[Jam4u]

Hi All,

I am a complete techno stranger (as opposed to phobe). I recently got married and my in-laws offered me/us a present. I obviously took the offer up and I was able to choose an LED TV complete with Surround Sound System/set.

Now, as I had to choose in a quick and short amount of time I just did some quick and dirty research over the net (most of the time was spent on the tv, as that was the limit of my comfort zone!).

I then rang Richer Sounds to get some advice. I have to admit I had a fair old conversation with this guys and while I understood the reasonings at the time I did challege where I knew I could, and therefore made sure I was comfortable with my final choice. Anyway, I ended up getting a Samsung Series 8 LCD TV along with an Onkyo TX-SR607 AV and KEF Home Theatre 2005.3 System which I was told is a 5.1 sound system. Now from memory the 5.1 sound system just means 5 speakers right??? The idea being you strategically locate the speakers around the room, one in each corner and a centre one. (btw, I have a room that is about 13ft by 13ft if that is relevant?)

I got the items about two months ago and because I was also moving i have just managed to get everything out, and have completely forgotten everything that I had learned. Now I must warn you all that I am a complete simpleton when it comes to technology and am a wee bit baffled with how to go about setting it all up.

At the moment I have a Virgin Box (not HD, but am willing to upgrade) that has a scart lead connection. If I get the HD version I am assuming this will have the HDMi conection. In the meantime, i assume I will need to carry on connecting the Virgin box to the LED TV via the scart lead? I also have a Blu-ray player, and hopefully will get a PS3 for my Birthday in December.

My questions are this:

1) As basic as this sounds, How do I connect the Speakers to the AV - I assume that's what I do. I note that there were no cables supplied with either the Speakers or the AV for this which is why I was a bit confused. Am I right in thinking I need to buy Speaker Cables and individually run each speaker into the AV (via the speaker cable)?

2) In reading some of the forums, I have also been reminded that the Richer Sounds guy did tell me that with the Onkyo AV, I will only ever need the one HDMI cable running from the Onkyo to the LED TV - am I right in remembering this? If so, how do I do that? I assume all of my devices will need to feed into the Onkyo? (And reference the Virign box can I do this with the scart lead)

3) Finally, I got sold 3x 1m HDMI Cable produced by Cambridge Audio - Not sure if that is any good or not, what do you guys think? Also, if these HDMI's cables feed from the devices to the AV then this length would be ok for me. However, if the cables feed to the TV individually then they are too short and it looks like I would need 2m HDMI cable. In any case, I think I will need at least one (from the AV to the TV) Given the high prices do you have any recommendations? I am also keen to make sure I get the quality, especially given the price of the items I have.

Thanks for any help in advance.

(PS. Apologies for appearing a complete ignorant to all this having being in a position to have such items)

[davepuma]

Originally Posted by Jam4u

1) As basic as this sounds, How do I connect the Speakers to the AV - I assume that's what I do. I note that there were no cables supplied with either the Speakers or the AV for this which is why I was a bit confused. Am I right in thinking I need to buy Speaker Cables and individually run each speaker into the AV (via the speaker cable)?

Yes, you'll need some speaker cable for the speakers. Measure out how much you need using string/wool. You don't need to spend £loads. If you go for brand-name stuff, QED micro, Fisual or Van Damme blue 1.5mm (thicker = better but no more than 2.5mm) will all be fine. See audiovisualonline and the cables powerbuy for those suggestions. If you need a lot, you can buy it cheaper by the reel. See cabling4less amongst others. You will also need a subwoofer cable, connecting from the subwoofer pre-out to the Left input on the sub. MarkGrantCables or QED would be my choice here. I use a compact QED sub cable that I bought from audiovisualonline

Originally Posted by Jam4u

2) In reading some of the forums, I have also been reminded that the Richer Sounds guy did tell me that with the Onkyo AV, I will only ever need the one HDMI cable running from the Onkyo to the LED TV - am I right in remembering this? If so, how do I do that? I assume all of my devices will need to feed into the Onkyo? (And reference the Virign box can I do this with the scart lead)

SCART connections are not found on AV Receivers, so you would either have to compromise and use a lesser quality connection and route it via the amp. Alternatively you can convert the RGB output (over SCART) to Component video using a converter such as QED RGB SCART to component converter at £60 but personally I would leave the cable box connected direct to the TV and ensure it is set to RGB in the picture settings, then run a separate audio cable to the amp which could be analogue phono (red/white) or optical. I'm not familiar with cable, so check the rear of the box and post back. Bluray on the other hand is capable of HD audio formats (see the AV Receivers forum sticky post for details) such as Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio which can only be carried over HDMI in digital form. Therefore connect the Bluray player to the amp via HDMI (set audio to HDMI and bitstream but see the Bluray player's forum for exact settings - do a search) and connect another HDMI cable to the TV. The same will go for the PS3. The settings for PS3 can be found in the Onkyo owner's forum sticky post but they apply to all makes of AV Receiver.

