDTV device and then into the home cinema system's usb port and get 5.1 audio?

tara1999

Does anyone know the answer to my last question? I'm going to buy one on the net if this def works. I'm thinking of buying this http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/975138/art/sony/dav-dz260-home-cinema-sys.html home cinema system.

Thanks

Voodu Child

Another recommendation here for the WD HD Media Player. The file/codec support is what swung it for me, I have a lot of videos in various formats and resolutions and so far it has played everything.

It carries audio over either HDMI, standard RCA cables or Toslink.

tara1999

Cheers lads. I think I'll def get the WD HD player. Where's the best place to buy it? And will I be able to plug it into the usb port of my surround sound system and get the sound throught the speakers?

Voodu Child

tara1999 wrote: »

And will I be able to plug it into the usb port of my surround sound system and get the sound throught the speakers?

No.

It carries audio over either HDMI, standard RCA cables or Toslink.

neosmaster

It will carry audio over HDMI and Optical.

I've my WDTV plugged into my tv with HDMI and it carries both audio and video that way.
I also have an optical cable running into the back of my Sony AV Receiver and get full 5.1 surround that way.

Can't say enough about this little box......Best €100 you will ever spend......BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY:D:D:D:D:D:D

tara1999

Well I finally did it. i bought the Sony surround system and the WD TV and thanks a million for the recommendations because its a fantastic bit of machinery !!! I'm so glad I got it and I have it connected upto the surround with a toslink cable so I get 5.1 surround. I have another question for ye guys. I have my chorus box running throught the surround sound system with a scart cable which is fine and works great.When I connect up my toslink cable from the WD TV to the surround sound it cuts off the sound to the chorus which again is fine but when I turn off the WD TV I cant seem to get the sound for the chorus again through 5.1. If I disconnect the toslink cable from the WD TV box the sound comes from the surround again!! Strange or wha'!! I know it's confusing to read but if anyone could help I'd be very greatful !!!!!

tara1999

Hi guys,

Can anyone tell me if they are having problems with audio out of sync on most avi files? I've already updated to the lastest firmware but still having issues no matter which way I connect the toslink or hdmi or rca cables. I 've tried all connections and different cables thinking it was a delay caused by my surround system but none seem to work. When I download tv programs they seem to work fine but some movies in avi format have a delay?????

Any suggestions?

Voodu Child

No audio sync problems here. Have you checked the pre-release firmware? (currently 1.02.08)

tara1999

Hi Voodu Child. Yea Ive already updated it to firmware 1.02.08 and it hasn't made a difference. As I previously said it doesn't happen on every avi file but the ones it does happen on have a slight audio delay.... It's wrecking my head!!!!

FredH3as

xbox1 with xbmc can adjust audio delay on the fly