View Full Version : Hooking up to my 5.1 Sony receiver
packman4
03-17-2003, 01:04 PM
I have a Sony dvd player with a digital output and a Sony receiver that has 5.1 sound on it. My problem is that on the receiver where it is marked for 5.1/DVD it has more than 1 input. There is an input marked for center and and input for woofer (these look like they could be a digital connection). Then there is RCA inputs for both the rear and front speakers. I am not really understanding how to get the 5.1 working since my DVD player just has the one digital and one set of RCA outputs. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would say the receiver is about 4 yrs old and I don't have a munual.
If there is no digital input on your receiver it could be ProLogic only with a sub. The question would be if either piece of equipment does Dolby Digital or DTS decoding. If you want true 5.1 sound one or the other has to.
You may look at a DVD player with a decoder(It will have RCA out for L/R/C/LR/RR/LFE(sub)) or a new receiver.
The manuals that come with receivers are usually pretty clear on where to hook up your digital inputs from DVD players to your receiver. It seems you're confusing the coaxial input required for the DVD player with something else - perhaps even a speaker connection (since you talked about a center speaker).
alexis822
03-17-2003, 03:34 PM
Packman4, you might be mistaking the 5.1/dvd input as a 5.1 input you would use you something such as SACD or something of that nature. The 5.1 INPUT will have 6 inputs on your receiver left front, right front, center, right rear, left rear, and subwoofer. The 5.1 input on your receiver will not be a digital input it is a 5.1 input they are different.
packman4
03-17-2003, 04:19 PM
Thanks for your help everyone. That was my first question posted and I certainly found my answer. Now I just need to decide whether or not to buy a new player or a new reciever. I just bought a Phillips 55" widescreen HDTV, so I am thinking maybe I should just get the new DVD player with PS. Anything decent out there for 175 - 200$.
So, what was the "answer". Just curious for future reference.
As for DVD players, many of the people on this forum seem to like Panasonic. There are a few in your price range from other manufacturers as well (Toshiba, Sony, etc.)
The following DVD Player link might be useful...
http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers
Also check out the FAQ section on the home page. See the post "If only I'd have known" if you're looking for a new A/V receiver - go to the bottom of the post...
Check out the other FAQs too.
I just got a Panasonic DVD-CP72 for $200.
It does have DTS and DD decoding if needed. Probably cheaper than a new receiver.
Look closely though at what else a new receiver might buy you (like multiple digital inputs)
Good Luck
packman4
03-17-2003, 05:56 PM
My receiver has the RCA inputs for L/R/C/LR/RR/LFE but my player doesn't have the same outputs. Sooo.... From what I can get out of the replies it has the 5.1 inputs but not the decoder. Does that make sense? So my plan is to probably buy a new dvd player that has the RCA out for L/R/C/LR/RR/LFE. I guess I will research both the receivers and the players first though. The dvd player was just bought in January, but like I said I am kind of leaning towards the progressive scan option.
If your current DVD player is new, don't expect progressive scan to give you a much better picture. Many people have reported that they see no difference, especially in the lower priced DVD players between interlaced and PS. There may be some difference, but it's not night and day and is very dependent on the TV and DVD player.
I think you need to do some research on A/V receivers... before buying anything. If your current receiver doesn't have a built in decoder, it might be time to look at an upgrade there instead of buying a DVD player with a built in decoder and then deciding that the receiver isn't much good.
Many of the manufacturers sites have places you can download the manuals - you may want to try that. (sorry missed that in my earlier post)
What receiver do you have?
Again, check out those FAQs.
alexis822
03-17-2003, 08:27 PM
I bought the Sony DVP NS755V for $225 at Sound Advice. It is a single disk player with DTS and Dolby Digital decoder built in. It also as the 5.1 output which I use for SACD and the digital optical output as well. It is progressive scan also, but I really can't tell the differecne between the progressive scan and the interlaced.
Hope this helps you!!!
packman4
03-17-2003, 11:06 PM
It is a Sony STR-SE391, and from what I can tell from a few searches is that it is just a mediocre reciever. I got it in a trade for a dish system I wasn't using anyway. The speakers and sub that came with it seem to be pretty good though so I am thinking that if I just got a new receiver I will be in good shape. Ill keep you posted on what I decide and eventually get.
