How can I setup L-C-R speakers without a receiver?

[orange_horse]

I purchased a beach condo as a second home. I'm guessing that the location is going to attract frequent visitors. Therefore, I want to setup the main viewing area to have good sound, but also extremely simple sound. Ideally, I want guests to be able to turn on the TV, switch inputs to the DVD (if necessary), and that's about it. I don't want to use box systems and I would prefer not to use a receiver b/c both are just one more variable that can cause headaches when guests are involved.

The only components would be a digital cable box and a DVD input.

My plan is to use a Universal brand remote...700 or 800 series.

Does anyone have any novel ideas?

Please help. Thanks.

 

[landonspop]

I have a great idea. Fly me to your beach house and I will do it for you. I would skip on universal remote if cable remote can operate everything. Use two inputs on tv and turn off all others is one way to keep it simple. I have seen cable boxes with a/v inputs, especially ones that record. The dvd passes through to same input as tv. Just turn cable box off and dvd on and hit play. This is how I connected my fathers.

 

[orange_horse]

Tell me something I didn't already know and I'll think about it.

 

[landonspop]

You could buy a manual audio/video switch and place on tv. Send both v/a (cable/dvd) signals in and one out to tv. You only use one tv input, so this never changes. They make these with hdmi inputs now too. Then choose the right switch and they watch what they want. It isn't the coolest, but it is the easiest. Do you already have tv and speakers. I would look at a sound bar with built in amps for symplicity if you do not have speakers.


see http://store.shopaudiovideo.com/yayafrsusyso.html or http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=88656
for some examples. Since you would only be using one input on tv, you would also be using one output to sound bar for all, so just turn it on.

 

[no. 5]

How flexible is the TV's internal audio system; can you disable the internal speakers, and set the audio output to variable? If so, you could use a set of powered studio monitors, it would only be stereo, but your guests wouldn't need to think about anything but switching between cable and DVD.

 

[Haoleb]

There is really no need to go with an LCR setup in a system like this. If you just want better sound than the tv speakers stereo would be fine. It also makes things alot simpler. Some tv's have speaker outputs on them so that you can use other speakers with them. Or the provided speakers that can be removed. One brand with this feature that comes to mind is called Nuvision.

 

[bandphan]

if your getting a universal remote, just drop the dime on a receiver. saying its one more headache for guests sounds silly, just set up the remote right and its not a headache

 

[orange_horse]

How flexible is the TV's internal audio system; can you disable the internal speakers, and set the audio output to variable? If so, you could use a set of powered studio monitors, it would only be stereo, but your guests wouldn't need to think about anything but switching between cable and DVD.

None of the equipment has been purchased. I am trying to determine which direction to go in. For this application, I'm hoping to keep the design and pieces of equipment to a minimum. I guess there is no good answer other than to get a receiver and TV with discrete IR cmds so that guests can't get things out of sync.

 

[aberkowitz]

If you want ultimate simplicity from a remote I would look no further than the Logitech Harmony series, particularly if you are going to have novices using the system. You can get a 550 for $80 on amazon.com, or even look at one of the older models like the 670 or 659 which are even simpler. The Universal brands are much more expensive, and with the money you save you could put it towards speakers or a receiver.

Personally, if simplicity is most important to you then I think you're best off just having guests use the TV speakers or finding a TV with speaker outputs like bandphan and just get a pair of stereo speakers. I don't think your guests will really notice or care- it's a beach house, shouldn't they be on the beach!!

 

[Hi Ho]

I guess there is no good answer other than to get a receiver and TV with discrete IR cmds so that guests can't get things out of sync.

Just about all Yamaha and Denon receivers have more discrete codes than you could ever dream of and make programing a URC remote very easy and reliable.

If you want ultimate simplicity from a remote I would look no further than the Logitech Harmony series, particularly if you are going to have novices using the system.

I used to be a fan of Harmony until I started using and programming URC remotes. There is simply no comparison in flexibility and possibilities. The URC remotes are much easier to program and customize and when paired with an MRF base unit one can create a 100% reliable system that the IR based Harmony can't dream of. My whole family can use my MX-900 remote to control my system which would have required a large pile of remotes. The remote works perfectly 100% of the time and components never get out of sync.

 

[jcPanny]

Simple TV Setup.

I would let the renters and guests use the TV speakers and a cheap DVD player. Put your good gear in a closet or cabinet w/ an RF remote so you can use it when you are there.

This will prevent the universal remote that controlls all your grear from being lost or damaged.