Toshiba 36zp48 and seperate amplifier???

Hi Everyone,
My first thread so please excuse my ignorance. Recently took delivery of BIG Tosh (argos special). Connected the four speakers up, and well it works, but I'm confused by all the different surround sound settings. My problem is that I'm partially deaf and I find it difficult to hear the various surround settings. It appears that the psuedo setting offers the best volume but the sound seems mono, but if I select one of the other digital surround settings that splits the sound into seperate channels the volume goes down to a degree where I have to turn the volume up very high. So my question is :- Can I just connect a seperate amplifier that the Tosh can talk too, so I don't have to have yet another remote control ?

Cheers

P.S. Can someone recommend a very good vcr, to go with the tv, dvd. I'd prefer toshiba, simply so that I can control all three items with the tv remote.
Thanks

[RussJ]

have a look at the manual - you'll see that there is an audio output to an amp if you so wish...

Cheers RussJ
But the manual is not very informative, it's only 23 pages. However I re-read it and dicovered that if using a scart lead (for picture) then a coaxial or optical lead MUST be used for digital surround sound. Thinking this was the cause of my troubles I rushed out and bought a optical lead - it's not made one iota of difference.

To be honest I'm not that impressed with the tosh. We needed a new tv. and having read all the praises of the 36zp48 we checked around and bought it from argos, came with free toshiba dvd recorder. (that the tv remote doesn't even operate, despite having a dvd/vcr/tv selector switch).

To be fair I don't really know what I should have expected from the tosh or surround sound for that matter, it seems to me, that unless I go for the full blown seperate amp kit, then things will remain pretty bland. (This is both mine and my girlfriends view, she remains unconvinced by the mighty tosh)

[RussJ]

My point was that its easy to connect the set to an external amp.
I wonder if you're expecting a bit too much from the built-in amp.
Its only 63w in total, which in surround sound terms ain't much!
My Pioneer 501 puts out 65w per channel, and its by no means a high end unit.
If you want to experience the full surround sound bit, I think you'll have to invest in a decent set of speakers and an amp.

Ok RussJ,
You got me curious, give me the run down on what you have, I get the impression you got the 36zp48. If so, what amp and speakers do you use, would you endorse them. Also if using a seperate amp does the volume have to be always adjusted using the amp remote, ie, two remotes are in play at all times. Sorry for all the questions, but as you've probably gathered, I'm as green as grass on this subject

[longleyc]

Maybe your hearing is an issue here. I have this tv and i find the sound excellent in a 2bed house.

The coaxial lead will give you 5.1 from the DVD player. And yes from Pseudo sound it will sound different to 5.1. as the 5.1 rears and fronts often may not have feeds to them depending on the movie soundtrack.
Pseudo outputs an interpreted surround sound that sounds more to your needs. It uses all the speakers.

With a VCR that is Nicam, the tv amp will decode the L/R channels into Dolby Surround, which is 4 channel. Fronts and Rears. It does it very well. Thats via Scart or Phono out, whichever you choose.

If you opt for a seperate amp and 5.1 or Dolby Surround output, you will get the same Front / Rear effects as you do now. Its recorded in the soundtrack. You have no choice in it. You can turn up the amp if the hearing is a problem but the dialogue would prob be very loud too, though you could turn down the centre speaker. (But you can do that on the Tosh~)
The problem with higher rating amps is everybody else gets to hear them if too loud. Its selfish and annoying.

Try setting it to Pro Logic (Switches to 5.1 on DVD). Increase the Rear speaker volumes to 75 and the Centre to 60. Increase the Bass boost to 90. The standard volume at 30. That should be an improvement considering your hearing.

[RussJ]

To be honest I haven't used any of the surround sound kit that came with the TV so I can't really comment. I've got the 32" version but I think the audio bit is the same. If you have difficulty in hearing certain ranges of frequency then Longleyc's suggestion may well make a significant difference - and it won't cost you anything to try!
I have a Pioneer VSX-C501 Receiver which is OK and I use Mission FS1 6.1speakers/subwoofer. The system is fine for DVD's but leaves a lot to be desired when playing music, especially in a large room. It is very wife friendly though, with the small panels being wall mounted and relatively inconspicuous and the sub fitting neatly in a corner.
I may consider upgrading to Kef 2005 or similar after Christmas.
As far as remotes are concerned, I have six of the little bu**ers sitting around at the moment and the one that I need is always lost down the side of the sofa. Some remotes will also operate other equipment but its a bit hit or miss as to whether the right codes are avaiable. I'm currently wrestling with a Oneforall Mosaic to try and get all the kit operated from one remote. So far I've got all except the amp working and some rudimentary macros to make recording easier. Setting these things up can be a real time waster but its very satisfying when you can switch on the kit, tune in to a favourite station and get the program guide up all from one button!