Surround sound for DVD Recorder

Question

Hi all,

I have recently purchased a Panasonic DMR-EX77 DVD recorder to replace my VHS. I have a surround sound system which, unfortuately, has a DVD player which acts as the head unit or amplifier. I really do not want two DVD players, however will have to stick with it until I can afford another surround sound system which has an amplifer rather than a DVD player.

The problem I have is that I have to connect the surround sound to the DVD recorder using component video cables (the same cables which I have connected the recorder to the TV with as the TV does not have a HDMI input). I am only getting 2.1ch sound, not full 5.1 surround sound. Is this due to the fact the the surround sound is only connected using component cables and not Optical Digital Cable or HDMI as the instruction manual of the DVD recorder suggests? The manual says that surround sound is possible if the recorder is connected to an amplifier (which has a built in dolby digital decoder) with HDMI or Optical Digital, however the surround sound unit does not have optical digital or HDMI connections.

Is it possible to get surround sound without upgrading my surround sound system? I have tried all the settings on DVD recorder and can only manage 2.1ch.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Cheers,

Dale

Answer 1

If I get the drift of this, you need to be aware that the dvd amp combo only outputs 5.1 channel from the decoded dvd it is playing. But only provided the disk has 5.1 channel sound encoded upon it.

You can't use your dvd/amp inputs to try and generate a 5.1 channel output signal. You will only get out a feedthrough 2 channel signal the same as you input.

So until you can afford exactly what you want use the recorder to record and the dvd/amp to playback.

Answer 2

You will find that your "home theater" amp does not support 5.1 input, and is only designed for vhs/tape deck etc to be plugged in. If it doesn't have an optical or digital coax input this is definitely the case. Your going to need a new amp - sorry.