TV Surround Sound Question...

fish99 · 23-01-2003, 6:12 AM

Hi,

I'm considering buying a new TV, the Philips 32PW6526 which is a Dolby Pro-Logic set. What I want to know is which devices of those I have can deliver a pro-logic signal to this tv? To save you the effort of looking up the TVs specs, it has two SCART sockets (one RGB, one S-Video) and a side AV panel (with S-Video input).

The devices I would like to connect to it are-

Sky Digital (UK Digital Satellite TV system) which has twin RGB SCART outputs and apparently can output a pro-logic signal.

X-Box which has composite output, plus I have an s-video cable for it. There is also another cable which provides optical output of a Dolby Digital signal.

PS2 - Not sure which leads are available for PS2, but I currently have an S-video cable, which has red/white audio cables.

DVD-Player (Panasonic RV-20) which has SCART output, AV output (including S-Video) and optical output. Does not include a Dolby Digitial decoder.

So, the Sky shouldn't be a problem, I'm assuming a SCART cable will carry the pro-logic signal fine. DVD Player, I'm hoping this will output a pro-logic signal through the SCART output, although I'm not sure. X-Box - doesn't seem likely I can get anything but a stereo signal to my tv from this - does anyone know otherwise? And finally the PS2 - I haven't looked into yet, but maybe with the right lead.

I've already looked on the net, but information this specific seem very hard to find.

Any help would be most appreciated.
Cheers,
Simon

mandlebrot · 23-01-2003, 7:32 AM

You will be pleased to hear that you can get prologic from all the devices you mention. Forget the optical leads has this is only for DD5.1 etc. Just use the scarts or white/red phono leads for the audio depending which device you are using and all will be fine.

Welcome to the world of surround sound but I'm sorry to say you will be skint from now on because you will spend most of your hard earned cash on upgrades. I'll give you 2 months before you are saving up for a DD amp

MartinImber · 23-01-2003, 2:55 PM

Don't buy a DPL TV they are pants.

Buy the stereo version and save for a DD5.1 AV Receiver

Kevo · 23-01-2003, 4:07 PM

Ditto that.

Get a decent DD/DTS amp

Forget DPL, it's old hat and compared to 5.1...well it just doesn't!

Get a 'normal' WS TV and put the difference you save towards an amp.

fish99 · 23-01-2003, 5:39 PM

Cheers for the replies lads

I'll probably still get the same tv since the stereo version has an inferior picture in this particular model, but I can always go DD in the future if I'm not happy with the sound.

Thanks again.

MartinImber · 23-01-2003, 5:43 PM

Quote:

but I can always go DD in the future if I'm not happy with the sound.

You will be unhappy with the sound DPL from DVD is like cotton wool in your ears

fish99 · 23-01-2003, 6:29 PM

Ok. In that case I have another question. I've been looking at DD receivers and I'm struggling to find one that has more than one optical input. Do I need to connect through optical input to get DD?

The one I'm looking at is the Sony HT-DDW740.

mandlebrot · 23-01-2003, 8:11 PM

The Marantz 4200 or 4300 has 4 digital inputs 2 optical and 2 coaxial. There are also many more receivers out there with this amount of digital inputs, they tend to be full size amps not the lifestyle type.

Like the others I think the seperate amp is the way to go but if you feel the picture of the pro-logic tv you are looking at is better than the stereo version then go for it and use the pro-logic until you can save up for the amp/speakers. A full DD/DTS system is way better than pro-logic but make sure you get one that does pro-logic II has it makes tv and other non DD sources sound great but like I said if you've found the tv you like and its pro-logic then go for it.

Kevo · 23-01-2003, 9:18 PM

You just HAVE to play Halo in DD 5.1.

fish99 · 25-01-2003, 4:08 AM

Btw does anyone know for sure whether an xbox (or indeed a DVD player without a DD decoder, ie Panasonic RV20) will actually output a Dolby Pro-Logic signal?

Well, not whether they will but whether they actually do if you see what I mean. I'm gonna be stuck with pro-logic for a few months at least after getting the new tv.

Cheers again for the help

mandlebrot · 25-01-2003, 7:31 AM

Yes you will be able to get pro-logic from all the devices you mentioned in your first post. I confirmed this in my first reply to your post, go back and read it

fish99 · 25-01-2003, 7:38 PM

Ok, sorry for being dense

I thought you were just saying that red/white phono cable could carry a DPL signal, rather than that an xbox (etc) would actually output a DPL signal. My mistake.

Cheers again for the help