Home Theter Setup...HELP!!!
#1
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Home Theter Setup...HELP!!!
I just bought a Tashiba HD A2 player and I want to be able to hook it up to my existing surround sound. The problem lies in that my surround sound receiver is one of those all in one systems that have the DVD player.
Since i really wont be using that DVD player no more (its a Philips HTS3555) it would mainly be used as a receiver so i can get surround sound using the HD player. Both players have HDMI capabilities so on and so forth. Basically how would i go about connecting the HDMI cables to my HD A2 and still be able to enjoy surround sound using the other DVD Player/Receiver. Just need a basic set up on what cables need to go from the HD Player to the TV and to the receiver. I'm clueless to this stuff, a little help from pros here would be appreciated.
If it helps my TV is an LG 37" HDTV LCD Model 37LC7D
Since i really wont be using that DVD player no more (its a Philips HTS3555) it would mainly be used as a receiver so i can get surround sound using the HD player. Both players have HDMI capabilities so on and so forth. Basically how would i go about connecting the HDMI cables to my HD A2 and still be able to enjoy surround sound using the other DVD Player/Receiver. Just need a basic set up on what cables need to go from the HD Player to the TV and to the receiver. I'm clueless to this stuff, a little help from pros here would be appreciated.
If it helps my TV is an LG 37" HDTV LCD Model 37LC7D
Last edited by rodzm; 07-14-07 at 11:59 AM.
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Good luck with that. HDMI doesn't enter into the equation for you, audio-wise; your Philips has HDMI output, but not input. It does have a digital coax input, but the HD-A2 does not have a digital coax output, just optical.
#3
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr. Salty
Good luck with that. HDMI doesn't enter into the equation for you, audio-wise; your Philips has HDMI output, but not input. It does have a digital coax input, but the HD-A2 does not have a digital coax output, just optical.
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Through the analog (red/white) connections, you'll get Dolby Pro-Logic II, but not Dolby Digital or DTS.
There may be optical-to-coax converters, but I don't know how much they cost or how well they work.
This is the kind of trouble people run into with these all-in-one home-theater-in-a-box units. There are inevitable limitations when upgrading.
My recommendation would be to start saving up for a basic, lower-end surround receiver (Onkyo makes some great bang-for-the-buck stuff). You could then use your existing speakers, which probably aren't very good, and then upgrade the speakers when you can afford to.
There may be optical-to-coax converters, but I don't know how much they cost or how well they work.
This is the kind of trouble people run into with these all-in-one home-theater-in-a-box units. There are inevitable limitations when upgrading.
My recommendation would be to start saving up for a basic, lower-end surround receiver (Onkyo makes some great bang-for-the-buck stuff). You could then use your existing speakers, which probably aren't very good, and then upgrade the speakers when you can afford to.
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#7
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does your Philips receiver/dvd player have Coax or optical inputs on it? If so then just connect that to your A2. If it doesn't then you may have to use the 2-channel RCA connections. I also don't know if they make a converter to optical, but even if they do you're not going to get DD or DTS through it. Your best bet is to purchase a new receiver. Even something inexpensive will work better than the setup you have now.
#8
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Philips has coax inputs. What i ended up doing was I got a Optical cable which i will hook up to a optical-coax converter and then use the digital coax cable to hook it up to the Philips. Eventually i will upgrade to a better receiver but after dropping $1,800+ dollars in the past 2 months on upgrading my previous TV and now to a HD Player I will have to wait and save up a few more pennies to get a better receiver
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by danicus007
Does your Philips receiver/dvd player have Coax or optical inputs on it? If so then just connect that to your A2. If it doesn't then you may have to use the 2-channel RCA connections. I also don't know if they make a converter to optical, but even if they do you're not going to get DD or DTS through it.
And yes, the OP will get DD and DTS with a converter.
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by rodzm
The Philips has coax inputs. What i ended up doing was I got a Optical cable which i will hook up to a optical-coax converter and then use the digital coax cable to hook it up to the Philips.
#11
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Spiky
Should work just fine. Just make sure you buy the right product. They are one-directional. You need optical to coax, not the other way around.
The cables i bought are optical, digital coax and the converter is optical to coax. I received my HD DVD player today and popped in one of the HDEnvirnments DVD's and needless to say it was breathtakingly beautiful. Everything was so crisp and it almost felt like you were there. As far as the sound goes until i get my cables I hooked the red/white analog cables and I am able to get Dolby Pro Logic II. It's good enough to hold me over for the next 2 days. Thanks for all the help
#12
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr. Salty
You didn't read any of the other posts in the thread, did you?
And yes, the OP will get DD and DTS with a converter.
And yes, the OP will get DD and DTS with a converter.
Guess I should have paid closer attention and noticed that you were the one who pointed out that his Philips does indeed have a COAX input. My fault.
Last edited by danicus007; 07-18-07 at 03:22 PM.
#13
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Composite is video, typically coded with yellow. That would certainly not work.
But both audio coax and optical carry the same signal, albeit in different ways. It can be converted back and forth with good reliability. Always better to have fewer connections and conversions, but you do what you have to.
But both audio coax and optical carry the same signal, albeit in different ways. It can be converted back and forth with good reliability. Always better to have fewer connections and conversions, but you do what you have to.
#14
Cool New Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just got the cables and converter in today and everything works like a charm. I am now able to get DTS. The connection was very simple and the sound is awesome compared to the analog i was running before. Certainly a difference.
#15
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Spiky
Composite is video, typically coded with yellow. That would certainly not work.
But both audio coax and optical carry the same signal, albeit in different ways. It can be converted back and forth with good reliability. Always better to have fewer connections and conversions, but you do what you have to.
But both audio coax and optical carry the same signal, albeit in different ways. It can be converted back and forth with good reliability. Always better to have fewer connections and conversions, but you do what you have to.
#16
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 6,830
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep, analog stereo. RCA is the name of the connector. That actually applies to composite, analog audio, component video, etc.
Since we're on the topic....composite refers to the 5 part video signal combined into one signal. So it is just the video portion.
Since we're on the topic....composite refers to the 5 part video signal combined into one signal. So it is just the video portion.