Please Help Me Hook Up a Blu-Ray Player!?

Question

I have a 52" HD TV (1080p) and a JVC surround sound system that only plays regular DVDs. I want to buy a Blu-Ray player to put into this system. How do I hook it up? Please don't tell me I have to buy a new surround sound system to go with the new Blu-Ray player!

Answer 1

You may not need to replace your surround sound system! It depends upon the capability of your JVC system. Both the Sony BDP-S300 (does not support Blue Ray final standard profile) & Panasonic DMP-BD30K (supports Blue Ray final standard profile) support the output of 5.1 channel audio. If your JVC surround sound system can input these 6 signals (front L, front R, surround L, surround R, center & sub) you are in business. Other Blue Rays may support this as well; I am just not as familiar with them.

The Panasonic also outputs the audio via coax or optical cables. In any case, you would still use an HDMI or component video cable to your TV. On the Panasonic unit, you can configure this unit to disable the sound over the HDMI so your TV does not interfere with Blue Ray playback.

Additional Details: Just got home from work and verified that the Sony, Panasonic, Samsung & Sharp Blue Ray players all support 5.1 channel, coax and optical audio outputs.