TopBanana

You need a digital connection called SP/DIF. Nearly all DVD players have this. It comes in either optical or coaxial forms. There's no difference between optical and coaxial for Surround Sound (Dolby Digital / DTS). Coax apparently can sound better for CD's (PCM data) - but I doubt you'd notice

[Edited by jlanng - 12/5/2002 10:32:24 AM]

BHORT

There seems lots of different audio outputs available on different DVD players including 2 channel analogue, 6 channel analogue and 5.1 output. In order to run a surround sound system which of these are required? I'm also after a processor as an add on to my existing Hi-Fi, any ideas whats available for about £300?

Thanks Brendan

joni

Best to use the coaxial out from the DVD to connect with the corresponding input on your new processer.
For around £300, I would compare reviews from say "What Hi Fi" and try and match with what is on offer from your local Richer Sounds

father_jack

If you use a surround amp, then the player doesn't matter, you don't need a processor on the DVD (as long as it has DTS as this is a disk format issue too) you just run an optical or coax out of the player and the amp does the rest, whether the amp can handle 6.1 or whatever is up to it.
I use a Yamaha DSP-800 add-on processor on top of my (Audiolab) hifi amp. It only does 5.1 and DTS. Had mine a couple of years so maybe they do 6.1 by now.
It's the right route to go if you like music (and can deal with the amount of cabling) I demo'd surround amps up to a grand, and they were all sh1te at music. Only thing to rival/beat it is the Linn movie classik which a mate just got, it's superb.
If I was starting from scratch I would definately buy that. It can be had on-line for about £1600. The Yammy is about £250.

Boost II

iTrader: (1)

This guide shows what different audio and video connectors look like and which are best click

Should hellp a bit!

BHORT

Thanks, the Yamaha may be a good idea as I do not want to interfer with my music at all.

Brendan

mark_h

If you only have a Dolby Surround amp, ie not Dolby Digital or DTS, then you can make do with just the 2 channel analogue.

The 6 channel outputs carry the decoded 5.1 audio, so only need an external amp not a decoder. AV amps will have their own decoders built in, so you'd be better off using a SP/DIF coax/optical connection instead.

I actually have the coax SP/DIF and the 6 channel audio outputs connected up to my amp. All DVDs go through the coax for decoding in the amp, but SACDs are decoded in the DVD player and go out on the 6-channel audio connections instead.

C h a z

www.bestpricetv.com

chiark

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I've gone down the Yamaha DSP-e800 route too. Fantastic value for money, particularly if you've already got a good front amplifier and speakers...