Hifi help needed, connecting surround speakers to tv

[Zacker]

I have a Philips 42PFL3007T TV which I want to connect to my Logitech Z506 surround speaker set. The TV has a digital audio out (coaxial) and HDMI ARC, the speakers however only takes 3.5mm analogue inputs. So do you guys have any recommendations on the best way to convert between those signals? The TV input source is HDMI from a laptop.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Zacker

[cyberjunkie]

Use the 3.5mm jack from the laptop and connect it to the speakers. Mute the TV speakers.

[-HP-]

Don't agree with cyberjunkie, 3.5mm jack can only buffer stereo signal, you have a 5.1 surround setup that you paid for and it would be a waste to not use it, specially since nowadays a good movie or a good game must be experienced in surround to get the most out of the experience.

What you really need, is a receiver. I thought these things were a waste of money before, but what they provide more than justifies the investmenent. They allow you to connect various game consoles, PC, Bluray player, etc, etc to the same hub, and it decodes surround sound, so if you connect your PC to a receiver via HDMI (like I'm doing) the receiver will decompile the the audio signal, leaving the PC alone, that is such a nice plus specially for games.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=receiver+5.1

[Puddy]

Yup.

[Puddy]

Though logitech speakers are... well... you know... maybe not receiver-material.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Puddy

[Zacker]

Use the 3.5mm jack from the laptop and connect it to the speakers. Mute the TV speakers.

Thanks, but as HP also points out, my laptop does not provide 5.1 output.

' timestamp='1363802151' post='326920']

What you really need, is a receiver. I thought these things were a waste of money before, but what they provide more than justifies the investmenent. They allow you to connect various game consoles, PC, Bluray player, etc, etc to the same hub, and it decodes surround sound, so if you connect your PC to a receiver via HDMI (like I'm doing) the receiver will decompile the the audio signal, leaving the PC alone, that is such a nice plus specially for games.

http://www.amazon.co...ds=receiver 5.1

Thanks for the receiver suggestion also, I am however on on a budget so I prefer if I could get around having to invest in something that appears to cost more than the speaker set itself. Hopefully there is a way around?

[-HP-]

http://www.logitech....005326gsamr.pdf

Well, it seems you should have researched a bit before buying those speakers, there's speakers out there in the market that are still on a budget, and have a small receiver with them or you know, there's always craigslist and ebay.

These are great speakers for the price, but they're also speakers to use with a PC, and that comes with certain restrictions, 5.1 only works if you connect those 3.5mm jacks to a 5.1 Surround soundcard on a PC.

So, the only option I see here is, get a RCA out cable. (Pretty sure there's two little round slots on your TV, one red and the other white)

However be warned that from the red/white RCA outputs you’re only going to get matrixed Dolby Pro Logic, not discrete Dolby Digital. Better than nothing I guess!

[Erratic]

I'm using a 2.1 labtech speaker setup for my consoles how much of a peasent does that make me

[-HP-]

I'm using a 2.1 labtech speaker setup for my consoles how much of a peasent does that make me

It makes you a peasant that is missing out on half the experience!

[Erratic]

I remember an interview with some dice sound engineer on bad company. Saying something like, most people are probably playing on a standard def tv with standard stereo output, so why not implement the audio in a way that even sounds great for the average setup. I think that makes a lot of sense. Especially with audio, the number of people with 5.1 setups is probably like, maybe, 10% of the audience. Maybe more but I'd be suprised.

[-HP-]

Well... yeah sure, same goes for picture quality, as a dev you need to tweak your games and movies for standard def TVs, cos realistically that's where 80%+ of the people is going to experience it with. I would bet the majority of the people don't even use HDMI cables on their consoles, which people that appreciates good picture quality would find ludicrous.

Well, I am on the same boat with sound, I find it nuts that these days all movies and games are mastered in beautiful 5.1 surround sound, directional sound coming from all angles, good deep bass, clear dialogs, etc... and the majority of the people is just missing out on that. Well I wont, cos again, for me, it's half of the experience!

Try playing MGS4, or Uncharted with 5.1 surround sound, you can almost see the bullets flying around the room. You'll be blown away.

[Erratic]

For sure, I just think developing for the lowest common denominator need not be too terrible a thing. I heard kubrick shot all his later films in 4:3 cause he said fuck it, idiots are gonna watch this shit on TV's more than they will in anamorphic on a giant ass screen. And he was right. For about 25 years. Assuming a wider picture is inherently better anyway.

As a low tech douche bag I don't actually mind the image of a game when you play it in standard def. Those old tubes hold up fucking great, nice colors, smooth image. What drives me up the fucking wall are HDTV's running composite for games, resulting in complete dogshit on your screen. But that's borderline broken.

Edited March 21, 2013 by Erratic

[Skjalg]

I see a lot of numbers thrown around here about speaker set ups so I'm gonna throw another one into the mix and guess that its <1% of people who have more than 2 speakers (good ol stereo) on their gaming/movie setup.

To answer the question, I dont think its possible to solve your problem without a receiver. Try searching for something used? Theres bound to be some dusty old receiver somewhere that wants to be in your living room

[Zacker]

Thanks everyone for the assistance, really appreciate it! Not a perfect solution, but I have now bought a 5.1 sound card as that seems to be the only way to get true surround in the sub $20 range.

[cyberjunkie]

' timestamp='1363802151' post='326920']

Don't agree with cyberjunkie, 3.5mm jack can only buffer stereo signal, you have a 5.1 surround setup that you paid for and it would be a waste to not use it, specially since nowadays a good movie or a good game must be experienced in surround to get the most out of the experience.

What you really need, is a receiver. I thought these things were a waste of money before, but what they provide more than justifies the investmenent. They allow you to connect various game consoles, PC, Bluray player, etc, etc to the same hub, and it decodes surround sound, so if you connect your PC to a receiver via HDMI (like I'm doing) the receiver will decompile the the audio signal, leaving the PC alone, that is such a nice plus specially for games.

http://www.amazon.co...ds=receiver 5.1

Geez! Completely ignored the bit about him surround sound speakers. Sorry!

Didn't suggest a receiver knowing well that those would be more expensive than the speakers he bought. An external USB sound card is the best solution. I guess Zacker bought that now.