Surround Sound

[milkman]

My 13 yr. old Bose SS died, since it's so old, we decided to replace it. Bought a Samsung w/DVD player. I've searched for quite a while and can't find how to hook it up to play surround from TV on Dish Network. I think I can hook the HDMI from the Dish box to the IN on the Samsung, then HDMI out to TV HDMI IN, does that sound right? If that's correct, I will need to get another HDMI cable, but don't want to buy one if that won't work. There's got to be some gurus on here that know the answer. Thanks

 

[BungeeII]

I don't think you go with 2 HDMI cables.

Most devices I know of have either a coax or toslink cable that goes directly to the receiver. So, whether you have a Dish, DVD or even the TV itself, they all have a connection to the tuner/receiver via coax or toslink.

 

[arrow]

Just to be sure, what is the Samsung w/dvd player? If it is a combo receiver type unit, you may have to connect audio cables from its out to the in portion of your TV. The HDMI may only be relegated to the video portion of your stb with this particular player. You do not need another HDMI cable to do that. Just use any leads that came from one of your electronics.

 

[milkman]

Here's the one, Samsung HT-Z520 - Additional images and video I don't know if the HDMI cable is for video or video and sound.

 

[aczlan]

As I understand it (and I will be finding out for sure tomorrow when I setup one for my inlaws) when you plug a HDMI DVD player/Sound system into a HDMI capable TV the DVD player tells the TV that it has an amp and to send the sound to it over the HDMI cable. No more need for separate Audio and Video cables.

Aaron Z

 

[BungeeII]

HDMI is both video and audio, but...

The Samsung is the Amp, but it's also a player. We use an HDMI cable to the TV for the HD image, plus you can watch a movie with the TV's speakers if so desired. But, for watching movies in Dolby Digital 5.1, it's delivering the audio internally to the integrated amp.

With Dish, you're sending the HD image to the TV with and HDMI cable (and audio as well, for use with the sets speakers). Now, how do we get Dish's 5.1 sound to the Samsung? With either a coax or toslink cable. (Toslink is the fiber-optic cable)

It's possible you could install the toslink between the TV and the Samsung, too, where it'll possibly pass-through the Dish's 5.1 signal to the external amp (the samsung).

 

[arrow]

HDMI is both video and audio, but...

The Samsung is the Amp, but it's also a player. We use an HDMI cable to the TV for the HD image, plus you can watch a movie with the TV's speakers if so desired. But, for watching movies in Dolby Digital 5.1, it's delivering the audio internally to the integrated amp.

With Dish, you're sending the HD image to the TV with and HDMI cable (and audio as well, for use with the sets speakers). Now, how do we get Dish's 5.1 sound to the Samsung? With either a coax or toslink cable. (Toslink is the fiber-optic cable)

It's possible you could install the toslink between the TV and the Samsung, too, where it'll possibly pass-through the Dish's 5.1 signal to the external amp (the samsung).

HDMI is taking care of your audio and video to the TV from the stb. Now you want the Samsung to control your speakers from the signal its getting from the TV. If it is digital transfer, then go with the toslink, if that part of the Samsung is analog, then you need audio cables. It should say in your info that came with the Samsung. I can't tell too well from the pictures but the back of the Samsung apears to have analog jacks of some sort. Perhaps there is an audio out to the TV there. It also has a coax or toslink (can't make that part out) connection that should state in its instructions of how you may use it. There appears to be several ways to skin this cat. Maybe you can connect your stb to the Samsung. It may translate this digital audio frequency but it needs a way to get to the TV. I don't know if this particular unit has a digital/analog interface or does everything digitally but that fact would depend on the type of audio connection cable you would use from the Samsung to the TV.

 

[milkman]

I did find that HDMI transmits video and audio so I ordered an HDMI cable to hook from the SS to the HDMI IN on the TV, I will hook the HDMI cable that I now have from the Dish box to the TV, to the SS HDMI IN. In the directions there is a paragraph that makes me wonder if this will work to get sound from the SS when not using it to play a DVD, just have the Dish and TV to play thru the SS. Below is the paragraph that is confusing.

