How (and why) to Ramble on your goat sideways
01-25-2013, 01:51 PM
2 Props,3 Dildos,& 1 Cat
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fake Virginia
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 573
No. I already bought one of those 13 years ago. I shouldn't have to buy one a second time.
Here's what's bugging me: For $100 - $125, I can buy any number of "home theater in a box" kits which contain a combination Bluray player / network set-top box / receiver-amplifier, along with a set of six speakers. Even though I have no need for the speakers or the Bluray player, one of those would be perfect. Trouble is, I can't find any that have a S/PDIF input. Even the ones made by Sony, which is ironic as hell, given that the "S" in S/PDIF stands for Sony.
Is it such a foreign concept that the owner of such a system might want to use it not only to play BluRay discs, but also as a general-purpose amplifier? Granted, not everybody is a fearsome pirate like myself, but I understand that a lot of people own modern videogame consoles. Guess what they use for audio output?
What really kills me is that a lot of these systems, even the very cheapest, actually support S-video. Really? When was the last time you actually saw somebody use an S-video connection? They felt that this feature was more important to include than S/PDIF support?
Grrr...
Here's what's bugging me: For $100 - $125, I can buy any number of "home theater in a box" kits which contain a combination Bluray player / network set-top box / receiver-amplifier, along with a set of six speakers. Even though I have no need for the speakers or the Bluray player, one of those would be perfect. Trouble is, I can't find any that have a S/PDIF input. Even the ones made by Sony, which is ironic as hell, given that the "S" in S/PDIF stands for Sony.
Is it such a foreign concept that the owner of such a system might want to use it not only to play BluRay discs, but also as a general-purpose amplifier? Granted, not everybody is a fearsome pirate like myself, but I understand that a lot of people own modern videogame consoles. Guess what they use for audio output?
What really kills me is that a lot of these systems, even the very cheapest, actually support S-video. Really? When was the last time you actually saw somebody use an S-video connection? They felt that this feature was more important to include than S/PDIF support?
Grrr...
I found 3 entries on Best Buy's site for "home theatre in a box" between 100 and 150. One was a $103 RCA system, one was a sound bar, and one was a rock. (seriously)
The system has 5.1 sound. 250W total. that includes the subwoofer. And it's a peak rating.
Are you sure this is what you really want?
Just go to whatever store you fancy and get the cheapest Denon (or Onkyo or whatever is the fancy brand du jour) with features you want. I have a Denon; it's old (circa 2004). I got it repaired once in 2007 and it's been solid for me since. Sure I have to deal with it only using component video, but that's fine.
Anyway if you're bitching about replacing something good every 13 years, imagine how disappoint you'll be replacing your HTIAB every 3 years.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 01:56 PM
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 179
Really? I will look at my Xbox 360 when I get home but that cable type looks fairly foreign to me. I seem to recall my console has a power cable and an HDMI cable plugged in and that's it.
Maybe I misunderstood the question as: (A) I am not a techie and (B) I consider TV transmissions and electricity in general to be the equivalent of magic.
Maybe I misunderstood the question as: (A) I am not a techie and (B) I consider TV transmissions and electricity in general to be the equivalent of magic.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 02:05 PM
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,022
Total Cats: 6,590
If I were wearing my JasonC hat, I'd let you know that the physical manifestation of the optical interconnect is called TOSLINK, but that the standard as a whole (including the data format) is S/PDIF, regardless of what the physical layer looks like.
Because the TOSLINK and RCA implementations use an identical data format, they are freely convertible using extremely cheap adapters. This is convenient for me, since a couple of my devices are optical-only- I convert them to RCA and use an old mechanical switch to select between then.
Fair enough.
Mine is definitely connected via optical SPDIF. The SPDIF connector, oddly, is not on the unit itself, but rather on the shell of the component cable which plugs into the big SCART-looking connector. (Sony, by comparison, puts the jack directly on the body of the unit.)
Since you're using HDMI, you probably don't have anything plugged into the A/V connector. I assume that you are using the audio stream carried by the HDMI cable itself.
The question becomes what to do if one has a modern TV and is using HDMI to convey the video, but wishes to have the audio come out of the "home theater" speakers, rather than the tinny little speakers in the TV itself. With a box such as I've seen, ones only recourse is to connect via analog stereo.
Because the TOSLINK and RCA implementations use an identical data format, they are freely convertible using extremely cheap adapters. This is convenient for me, since a couple of my devices are optical-only- I convert them to RCA and use an old mechanical switch to select between then.
Since you're using HDMI, you probably don't have anything plugged into the A/V connector. I assume that you are using the audio stream carried by the HDMI cable itself.
