Sony Home Theatre Advice/Help

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Carkus

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#50979 26-Nov-2009 13:41

Hi everyone

I have read through several pages of threads and haven't really found what i was after so figured some of you would be able to provide some good advice.

I recently bought a Sony DAV-TZ200 Home Theatre System from Noel Leeming which was on special. I was intending on using this with my Sony Bravia 46" KDL-46W5500, my HTPC, and Xbox 360 all through HDMI.

Unfortunately to my surprise, there are no digital inputs on this Home Theatre system so i'm guessing this is useless for providing 5.1 surround sound with my TV, HTPC and 360? The only input i see is an RCA which won't give me 5.1 right?

Have any of you gurus got any suggestions on what i can do?

I have been reading that i need to get myself an HT Receiver or AV receiver? What would you reccomend? I really don't want to spend more than $800, i also have no speakers.

I'm thinking i will take the DAV-TZ200 back to Noel Leeming and get a refund, or should i hang onto it and use the speakers and just buy a receiver?

I also have a Pioneer SP-D07 Dolby Surround, AC3, Pro Logic Processor which was handed down to me. It has some digital optical inputs on it, but i think this is only a preamp. It has some RCA plugs for speakers but doesn't look like my DAV-TZ200 speakers will work on this.

Sounds quite complicated but maybe you can help me?

Jaxson

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#276531 26-Nov-2009 14:34

You have no digital inputs, so no you won't be able to get surround sound from anything other than DVD's with this unit.

From Sony web page http://sony.co.nz/products/product.jsp?sku=DAVTZ200

Terminals

Audio Line In / Out (Analog) 1 / -

Audio Line In / Out (Optical) - / -

Audio Line In / Out (Coaxial) - / -

Portable Audio Input (Front, mini) -

Video Signal In / Out (Composite) - / 1

Video Signal Out (S-Video) -

Video Signal In / Out (Component) - / -

Video Signal In / Out (HDMI) - / 1

Digital Input / Output: Coaxial - / -

Digital Input / Output: Optical - / -

You could replace this unit with :
DAVDZ590K BRAVIA THEATRE SYSTEM
http://sony.co.nz/products/product/home-theatre/dvd-theatre-systems/davdz590k.jsp

This looks to have an optical/coax input.
(Though doesn't mention it further down under Digital Input/Outputs?!)
List cost is $750

Terminals

Audio Line In / Out (Analog) 1 / -

Audio Line In / Out (Optical) 1 / -

Audio Line In / Out (Coaxial) 1 / -

Portable Audio Input (Front, mini) 1

Video Signal In / Out (Composite) - / 1

Video Signal Out (S-Video) -

Video Signal In / Out (Component) - / 1

Video Signal In / Out (HDMI) - / 1

Digital Input / Output: Coaxial - / -

Digital Input / Output: Optical - / -

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Carkus

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#276534 26-Nov-2009 14:40

Thanks Jaxson,

So I could hook everything up to my Bravia via HDMI, and then use an Optical Out from the TV to the Optical In of that Sony DAVDZ590K and that would work?

Dingbatt

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#276546 26-Nov-2009 14:52

Carkus: Thanks Jaxson,

So I could hook everything up to my Bravia via HDMI, and then use an Optical Out from the TV to the Optical In of that Sony DAVDZ590K and that would work?

No it won't. The optical out of your TV won't pass through a DD signal because it will handshake (via hdmi) with the sources and tell them to send stereo PCM.

To do what you want to you really want a proper HT Receiver. The speakers that came with the system you have probably won't be up to much either so unless you got a really good deal it wouldn't be worth keeping just for that.

Unless you explained to the salesman what you were intending to use your HT for when you purchased it, then NL aren't under any obligation to take it back or swap it (i.e. fit for the purpose it was purchased for).

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Carkus

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#276550 26-Nov-2009 14:59

It says on their website that they will accept 7 day right of return, and i only bought this Sunday. I have only opened the box and looked at the back of the amp, it's not even been used yet so i would find it hard to believe they wouldn't accept it.

Ok so if i need a proper HT Receiver have you got any suggestions? What about something like a Yamaha YHT-195?

chiefie

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#276551 26-Nov-2009 15:00

That's why it's a good reason we got HTIS-100 (currently $599.95, saving of $600 at https://www.outlet.sony.co.nz/products/product/ht/HTIS100.jsp)

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Dingbatt

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#276560 26-Nov-2009 15:16

Carkus: It says on their website that they will accept 7 day right of return, and i only bought this Sunday. I have only opened the box and looked at the back of the amp, it's not even been used yet so i would find it hard to believe they wouldn't accept it.

Ok so if i need a proper HT Receiver have you got any suggestions? What about something like a Yamaha YHT-195?

