Can I connect a separate Blu-ray player to my all in one system?

[philstanbridge]

I need some advice guys as I'm really confused by this.

I've got a samsung plasma, and a Samsung all-in-one 5.1 THX home cinema setup. I want to get myself a blu-ray player but there's no point if I can't utilise the 5.1 speaker setup I already have. My Samsung home cinema setup only has one scart socket, which links to the plasma. So I can't connect via scart. The Sammy box has a HDMI out which is free. But I don't know if I can connect one to the other. Any ideas?

This is the bluray I'm considering at this stage.

Sony BDP-S370 Blu-ray (or the S360 but that says it only offers stereo sound?)

Sorry if this is an ultra thick question, just having one of those days!

 

[philstanbridge]

Cheers for the ultra fast reply!

My current 5.1 setup has digital optical input jack as does the plasma that are free. So I guess I could connect the Bluray to the plasma via scart and then get myself a cable for the sound? Would this allow 5.1? But I'm still not sure this would work. Surely the sound would only work if I selected the right aux channel? ie the Bluray would be on a different AUX to the sound?

 

[philstanbridge]

This is the HT system right? If so, why haven't you connected this to the TV?

You've got 2 options -

1) Connect an optical cable from optical out on TV to optical in on the HT system. This would give anything you watch on the TV the use of the HT speakers as long as you're set to the digital/optical on the HT system.

2) Connect optical out on a BD player to the HT system. Would be better this way (IMO) as I don't think many TVs correctly pass-thru the sound.

I know it sounds better direct (option 2) on my system, but it's more convenient to have only 1 connection to the HT from the TV and everything connected to the TV can use the HT system then (this would be option 1).

yes mate, one of the HT THX systems. It's the 800w model and it sounds okay all things considered. I have it connected to the Tv via scart - I've got a Sky+ HD connected to the tv via HDMI. There's a lack of inputs on both the plasma and Sammy box which is why I'm struggling a bit. But I think I'll grab myself an optical cable and try linking tv up to my surround system first of all. What optical cable would you recommend?

 

[philstanbridge]

One thing you really need to do is connect the Bluray player to the TV via HDMI, using SCART kinda defeats the point in having the Bluray player in the first place.

Rich

Right, but my plasma only has one HDMI input - so I would have to reconnect the Sky+ box via scart which would be better.

 

[philstanbridge]

Buy a dvd player instead. Don't buy a bluray player and then connect it up to your tv through a scart cable. The scart will lower the image quality and it'll look fugly.

Seriously though, you could always look at using a hdmi switch. Sky HD and bluray both need to use a hdmi cable, so your going to either need a way of switching hdmi inputs or a new tv if you want to use them both without pulling cables in and out every time you want to use them.

I'd go with the HDMI switcher route, as it sounds like you'll need one anyway. Then depending on how many inputs you've got for audio you could run the switcher before the HT system so it would go:

Sky HD/Bluray > HDMI switch: input sockets.... then

HDMI Switch: output > HT system: HDMI input..... then

HT system: HDMI output to TV.

What are the specific models of your equipment? Can you read the model numbers for the TV and the HT system and post them on here so we can get a better idea?

I have already got a dvd player - but i fancied bluray as well as an upgrade. Not sure it's going to be worth the hassle at this point though

I didn't realise Sky+ HD needs HDMI, I thought it would run with scart too. I realise part of the problem is lack of inputs on the plasma, but I can't afford to upgrade the tv. HDMI switch would be the way to go. Question is I suppose, is it worth the upgrade?

I've just configured the tv to run via digital sound through my HT box, but am I correct in thinking most programmes will only run in 2 channel stereo rather than 5.1 unless specifically programmed to of course.

 

[philstanbridge]

Oh doh. I don't know what to do. I can pick up this bluray for just under £100 which is what tempted me. But I'd have to get a switch.

I'm a bit confused by all this sorry. I'm running the Sky+ HD via HDMI into the tv. The tv only has one HDMI input however. The HT box only has one HDMI input too which is not being used at present obviously. So I really need that switch so that I can run both the Sky+ HD and the TV through it is this what you are saying? Taking the BD out of the equation for the time being.

 

[philstanbridge]

How exactly is he supposed to get the HDMI sound to the HT from bluray player if it just connects direct to the TV?

My understanding of the system is that he has a HT system; so a DVD player/5.1 in one. I can only speak from my experience, but the only way I've ever gotten sound from an external source to the HT system I own is via the aux or optical. I don't see that his system has an HDMI in aside from the TV.

It's the best way for him, as far as I can see. Please correct me if I'm wrong, as it'd improve what I've available to me too.

That's correct Syph - apologies if I wasn't clear in my OP. My Samsung setup is a 5.1 DVD player/integral amp all in one system. Bespoke speaker connections etc, all through one box. I got it because it's space saving, and good value for money. But obviously I have the issues now. I've just tried the optical digi cable plugged in TV/HT box and I have to select AUX in order to be able to hear the sound through my external speakers.

 

[philstanbridge]

Yes my Samsung HT box has a HDMI output jack.

But both your replies conflict and I still don't know what I'm best off doing - now I'm really confooozed. Sorry!

 

[philstanbridge]

Ah thanks very much - model of TV is Samsung LE40R743DX. I tried the optical cable, and sound from TV appears via two external speakers only, although I was only listening to random rubbish and didn't try a film (sky movies for example).