Originally Posted by Jam4u

3) Finally, I got sold 3x 1m HDMI Cable produced by Cambridge Audio - Not sure if that is any good or not, what do you guys think? Also, if these HDMI's cables feed from the devices to the AV then this length would be ok for me. However, if the cables feed to the TV individually then they are too short and it looks like I would need 2m HDMI cable. In any case, I think I will need at least one (from the AV to the TV) Given the high prices do you have any recommendations? I am also keen to make sure I get the quality, especially given the price of the items I have.

I won't get into the whole HDMI cables debate (again) but they'll be fine. If you need another see hdcable.co.uk for the pro2 HDMI cable. Enjoy your new setup

[davepuma]

I forgot to say but obviously make sure you read the manual and then connect everything up and run the auto setup. You might have to make manual adjustments later though. Enjoy.

[Jam4u]

Originally Posted by davepuma

Yes, you'll need some speaker cable for the speakers. Measure out how much you need using string/wool. You don't need to spend £loads. If you go for brand-name stuff, QED micro, Fisual or Van Damme blue 1.5mm (thicker = better but no more than 2.5mm) will all be fine. See audiovisualonline and the cables powerbuy for those suggestions. If you need a lot, you can buy it cheaper by the reel. See cabling4less amongst others. You will also need a subwoofer cable, connecting from the subwoofer pre-out to the Left input on the sub. MarkGrantCables or QED would be my choice here. I use a compact QED sub cable that I bought from audiovisualonline

Thanks for the advice and tips. Justa quick check is it normal for the speaker/surrounf sound kit to come without the (Speaker) cables. I can understand the HDMI cabling etc but speaker cables? I just want to make sure that I am not missing out something that maybe should have been supplied with the kit.

That said, I think I will get the speakers all connected first to the AV and Sub Woofer. (One step at a time for me!).

SCART connections are not found on AV Receivers, so you would either have to compromise and use a lesser quality connection and route it via the amp. Alternatively you can convert the RGB output (over SCART) to Component video using a converter such as QED RGB SCART to component converter at £60 but personally I would leave the cable box connected direct to the TV and ensure it is set to RGB in the picture settings.

I think I will for now leave the scart to TV as you suggest. I want to avoide unnecessary expense for minimal increase in quality, and I am fully intent on upgrading to HD very soon anyway.

Bluray on the other hand is capable of HD audio formats (see the AV Receivers forum sticky post for details) such as Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio which can only be carried over HDMI in digital form. Therefore connect the Bluray player to the amp via HDMI (set audio to HDMI and bitstream but see the Bluray player's forum for exact settings - do a search) and connect another HDMI cable to the TV. The same will go for the PS3. The settings for PS3 can be found in the Onkyo owner's forum sticky post but they apply to all makes of AV Receiver.

Just one check here - do I need to have a HDMI come out of the AV to the TV for each component connected to the AV? eg. If I had HD Virgin and PS3 then that would be two components, there fore two HDMIN into the AV - Does that mean two HDMi leads out of the AV and into the TV? This answre would help - as then I can count how many 2m HDMI cables I would need.


I won't get into the whole HDMI cables debate (again) but they'll be fine. If you need another see hdcable.co.uk for the pro2 HDMI cable. Enjoy your new setup

Thanks, once again for your help.

[davepuma]

It is not normal for speaker packages to come with cables, simply as you can choose your own. Everyone has different shaped/sized rooms too.

You will only need one HDMI cable from the amp. The amp will only have one HDMI output (unless it has two for connection to two displays i.e. TV and projector) and will switch between HDMI sources. As I said some amps can also convert analogue sources to HDMI. This is known as video conversion or 'upconversion'. The Denon 1610 is about the cheapest to offer this feature.

[Jam4u]

SCART connections are not found on AV Receivers, so you would either have to compromise and use a lesser quality connection and route it via the amp. Alternatively you can convert the RGB output (over SCART) to Component video using a converter such as QED RGB SCART to component converter at £60 but personally I would leave the cable box connected direct to the TV and ensure it is set to RGB in the picture settings, then run a separate audio cable to the amp which could be analogue phono (red/white) or optical. I'm not familiar with cable, so check the rear of the box and post back.


Hi there, I did a search on ebay for the cable you mentioned above and found one for £10. Before I go and buy the cable I just wanted to check if this was the type of cable you meant. Do you mind having a look and letting me know what you think. The hyperlink for it is as follows:

QED RGB Scart lead 1m Save over 65%!!!!!!!!!!! on eBay (end time 21-Nov-09 08:42:43 GMT)

Thanks.
Jam.

[davepuma]

Yes, that cable will be fine but please note that any cable specifically labelled as RGB, will not carry audio. It is not a fully wired SCART cable. By using this cable, you will be limited to audio via the amp only i.e. no audio is carried to the TV's speakers. If you do want to occasionally use the TV speakers for 'quiet listening', I would suggest a fully wired SCART cable e.g. Thor or Vivanco Prowire (or QED if you can find them cheap).