It would be a good idea to go back and tell them that what you bought won't do the job. It is indeed fortunate you didn't unpack the whole thing before realising. I would get the salesman to do the work. Tell them what you want to do with your home theatre, they should be able to assist you in whether a Home-Theatre-In-A-Box will do what you are after or whether you need a proper component system.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Carkus

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#276566 26-Nov-2009 15:34

Dingbatt:
Carkus: It says on their website that they will accept 7 day right of return, and i only bought this Sunday. I have only opened the box and looked at the back of the amp, it's not even been used yet so i would find it hard to believe they wouldn't accept it.

Ok so if i need a proper HT Receiver have you got any suggestions? What about something like a Yamaha YHT-195?

It would be a good idea to go back and tell them that what you bought won't do the job. It is indeed fortunate you didn't unpack the whole thing before realising. I would get the salesman to do the work. Tell them what you want to do with your home theatre, they should be able to assist you in whether a Home-Theatre-In-A-Box will do what you are after or whether you need a proper component system.

Yeah fair enough, I think a proper component system is going to give me what i need. Don't have the greatest faith in salesmen, and I made a bad decision on the purchase at Noel Leeming but apart from the HTIS100 do you have any suggestions for a component system?

Thanks for all your help btw ...

chiefie

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#276571 26-Nov-2009 15:49

From what I read...

Do you have a DVD player that is capable of HDMI/Component?
Is your Xbox360 with HDMI + Optical Digital?

HTIS-100 has 3 HDMI in and 1 HDMI out, which can do by-pass to TV without having the system turned on. 2x Component in 1x RCA in, and they get upscaled and output through HDMI - with system turned on.

The Optical Digital inputs are assignable, and RCA-audio as well. It has included calibration mic for auto-calibration. We got the S-AIR wireless surround kit for back speaker (for $249).

They're amazing for their golf ball size speakers and it fits our set up for what we want.

In our setup, I have PS3 and Freeview|HD decoder connected to HTIS100 via HDMI, TCL digital decoder to HTIS100 via RCA. Amazing crisp sound.

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Carkus

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#276623 26-Nov-2009 19:26

chiefie: From what I read...

Do you have a DVD player that is capable of HDMI/Component?
Is your Xbox360 with HDMI + Optical Digital?

HTIS-100 has 3 HDMI in and 1 HDMI out, which can do by-pass to TV without having the system turned on. 2x Component in 1x RCA in, and they get upscaled and output through HDMI - with system turned on.

The Optical Digital inputs are assignable, and RCA-audio as well. It has included calibration mic for auto-calibration. We got the S-AIR wireless surround kit for back speaker (for $249).

They're amazing for their golf ball size speakers and it fits our set up for what we want.

In our setup, I have PS3 and Freeview|HD decoder connected to HTIS100 via HDMI, TCL digital decoder to HTIS100 via RCA. Amazing crisp sound.

Ok,

I don't have a DVD player, all of the video content is played from my HTPC. My HTPC has HDMI outputs which i can plug into my Bravia TV, additionally my sound card also has an optical output if i need that as well.

My 360 has an HDMI output which goes into the Bravia as well.

something like this looks like it's what i need right? http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/audio-mp3/home-audio/rack-stereo-systems/onkyo-hts5205-5-1-home-entertainment-receiver-speaker-package/prod101118.html

It has 3 HDMI inputs. I'm puzzled why this optical out on the TV won't send 5.1 sound to reciever. I'm sure we had it set up like that when my ex flatmate had his pioneer 5.1 system on it and that did DTS and all sorts of stuff.

chiefie

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#276624 26-Nov-2009 19:31

Get all your connection through to the AV and have it connected to TV via single and only HDMI. That's the whole point of AV system. You distribute from AV.

And for that $995, I'd go for HTIS-100, unless you can only exchange for another Noel Leeming in-store products.

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Dingbatt

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#276646 26-Nov-2009 20:13

Don't get me wrong, it doesn't have to be a component system as chiefie so rightly points out. I don't know the system he is referring to but it appears to do what you are after, and arrives as a complete fix. I just prefer the configurability of the component system. Bravia synch between the HT and TV may be possible.
As far as faith in the salespeople goes, they should be able to answer your questions or at least refer you to someone who can. I find it is invaluable to download and review the owners manual of AV equipment before going into the shop.

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chiefie

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#276653 26-Nov-2009 20:34

I can get hold of the HTIS-100 manual (from MySony) in PDF if you want. And yes HTIS-100 support Bravia Sync (HDMI-CEC)

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Carkus

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#276662 26-Nov-2009 21:13

Thanks guys.

I think if Noel Leeming give me a refund then i will go grab that HTIS-100. The speakers look a little funny but have read up on it and they provide a decent sound. If i can't get a refund and only a replacement i will look to grab the Onkyo HTS5205 which will do the same as the HTIS-100 if not better?

Appreciate your help