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Trying To Max My Freebies.. Am I Screwed?

800 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Chris112, May 8, 2006

cmkunisch

Discussion Starter · May 6, 2006

I am attempting to set up a Home Theatre CRT projector while trying to minimize the blow to my wallet. I won a Sony Mini Hi-Fi Component System at a golf outing a few years ago. My question is - can I use it with my theatre set-up or is it just a cheapie?? The owner's manual states that "5.1 channel surround sound cannot be enjoyed if you connect a DVD which does not have the 5.1 channel analog outputs."

My Output:

Momitsu DVD V880 DX with Audio Out Left & Right and Analog Audio Out Left & Right

Component System:

Sony Mini Hi-Fi MHC-MG 310AV with individual inputs for 5.1 Surround Sound:

Front L/R

Center

Rear L/R

Subwoofer In

Subwoofer Out

I appreciate any advice, input or clarifying you can offer...

Craig

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bitpoh

· #2 · May 6, 2006

Hate to break this to you Craig, but your Sony Min Hi-Fi is rather dated and limited in functionalities. Since the Sony does NOT have any optical input or decode DTS/Dolby Digital signals, you will need to have a DVD player that does DTS/Dolby Digital decoding and supports 5.1 channel analog output (2 fronts + 2 rears + 1 center + subwoofer) if you want to enjoy the full surround sound from DVDs.

Unfortunately for you, your Momitsu only has 2-channel analog output. So the best thing you can get are 2-channel downmix sound from your DVD player to your Sony, which will then emulate the surround sound experience using the older Dolby Pro Logic technology. In other words, you will get sound, but not optimal.

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Ron Temple

· #3 · May 6, 2006

screwed...

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bitpoh

· #4 · May 6, 2006

LOL, I guess Ron's reply is more efficient.

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cmkunisch

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 6, 2006

Got it.. loud and clear.... Thanks for clearing it up...

Next question - suggestions on something more efficient and reasonably priced? Am I way off base to put a $300ish budget on it???

As always, your feedback and advice is much appreciated!!

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bitpoh

· #6 · May 6, 2006

Craig, how big is your listening area? And what do you have in mind? If you are thinking of getting a new receiver + 5.1 speaker set up, $300 budget is too tight. Depending on your listening area, you maybe better off going the computer speaker route (i.e. Klipsch or Logitech). Either that or look around for clearance deals on entry level Onkyo or Yamaha HTIB systems.

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cmkunisch

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 6, 2006

Thanks for the feedback.

My listening area is about 16x14. I think I would only need a receiver to start up because I could use the speakers from the Sony Mini - it has 2 front, 2 rear and center. I would just need to look into a subwoofer.

Any suggestions on receiver and subwoofer? How would I know if the speakers that came with this unit are sufficient?

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derekbannatyne

· #8 · May 7, 2006

You would probably want to upgrade both at the same time...

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bitpoh

· #9 · May 7, 2006

Agreed, forget your Sony. Get something new all together. Either go HTIB or computer speaker system route, or get a receiver + 2 front speakers first, and eventually add the rest of the speakers later.

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JohnR_IN_LA

· #10 · May 7, 2006

Your never screwed if they were freebies

Invest some money, get some decent sound equipment, you will thank yourself every time you watch a good movie.

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cmkunisch

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 8, 2006

I'm taking everyone's advice and upgrading the sound system. What should I look for in a receiver and front speakers? Is it output, watts, harmonic distortion, ???? I just measured my listening area to be 16x17. I'm setting up to watch movies, won't be doing much music listening in this room.

As always - your input is greatly appreciated.

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G-star

· #12 · May 8, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmkunisch
I'm taking everyone's advice and upgrading the sound system. What should I look for in a receiver and front speakers? Is it output, watts, harmonic distortion, ???? I just measured my listening area to be 16x17. I'm setting up to watch movies, won't be doing much music listening in this room.

As always - your input is greatly appreciated.

a decent rule of thumb for receivers is that amp quality generally correlates with the weight of the unit (bigger/better transformers, heat sinks, etc.) wattage numbers can be misleading b/c there is no standard way of measuring them, and manufacturers will give the best number possible, even if it doesn't reflect real-world performance. since you're in the HTIB forum, i'm assuming your on a modest budget. good receiver manufacturers include pioneer, H/K, marantz, denon, yamaha, onkyo, among others.

i'd recommend at least bookshelf sized speakers for your fronts/center. satellites are OK, but you might be missing out on some important mid-bass (~ 70 - 150Hz) with them, even with a good sub. this problem is mitigated with decent-sized bookshelf speakers.

what's your budget? this is probably the most important factor in best deciding how to spend your $$ as you upgrade.

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Chris112

· #13 · May 8, 2006

I would look at any of these..

http://www.circuitcity.com/rpsm/catO...ategorylist.do

it comes close to your budget and are complete good systems..

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