optical input help

Gman

Gman

Gman

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,939
Location
Yorkshire
morning all, i'm a noob when it comes to things involving the tv and surround sound etc but need some advice about the optical input for the sound.

i've got a dvd player thats got optical out which i'm feeding straight to my crappy surround sound. Now next week i'm getting a sky plus box fitted in the room which also has an optical out. Now the surround sound only has one optical input so how would I go about getting both the dvd and sky running via the optical input please ?
 
Google, 'Toslink Switch' That should help you find what your looking for.

I cannot comment on quality issues, as my own processor has 2 optical, and 3 coaxial digital inputs, and I've not needed any additional ports personally.
 
thanks, I like the Toslink Switch thing but was really looking for someone that didn't require you to physically go up to the thing ad switch it over.

I think realistically i'm looking at a new surround sound box thing with more than one input, but even on these do they need to to switch over the optical input (via the control) when you switch devices ? i.e. say i'm watching sky then suddenly went onto the dvd would I have to switch the optical input to the dvd on via the control every time or will the surround box just know i've switched input s :confused:

oh my current surround sound is the creative soundworks dtt3500 which I know is a more comput based system than for a tv, what better systems are out there and how would they be better than this ?
 
New AV amplifier with more inputs + IR learning remote with macro function, so when you need to use that device it also sends that devices input IR code. I use one and the system is really easy to use, despite being really complex. Switching is done in the background without any user intervention, can have 10 sources but never need to change input as it's done automatically.

edit there's a optical/coaxial/scart switchbox IR controlled from a compeitor, about £40. Just add a remote with macro facility
 
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squiffy said:
New AV amplifier with more inputs + IR learning remote with macro function, so when you need to use that device it also sends that devices input IR code. I use one and the system is really easy to use, despite being really complex. Switching is done in the background without any user intervention, can have 10 sources but never need to change input as it's done automatically.
Click to expand...

right sounds good, what box you using there ?

also think I might have found a short term solution, this soundworks set seems to accept a Coaxial and Digital inputs, and my dvd player has got a Coaxial output so I could switch that to Coaxial and have the sky on optical.

whats this Coaxial going to be like compaired to optical ?
 
I use a Lexicon AV pre-amp and a Home Theatre Master MX-700. Both out of your price range. I'm trying to find that IR controlled switch box, plus a budget IR remote with macro function.

In theory optical digital is inferior, due to increase jitter (conversion from electrical to optical then back again) but it allows longer runs plus no chance of ground loops. Coaxial is tougher cable, is cheaper, and can be made up yourself.

edit theres two versions, one with scart, one without

http://www.joytech.net/6/products/av/9/76/AV-Control-Center-2.htm
http://www.joytech.net/6/products/av/9/79/AV-Control-Center-245C.htm
 
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thanks mate, will have a look see if it's worth shelling out or sticking with what i've got for now.
 
TOSLINK Y SPLITTER
Toslink optical two-into-one splitter
[TLS] £ 4.99 (£ 4.25 ex VAT)


something like this perhaps? :)
 
surely if it is used as he said one input at a time it should work?
i am just guessing though :)
i imagine if you used two devices at the same time the sound would overlap?
 
If it's a splitter used in reverse what's with this switch buisness

Optical is just the medium for the data transfer, I'm sure if both units were on the thing would try to play both togeather
 
I don't think that's recommended, won't damage anything but probably refuse to lock onto the signal.

It's not like mixing analogue cables.
 
squiffy said:
I don't think that's recommended, won't damage anything but probably refuse to lock onto the signal.

It's not like mixing analogue cables.
Click to expand...

Well for £5 it's got to be worth a try !, I can not see any possibility of damage
more the question of if the Y works in reverse direction
 
:confused: how is it a switch?it states it is a y connector
so in effect it is a splitter...yes?
me don`t understand why you said it is a switch :)
can you explain it a bit more clearly please
 
just had a quick look and based on the description it gives it's for splitting to two separate sources i.e. from the DVD player to so two surround sound units. Not sure it'll work how I want to to i.e. taking an input in from the dvd and sky and output it to the single surround sound, although based on my limited knowledge theres on direction to the optical right or am I wrong ?
 
Gman said:
lol $500 just get a second optical cable connected :p umm let me just pluck a few notes off the money tree growing in my room ;)
Click to expand...

Well you could get the cheaper one, u can pick them up for 100 notes 2nd hand and they are a brilliant component switcher aswell.

You wanted something with remote control etc so this is what you need, or just buy a new amp.
 
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