The question becomes what to do if one has a modern TV and is using HDMI to convey the video, but wishes to have the audio come out of the "home theater" speakers, rather than the tinny little speakers in the TV itself. With a box such as I've seen, ones only recourse is to connect via analog stereo.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 02:26 PM
The question becomes what to do if one has a modern TV and is using HDMI to convey the video, but wishes to have the audio come out of the "home theater" speakers, rather than the tinny little speakers in the TV itself. With a box such as I've seen, ones only recourse is to connect via analog stereo.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 02:30 PM
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,493
Total Cats: 4,080
The question becomes what to do if one has a modern TV and is using HDMI to convey the video, but wishes to have the audio come out of the "home theater" speakers, rather than the tinny little speakers in the TV itself. With a box such as I've seen, ones only recourse is to connect via analog stereo.
what's annoying about a lof of these HTIAB systems, is that they still require a second remote, new flat screens have **** for audio and they have become popular as a way to overcome. Most TV manufactures make ones to upsell this. It's sad they cant also add a simple function to have the sound bar or what not be the main source of audio and controlled through your regular volume controls.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 03:05 PM
Elite Member
iTrader: (37)
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Very NorCal
Posts: 10,441
Total Cats: 1,899
Stay away from soundbars. I've never met one I've liked. The one I have at the moment is a Visio and I hate the hell out of it. The center "channel" midrange sucks and is not adjustable, and its only EQ adjustments are "Treble" "Bass" and "Sub." It also has a stupid scaling issue on the DVI/HDMI so I have to do some voodoo with my media PCs drivers to get the output to actually fill the screen. Works fine with the PS3 though. Probably would not buy again.
I bought it at Costco, I should see if I can return it?
These guys know what's up. This is really what I should have done from the start.
I bought it at Costco, I should see if I can return it?
Just go to whatever store you fancy and get the cheapest Denon (or Onkyo or whatever is the fancy brand du jour) with features you want. I have a Denon; it's old (circa 2004). I got it repaired once in 2007 and it's been solid for me since. Sure I have to deal with it only using component video, but that's fine.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 03:43 PM
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,022
Total Cats: 6,590
1: The receiver has a digital audio input, or
2: You're satisfied simply hooking it up as analog stereo.
This entire line of conversation is predicated on the fact that the receivers in question lack a digital audio input, which strikes option #1. That leaves only option #2, which is stupid.
Haha. I have absolutely no intention whatsoever to deviate from my current speaker topology.
I think I'm just gonna tear into this receiver and start shotgunning components.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 03:53 PM
Receiver with both coax and optical S/PDIF:
Marantz - NR-1403 - Slim Line - Home Theater Receiver-Audio Advisor
Marantz - NR-1403 - Slim Line - Home Theater Receiver-Audio Advisor
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 03:55 PM
These scenarios presuppose that either:
1: The receiver has a digital audio input, or
2: You're satisfied simply hooking it up as analog stereo.
This entire line of conversation is predicated on the fact that the receivers in question lack a digital audio input, which strikes option #1. That leaves only option #2, which is stupid.
1: The receiver has a digital audio input, or
2: You're satisfied simply hooking it up as analog stereo.
This entire line of conversation is predicated on the fact that the receivers in question lack a digital audio input, which strikes option #1. That leaves only option #2, which is stupid.
Anyway, this is my receiver. It has 2 TOSLINK inputs.
Amazon.com: Yamaha RX-V471BL 5.1-Channel AV Receiver (OLD VERSION): Electronics
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 05:23 PM
The open wifi network we've been using at home lost internet access sometime yesterday and it's still not back on. It was a comcast connection but there was an AT&T truck on the street last night.
I have a feeling our days of free internet access are over. That was the last open network I could reach. Might have to approach a neighbor and see if one of them will give us access for $10 a month or something.
I have a feeling our days of free internet access are over. That was the last open network I could reach. Might have to approach a neighbor and see if one of them will give us access for $10 a month or something.
Reply
0
0
01-25-2013, 06:52 PM
Meh, like many big cities, people that work within the beltway commute from outside of it and live their lives outside of it except for sporting events and such. Suburbs are nice and full of nice people. Mike is inside the beltway and that's a different environment. Suwannee area is nice, with some good paying jobs up there. I have family up there.
Reply
0
0
01-26-2013, 01:09 AM
A guy walks into a pub and sees a sign hanging over the bar which reads:
Cheese Sandwich: $1.50
Chicken Sandwich: $2.50
Hand Job: $10.00
Checking his wallet for the necessary payment, he walks up to the bar and beckons to one of the three exceptionally attractive blondes serving drinks to an eager-looking group of men.
"Yes?" she said with a knowing smile, "can I help you?"
"I was wondering", whispers the man, "are you the one who gives the hand-jobs?"
"Yes", she purrs, "I am."
The man replies "Well, go wash your hands, I want a cheese sandwich."
Cheese Sandwich: $1.50
Chicken Sandwich: $2.50
Hand Job: $10.00
Checking his wallet for the necessary payment, he walks up to the bar and beckons to one of the three exceptionally attractive blondes serving drinks to an eager-looking group of men.
"Yes?" she said with a knowing smile, "can I help you?"
"I was wondering", whispers the man, "are you the one who gives the hand-jobs?"
"Yes", she purrs, "I am."
The man replies "Well, go wash your hands, I want a cheese sandwich."
Reply
0
0
