Telly- Surround Sound Problem

[Tosh McCaber]

I know that this is not strictly comuter related, but I hope that someone may be able to help. Here goes:

I have a Panasonic plasma TV, Sky HD box, Toshiba DVD recorder, and a slightly older Aiwa all in one DVD player/VCR/ FM/AM Tuner. Also, a DVD player with a USB connection, which I use quite often.

The Aiwa has a very nice 5 speaker stereo sound system attached. The TV has a L&R sockets for audio out; the Aiwa only has an optical socket for audio in. The whole system is connected by Scart sockets, looping in and out of the various components.

I want to use the Aiwa stereo system in conjunction with the TV to give surround sound. I thought that the Scart connections may provide this, but, sadly, this does not seem to be the case. I understand that I could try connecting the Sky HD box to the Aiwa via optical- but would this a) work, and if it did, would it b) limit the number of components able to utilise the surround sound.

Has anyone any connection suggestions (other than going to the expense of a new surround sound system, which I can’t really afford at present?

[Vitesse]

Can't help much I'm afraid, but I know my panasonic plasma can send different signal stuff to one of it's scarts. It's accessed through the TV menu.

Surprised you only have optical input for audio. Do you have a scart from the HD box to the amp? That should be carrying audio with the surround stuff encoded.

This stuff can be a bit of a black art. Once it's set up I leave alone and then forget what's what when I'm ordered to change it around!

Have you looked at the AV forums site? Lots of info & knowledge there, especially if you know the model numbers...

Cheers!

[spannersatcx]

sky hd box has optical audio out use a toslink from there to the aiwa, it would only mean that the sky box would be inputting surround.

have you checked the tv for an optical out?

I have an onkyo amp which has several optical ins and outs plus several HDMI ins/outs, no scarts if I remember, it was good value around £300. Unfortunately it may be a case of having to upgrade various bits.

there is a setting in the sky box for what audio out you use, digital or otherwise, check the settings in there as well.

[Tosh McCaber]

I don't think that my second scart on the panny is being used- I can try a link between that and the Aiwa when I get back home. The Aiwa certainly only has an optical audio in.

Thanks for the replies.