Surround sound options?

mcguinnxx

Hi John,
I am looking for some advice and purchase options to get surround sound. Sorry if I am asking some basic questions.

I have a SKY HD+ box and an older Sony Blu-ray player ( BDP 300) from which I would like to play the sound through a 6 speaker cinema system. I have existing speakers from this older system . I understand that 6.1 sound is only available on a optical digital audio output on the Sky box but my existing cinema system does not have an optical digital audio connection. The blu-ray player does have an optical digital output. Both currently connect to the TV via HDMI connections.
I was hoping I would be able to use the existing speakers to keep costs down. The speaker cables connections are clip on (hope this makes sense) rather than plug in connectors.

In any event, I think I will have to buy a separate AV amplifier and play the SKY box and blu-ray player through this.
Is my understanding correct. What would you suggest I buy as starter options?

Richersounds.ie: John

mcguinnxx wrote: »

Hi John,
I am looking for some advice and purchase options to get surround sound. Sorry if I am asking some basic questions.

I have a SKY HD+ box and an older Sony Blu-ray player ( BDP 300) from which I would like to play the sound through a 6 speaker cinema system. I have existing speakers from this older system . I understand that 6.1 sound is only available on a optical digital audio output on the Sky box but my existing cinema system does not have an optical digital audio connection. The blu-ray player does have an optical digital output. Both currently connect to the TV via HDMI connections.
I was hoping I would be able to use the existing speakers to keep costs down. The speaker cables connections are clip on (hope this makes sense) rather than plug in connectors.

In any event, I think I will have to buy a separate AV amplifier and play the SKY box and blu-ray player through this.
Is my understanding correct. What would you suggest I buy as starter options?

Mc Guinn,

you don't need any advice - you have cracked it yourself without our assistance at all!

You will be able to use your existing speakers but you will have to snip the plastic ends off (always keep them though so you can reuse the existing system if you upgrade the speakers) however you will probably find that the subwoofer you already have will be a passive unit (ie no built in amplifier) and to get proper 5.1/7.1 you will have to add an active sub.

If you are going for a 5.1 system I would recommed either the Yamaha RXV367 at £169.95
http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/yamaha/rxv367/yama-rxv367
or the Denon AVR1311 at £199.95
http://denon.co.uk/uk/product/pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Catid=83742842-dc75-4090-b169-b916700fd158&SubId=43eadffa-05fc-430a-a586-b5137428cc5f&ProductId=04c11b6e-f41b-42a1-8159-c648ccb177cc

- both are excellent - add a simple optical and a coax lead and you will be away in 5.1 heaven - On the subwoofer front - I would recommend the Cambridge S80 at £99.95 http://www.richersounds.com/product/subwoofers/cambridge-audio/s80/camb-s80-blk

..and you will be away in a hack annoying the neighbours and scaring the bejesus out of the family moggie..

Keep me posted if you have any other queries or if I can assist in any way,

ATVB,

John Mc & Crew

mcguinnxx

John Mc,

wow, thanks for the rapid response. Would I be better connecting the blu-ray player and SKy HD Box via HDMI or would i still need the optical digical connection? For the SKY box I have been told that the audio signal is only output on the optical digital and also that it is available via HDMI. Not sure if both are correct.

Aslo, I like the Denon unit. Does it come with a recommended speaker set as I feel my current ones my not be the best.

regards,

Frank

mcguinnxx

Hi John,

After your reply and some more research I think what I want is the following:

• Don’t need 3D as my TV does not have it and can’t see replacing it in the near future
• 5.1 sound is ok as my room would not be big enough for 7.1
• Need at least 3 HDMI inputs for blu ray player and SKY HD Box (+spare). Will connect both through HDMI - so won't need digital optical cables, etc
• dynamic volume to reduce volume during commercials, etc
• Automatic room set and optimisation(think it is called different names by different manufacturers)
• Am not too concerned with the most recent model
• Will use my existing speakers (which are direct wire connections) but will need a new subwoofer

Does this change your original recommnedations/

thanks
Frank

Richersounds.ie: Dave

Hi Frank. Sorry for the slow reply.

Not really. Our recommendations would stay the same actually.

The situation with these receivers at the moment is that they are putting things like 3D etc even on the entry level models, so the Yamaha or the Denon would still apply.

Personally, I like the Denon.

Are you looking the dynamic volume control as you think there may be a problem with adverts being too loud ?

Cheers


Dave