[Jam4u]

OK, just to check my understanding, if I want surround sound putting the Virgin Box through the amp is the only/best way? And this can be achieved by buying the QED RGB Scart cable and along with connecting the audio cable from the Virgin Box to the Amp will allow me to do that?

But, if I want sound direct from the TV so I can watch it in the quiet as you put it then i would need the fully wired scart lead fromn the TV to the Virgin Box?

And clearly, i cannot have both at the same time and so the choice. Is that correct?

[davepuma]

If you buy a fully wired SCART, you have the option of either TV speakers or amp speakers (via separate audio cable). With an RGB SCART cable (I appreciate that the name is misleading and confusing), you will have to use the amp.

[Jam4u]

Hi DavePuma,

Thanks ever so much for your help with all this - I think I have now got it all understood to at least have a go with some degree of confidence.

One final check, i notice you recommend QED a fair bit - is QED the best quality to go for. I hav ealso noticed Molex recommended a few times too. Or is there not much difference when you are at that level?

Thanks once again.

[davepuma]

QED are fine. I don't recommend them that much, quite the opposite in fact as I believe that there is better value elsewhere. I presume you're talking about Molex HDMI cables? I'm sure they're fine but don't use them myself. I use MarkGrant, Octava (tmfsolutions), Bettercables and Pro2 (hdcable.co.uk) in my own setup.

[Jam4u]

Hi Davepuma,

Sorry another quick one - whats Cables Powerbuy, you mentioned it in your first posting above - is that where users/advertisers get to sell their wares through this site? I assume it is not a shop website in it's own right?

Thanks,
Jam

[davepuma]

Cable Power Buy Special Offers - AVForums.com

[Jam4u]

[QUOTE=davepuma;10737559]

SCART connections are not found on AV Receivers, so you would either have to compromise and use a lesser quality connection and route it via the amp. Alternatively you can convert the RGB output (over SCART) to Component video using a converter such as QED RGB SCART to component converter at £60 but personally I would leave the cable box connected direct to the TV and ensure it is set to RGB in the picture settings, then run a separate audio cable to the amp which could be analogue phono (red/white) or optical. I'm not familiar with cable, so check the rear of the box and post back.


Hi there, Thanks so far for your advice. I have now bought all the cables and pretty much done everything. The only thing I have not been able to do yet is sort out the Cable box and then switch the thing on - which I am itching to do!

Anyway, I thought I would try and sort out the cable box and hence why I am back posting on here.

At the moment, I have deiced to leave the scart going direct from the Cable receiver to the TV. In you rpost above, you mentioned making sure the settings were set to RGB. I assume I do this if the scart is going direct to the TV? If so, where would I do this - on the TV?

I have bought a 'QED Professional Installation Audio/Video Coax cable' (which by the way was the same as the Sub woofer Cable). Am I right in thinking I just connect this into the 's/pdif Out' jack on the cable box. I am not sure what S/PDIF is for and hence why I ask. The only other jacks on the Eurovox Cable Receiver that remain available are Video Out, Audio Left & Right, RF IN, Loop Out, RS 232, TV/VCR and Ant. Of course I have 2 scart points for TV and VCR as well. I'd be grateful if you could confirm - once done, this should smake sure the sound is coming out of the surround sound sepakers, right?

Thanks.

[davepuma]

Originally Posted by Jam4u

At the moment, I have deiced to leave the scart going direct from the Cable receiver to the TV. In you rpost above, you mentioned making sure the settings were set to RGB. I assume I do this if the scart is going direct to the TV? If so, where would I do this - on the TV?

No the TV simply processes whatever signal is input on the SCART connection. SCART is not a signal type but a connection type and can carry composite video (CVBS), s-video, RGB and component video (YpBpR). Not all TV SCART connections can accept an RGB signal so you would need to check the TV's manual but AV#1 is usually a safe bet. The RGB setting might be in the cable box's video setup menu. Sorry, I don't have cable so don't know but go into the video setup menu and look for an RGB option.

Originally Posted by Jam4u

I have bought a 'QED Professional Installation Audio/Video Coax cable' (which by the way was the same as the Sub woofer Cable). Am I right in thinking I just connect this into the 's/pdif Out' jack on the cable box. I am not sure what S/PDIF is for and hence why I ask. The only other jacks on the Eurovox Cable Receiver that remain available are Video Out, Audio Left & Right, RF IN, Loop Out, RS 232, TV/VCR and Ant. Of course I have 2 scart points for TV and VCR as well. I'd be grateful if you could confirm - once done, this should smake sure the sound is coming out of the surround sound sepakers, right?

Thanks.

S/PDIF - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Basically it is digital audio connection. It is usually a toslink (optical) connection or digi-coax (the one you've purchased) or mini toslink. Again, there may be a setting to change in the cable box setup menu to get Dolby Digital 5.1 output. If cable is anything like Sky, you will only get DD5.1 on selected programmes, movies, sports events etc.