what things to keep in mind before choosing to buy a 5.1 channel speaker system?

Q.

Answer
Here are a few things that I would look for:

Upconversion to HDMI/Component-traditionally, surround receivers are known for having a mariad of hookups. If you want to use your surround receiver for video switching, it usually requires multiple cables for each cable type connecting your television and receiver. Upconversion requires only one connection between the receiver and television. It upconverts the signal to the cable you desire-and in the case of HDMI or component, the upconversion is analog to digital.

Expandability and versatility-make sure your receiver has enough hookups for your devices (and the devices you may want to add). When done right, receivers can really simplify your entertainment system. I have found Onkyo receivers to typically have more inputs than most of the others. Make sure the HDMI ports are atleast v1.3 for ultimate compatibility. Also noteworthy-Bose systems do not use typical speaker hookups and are not compatible with other manufacturers.

Room size/Necessity-Make sure your surround receiver/speaker system will be adequate for the room. If you have downstairs neighbors, you'll want to avoid down-firing subwoofers. You may even need to decouple your sub from the floor to avoid complaints. If you like to watch movies loudly, make sure your system can accomodate with clean sound.

Future-proofing-Make sure the receiver supports atleast the format you prefer (atleast Dolby Digital or DTS). If you plan on making a jump to Blu-Ray soon, you'll want something that can support TrueHD.

Just some of things to look for...Hope it helps.

A good 5.1 channel surround speaker system with optical digital input?

Q. Friends, I am seeking to purchase a good 5.1 channel surround speaker system having an optical digital audio input. Please suggest me.

Answer
JBL 5.1 Channel SCS145.5 Surround Cinema Speaker System work great. Other then the need to switch out the stock speaker wire for something a little more hefty like say, 12 gauge, the sound quality is far more then I expected. The powered subwoofer is Ok, but I wanted something heavier - at least a 10". I got a 12", 400 watt subwoofer, and I think my neighbors don't like me anymore :) I would recommend JBL speakers over BOSE speakers any day!

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5.1 channel speakers?

Troublesho

how to connect 5.1 channel analog speakers to my computer?
my computer is having three ports for sound: line in , line out , and mic.
and the speakers have three pins to be plugged(require three outputs )
i connected the woofer pin the mic point, and the other two pins in line in and line out respectively.
selected 5.1 configuration from the control panel.
when i played mp3 files my speaker system played like a 2.1 , i.e. the three satellite speakers were not working.
i have a creative 5.1 sbs speaker system.

Answer
I can easily see that your computer (MB or sound card) is not compatible with the speaker you use.

And I can also see that your speakers are not true 5.1. Because to have true 5.1 you need total 6 connections. Those are 1. LFE (subwofer) 2. Center 3. Front Left 4. Front Right. 5. Back Left 6. Back right.
If speaker has 3 sockets, and one is LFE then other two are front stereo and rear stereo, it does not have a center, or may be mono rear. And in such cases it requires compatible outputs on the PC side.

Old sound cards only provide 3 socket for Mic (MICROPHONE) and Line-in (Analog stereo INPUT) and Line-out (Analog stereo OUTPUT).
In some cases sound chip supports 5.1 or 6.1 audio, but it only means it can decode, you still have single stereo output on the back. Some time they provide a special socket or USB port to transport 5.1 from sound card to speakers.

You need 5.1 analog outputs on the computer side, therefore a true 5.1 sound card.

You CANNOT connect woofer input to the mic socket. That's insane beside it does not work. Using input sockets wont work.

Looking for customer reviews for Sony BDVE300 5 1-Channel High-Definition Blu-ray Disc Player...?

cambay

...DVD Disc Home theater System
Where can I find reviews and opinions online for Sony BDVE300 5 1-Channel High-Definition Blu-ray Disc Player DVD Disc Home theater System

Answer
Sony BDVE300 5.1-Channel High-Definition Blu-ray Disc Player/DVD Disc Home theater System (Black)

List Price: $599.99

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent value for the price, August 21, 2009
By John P. Miguez "jmig" (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
I bought the BDVE300 to go with a Sony 52Z5100 HDTV that I also bought from Amazon. I bought it mainly because I wanted to match the two items for both esthetic and practical reasons. The black speakers match the TV perfectly. I can also control both with one controller and easily run the TV sound through the HTS.
I am not an audiophile. So I didn't try to compare technical specs. This review is strictly subjective (in part to counter the one above) and is based on what I have heard while using the system with the TV.

