Sony HT-DDW790 Questions

[helix86]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this (very complicated if i do say) home cinema milarky. I'm looking to buy:

Sony HT-DDW790
Samsung LE32R87BDX
Samsung HD870 DVD player
xbox360

I remember reading somewhere that the HDMI ports on the Sony HT-DDW790 do not carry an audio signal. Is this true or not? Just as a general check to is this setup viable?

Thanks boys,

Phil

[shefki]

I run the same amp but don't send my HDMI through it. I've only 1 HDMI device and that does direct to the TV, no nead for HDMI switching..

Through my amp I have my Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii component outputs and then the component Monitor out to the TV.
My Xbox is connected via digital optical lead.
My DVD player is connected by Digital Coax
My Sky + is connected via digital optical.


My only regret is buying as a system rather than saving £30 and buying the Amp as a stand alone and buying some better speakers. 1 year on and I'm now upgrading to 'propper' home cinema speakers, the Amp does an OK job but the packaged speakers are pants.

You could also try the Yamaha AV61 package (I wish I had bought that sometimes). The Amp is a little larger than the Sony but it's more 'tunable' to your speaker set-up and gets better reviews. Speakers are also better than the Sony for not much extra ££ outlay. I don't think this system supports HDMI though.

[helix86]

Hi Guys,

It seems a bit silly to me that the system has 2 hdmi inputs but only 1 optical? Ah well

This AV business is dangerous stuff, everytime i look my budget shakres in its boots as i look at better and better systems! As of now my budget is at £250 and for that i want the best 5.1 sound possible.

Since my TV has 3 hdmi inputs, i'm thinking i can connect my xbox and dvd player straight to the TV then pass the audio through the optical down to whatever system i choose, therefore negating the need for HDMI in my amp choice. Does this setup have any drawbacks? i have read something about lip syncing when you dont pass through the amp, is this true?

Either way, i'm still stuck as to what speaker/amp to go for. I think i'm set on the samsung DVD player, which i will probably pick up at a later date so my wallet doesn't cry, but i'd like to stick to the £250 as much as possible for the speakers/amp. In an ideal world i'd like the amp to handle HDMI, but as long as there are no problems (above) or you can give me reason why i would need it, i'd be willing to leave it out in favour of superior sound quality.

Any opinions? i really don't know where to start!

[helix86]

Sorry for the double post, but have been looking around. What are your opinions of this setup?


Speakers:
http://www.hifisuppliers.co.uk/websi...oy-efx-5-1.htm

Amp:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5412...video-tun.html

Over budget (obviously) but if the quality is high enough to be worth it i could be convinced to go that little bit extra (dangerous words?)

[helix86]

For anyone who is interested in my constant toils i have come to a decision, sort of.

I’m going to be going for the Tannoy EFX 5.1 speakers. Richersounds are doing them at £139 with price beat, which seems like a fantastic offer to me.

For the amp I have chosen the Yamaha RXV361. Again, Richersounds are the best price at £119. It’s lacking HDMI inputs/output but it makes up for it with two optical and two coaxial so has plenty of ports to suit my needs.

The only issue is that Richersounds are pick-up only for the receiver. The nearest store in Southampton, which means a trek this weekend but for audio bliss (and last minute Christmas shopping) I’m more than happy to do it.

My only issue now is cabling. I’m going to need, if I have this correctly

2 x HDMI > HDMI cables
1 x Optical > Optical cable
1 x Coaxial > Coaxial cable (digital).

For this setup:

Xbox > HDMI > TV
DVD > HDMI > TV
TV > Optical > Amp
PC > coax > Amp

Am I missing something anywhere? Am I right in thinking that the xbox sound can be routed through the TV to the amp? Or will I have to buy a separate optical for that? Same question for the DVD….

Assuming all that is in order, I have another problem. Unfortunately my computer is about 6 meters away from my amp. I have had a brief look on Ebuyer but there cable section is very messy and can’t find the cable I’m looking for (long coax cable). If I can’t find that what other connection could I use between my PC and Amp??

Any help would be greatly appreciated, hoping to order all this tonight!

[RottenFox]

if you play the xbox audio into the tv,then route it to the amp,all you will get is stereo,as the tv's optical is only capable of transferring stereo,not surround.

for a 10metre coax cable,you could try here:
http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_inf...243928c10bd975
ive used them for cables in the past,and couldnt fault them.

[helix86]

Cheers, been trying to clear that up for a while! Another question if i may, does it matter about male/female connectors for the leads? not sure of the distinction?

[RottenFox]

can i ask,the audio out on the pc,is it a 3.5mm earphone socket(a green one),as if it is,then you would need a 3.5mm - phono lead.instead of the one i linked to.
http://www.kenable.co.uk/product_inf...243928c10bd975

and as for the 360,if you route the sound from the tv,to the surround,it will only be stereo,no surround at all.
so your best bet there is to connect the 360's video to the tv,and use an optical audio lead from the 360 to the receiver.

[helix86]

Yeah looks like a green port (soundblaster audigy SE). I called richersounds earlier and have two things to ask you about:

1) When i mentioned the speaker amp combination i was going for the guy on the phone said i should go for the Pioneer VSX417, is he right? i was under the impression that the yamaha had the best bang for buck performance in that price range.

2) Unfortunately they told me they don't have the EFX's in stock. i'm still going to go down there tomorrow though so my question is shall i order the efxs for £150 from the place i was going to price match with OR are there other speakers, at a similar (higher or lower) price that would compliment my amp choice? I am on a budget, but i do want a system that's going to last me for a few years before i can hit bigger and better things

[RottenFox]

1.No,i would still stay with the Sony-more bang for your buck.
but thats me,and what i would do.
personally,i wouldnt buy into what he said,dont let him make your mind up for you.
the pioneer has no hdmi,no component in/out either.

2.
i would seriously condider buying this one:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5412...inema-sys.html
£160 all in,bargain.
similar to the amp you want(minus the component in/out),with a set of speakers..which i would say you would be impressed with.
or this one:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5412...inema-sys.html
the sony ht ddw890 set,with speakers,a step up from what you wanted.
both would save you some cash,and last a while,i feel.

[norfbech]

Originally Posted by RottenFox

1.No,i would still stay with the Sony-more bang for your buck.
but thats me,and what i would do.
personally,i wouldnt buy into what he said,dont let him make your mind up for you.
the pioneer has no hdmi,no component in/out either.

2.
i would seriously condider buying this one:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5412...inema-sys.html
£160 all in,bargain.
similar to the amp you want(minus the component in/out),with a set of speakers..which i would say you would be impressed with.
or this one:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/5412...inema-sys.html
the sony ht ddw890 set,with speakers,a step up from what you wanted.
both would save you some cash,and last a while,i feel.

I'm slowly coming round for plunging for the Sony...can't for the life of me find the '880' model however??
I believe that the 890 lacks multi channel connectivity, although if there is no current requirement for this (more future proofing) then I guess I could do without (and I'm not entirely sure in what context 'multi channels' for there receivers mean?).
Does the 890 have 1 or 2 HDMI connections...1 is enough at the moment.
Looks like a nice little system (6:1 also...but again I haven't seen any media for 6:1 sound, so may be currently surplus?).

Cheers.