iceblinkfroufrou Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 hi. this is how my set-up is connected. my amp[surround sound] is connected to the dvd player via a digital coax cable. the amp[video 2] is connected to the stb[audio] via one of those leads with white, yellow, red ends[composite?], although i was told there is no need to plug in the yellow. the stb is connected to the tv via a red, green, blue cable. dvd player is connected to the tv with an s-video cable. should i be able to get stereo when watching tv? i get it watching dvds of course, however i don't seem to notice it with the telly. should i be using a different type of cable for sound other than the composite one? i thought i'd read somewhere that they do not carry digital sound? would a spdif cable be better? mind you, in saying that i don't think my stb has a single coax plug on the back. i know there are probably lots of thread to do with setting up everything, but i'd rather just ask 2 or 3 particular questions then have to search page after page for my specific enquiries.
raziel Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 red&white cable (composite) should give you stereo sound through the receiver a coaxial rca cable or fibre optic cable will give you surround sound from the stb to the receiver - most stb will have a digital output of some form - coax or fibre optic if your stb doesn't have any digital outputs (which seems odd for a digital product) you will be stuck with two channel output .
iceblinkfroufrou Posted June 28, 2008 Author Posted June 28, 2008 thanks for your reply. my amp does have an optical plug, my stb doesn't, only a spdif one.
raziel Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 i presume you mean that the amp only has fibre optic input and the stb only has coaxial output ? if that's correct you're stuck with stereo check your settings on the stb as well - sometimes you have to set it to stereo output (or digital output if you can use it) found some pics of both types of spidf outputs link use the spidf output if you can - sound quality will be much better
DigitalObserver Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 thanks for your reply.my amp does have an optical plug, my stb doesn't, only a spdif one. Jaycar can supply an spdif/optical converter: Two-Way SPDIF/Toslink Digital Audio Converter Kit Ref: Silicon Chip June 2006 This kit converts coaxial digital audio signals into optical or vice-versa. Use this bit stream converter in situations where one piece of equipment has an optical audio input and the other a coaxial digital output. Kit includes Toslink optical modules, PCB with overlay, case with screen printed base and all electronic components. * Requires 9-12VDC power (use MP-3030) QTY 1+ $24.95 CAT. NO. KC5425
Juicester Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 . I'm nominating this as most useful post for 2008. lol.
raziel Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 Jaycar can supply an spdif/optical converter: cool sounds like what he needs didn't even think of an adaptor
iceblinkfroufrou Posted June 28, 2008 Author Posted June 28, 2008 great, thanks. i just saw on ebay a converter, currently .99c and no bids. also a 12volt power supply. actually there are two, one is 300mA, the other 500mA. i suppose thats amps? does it matter which one i get? its just a shame there is not hdmi on my old amp as the stb does have one.
iceblinkfroufrou Posted July 15, 2008 Author Posted July 15, 2008 hi again. a few wks back i ordered a converter[that was mentioned earlier], and also a couple of different cables. i got the cables today and one is ok but the other is the wrong type. i received a toslink optical cable which is fine, however i ordered a spdif cable and i got a digital coax cable[says spdif on the box]. so i imagine that there are different spdif cables with various ends??? the cable i'm looking for is to plug into my stb. http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j110/bla...ay/DSCN1923.jpg sorry the pic isn't that great, but has anyone any idea what type of cable i should buy? when i remove the plug there is a bright red light inside[if that helps]. thanks.
shrek Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 (edited) hi again.a few wks back i ordered a converter[that was mentioned earlier], and also a couple of different cables. i got the cables today and one is ok but the other is the wrong type. i received a toslink optical cable which is fine, however i ordered a spdif cable and i got a digital coax cable[says spdif on the box]. so i imagine that there are different spdif cables with various ends??? the cable i'm looking for is to plug into my stb. http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j110/bla...ay/DSCN1923.jpg sorry the pic isn't that great, but has anyone any idea what type of cable i should buy? when i remove the plug there is a bright red light inside[if that helps]. thanks. Brent, s/pdif refers to a digital connection which can either be optical or coaxial. Optical cable has (usually) a toslink connector and a coaxial cable has a rca connector. Looking at the picture above the connection on your stb is optical. The bright red light is the optical signal (optical means light). Try inserting the optical cable you have into the stb, gently but firmly. Using the term s/pdif to describe your connection does not give all the information. Happy listening in digital sound. EDIT You should have posted a photo from the start. Would have saved yourself from buying a converter and an extra cable. Edited July 15, 2008 by shrek
iceblinkfroufrou Posted July 15, 2008 Author Posted July 15, 2008 bugger!!! youre right! i've just connected the optical cable up between the stb and my amp and i can definitely notice a difference. my mistake was made coz the two plugs look so different, and they're labelled differently too. would it be ok to join two of these cables together for extra length, or is it best to buy a longer cable? this may sound silly but having a sharp bend in the cable, i imagine wouldn't be ideal? cheers.
shrek Posted July 16, 2008 Posted July 16, 2008 bugger!!!youre right! i've just connected the optical cable up between the stb and my amp and i can definitely notice a difference. my mistake was made coz the two plugs look so different, and they're labelled differently too. would it be ok to join two of these cables together for extra length, or is it best to buy a longer cable? this may sound silly but having a sharp bend in the cable, i imagine wouldn't be ideal? cheers. I'd say a longer cable would be more ideal. Avoid having a sharp bend in the cable since the cable is a fibre optic cable. You wouldn't want it to break.
iceblinkfroufrou Posted July 18, 2008 Author Posted July 18, 2008 the difference in sound between this toslink connection and the rca one is amazing. one thing tho'. when i change channel, take the mute off, of adjust volume, the sound will cut out for a half a second, and do this up to 5 times.
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