Advice about Blu-ray Player + Surround Sound please

[rickau]

Hi,
I have Pioneeer HD TV PDP-504HDE with SKY HD Satellite Dish providing HD to the TV's ONE HDMI input. I have been using a very old Aiwa DVD Stereo System XR-DV701 for the sound. The latter sound keeps cutting out when watching TV or playing a DVD. I think I need to replace the sound system.

So my questions are: Is it possible to get a wireless surround sound system? Ideally I'd like to get a Blu-Ray player (which presumably still plays DVDs) with wireless surround sound? Failing that what Blu-Ray Player with 5 speaker surround sound would you recommend AND how would I be able to feed the HD signal from SKY AND from the Blu-Ray player into the ONE HDMI input?
There is an Optical Sound output (whatever that is) from the SKY HD.
Any advice please gratefully received.
Thanks
Rick

[Scooby Blu]

First off Welcome to the world of blu ! They do have some wireless surround speakers. However, they are a realitive new tech and are too expensive IMO. Most, 2008 surround units will have the techs you will need. Yes, the PS3 not only plays DVD's but upscales them as well ! Good Luck on your quest !

[crackinhedz]

what kind of budget do you have?

without knowing, its hard to recommend...but for starters...

PS3 or Panasonic DMP-BD30

Yamaha RX-V663

Polk Audio RM6750 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System

[crackinhedz]

are you in the USA?

[rickau]

Hi,

Thank you for the welcome. No I am in UK.

Expected wireless would be too expensive. Was thinking spending around about $1000 but wasn't sure if that would be enough. My main concern is feeding any Blu-ray player into my single HDMI input because I already have Sky HD into there. Do Blu-ray players come with surround sound speakers or is the speaker system a different box of tricks altogether? What about the optical sound output from the Sky HD box will that feed into the Blu-ray/speakers?

Thanks for your thoughts and knowledge

Rick

[crackinhedz]

you can connect multiple HDMI components into an HDMI Receiver, and then feed it into the one HDMI input on the TV.

(your TV only has one HDMI input correct?)

[rickau]

yes only one HDMI input into TV.

So have I got this correct I plug the PSP, the Sky HD, the Polk speaker system all into the the Yamaha receiver? That has one HD output I can plug into my TV If I didn't buy the PSP player yet could I just connect the speakers directly to my TV box (which already has Sky HD plugged into it)?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by rickau

So have I got this correct I plug the PSP, the Sky HD, the Polk speaker system all into the the Yamaha receiver?

yes.

If I didn't buy the PSP player yet could I just connect the speakers directly to my TV box (which already has Sky HD plugged into it)?

no, the speakers connect to the Receiver.



looking at amazon.co.uk

Onkyo TX-SR606

Jamo A102HCS5-BL - 5.1 Home Cinema Speaker Package

...obviously you could and should get better speakers, but the Onkyo 606 is nice and these speakers would hold you over.

[rickau]

Hi,

I'd like to buy best quality speakers I can afford then add Blu-ray player later since I don't yet have any Blu-ray disks yet and they are still very expensive (in UK) at least. Are Blu-Ray disks region coded like DVDs? I find that a real pain when buying DVDs abroad (I'm pilot). There is region 9 on DVDs which is international version than can be played anywhere. Some DVDs players play all regions. Will the Blu-Ray players mentioned play Blu-Ray disks and DVDs from any country?

Tending towards getting that excellent looking Yamaha RX-V663 (which seems to have enough connecters to last into next century) with a good set of speakers. The Polk ones retail prices shows $600 reduced to $200 and the Jamo A102HCS5-BL about $600 too. So which are the best please? Would the Yamaha RX-V663 accept the optical sound input from my SKY HD?

Thanks again for your excellent advice.

Rick

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by rickau

Hi,

I'd like to buy best quality speakers I can afford then add Blu-ray player later since I don't yet have any Blu-ray disks yet and they are still very expensive (in UK) at least. Are Blu-Ray disks region coded like DVDs? I find that a real pain when buying DVDs abroad (I'm pilot). There is region 9 on DVDs which is international version than can be played anywhere. Some DVDs players play all regions. Will the Blu-Ray players mentioned play Blu-Ray disks and DVDs from any country?

