[slide_lewy]

Hey guys

New here and do not know alot about receivers etc and need some advice.

Basically I have just bought an lcd tv, I have apple tv and also a 5.1 Home Cinema System (includes tape deck, tuner, dvd/cd player)

I want to connect these all together to the LCD TV through a receiver to achieve surround sound. The LCD TV has 3 hdmi output, I'm currently using one for Apple TV.
The Home Cinema System has Optical Input (connected to Apple TV, which isn't working, hence I think I need to buy a receiver) and S-Video output (connected to the LCD TV for DVD viewing). Also have component cables hooked up to the LCD TV for DVD audio through the Home Cinema System.

I was wanting a recommendation off a reciever which I can connect this all too and then connect to the LCD TV. I'm on a budget off about £200.

What input/outputs do I need. I;m thinking I need two optical input for the Apple TV / Home Cinema System and then an output to the LCD TV ( what output would this be, my LCD TV supports optical input, but also has free HDMI ports that could be used).

I'm a little confused to be honest and not really clued up on receivers so any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help provided

[davepuma]

If you have a 5.1 hifi system, you won't need a receiver. A receiver would replace it. What features of the old system would you need to keep? All the connections on the 5.1 hifi system will be inputs, so you won't be able to output the audio to an external amplifier (receiver) from the DVD player for example. If you are planning to use the same speakers I would check the impedence rating (ohms) to ensure they're compatible but tbh you would be better off selling the 5.1 system as a whole and starting afresh, adding that to your £200 budget. The TV's optical connection will be an output to connect to an external amp to achieve dolby prologic from the built-in freeview tuner. A basic amp/speaker package such as Sony 890, HT-SF1300, Denon 1356XP or Yamaha AV63 would suit and fit in with your budget. You would then have to add a cheap DVD player starting at £50 or so for one of the Philips models rising to £90 or so for Pioneer or Sony.

[slide_lewy]

I think I do need a receiver, in the manual for the System there is a diagram showing the optical output being attached to a receiver.
I'm near sure the Home Cinema System doesn't do the same job receiver, its too small.

The model number of the system is an LG LX-D5230, I think its discontinued, cause couldnt find it on the LG site.

My main objective is too get the Apple TV really to output surround sound and to connect this system along with it too play dvds etc and use the speakers.

Hope this gives more of an insight into it.

[davepuma]

A receiver is just an AV decoder/processor amplifier with a tuner and some video connections, hence the V in AV. Your H/C system is more or less the same except everything is built in and therefore requires less external inputs. Modern AV receivers are considered to be the hub of an AV system as everything including video can be routed via the receiver and often converted and upscaled and so on. If your H/C system has an optical output then you could connect that to the receiver, without seeing the manual I can't say for sure. Can you scan and post a pic if you can't post a link to the online manual? Connecting to an external AV receiver would bypass the internal amplification and therefore the speakers unless I've got this completely wrong. Without seeing the manual, I can't really say. Often optical output was for connection to a CDR.

I still don't really know why/how you think an AV receiver coupled to the all-in-one is going to be of benefit unless you buy new speakers and just use the old system for CD and DVD playback. I would sell it on and start afresh as I can't really see the point in keeping it alongside a new receiver. If it's just to replace the defective optical input, get it repaired or buy another all-in-one. Just my 2p worth.

[slide_lewy]

http://uk.lge.com/support/download_manual.jsp

Link for manual, just type in name of system

Think your right man, might just get a new one.

Anyway have a look at the manual and see what you think

Thanks for the help btw.

[davepuma]

Downloaded all the software (why can't they just use pdf!?) and then had to run IE. Grrrr. Yes it can be connected to an external AV receiver/amplifier but as I said that would bypass the decoding and amplification and therefore speakers so you would need to connect the speakers to the AV Receiver. This would mean finding an AV Receiver compatible with the 6ohm speakers which can be done. The improvements in sound quality would be hampered by the cheap speakers but it would at least give you the optical input required by the Apple TV. The Yamaha RX-V361 can be run with 6ohm speakers as long as you select it in the setup menu before using it. I've used similar amps to thest at work and they're fine but as I expect don't expect miracles if you're going to use them with those speakers but it will work. I hope that is of some help to you.

[slide_lewy]

Thanks for your help man, as you say I might aswell buy a new kit, which I probably think I will.

Will have a look at your recommended one


Thanks again

[davepuma]

Is there a sub with the LG? I don't know how that would integrate as it more than likely won't work with a new receiver. Prob best to start again. Yamaha AV63 a decent place to start.