HDMI Capable Surround sound?

Question

Hello, I have just got a 32inch Sony Bravia D series LCD tv. I am looking to get a cheap and cheerful surround sound system. Probably one of those that comes DVD, sub and speakers. Doesn't have to be anything fancy just so that the sound is a little better in general. The Tv has 3 HDMI outputs so looking for the DVD to be HDMI to any suggestions where to look in Oz? Also wouldn't one of the connections have to be an input HDMI been looking and these systems ie the DVD only seem to have HDMI outputs on them or should there be another cable for the surround sound ie coaxial? Cheap and cheerful the better really. cheers for anyones help

Answer 1

Are you sure your TV doesn't have 3 HDMI inputs? That would make more sense considering HDMI is used more often for its HD picture than its sound (though it can transmit both). The way it works is that the DVD player (with HDMI output usually, I've seen few with HDMI input) outputs the picture and sound to the TV via HDMI. Since the DVD player in this case is the one playing the movie, it is generating the sound and can also play the sound out through itself. So, when you output from the DVD player via HDMI to the TV, you can use either the DVD player's surround system or the TV itself to hear the sound.

Most of these DVD players also take input from other sound sources. Some have many inputs, so you can directly hook up all sound sources to your DVD player and the video cords to your TV, but some only have one or two inputs. In this case, you connect all your sound inputs to your TV, then have your TV connected to your DVD player via digital optical audio, coaxial audio, or RCA audio (red/white.. only 2 channels), so your TV outputs all sound to the DVD player.

I'm sorry I know this is confusing.. it took me a while to get it all down. To be honest, a great place for cheap surround systems is Amazon.com. If you want some help choosing one and figuring out how best to hook everything up, message me )check my profile) and I'll be more than happy to help