The quality of the audio output through the HDMI OUT Jack (sampling frequency and bit rate) may be limited
by the performance of the external device.
Since HDMI connection supports both video and audio, you don稚 have to connect an audio cable.
When this unit is turned off, no HDMI video or audio signal is output through this unit from a set-top box.
When a Cable Box/Satellite Receiver is connected to HDMI IN, the SD/HD(Standard Definition/High Definition)
button on the Remote control does not work.
When the output from an external device is connected via DVI/HDMI to this unit, no audio will be output. In this
case, you can listen to digital audio by connecting the Optical OUT of the source device (Set-Top Box) to the
Optical IN 1 or 2 of this unit.

This makes it sound like the HDMI won't transmit the audio and I will need an additional cable to get the sound, even though HDMI is supposed to transmit both. ???????????

 

[NSBound]

I go though this every time I replace a part of my system . Just think ahead to how happy you'll be when it's all up and running properly!

 

[milkman]

I go though this every time I replace a part of my system . Just think ahead to how happy you'll be when it's all up and running properly!

I may have to just give up and call a 12 yr old neighbor to come hook it up.
I sure hate to lose the Bose, don't think this system will be as crisp and clear as it was. I couldn't bring myself to cough up 1700 big ones because they are so propriatery, all three service centers for Bose in my area tell me that if they could find the problem with my old one, Bose won't sell them the parts to repair. GRRRRRR.

 

[arrow]

MM
My trouble is I do not know the interface of your Samsung unit. It appears to have analog jacks in the back of it. If this is going to its amp section and there is no digital cross over or if it allows both, then all you need to do is connect analog cables to your TV's audio in section. If it has an HDMI, then you might be able to connect this to your TV's second DVI hook up. I just hate to see you go thru the expense of purchasing another HDMI cable if with the analog cables you get the sound you want. What you need basically is to get your Samsungs amp hooked up to your TV, then you'll have sound. Let me study on your unit abit.

 

[arrow]

OK , It seems as if the HDMI cable is supposed to carry your sound from the DVD /receiver section to your TV. The toslink connection can also be hooked up to your satellite receiver. I don't know what cables came with what but you either need an optical cable or HDMI cable. The analog jacks appear to be for external speakers. It should work after that. I also assume you've got the needed frequency to power up your surround speakers from the Samsung.

 

[milkman]

I just found this WireWizard - User Login , and if it is correct then I think I will have what I need when the new HDMI cable gets here. I'll post an update when I get it connected. Thanks all.

 

[aczlan]

I just setup the Samsung Surround Sound Receiver/DVD Player that my inlaws got for christmas and it DOES need a TosLink cable to get sound from the cable reciver. Sadly the TV only has SPDIF out not TosLink. But we shall see how it all turns out.

Aaron Z

 

[milkman]

I just setup the Samsung Surround Sound Receiver/DVD Player that my inlaws got for christmas and it DOES need a TosLink cable to get sound from the cable reciver. Sadly the TV only has SPDIF out not TosLink. But we shall see how it all turns out.

Aaron Z

I don't like the sound of that, were you able to use the HDMI cables in your setup? My Dish box, surround sound and TV all have them so hoping it works without extra cables.

 

[arrow]

I am wondering why they did not include the cabling with the Samsung. You'd be all done by now. MM, go to Cobalt Cable.com. They have close up pictures of what the terminal ends of the different cables look like. In the copy written about this particular Samsung, no mention of any other cable other than HDMI was made for its connection to the TV. Some satellite boxes use the toslink or optical cable and some processor/receivers also use them. It applies to the particular unit as opposed to the company name on the unit as the same company may use different connections for their varied electronics. I think you'll be safe with the HDMI cabling. I've been an audiophile since the the late 60's. All this current stuff of surround sound and how to achieve it goes wasted on a person such as myself. Just give me plain old 2 channel and I'm happy. By the way, if the speaker jacks coming out of the Samsung were referenced for external speaker connections, there should be nothing stopping you from hooking up your TV with analog cabling ( cable with red and white or yellow or white terminals)as the TV would be considered an external speaker. The sound would then be generated by the amp in the Samsung as opposed to the TV. My Samsung flat screen has a provision for shutting down the TV sound if you are using an outside sound source such as an amp or receiver.

 

[aczlan]

I don't like the sound of that, were you able to use the HDMI cables in your setup? My Dish box, surround sound and TV all have them so hoping it works without extra cables.

