Blu-ray Inputs Question - Blu-ray Forum

Hystoryan · 09-04-2009, 02:13 AM

I need some expert advice (I only know what I've been told).

I just bought a Panasonic HDTV (G-10 series) and a Panasonic Home Theater Sound System (SP-PT770), and am thinking of adding a Panasonic Blu Ray (BD60). Problem: the sound system has only one HDMI imput and one for optical cable. Currently, I have an optical cable from the sound system to the cable box and an HDMI to the TV. A Panasonic tech suggested the following configuration as my best option should I opt for the Blu Ray:

1. optical cable from the Blu Ray to the sound system.
2. red and white cables from the TV/cable aux to sound system aux.
3. HDMI from Blu Ray to TV.

If this makes sense, I'll lose only sound quality when I play TV programs through the sound system, right? Is this my best (only) option?

Thanks in advance for any help.

gekke henkie · 09-04-2009, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hystoryan

Currently, I have an optical cable from the sound system to the cable box and an HDMI to the TV.
[...]
2. red and white cables from the TV/cable aux to sound system aux.

Hmm, I don't really follow these quotes.
- Didn't you mean an optical cable from the cable box to the sound system instead?
- If there is an HDMI-cable from the sound system to the TV, does that mean that your sound system both has an HDMI-input as well as an HDMI-output?
- quote 'from the TV/cable aux'? Could you please be a little more specific here (TV or cable? In vs. out?)

SlmShdy1 · 09-04-2009, 05:48 AM

With the system you have, you're very limited. Your Panasonic HTiB only has a HDMI output. It has no input. If you're going to buy a seperate Blu-ray player, you wouldn't need to use the HTiB for playing DVD's, rendering the HDMI output on the 770 useless. You could do as the Panasonic tech said. It's the best option with what you currently have. However, you would be losing sound quality not only with the cable box, but with the Blu-ray player as well. Is it too late to return the 770? Panasonic offers the SC-BT100 which has a Blu-ray player built in as well as the wireless rear speakers. This would leave your optical input available for your cable box.

BIslander · 09-04-2009, 06:05 AM

You could also get an optical switch from a place like monoprice.com. That would give you 5.1 from both cable and Blu-ray.

groove93 · 09-04-2009, 02:44 PM

Optical Cable from the BD Player to your Audio Receiver for 5.1 Surround.

HDMI from BD Player to the Display will enable you to have audio and video simultaneously.

You can use the RCA Cables to attach the Cable Box to your Receiver as well, and if the receiver is capable of Dolby Pro Logic, for example, you can still produce Surround Sound, it just won't be discreet.

Most Cable boxes will have additional RCA outputs which will enable you to not only attach a set to your receiver, but to your Display as well. (This would be a scenario in which you choose not to watch a program with your receiver on, but just using the speakers from your display).

Hystoryan · 09-05-2009, 02:14 AM

I really appreciate all this help -- which I'm going to have to read a few times while looking at the machines (some of the language is unfamiliar to me, but I'm sure I can figure it out). I might have been too hasty in buying the sound system, which I don't think I can return at this point (in any case, the BT100 is twice the price and I don't think I can do that). I just didn't think it through.

One question: the optical switch is like a splitter? So I could have an optical connection from BR to sound system as well as optical connection from cable to sound system? If so, that would do it, no? I wouldn't have HDMI, but I would have that optical connection for both TV and BR? (Maybe none of this makes any sense. Obviously, I have no real idea how any of this works!)

Thanks again for the advice.

09-04-2009, 02:13 AM	#1
Hystoryan Junior Member Member since:Aug 2009	Blu-ray Inputs Question I need some expert advice (I only know what I've been told). I just bought a Panasonic HDTV (G-10 series) and a Panasonic Home Theater Sound System (SP-PT770), and am thinking of adding a Panasonic Blu Ray (BD60). Problem: the sound system has only one HDMI imput and one for optical cable. Currently, I have an optical cable from the sound system to the cable box and an HDMI to the TV. A Panasonic tech suggested the following configuration as my best option should I opt for the Blu Ray: 1. optical cable from the Blu Ray to the sound system. 2. red and white cables from the TV/cable aux to sound system aux. 3. HDMI from Blu Ray to TV. If this makes sense, I'll lose only sound quality when I play TV programs through the sound system, right? Is this my best (only) option? Thanks in advance for any help.

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09-04-2009, 05:48 AM	#3
SlmShdy1 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Honolulu, HI PlayStation® PSN: SlmShdy1 Home Theater Gallery:39 Blu-ray collection:292	With the system you have, you're very limited. Your Panasonic HTiB only has a HDMI output. It has no input. If you're going to buy a seperate Blu-ray player, you wouldn't need to use the HTiB for playing DVD's, rendering the HDMI output on the 770 useless. You could do as the Panasonic tech said. It's the best option with what you currently have. However, you would be losing sound quality not only with the cable box, but with the Blu-ray player as well. Is it too late to return the 770? Panasonic offers the SC-BT100 which has a Blu-ray player built in as well as the wireless rear speakers. This would leave your optical input available for your cable box.

09-04-2009, 06:05 AM	#4
BIslander Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Bainbridge Island, WA	You could also get an optical switch from a place like monoprice.com. That would give you 5.1 from both cable and Blu-ray.

09-04-2009, 02:44 PM	#5
groove93 Expert Member Member since:Dec 2008 Home Theater Gallery:74 4K collection:44 Blu-ray collection:162	Optical Cable from the BD Player to your Audio Receiver for 5.1 Surround. HDMI from BD Player to the Display will enable you to have audio and video simultaneously. You can use the RCA Cables to attach the Cable Box to your Receiver as well, and if the receiver is capable of Dolby Pro Logic, for example, you can still produce Surround Sound, it just won't be discreet. Most Cable boxes will have additional RCA outputs which will enable you to not only attach a set to your receiver, but to your Display as well. (This would be a scenario in which you choose not to watch a program with your receiver on, but just using the speakers from your display).

09-05-2009, 02:14 AM	#6
Hystoryan Junior Member Member since:Aug 2009	I really appreciate all this help -- which I'm going to have to read a few times while looking at the machines (some of the language is unfamiliar to me, but I'm sure I can figure it out). I might have been too hasty in buying the sound system, which I don't think I can return at this point (in any case, the BT100 is twice the price and I don't think I can do that). I just didn't think it through. One question: the optical switch is like a splitter? So I could have an optical connection from BR to sound system as well as optical connection from cable to sound system? If so, that would do it, no? I wouldn't have HDMI, but I would have that optical connection for both TV and BR? (Maybe none of this makes any sense. Obviously, I have no real idea how any of this works!) Thanks again for the advice.

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