The room in which the TV is located in is a 20 X 20 den/family room with a connecting dining area and kitchen. The entire area is open. It has wooden floors with a single oval area rug in front of the fireplace and TV.

I found the sound to be exceptionally clear and clean, without distortion or unevenness. I can tell a definite difference between the TV speakers and the BDV300 speakers. The BDV300 sound seems more spacious. It fills the room without blowing you away. The sound has more fullness to it than the TV speakers.
I have not tried it at full volume. I have never felt the need to do so. I have watched two musical DVDs, a Mary Chapin Carpenter concert and the 10th anniversary recording of Les Miserables. In both cases the music sounded beautiful and clear. You could hear all of nuances of the voices and the words of the songs were distinct and clear.

If you want strong bass that shakes the room, I am not sure this is the system for you. The bass is there but it is blended in with the other sounds. I am sure I can adjust it for greater effect. However, I am currently running the system at default values.

As for the lack of an S-air wireless cartridge, as mentioned by the reviewer above. It is true you have to buy it separately. However, everything I read about the system stated this plainly up front. If you need this feature it is available as an option. In researching this system I found this individual posted the same opinion on every web site he could find. I don't think his opinion was a fair assessment of the system's capabilities.
I found the set up to be rather easy. The instructions show various options on installing it alone with the TV or with a cable/SAT box or with an external DVD, etc. With the external mic it took about one minute to calibrate and maybe 15 mins. to connect the wires.

Be aware that Sony uses a proprietary plug on the DVD/Radio/Amp end of the system. The speaker end is a simple pinch type terminal. There is a FM & AM receiver as part of the system. I have not tried them yet. The DVD/CD/Blue ray player worked fine.

The bottom line is: The BDVE300 does everything Sony says it does. If you are looking for something to enhance your TV experience and play CDs with good clear sound, this system will do it well. For the price, I think it is an excellent value. I found no "gotchas" or "I can't believe they did this". So I gave it a rating of 5. I am very pleased with my purchase.

John

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how can i transmit music wirelessly from my laptop to 5.1 speakers ?

speaker system 5.1 channel image

les cluele

I am trying to stream music from my laptop wirelessly to 5.1 channel surround speakers with subwoofer. The speaker system has three RCA input connectors for right, center and left channel connectors. Is there a wifi audio player out there that has three RCA connectors for audio? All the wifi media players I could find have optical, s/pdif or coax audio out.

Answer
The best you an do is to find something with 2 rcas - L and R. Slim Devices (now owned by Logitech) has a number of music streaming devices.

What speaker system should I get for an 8 channel sound card?

ericcoz

The motherboard I am purchasing has integrated sound that supports 8 channels (Realtek ALC850). The problem is that I cannot find a computer speaker system that supports 8 channel sound cards. I do not want a huge sound system, just one of those boxed computer kits. Please provide any SPECIFIC suggestions for an speaker system that supports 8 channel sound.

Answer
the sound card supports 8 channels but that doesn't mean that you have to use all 8. if you don't want a huge sound system then just get a 5.1 surround sound system that is in your budget...

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Is it possible to connect my blu ray player directly to 5.1 channel speakers?

speaker system 5.1 channel image

ML

I am confused. I have a Philips blu ray player with the following audio outputs: Analog audio Left/Right out, HDMI output, Component Video output, Digital coaxial out, Ethernet, Analog audio 5.1 channel out. Can anyone please tell me if I can connect it directly to a 5.1 channel speaker system ? (that is, with out a separate receiver).

Thank you.

Answer
You need to connect it to an amplifier or amplifier/receiver that handles 5.1 Dolby surround. The bluray player only has a pre-amplifier built in and that only supplies enough signal for the amplifier to use to produce the sound. The player itself cannot drive speakers. You don't need anything really fancy.

Look at http://www.frys.com/product/5959244?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

How do the prices at Sony Style compare to those in department stores?

RX-597

I am planning on getting a home theatre system (5.1 channels), and usually I see "Sale" on the website (e.g one set of speakers had RRP $649 and was reduced to $499).

By the way, I live in Melbourne, Australia.

Please compare these prices to stores such as JB Hi Fi and Harvey Norman etc... Also, please suggest any better stores than those listed above if Sony Style prices are indeed higher, if possible.

Thanks.

Answer
Sony Style, like anything from Sony, is overpriced. Most regular stores mark things down 15-20% off the full manufacturer's price. Sony Style doesn't do this so things are more expensive.

Obviously, Sony Style only carries Sony items, so if you wanted to price compare between different brands, Sony Style shouldn't even be on your list of stores in the first place.

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