Tending towards getting that excellent looking Yamaha RX-V663 (which seems to have enough connecters to last into next century) with a good set of speakers. The Polk ones retail prices shows $600 reduced to $200 and the Jamo A102HCS5-BL about $600 too. So which are the best please? Would the Yamaha RX-V663 accept the optical sound input from my SKY HD?

Thanks again for your excellent advice.

Rick

Yes it would, optical cable to the cable box.I have mine connected the same way.

[rickau]

Hi,

When I said my sound keeps cutting out it's not the speakers but the control box where I put the music CDs in I think.

So if I buy a Yamaha RX-V663 can I connect my original speakers 8 ohms (I can't find the symbol!). I have 5 speakers + big Aiwa box that says 5 x69W + 109 W DIN MUSIC POWER 5 x 37W + 68W (RMS) 5 x 30W +55W (DIN THD 1%). Also TWO optical sound inputs needed (one from SKY HD box one for future purchased Blu-ray player) Please confirm the Yamaha RX-V663 can handle all that. I also have two Technics speakers Model SB F2 impedance 8 ohm input 75W music 50W .DIN (RMS) I have been using them instead of 2 of the Aiwa ones since I think they are better. I am not very technical so have quoted all those figures.

If the above is Not an option my local Sony Dealer has a Sony HT-SS1300 surround system at $800 what do you think of that? If I buy that instead I end up with another collection of 5 speakers!!

Thanks guys and girls

Rick

P.S Aiwa is Aiwa DVD Stereo XR-DV701 that keeps cutting out

[crackinhedz]

do the ends of your speaker wire look like this?



...and can you confirm your speakers are 6ohm or 8ohm? (might say it on the back of the speaker)



If so, they would work with the Yamaha RX-V663.

also it has 3 optical inputs so you will be fine.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by rickau

my local Sony Dealer has a Sony HT-SS1300 surround system at $800 what do you think of that?

me personally I would stay away from that.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by rickau

Also TWO optical sound inputs needed (one from SKY HD box one for future purchased Blu-ray player)

the Bluray player would be connected by an HDMI cable (carries both audio and video) so you would not need an Optical cable.

[rickau]

Hi Crackinhedz,

Glad u back. Thank you didn't realise that the sound from the Bluray would go along HDMI.


Looking now at Onkyo TXSR506 because I can get it from Richer Sounds for $600 a saving of $200 on TXSR606. About $2 to £1 see http://www.richersounds.com/showprod...KY-TXSR605-SIL Think that will do all I need. I cannot see the point of 4 HDMI inputs

Richer also told me I need buy a subwoofer with own power supply (my Aiwa took power from main Aiwa unit) if I am going to use my existing speakers. If this is true what would you recommend? It would be helpful if you found one on Richer site since I am going to their shop on Tues (10Jun)

Thanks again for you knowledge and experience

Rick

Thanks for your link re HDMI cables I would have bought the expensive ones!

[rickau]

If you can tell me good reason for spending extra $200 on TXSR606 I will consider it. All these tech specifications baffle me!!

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by rickau

Looking now at Onkyo TXSR506

you do NOT want a 506! ...but the 605 would be great!

as for speakers, i do not recognize those brands except for the KEF model.

...but that does not mean those other brands are bad...actually looking at most of them they look pretty good, so perhaps go with size and color that suits you. Keep them same brand of course. As for a subwoofer, i like 12" or bigger...but i dont know where to find a good selection in the UK?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by rickau

If you can tell me good reason for spending extra $200 on TXSR606 I will consider it. All these tech specifications baffle me!!

the 606 and the 605 are almost identical...a few added features, but not worth $200.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by rickau

It would be helpful if you found one on Richer site since I am going to their shop on Tues (10Jun)

since you are going to the store...you can listen to the different speakers.

[rickau]

Thanks OK will go on your advice and get the 605. I worked out 506 would be no good When you say 12" or bigger for subwoofer is that the height?. The two KEF are Technics the other 5 are Aiwa. I kinda thought since all the speakers work I could do 7.1 the Technics and Aiwa mixed. Trying to avoid buying new speakers. If you think that not good idea (mixing them) then I will just use the 5 Aiwa. www.richersounds.com have subwoofers
Thaks