The cable box and the surround sound/DVD box are connected to the TV with HDMI cables. The manual specifically says to use an optical cable to get sound from other sources and the HDMI port is labeled HDMI out. So it looks like we will need to get a optical cable. Sadly, one local walmart is out and I cannot justify paying twice the price at Radio Shack ($12 vs $25) so the next step is to see if another Walmart has it or if I will just get one on Ebay.


Aaron Z

 

[arrow]

The cable box and the surround sound/DVD box are connected to the TV with HDMI cables. The manual specifically says to use an optical cable to get sound from other sources and the HDMI port is labeled HDMI out. So it looks like we will need to get a optical cable. Sadly, one local walmart is out and I cannot justify paying twice the price at Radio Shack ($12 vs $25) so the next step is to see if another Walmart has it or if I will just get one on Ebay.


Aaron Z

Aaron, if this is the same unit as Milkman's (HT-Z520) it does make a claim that there is a digital optical jack in the back for a cable box or satellite receiver. The HDMI output seems to be used for dvd video upconverting to 1080p or 1080i. Since these are two separate cables, if it is labled HDMI, then it needs to be an HDMI cable. A toslink or optical may be labeled as "digital" out or in if it is not labeled specifically that is. If Samsung is calling any digital cable a "high definition multimedia interface" they are doing the general public a disservice. The terminals are completely different from each other. You are also right not to want to spend more money on an hdmi cable. Amazon has a cable for a little over 2 bucks . Monoprice and Newegg also have cheap quality cables. You would not see much of a wit of difference between a $50 cable and a $10 one. I have an audiophile friend who called me over to his house when he got a set of $8000 speaker cables. Yes you read that right. These were 8' wires or $$500 per foot as he needed two runs of course. I brought over my $10 per foot cables to see how much of a difference there actually was. His were a tiny bit better. I thought he was going to have a stroke.

 

[BungeeII]

Try to remember that the Samsung is providing the Dolby Digital decoding in addition to powering 5 speakers and a sub. You have to get that digital stream of audio information into the Samsung from the Dish somehow... it's through the Digital Optical cable (Toslink) or through the Digital coax cable (SPDIF). Neither the TV nor the Dish box has a Dolby Digital decoder in them, they merely pass the signal. The Samsung receives that signal (when present), decodes it and distributes it to the speakers.

It sounds worse than it is. If we were together in a room full of gear, cables and coffee, I could demonstrate and explain it faster than you could finish stirring the sugar into your first cup of joe.

 

[aczlan]

Aaron, if this is the same unit as Milkman's (HT-Z520) it does make a claim that there is a digital optical jack in the back for a cable box or satellite receiver. The HDMI output seems to be used for dvd video upconverting to 1080p or 1080i. Since these are two separate cables, if it is labled HDMI, then it needs to be an HDMI cable. A toslink or optical may be labeled as "digital" out or in if it is not labeled specifically that is. If Samsung is calling any digital cable a "high definition multimedia interface" they are doing the general public a disservice. The terminals are completely different from each other.

We have two HDMI cables... One was purchased when we got the TV and what I considered to be too much ($15ish for a 3' cable) and the other came with the new cable box (6' cable). They are HDMI cables, in addition there is a TOSLink in on the back of the Samsung and a TOSlink out on the cable box. The confusion came from the "Salesman" who clamiled that the HDMI cable was all that was needed to connect everything together.

You are also right not to want to spend more money on an hdmi cable. Amazon has a cable for a little over 2 bucks . Monoprice and Newegg also have cheap quality cables. You would not see much of a wit of difference between a $50 cable and a $10 one. I have an audiophile friend who called me over to his house when he got a set of $8000 speaker cables. Yes you read that right. These were 8' wires or $$500 per foot as he needed two runs of course. I brought over my $10 per foot cables to see how much of a difference there actually was. His were a tiny bit better. I thought he was going to have a stroke.

In my book as long as it meets the specs for a TOSLink or HDMI cable I dont care who makes it. Especially as the signal is digital and not as prone to degradation as a analog one. I see no reason to pay twice the price just because the cable has a thicker outer jacket and says "Monster Cable" on it. Heck, my speaker cables are low voltage landscaping wire (14 gauge), they hold up to the abuse of my occasional DJing better than speaker wire does and they have much stronger insulation.

Aaron Z