How to mix 5.1 channels into one audio stream ?

[boardrider]

Hi,

I bought a new DVD player that has 5.1 Audio outputs.
However, the TV I try to connect to has only one "Audio In" connector.

The white-yellow-red cable that came with the DVD is compatible with
the TV connector, so that's not the problem.
The problem is how to mix all 5.1 audio out channels to one stream,
that could go into the TV ?

Is there a FAQ somewhere that answer this question ?

Currently, I connect the TV into either the Left, Right or Center DVD
out channels, but obviously, not all audio gets to the TV.

So, what is the recommended way to mix 5.1 channels (at least the
Right + Center + Left channels) into one audio stream that could be
fed into a TV Audio In ?

Thanks,
BR.

 

[markw]

Use the red/white cable.

That provides a stereo signal to the TV. This combines the elements of all 5 channels you would normally hear in the digital soundteack into those two.

 

[boardrider]

How to connect two sources into one destination ?

That provides a stereo signal to the TV. This combines the elements of all 5 channels you would normally hear in the digital soundteack into those two.

Hi Mark,

If I have only one TV Audio In connector, and you suggest using two sources (the red and white) cables: how do I connect the two sources into only one destination ?

Bye,
Ron.

 

[sploo]

Hi boardrider,

The red and white cables will carry left and right stereo signals in analog. Your DVD player may (should) have a digital output (SPDIF or a single RCA socket) but you can only use this if your TV has a digital audio input (probably unlikely).

I'd expect your DVD player should have a separate pair of stereo RCA output sockets (as well as the 5.1 set of RCA's). If so, use these.

If it doesn't, then usually the front left/right pair of sockets will carry stereo information.

Many DVDs have a stereo soundtrack you can choose - which will obviously be fine with a stereo RCA connection to your TV. Otherwise, I'm pretty certain most DVD players will provide a downmix option (in the menu) to output a stereo signal when given a DVD which only has a multichannel soundtrack.

 

[Audioholics]

1) Go into your DVD player's Setup menu
2) Find the place where you can set the Mixdown to "Stereo" (this will take all 5.1 info and output it to the stereo red/white (left/right) main outputs of the player)
3) Use a 2-male to 1-female Y-cable to sum the Left/right outputs of your DVD player to mono.
4) Use a single RCA cable to extend that mono end of the Y-cable to your TV.

Regardless of what soundtrack you select in your DVDs the output will be mixed down to stereo, and then subsequently "folded" into mono through the use of that Y-adapter.

Now, this is about the LOWEST fidelity you will ever get... so what I recommend you do - when you are able - is to get some kind of Home-Theater-in-a-Box system (I've seen then as low as $99-$199) and ramp up your audio capabilities so that you can at least enjoy some fun surround sound.

http://www.audioholics.com/ces/CESmisc/DossDS7927HTIB.php

 

[boardrider]

Hi Sploo,

The red and white cables will carry left and right stereo signals in analog. Your DVD player may (should) have a digital output (SPDIF or a single RCA socket) but you can only use this if your TV has a digital audio input (probably unlikely).

My TV doesn't have digital audio input

I'd expect your DVD player should have a separate pair of stereo RCA output sockets (as well as the 5.1 set of RCA's). If so, use these.

I'm still left with only one input on the TV.

If it doesn't, then usually the front left/right pair of sockets will carry stereo information.

They do, but on some DVDs, there's only the choice for 5.1 output, and then the audio information on the left/right pair is incomplete.

Many DVDs have a stereo soundtrack you can choose - which will obviously be fine with a stereo RCA connection to your TV. Otherwise, I'm pretty certain most DVD players will provide a downmix option (in the menu) to output a stereo signal when given a DVD which only has a multichannel soundtrack.

See my above comment.

Thanks,
BR.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Wow... People don't listen do they?

If your TV is mono - that is, it only has ONE AUDIO INPUT - then you might have a chance of an issue of losing some audio by only hooking up one of the stereo pair (red or white) as described above.

Or try something like this:
http://www.parts express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=240-125

(remove the space between parts and express)

Which you should be able to pick up from your local Radio Shack with no problem.

 

[boardrider]

1) Go into your DVD player's Setup menu
2) Find the place where you can set the Mixdown to "Stereo" (this will take all 5.1 info and output it to the stereo red/white (left/right) main outputs of the player)
3) Use a 2-male to 1-female Y-cable to sum the Left/right outputs of your DVD player to mono.
4) Use a single RCA cable to extend that mono end of the Y-cable to your TV.
]

Thanks Clint: I suspected that would be the solution, but was not sure it would work.

Bye,
RB.

 

[markw]

Well, sometines it's not quite as black and white as it would initially appear.

given this was the leading statement, I took him at his word.

The white-yellow-red cable that came with the DVD is compatible with the TV connector, so that's not the problem.

Only after offering my sugestion did he clarify that it's really NOT compatible. He has only one audio input. Only then do you chime in with your

Wow... People don't listen do they?

Hindsight is 20/20, ain't it?

 

[sploo]

Ahhh... sorry.

When I read "The white-yellow-red cable that came with the DVD is compatible with the TV connector, so that's not the problem." I assumed your TV only had the white/red inputs (stereo RCA).

If your TV input is mono then I'd go with Clint's suggestion - even the cheapest, nastiest HTIB is going to give you better sound than a mono output.

But hey, the only thing I'd missed from my info was using a y-splitter to convert stereo to mono

 

[boardrider]

Or try something like this:
http://www.*****************/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=240-125

Which you should be able to pick up from your local Radio Shack with no problem.

Thanks BMXTRIX, I'll try and see if I can find a 3-1 Y splitter (so I'd get the right+center+left channels), or else a resonably priced mixer.

And please, I don't want to be the cause of a flame-war...

Bye,
Ron.

 

[markw]

You're not starting a flame war. We're all friends here, but...

I'll try and see if I can find a 3-1 Y splitter (so I'd get the right+center+left channels), or else a resonably priced mixer.

...I don't think you comprehend what was said in this thread.

You might want to re-read it again. Three people gave you the correct answer and what you said here ain't it.