Help: My Rig

[Xbox360_Junkie]

Hiya folks...

I just need EVEN MORE help with setting up my little Home entertainment rig. I think i might be posting in the right place, seeing as though most of my problems are audio related.

Im just about to get a 32inch Toshiba 32WL56 LCD screen. This has the following connections:

HDMI
Component video: Via PC Input
RGB: 1
SCART: 2
Front/side AV input
PC Input
S - Video Input
Headphone

Firstly, I am planning to connect my HDMI DVD player (Samsung HD850) to my LCD screen via a HDMI to HDMI cable. In addition to this I am going to use an Xbox 360 VGA AV cable to connect the console to the screen via the VGA PC input socket on the back of the television. I believe now I can start thinking about connecting my 5.1 Logitech® Z-5500 Digital surround system. Firstly, Ill connect the DVD player to the Amp (Subwoofer) via a Digital Coaxial cable, seeing as though both the DVD player has the output and the Amp has the input. Now I can connect the 4 satellites and 1 center speaker to the Subwoofer.

Now, presuming that's all ok with you guys, I now need to start thinking about connecting my Xbox 360 to my Speaker system. I think this can be done by a Digital Optical cable, however im not 100% sure. The 5.1 Logitech® Z-5500 Digital surround system features the following source inputs:

Digital optical for DVD or CD players, PlayStation®2, Xbox®**
Digital coaxial for DVD or CD players or PC sound cards (requires coaxial cable, sold separately)
6 channel direct (3 stereo-mini connectors) for 2, 4, or 6 channel PC sound cards OR
6 channel direct (3 stereo-mini connectors) for 3 stereo analog mini audio sources, like CD and DVD players, Playstation 2, Xbox, or 2 channel PC sound cards (some devices may require stereo mini to dual RCA adapter, sold separately)
Analog stereo-mini (on side panel of control center) for portable CD, MP3,or MiniDisc® players

As you can see, the system can Simultaneously connect 6 audio sources!

On the Logitech website, they also mention the following:

"Requires Xbox® Advanced AV Pack or Xbox® High Definition AV Pack, sold separately, or PC sound cards (requires optical cable, sold separately)"

This is confusing, seeing as though I am already using a high definition AV cable to connect the console to my television. So i dont think this applies to me, due to the fact I've already done it.

Im a little confused, i dont know if my theory is correct at all. I just wish to know what i'm doing before i get stuck in. Furthermore, i believe you guys might be able to prevent me from making a costly mistake.

Regards

P.S Im not 100% sure what the xbox 360 console has and has not got, connection wise, however, all the technical specifications to date can be found on the following link.

http://shop.game.net/ViewProduct.aspx?cat=11276&mid=327022

Hope this helps...

 

[AngelEyes]

Hi,

By the sounds of it you have it figured right.

Both the digital audio outputs from your sources (DVD & XBox) should go into your 5.1 system inputs. Coaxial for the DVD and Optical for the Xbox is probably your best bet as I imagine the sound quality of your DVD player will make more of the coaxial connection than the Xbox will. I don't know what connections an Xbox has so you will have to go with what is there.

As for the video; HDMI from DVD to TV and VGA from Xbox to TV sounds fine.

Unless I have missed something you should ahve no problems.

Have fun

Edit: It doesn't say if the Xbox has HDMI-out support. If it does then this would be your prefered output. It may be that the VGA won't give full HD output but the spec on the website is pretty vague.

Edit2: Just checked the Microsoft site and they show the same vague spec. However they do show a HD Video component video connector as an accessory. So this should mean you can have HD (via HDMI from your DVD) and HD via component from your Xbox

 

[Xbox360_Junkie]

Thanks you very much for your reply...

I am planning to connect my 360 to my screen via an Xbox 360 VGA AV cable and the AVG PC Input on the back of my initial screen. My DVD player will connect directly to my screen via a HDMI to HDMI cable as already explained.

In addition, I am planning to connect my DVD player to the coaxial output on the Digital SoundTouch™ Control Center, featured within the 5.1 Logitech® Z-5500 Digital surround system.

Im a bit confused on how to connect the audio system to the xbox, but that's a different story, visit my new post for more information (Logitech® Z-5500 Digital)

Many thanks again

 

[AngelEyes]

It doesn't specify whether there is a digital aduio output from the Xbox but I am sure there is.

I would try and find a review on it as they will probably fill in the obvious blanks lift by Microsoft

I think digital home did one recently so have a look on google.

 

[AngelEyes]

Digital Home

No more info really but interesting comparison to the Playstation 3. If it were me I might be inclined to wait for the PS3, seems a lot better bet long term.

 

[marinecommando]

Why does it have to be an either or issue? I'm getting both

 

[AngelEyes]

good point!