need help, completely confused (hts3357 related)

*TimeWyrm* · 25-03-2009, 6:38 PM

Hi,

Recently I managed to convince the mrs to "allow" us to upgrade from our 2.1 surround sound, and crt, to the Philips hts3357, and the JVC 32" LT32DE9 (both of which will be coming tomorrow). I have a few pre-installation issues that I need to resolve, so please bear with me

Ok, so the equipment that I possess that I want to hook up is:
Sky box (SD)
Xbox 360 (I think it's called the premium nowadays)
my spare pc as a hts thingy

Now, here are the issues:

1. the jvc has 3 hdmi sockets, a component socket, but no vga socket
2. the hts3357 has a digital coaxial, but not a spdif

If I connect the xbox to the tv via component, will it give me a true HD picture (I would like to get the best possible picture I can), and will I need to use a spdif cable to get sound ?

Is there any way for me to connect the xbox via hdmi (like some kind of adapter), and would this give me a better picture than from component ?

If I connect my pc to the jvc via a dvi - hdmi cable, I take it that I'll have to use a spdif or digital coxial as well ?

I have a bad feeling, that the audio from both the xbox and pc are meant to go through the hts3357, in which case, what else will I need to purchase ?

Also (lol, sorry, promise there are only 3 more to go)

it may sound really stupid, but if I connect the sky box via the hts3357, I don't suppose it will upscale transmission will it ?

Talking of which, both the hts3357 and the jvc tv, upscale content. Will this cause a problem if I play content via the hts3357 (i.e. will the content be upscaled twice and look really rubbish ?

Finally, when I do manage to connect the pc to the tv, will there be any issues with playing mkv files ?

I really apologise for the essay (

), but I need help !!!

Thanks

dwhite · 25-03-2009, 9:32 PM

The xbox will give you HD via component. If it does not currently have a HDMI output then I doubt any adaptor will improve it.

The problem you have is the HTS3357, it has one stereo rca input and one digital coax input. It has no video inputs, so you can't send sky thru it to be upscaled (your tv will do this anyway). The stereo RCA input can be used by the sky box for audio. Your problem is the xbox and PC. The xbox has a optical output and you don't really say what your output your PC has. You are gonna need a optical to coax convertor for the xbox (and possibly for the PC if it only has optical output). You will probably need somekind of switch as well, but without knowing your PC outputs, its difficult to reccomend which one.

*TimeWyrm* · 25-03-2009, 9:36 PM

The pc has an spdif (optical)

EDIT:

Just remembered that I have a SoundBlaster Audigy 2 zs lying around somewhere with a digital out, that I can use.

dwhite · 25-03-2009, 9:47 PM

In that case get a optical switch and use the optical to coax convertor on the output of the switch.

*TimeWyrm* · 25-03-2009, 9:50 PM

and if I use the soundcard,would it simplify the matter ?

dwhite · 25-03-2009, 9:57 PM

Not really, just means you could use a phono switch instead of a optical switch.

*TimeWyrm* · 25-03-2009, 10:12 PM

ok, so:

sky connects up to the jvc tv via scart (and the tv tries it's best to upscale)
xbox 360 connects to the tv via component, and to the hts3357 via the optical switch.
pc connects to the tv via dvi -> hdmi cable and to the hts3357 via the optical switch.

Will I need a digital coxial cable to connect the switch to the hts3357 ?

Also, any idea if both devices (hts5537 and jvc) will attempt to upscale any media that I play via the hts3357 ?

dwhite · 25-03-2009, 10:23 PM

Yes you will need the optical to coax convertor and a cable to connect the optical switch to the digital coax input of the HTS.

Your TV resolution of 1366 x 768. It will upscale (or downscale) any input to it to match this resolution.

The HTS3357 can upscale DVD's to either 720p or 1080i. However both of these resolutions would be then rescaled by the tv. You could set the HTS to auto output, which would leave the scaling to be done by the TV, so avoiding two scaling operations. However, you may find you prefer to set it to 1080i (or 720p), its easy to try them and see (you may well find no difference whatever you set it to).

Remember scaling is only changing one resolultion to another, it is not really a method for improving quality. It has to be done by the TV, or you wouldn't fill the screen.

*TimeWyrm* · 25-03-2009, 10:58 PM

so, what I need to get is:

TOSLink Switch - Digital Audio Optical Switch

HDMI to DVI Cable

1.5m Digital Audio Coaxial Cable - Phono

and x2

Philips 1.5m Optical Audio Cable

and then my whole rig is sorted (well in terms of connection any way).

dwhite · 25-03-2009, 11:20 PM

I think its three optical cables, you need one to connect the switch to the convertor.

*TimeWyrm* · 25-03-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwhite

I think its three optical cables, you need one to connect the switch to the convertor.

2x spdif cables and 1 digital coaxial cable (as the hts3357 has a digital coaxial socket) ?

EDIT: By the way, do hdtv's generally come with a hmdi cable ?

dwhite · 26-03-2009, 7:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimeWyrm

2x spdif cables and 1 digital coaxial cable (as the hts3357 has a digital coaxial socket) ?

EDIT: By the way, do hdtv's generally come with a hmdi cable ?

No its 3 optical and one coax.

Xbox optical to switch.
PC optical to switch.
switch optical to convertor.
convertor coax cable to HTS.

No TV's don't generally come with HDMI leads.