Are an existing optical output DTS Audio Receiver, upconverting DVD Player, and a 720 LCD TV Compatible?

Question

I currently have a Sony ST835 Receiver with DTS and an optical output, a Samsung HD-870 upconverting dvd player and I hope to purchase a budget 32" LCD TV with decent sound (many sets don't have it in my opinion). I am concerned about losing DTS capability (dvd player and receiver both have this) and that my older receiver doesn't have HDMI inputs (new tv and dvd player both do or will). Please make recommendations for budget minded person like me. What should be kept, combined or updated please? Please note: I do not have and I cannot afford cable television right now. I use rabbit ears on my existing CRT til February 2009 to get a signal. Thanks.

Answer 1

You can use HDMI for video from upconverting DVD player to TV, run an optical (or digital coax) cable for surround audio (DTS, DD) from DVD player to receiver (You may have to specify this in a DVD menu).

So you don't need HDMI on receiver (although you will not have source switching in one place ... you will need to turn to DVD on receiver to get sound and to correct input on TV to get picture) and you still get DTS and DD surround.

Similarly you can output surround audio from the new TV over optical or digital coax to the receiver. Note that not all TV is 5.1 ... a lot is only stereo.

Note that an upconverting DVD player won't provide any benefit unless you have an HDTV ... and that requires HD programming to benefit from TV (Also note that many HDTVs don't look as good with SDTV programming as the TV that got replaced). You can use an antenna for HD if you live reasonably close -- 30-75 miles, depending on antenna -- to the station(s) although you will eventually want HD cable or satellite unless you are in a major metropolitan area.

In terms of HDMI cables check out the article at the link ... and buy budget cables.

Answer 2

You don't need HDMI to pass multi-channel audio.

When you get your TV, connect its digital audio output to the digital input of your receiver and you will be all set.

So all your equipment will work just fine.