Inter Cononect

[gzyzwc]

I have a DVD player with output for 7.1 OPDV971H (I am only using 5.1 speakers). and my pre/amp (Emotiva LMC-1) has inputs for them. The back of my DVD player also has Optical output. Which is the better way to connect this up? Should I buy 3 sets of the Red/White Cables to go for 5.1 or just 1 optical cable?

Also for the Cable reciever. I have the option of red/white or optical which is the better choice here?

P.S. I am having a realy really hard time getting the speakers to work off of my LMC/LPA setup. I can't for the life of me figure out why sometimes it will work fine, and sometimes it is a major pain.


Thanks in Advance.

 

[markw]

I have a DVD player with output for 7.1 OPDV971H (I am only using 5.1 speakers). and my pre/amp (Emotiva LMC-1) has inputs for them. The back of my DVD player also has Optical output. Which is the better way to connect this up? Should I buy 3 sets of the Red/White Cables to go for 5.1 or just 1 optical cable?.

This depends. Both your DVD player and your pre have DAC's (Digital Analog Converters) built into them. These convert the digital audio into analog audio. You have a choice as to which one you can use.

If you run the optical output from the DVD player to your pre, you'll be using the DAC in he Emotiva. If you run six analog cables from the DVD player to the corresponding audio inputs on the pre, you'll be using the DAC in the Emotiva.

If one is better than the other, I'd use that option but my thoughts would be that they would be pretty similar. Only by trying both could you arrive at a definitive answer.

But, by using the optical feed, you'll avail yourself of the bass management in your pre. I don't know how the DVD player's handling would stack up.

The optical would be the cheaper way to go and that would be my first choice.

Also for the Cable reciever. I have the option of red/white or optical which is the better choice here?.

Some digital cable channels offer Dolby Digital sound, and to process this through your receiver you'll need to run the optical cable. The red/white will only pass two channel analog stereo.

P.S. I am having a realy really hard time getting the speakers to work off of my LMC/LPA setup. I can't for the life of me figure out why sometimes it will work fine, and sometimes it is a major pain..

that, I can't help you with. Sorry.

BTW, neither device offers the option coaxial digital feeds, only optical? That works just as good as optical and tends to be a bit easier to work with.

 

[gzyzwc]

Ok, I think I got it solved.

I ordered 3 2" Coax White/Red cables. and and hooked up the 5.1 output to the 7.1 input on the Emotiva. Then when I had the HDMI switcher installed I had a very odd problem. If I powered up the Emotiva with the HDMI switcher plugged in and had the input set to 7.1 CH. I could not control the unit with the remote. I couldn't do the volume, switch zones. anything.

I played around figureing out which of the 8 channels the cables goto. . Well ok only 4 of them. I knew Subwoofer, and centerchannel. L and R. it was LR and LBS I was confused. (all was made clear and helpfull after I hooked up the Avia disk!!)

So, I went to the store and purchased a 6' Optical digital cable instead. Used it, and now the remote works fine, and I can switch between my DVD and TV
just fine. so I got another 6' Optical digital cable to use on my cable box.

Hooked up got it all working, now pop in the Avia DVD. Wow I should have watched this dvd before purshasing everything LOL didn't know it helped with a bunch of my questions I thought it was only for test patterns to set up the equipment. I got a SPL meter and set my speakers all to 65. Now it sounds amazing, my Plasma settings changed drastically from what it was shipped as, is this normal? I had to cut almost everything down to half of what it was set as!

Then I went ahead and purchased a APC AV Black C Type 12 Outlet Power Filter 120V for my equipment. Now I am imensly pleased. I am about to go out and purchase my remote, and waiting on my new furniture to arrive so I can permenantly place everything. Pictures soon to follow. Anyways now I have 2 extra HDMI 2' cables, and 3 sets of 2' white/red calbes and a 5' version of the same thing.

Is the optical a better quality? or should I work on trying to get these RCA cables to work with the 5.1 sound output from the Oppo?