BR -> TV-> Amp hookup

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xpd

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#138008 16-Dec-2013 20:39

Hi,

Trying to help an older friend upgrade to Bluray etc.

Current setup is : Panasonic THL37v10z , Yamaha RX V450 amp , and a Sony DVD player. He wants the DVD out of the picture and replaced with a BR player.

TV has HDMI etc so connecting BR to that isnt an issue but getting sound to the Yamaha is where things get a little tricky (maybe) - I could just connect the TV to the amp via its RCA connections (feeding sound from the BR via the HDMI) , but would this then mean he has to have the TV fully on to be able to get sound to the amp ? ie: For when he just wants a music CD playing, not a video.

Or are decent TV's intelligent enough to just pass the signal through ? Going from HDMI to the amp, Id think it would need the TV fully on to process the digital signal...... but maybe I'm wrong ? (hes not too concerned about having to have the TV on if need be, but Id be slightly worried about burn in over time)

Seems that most BR players now have done away with RCA connections and just have a HDMI connection.... do any have optical out ? Amp has optical in, so could use that and bypass the TV completely for sound.

I'm heading out there Thursday to plug things in etc so ideas/advice before then greatly appreciated :)

TIA

XPD / Gavin

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#953329 16-Dec-2013 21:13

Use optical out to amp.
Most TV's will now pass audio thru to the amp OK via the optical out but strange things can happen. My Sony ex720 using HDMI input passes 5.1 audio OK from my Panasonic Blu Ray recorder with DVDs (and other external equipment) but when I play a BluRay disc it downmixes anything greater than 5.1 (i.e. 7.1 and DTS) to stereo. Only any 5.1 content will pass through as 5.1. So I have to use the optical out to the amp for Blu Rays. My old Sony amp doesn't have HDMI in/out so I can't use the HDMI via the amp which should be the best way to go. Some people have reported optical to amp and HDMI to TV causes audio delay but I've never experienced this problem.
P.S. I think you'll find that all BluRay players have optical or co-ax audio out and some have both. I haven't seen any that don't.

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#953330 16-Dec-2013 21:15

Sounds similar to my set-up. BR HDMI to TV, and optical from BR to (older) amp. I can then choose to use the sound on the TV alone for regular viewing, or flick on the amp for movies, music etc. My Samsung BR player has optical out, a quick Google identifies several models with optical and HDMI.

Not sure about the RCA pass-through. My Samsung plasma definitely needs to be on to get any output, hence why I went with the optical straight to the amp.

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RunningMan

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#953334 16-Dec-2013 21:18

I've just got a base model Sony BR player, and use optical to the receiver and HDMI to TV.

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#953381 16-Dec-2013 22:19

optical

xpd

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#953389 16-Dec-2013 22:41

Ok, but which models have the optical out ? The couple Ive looked at via JB/Harvey Normans, dont appear to have optical. When Ive got time Ill have a better look.

Would like to cost under $200 if possible :-p

XPD / Gavin

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#953437 17-Dec-2013 06:56

RunningMan: I've just got a base model Sony BR player, and use optical to the receiver and HDMI to TV.

Hmm, I've put you wrong sorry - using coax, not optical on the Sonys...

Here's a Panasonic that looks like it will do the job. HDMI & optical out. Bit of confusion over pricing, Geekzone says $149, but their (Noel Leeming) site says $159. Either way, in budget.

www.panasonic.com/nz/consumer/home-entertainment/blu-ray-dvd/blu-ray-players/dmp-bdt230gn.html
https://price.geekzone.co.nz/product.aspx?pid=887961276

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#953444 17-Dec-2013 07:13

Cheers, that looks perfect :)

Now, one more query.... optical cable - doubt these come with the players (friend might have one in a big box of cables but will assume not), best place to get hold of one ? :)

XPD / Gavin

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#953447 17-Dec-2013 07:20

I picked one up for $2-3 on TradeMe of all places. The cheaper ones are fine in terms of signal transmission, but mechanically weaker - not really a problem unless you are plugging and unplugging regularly.

EDIT: Under $5.00 delivered.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/cables/auction-675381538.htm

or if you want a bit better

http://www.cablesdirect.co.nz/catalog/search?quickfind_needle=toslink

xpd

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#953449 17-Dec-2013 07:25

Noel Leemings have them - pricey, but that wont bother my friend for the ease of picking up everything at one place :)

THanks, will let you know how I go :)

XPD / Gavin

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#953459 17-Dec-2013 07:41

You could try JB Hi Fi - they will usually match or better an advertised price - show them the N.L. website.

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#953547 17-Dec-2013 10:08

Consider a Samsung BD-F6500, they have Samsungs smart hub which includes Quickflix, TVNZ onDemand and TV3 On Demand - quite good features to have IMO.

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#953570 17-Dec-2013 10:49

Friend isnt interested in getting it online, just wants to be able to play BR's and play music CDs :)

XPD / Gavin

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#953576 17-Dec-2013 10:53

trademe. the cheapest one. it will work just fine.

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#953578 17-Dec-2013 10:59

If (s)he gets it from one of the chain stores, ask for an optical cable to be thrown in - they might say no, but you never know...

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#953690 17-Dec-2013 12:59

you guys are aware you can only get knobbled bd audio from the optical output ?

hd audio streams like dolby tru-hd and dts hd ma can only be got from hdmi or multi-channel analogue outputs.

get a new hdmi friendly avr or a bdp with multi-channel analogue outputs like an oppo or a used panasonic bd-80 or bd-85 if budget is a concern.

i would not even consider bd if i couldn't get hd sound to go with the pictures.

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