Would a 5.1 System improve the sound quality of my Samsung TV.

[jackspencer]

My understanding is that 5.1 sound interprets Dolby encoding which DVDs employ.

On the other hand, in Europe (unlike the US) broadcast digital TV uses MPEG3 for audio compression (also MPEG3 for video) and not the Dolby system (which produces separate 'strands' for each speaker).

Does the MPEG3 signal produce equivalent 5.1 results?

I ask this because I have a Samsung LE40M8 (beautiful picture) and am thinking of linking a Samsung HTX30R 5.1 package to improve the sound quality. Would there be any point in going down this road, given that at this stage at any rate, my interest is directed more to TV than DVDs?

If the answer is 'Yes', should the cabling between the two be HDMI, audio optical or what for best results?

[mooperman]

i would say a definitive YES..... sound is much much better... i couldnt go back to my normal TV sound now. If your using a sky+ or Sky HD box then optical is your best bet as you will get true 5.1 sound, if your just normal sky (like me) or normal TV then a standard L+R audio cable with your 30r set to dolby pro logic 2 is much better.....

[jackspencer]

Thanks mooperman.

Would anyone else care to comment, particularly on the theory?

[kentish_lad]

Originally Posted by jackspencer

Thanks mooperman.

Would anyone else care to comment, particularly on the theory?

Yes go for it, you TV's own sound will be like an old Transistor Radio compered to a Samsung all-in-one

[muffins]

Most definitely YES!!!

You cant compare the lcd speakers to a 5.1 surround sound system.
Especially if you have sky hd or some kind of blu ray player.

Also if the program you are watching isnt in dd5.1 you cant use pro logic II and that still sounds a million times better than your tv speakers.

[mossym]

samsung are one of the worst sounding tv's in the market, partly due to their insistance on having downfiring speakers hidden behing the panel. makes the tv's much tidier looking, but sounds crap. definitetly an improvment if you upgrade

[RottenFox]

Originally Posted by mossym

samsung are one of the worst sounding tv's in the market, partly due to their insistance on having downfiring speakers hidden behing the panel. makes the tv's much tidier looking, but sounds crap. definitetly an improvment if you upgrade

nothing wrong with the speakers on the F8 series tv.
in fact,the rear facing speakers on the back of the tv,add to the bass,and make it sound more fuller.