HELP! New to all this and not sure if I need an amp!

Hi,

I have recently bought a new TV and decided I'd get a surround sound system to go with it. When I bought the TV I got one of those "you might like to buy this" things up that took me to a cheap surround sound system so I thought I'd give it a go and then buy a more expensive one in the future. What I bought was an H&B SH-155. When I received it however, I started to wonder if I actually need an amp with Dolby Pro Logic too, as there are three pairs of inputs on the sub, one for the front, one for the rear, and one for the centre speakers, but only one pair of outputs on either my DVD recorder or my TV, so I can only have 2 speakers actually working.

Is this because I need a Dolby compatible amp to actually split the signal up, and will every amp have the necessary connections to allow me to use these speakers with my DVD/TV?

Apologies for what is probably a very basic/stupid question, but as I said I'm new to all this so need to know where I'm going wrong and what else I should buy?

Thanks!

[clarky78]

Hi, i don't suppose you can link to the website you got this, or a website to see it.

You have described a 6 channel input, if there are no other inputs you need a dvd player with 6 channel outputs. If there are co-axial or optical inputs ( i doubt but maybe) then these will carry a Dolby Digital sound. from your dvd player.

You can still hook up your dvd player via just the front L and R inputs but you will only get Pro logic surround sound and not dolby digtal.

If you can show us a link we could maybe help more.

http://www.247electrical.co.uk/epage...t/View/HBSH155

Do you mean that I therefore can't just hook these up to an amp with Dolby Pro Logic?

Also, when I hook it up via only the front L and R inputs I only get sound coming through the sub and the front two speakers.

[TekHousE]

you need an amp..
What is a little frustrating in your case, is they probably told you this was a great idea at the shop?
Can you tell us what is inside the sub that decodes the sound? Is the sub pro logic itself? If it is then it should take a stereo signal and turn it into 'surround', but if it isn't (which seems the case) then you need the surround signlas for Front, rear and sub to come from an amp.
Honestly, I wonder why some people think that something that costs less than 40 pounds is going to do what most of us spend thousands on..?

No I'm pretty sure now that the sub isn't pro logic, it's just that I knew nothing about this sort of thing when I bought it so presuming now I do need an amp. Any suggestions on a decent budget model? Obviously prepared to spend plenty more than on the speakers. Also is it worth getting an all in one amp and speaker system or are these speakers likely to suffice if used with an amp?

[TekHousE]

hmm, where to start.
my advice is that you bought the wrong speakers full stop. First you should have looked at the amp, then speakers to match that afterwards. Those speakers are not going to give you the home theater experience you are undoubtedly looking for.

What is your budget mate? If you give an idea of what you are wanting to spend maybe some of us can help out with suggestions.

Also, from experience stay away from home theater packages or integrated systems. ie. ones that come with dvd, speakers, amp as a complete system. I had a very nice Pioneer home theater system like that, which gave great performance considering the cost, it was the NSDV-55 system. The problem was when I had an issue with the dvd tray, I found it impossible to get fixed and since it was an integrated type system I could not simply buy a new dvd player for it.

Which led me to really plan a proper home theater system, with my starting point being a Pioneer amplifier/receiver, then speakers and subwoofer.

Hope this helps you a little bit..?

[clarky78]

It states that Wattage of the speakers, and i read that as they are active, i.e powered by the sub. I doubt you need an amp, i do however think you need a DVD player with 6 channel lineouts. You have stated you haven't got this.

That link as expected, wasn't much use as it says very little, can you photo the back of the sub and post the picture??

[clarky78]

ok found this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...&category=3702

This is clearly an active surrond sound unit, vary similar to all in one thing but without the dvd player! Basically (without seeing the back of sub a guess) you need the DVD player with 6 line outputs as stated. It may take an optical or co-axial input but as yet i don't know.

Lets be clear though, if you go and buy a new dvd player (assuming you want to use this and that it does require 6 line ins) you will be getting very low quality surround sound. However you will have to spend a few quid to get a good one.

If you want to write that thing off as a bad investment i would recommend this for a total budget system that will kill that thing hands down:

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/yamahaavpack77.shtml

* note the above package is 179.99 without the DVD player, The AV57 package.