Video Asylum

Posted by John C. - Aussie (B) on August 20, 2008 at 20:11:34

In Reply to: RE: Real basic audio/video question... posted by semuta on August 19, 2008 at 09:44:07

Quite a few of the newer flat screen TVs have digital audio out. This, via a suitable DAC, can give very impressive sound. It is surprising just how much audio information is on many documentaries, particularly the deep bass.

2 CH can be fine and, although that is your present intention, do have a long term plan in mind that could end up with a centre channel (far more important than many realise), a sub a two rears. I mention this as the choice of DAC, if you eventually go down that road, is important.

But as others have said, using the analog L/R outputs to your stereo system, will be heaps better than using the internal TV speakers which are usually pretty awful.

Another alternative is to feed speaker output from the TV into external speakers. If you are handy with a soldering iron or know someone who is, it is a relatively simple task to insert a couple of speaker jacks so that when plugs are inserted for the external speakers, the internal ones are muted. I have done this for one TV set here and it has the advantage that the remote control continues to mute etc the volume. The drawback to this is that the internal TV amp is probably only pretty basic. Just the same the audio quality is improved.

One factor you should check on is if the remote control on the TV you buy also controls the audio output. It might control the L/R analog output but might not control any digital audio out. Long term this could be quite important for ease of control of the audio using the TV remote.

John

Sadly (or is it happily?) an incurable audio-video nutter with an indecent number of toys. Classical music forever!!!!