5.1 setup HELP for stubborn dad

[snappy_snoopy]

This is a question and problem i am trying to solve for my dad, he recently listened to my audio setup and was impressed and wants to do something similar but there is a slight problem

ok lets begin:

his dvd player will output 5.1 encoded audio using either optical or coaxial ,however his receiver being a few years old now and him being stubborn and not wanting to upgrade can only accept 5.1 input in the form of 6 RCA connections.

How can i get around this problem i am too lazy to design him a digital to analogue converter plus then i need to know all the dolby decoding information, is there something he can buy like a converter of some sort ???? going from digital optical or coax to 5.1 RCA ????

if so is it possible for you guys to give me some product model numbers and or manufactures where we could order something from. You should probably know that we live in NEW ZEALAND and are quite distant and deprived of alot of the latest technology down here.

I have not seen anything like this in the HI FI stores but neither have i asked yet, thats the next step after hopefully some recommendations.

Also as i understand it after studying the dolby digital page that you can get surround sound from the 2 standard analogue audio outputs from a dvd player as long as it supports dolby pro logic 2, do all DVDs support this format by default and the dvd player if the audio has been encoded using dolby digital 5.1, because then we just need to get him the speakers and it should theoretically work right ???

any advice or mistakes i have made and bought to my attention would be much appreciated

thanks in advance

 

[Adam]

I remember at least one Dolby Digital outboard converter box, but the one that I'm thinking of hasn't been made in years and was expensive.

Have you considered getting a new DVD player and/or receiver? Honestly, you may find that to be both cheaper and far easier. I don't know what you can get a hold of in New Zealand, but receivers that accept digital inputs aren't very expensive, nor are DVD players that output 5.1 analog audio over RCA cables. Just a thought.

 

[snappy_snoopy]

thanks yeah as i thought they may be quite expensive especially these days since they are pretty much obsolete. yeah i know that the new optical capable receivers are quite cheap but the problem is they are all so bulky and they do not fit into dads cabinet, also dad is a bit stubborn and unless its broken he doe not like replacing it or maybe its mum who is more the issue here who will be on his case if things get expensive anyway i will see him in the weekend and then get a chance to talk him through the options he is quite out of the audioholic circle these days but he has got plenty of money to spend there is no problem in that department its just making it fit.

It is a bit of a shame really he has these nice JBL speakers cost a fortune but he hardly uses them but thats about to change since he is redecorating the living room with some upgrades now i think to make it the centre of entertainment

thanks for your time

also the ironic thing is he just bought a new dvd player and did not look at all the options of course lol so now he will probably get to buy another lol.

 

[Adam]

Do you know the dimensions that you need to stay within for the cabinet? There are some pretty slim receivers these days that have digital audio inputs.

As for decoders, I found the following while perusing Google and this site (I remembered a classified ad here from last year):

• Technics SH-AC300D
• Technics SH-AC500D
• Creative Decoder DDTS-100
• Yamaha DP-U50

I'm listing them just in case you happen to have some place (or someone) around you that might have these.

Adam

 

[snappy_snoopy]

dude you are a ledgend i probably was searching with the wrong key words i will give them a try and see if dad is interested i am sure he will appreciate it

 

[jcPanny]

DVD Upgrade

Snoop,
Get your dad a DVD player upgrade like one of the Oppo digital players that includes multichannel analog outputs. These universal players will also play DVD-A and SACD formats and do a great job of upscalling DVDs.
http://www.oppodigital.com/

Some of the higher end BluRay players also have the analog outputs, but that is probably out of his budget.

If you check the local thrift stores or pawn shops, you might find an old HT receiver that will process the dolby digital signal.

 

[snappy_snoopy]

Snoop,
Get your dad a DVD player upgrade like one of the Oppo digital players that includes multichannel analog outputs. These universal players will also play DVD-A and SACD formats and do a great job of upscalling DVDs.
http://www.oppodigital.com/

Some of the higher end BluRay players also have the analog outputs, but that is probably out of his budget.

If you check the local thrift stores or pawn shops, you might find an old HT receiver that will process the dolby digital signal.

I have heard of this "oppo" brand a few times on your website are they kind of at the top range of the dvd players as i have never heard of the brand before or seen any at a store in New Zealand. But yeah i am starting to lean towards the idea that a new player is the best way to go. sorry might seem like an odd question but in New Zealand you will mainly only find the stuff from dennon, phillips, pioneer, panasonic sony all the major japanese manufacturers but never have i seen an oppo i am curious now and am checking out their website

thanks

 

[jcPanny]

Universal DVD player

Denon, Pioneer and others also make DVD-A/SACD players that include the multichannel analog outputs. However, they tend to cost more or offer less performance than the Oppo DVD players.

 

[Adam]

I got my Panasonic five-disc changer that does DVD-A and has multi-channel analog outputs for $130 at Circuit City.

 

[jamie2112]

I have heard of this "oppo" brand a few times on your website are they kind of at the top range of the dvd players as i have never heard of the brand before or seen any at a store in New Zealand. But yeah i am starting to lean towards the idea that a new player is the best way to go. sorry might seem like an odd question but in New Zealand you will mainly only find the stuff from dennon, phillips, pioneer, panasonic sony all the major japanese manufacturers but never have i seen an oppo i am curious now and am checking out their website

thanks

They offer a money back deal if you don't like it. Great unit

 

[santeini]

Get older model

I will not seriously recommend that you get a new DVD player with 5.1 audio out, because your dad will not not be able to use it to the fullest, therefor try to get a second hand unit (plenty available out there) with 5.1 audio out ... like Denon 1910.