How to setup ExpressVu with surround sound?

[TheZodiac]

My sis-in-law gave us a Panasonic SA-HT920 DVD system, We can watch DVD's with surround sound but how do I setup my BEV PVR 5900 so it is also on surround sound threw the DVD player? :confused: :D

Thanks

[willy]

I briefly checked the manual of your system ... There should be an "Optical IN" at the back of your unit. I think you can connect your ExpressVu receiver via optical cable.

[TheZodiac]

I briefly checked the manual of your system ... There should be an "Optical IN" at the back of your unit. I think you can connect your ExpressVu receiver via optical cable.

sorry I am electronic dummy, is the optical cable the s video?

[willy]

No, S-Video cable is a 'video-only' cable. Optical cable is an 'audio-only' cable and it looks like this ... http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1419&seq=1&format=2

http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/14192.jpg

[TheZodiac]

Thanks for your help , I'll have to go buy 1 today :D

[willy]

Thanks for your help , I'll have to go buy 1 today :D
Don't spend more than $10 ... and do NOT get a Monster cable :twisted:

[YanD]

Got a similar question that OP.

Will get an expressvu HD PVR 9242 next week. If I hook the PVR to my tv with HDMI 1.3a cable. And my tv out put to my a/v receiver with optical cable, will I get the surround sound properly?

Thanks

[willy]

Got a similar question that OP.

Will get an expressvu HD PVR 9242 next week. If I hook the PVR to my tv with HDMI 1.3a cable. And my tv out put to my a/v receiver with optical cable, will I get the surround sound properly?

Thanks
Most likely not ... The optical output at the back of most TVs is for outputting surround sign from the internal tuner. Check your manual for details.

[s2k]

Does the Panasonic SA-HT920 have an optical input? Some of those al in one units with DVD don't, so there may be no way to have digital in from an external source.

[YanD]

Most likely not ... The optical output at the back of most TVs is for outputting surround sign from the internal tuner. Check your manual for details.

Here is details from my TV's owner's manual.

"The TV's Digital Audio out terminal outputs a Dolby Digital or 2-Channel down-mixed PCM signal for use with an external Dolby Digital decoder or other external audio system with optical audio input"

What I understand is my tv can send and surround output through the optical out to my a/v receiver optical input. Since both can use the dolby digital, I should get surround sound. I am correct?

[willy]

Here is details from my TV's owner's manual.

"The TV's Digital Audio out terminal outputs a Dolby Digital or 2-Channel down-mixed PCM signal for use with an external Dolby Digital decoder or other external audio system with optical audio input"

What I understand is my tv can send and surround output through the optical out to my a/v receiver optical input. Since both can use the dolby digital, I should get surround sound. I am correct?
You will need to give it a try ... If this optical out on your TV is for your internal tuner only, then it will not work ...

[YanD]

You will need to give it a try ... If this optical out on your TV is for your interrlal tuner only, then it will not work ...

I really don't understand your last post? How an output can be for an internal tuner?

Anyway I'll give it a try. I really hope it's gonna work cuz I'll have a movie channel in HD. Better image than regular DVDs, but if I get no surround, I'll be disapointed.

[willy]

I really don't understand your last post? How an output can be for an internal tuner?

Anyway I'll give it a try. I really hope it's gonna work cuz I'll have a movie channel in HD. Better image than regular DVDs, but if I get no surround, I'll be disapointed.
Coz most LCD TV can receive OTA HD broadcast via the internal ATSC tuner. Obviously, the built-in 2-channel speakers cannot reproduce 5.1 surround sound. By connecting the optical output to the home theatre receiver, 5.1 sound can be re-produced.

But if HD signal is received from the PVR, you can connect the digital audio output from the PVR directly to the HT receiver. You will have your surround sound. But you *may* have to disable the digital audio output to HDMI.