Matt H Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 My GF's uncle has kindly given me his old LG home cinema system as he's just got a new HDMI one. The system he's given me is the following: http://www.dealtime.co.uk/xPF-LG-DVD-Home-Cinema-System-Dolby-Digital-Remote-Control-LHT250SC Before I recieved the system, my first notion was that I would simply plug it into the TV and everything else that outputs in surrond sound (such as my PS3 and Sky) would be transmitted to my ears via the LG; not as simple as that though. My first problem, is that my TV (LG-42FF66) outputs in digital optical, whereas the input at the back of the LG unit is phono. First question then; would something like the following convertor actually work? http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcables/Optical-to-Coaxial-Converter.html Second Question; can everything else (PS3 and Sky) go into the TV first, then to the surround sound amp, or does it have to go directly to the amp? I've never considered a surround sound system before I was offered this one, but I'm quite into the idea now. In light of that, I thought I'd go for a look around at lunch to see what's available and for what cost to get an idea of what I'm up against if the old LG won't function. I started off in Curries Digital, but everything they had was packaged with a blu-ray player - something that I don't want as I've got my PS3 to do that job. It all seemed to be 'Home Cinema', but I just want the surround sound part. What I'd like is simply an amp with various inputs for the incoming devices that outputs to the speakers. I just can't find anything suitable though. Third Question; Any ideas on the above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitesupraboy2 Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Im also interested in exactly the same as you. 5.1 stereo surround sound (no bluray player) with optical Audio In connector. bonus is wireless rear speakers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 The converter won't work, because it outputs digital and the LG only has analogue audio input (according to the link you provided). The problem with a lot of the "home cinema systems" and probably the reason he got rid of it, is that they have sod all in the way of inputs. Your best bet, assuming you don't want to spend loads, is probably something like: http://www.richersounds.com/product/1-box-home-cinema-systems/onkyo/hts3305/onky-hts3305-blk edit to say, wireless speakers are not really currently deemed to be worthwhile due to hiss and other poor sound quality issues. edited further to say, I suppose you could just replace the amp/receiver and and use the LG speakers if they are any good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 I'm actually just about to sell my old Sony surround sound (5.1 with optical input). It's not one of these 'dvd player / surround system in one' and the amp also has a built in FM Tuner and other inputs. Shameless plug over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsween Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 I'd go with a standalone system I have the Denon AVR 3803 and its got a bazillion inputs/outputs The 3802-3801 are both good amps also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monsween Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Less than 200 its a good deal http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Denon-AVR-3802-Av-Amplifier-Black-AVR3802-/250666411619?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item3a5ce1e663 Less than 250-300 its a good deal http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DENON-AVR3803-GOLD-AV-AMP-KEF-CINEMA-SURROUND-SYSTEM-/180531490171?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item2a0883ed7b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Thanks for everyone's input. edited further to say, I suppose you could just replace the amp/receiver and and use the LG speakers if they are any good. That's a great idea, and one I didn't think about when looking at all the packages that come with speakers. I think this is probably the way forward for me. This one seems to fit the bill, and is at the lower price range. What do you think? http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/sony/strdh500/sony-strdh500# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 If you can I would pay the small amount extra and go for a Yamaha unit http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/yamaha/rxv367/yama-rxv367 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 If you can I would pay the small amount extra and go for a Yamaha unit http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/yamaha/rxv367/yama-rxv367 Any particular reason, Wez? I notice it has a monitor out, which would be cracking as I do have my PC connecting to my TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Its been a while since I looked into home cinema but Yamaha were always considered up there at the top of the tree for AV amps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Am I right in saying those 2 units don't support Dolby Digital? Or is it implied by the other specs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Looking at the manual, I *think* it does do DD http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx_v367_black_g/?mode=overview The other thing to think about, is your LG Sub, powered (built in amp)? Because not all av amps support both powered and non powered subs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Any particular reason, Wez? I notice it has a monitor out, which would be cracking as I do have my PC connecting to my TV. I believe that "monitor out" just means it has a video output. My AV amp calls its composite and RGB outputs "monitor" yet neither can support a HD image that you would need to connect a PC through it. However as that one probably has HDMI pass through the output would be equalyl suited to either TV or PC inputs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 You need to be careful Matt, and read the spec properly. That Sony doesn't carry audio over HDMI. So if you plug a source in via HDMI, it'll not carry the audio with it, only video (which seems useless to me). The other thing is, we're in the HD era of ultra high quality. I bet your impressed with Blu ray films yes?, but you're missing half of it if you're not utilising the sound properly. Get an amp that runs the HD sound sets such as DTS-MA and dolby true HD. Your PS3 can do linear PCM 7.1 uncompressed audio which you need an amp capable of outputting. http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/onkyo/txsr607/onky-txsr607 Games in 7.1 are awesome! Get a speaker set like the morduant short, and you're all set. http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/mordaunt-short/alumni-system/mord-alumni-sys-blk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 It looks like most of the proper seperate AV amps, including the 2 above, require the use of a powered (active) sub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Pistonbroke, do you know if Dolby Digital is standard on all modern AV amps? Seems strange that they miss it off the specs if it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Most, if not all stand alone amps will do DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 OK, cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 You need to be careful Matt, and read the spec properly. That Sony doesn't carry audio over HDMI. So if you plug a source in via HDMI, it'll not carry the audio with it, only video (which seems useless to me). The other thing is, we're in the HD era of ultra high quality. I bet your impressed with Blu ray films yes?, but you're missing half of it if you're not utilising the sound properly. Get an amp that runs the HD sound sets such as DTS-MA and dolby true HD. Your PS3 can do linear PCM 7.1 uncompressed audio which you need an amp capable of outputting. http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/onkyo/txsr607/onky-txsr607 Games in 7.1 are awesome! Get a speaker set like the morduant short, and you're all set. http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packages/mordaunt-short/alumni-system/mord-alumni-sys-blk Thanks for that post mate. Wouldn't the point of the HDMI out only sending video, be that it's because you want the sound to come out of the speakers, not the TV? I mean it would be better to have the option, but it wouldn't be an issue if you always used the surround sound, would it? Also, all that gear is well out of my budget. I've gone from £0 to nearly £800. It looks like most of the proper seperate AV amps, including the 2 above, require the use of a powered (active) sub. Umm, that's a problem them, as the sub that I have with this set is not powered seperately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 You gets what you pay for. I have the onkyo/morduant combination for my home cinema setup. I went from the DD/DTS era to the DTS-MA/Dolby true HD of blue ray, and it still makes me grin now. You won't believe what your missing when it comes to films and gaming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 If you want to do it cheap, buy the Sony or Yamaha and buy an active sub (they start at 70 quid on richers sounds). Or get second hand stuff. Ian W on the previous page is selling something which might be suitable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 If you want to do it cheap, buy the Sony or Yamaha and buy an active sub (they start at 70 quid on richers sounds). Or get second hand stuff. Ian W on the previous page is selling something which might be suitable Aye, jsut noticed that... I'm actually just about to sell my old Sony surround sound (5.1 with optical input). It's not one of these 'dvd player / surround system in one' and the amp also has a built in FM Tuner and other inputs. Shameless plug over What you got then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 I've been to richer sounds, and they confirmed that the cheaper sony doesn't carry audio over the HDMI, it needs to recieve it via digital optic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 I've been to richer sounds, and they confirmed that the cheaper sony doesn't carry audio over the HDMI, it needs to recieve it via digital optic. How about the Yamaha which is only marginally more expensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 How about the Yamaha which is only marginally more expensive Do you work for Yamaha? It's the same story I'm afraid, not HDMI audio in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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