TV's and sound trouble

[tom1946]

Hi all,
My TV conked out last week, it was a 40" samsung about 7 years old and I had connected to it a set of cambridge sound works 5'1 speakers which only worked in stereo but was effin' loud and thumpy.

The tv that the insurance company has replaced it with is a samsung UE40H6400 which is very nice but I can't get the sound to work. It only has IR, Optical and headphone out and nothing works with my old amp so...

I need (I think) a receiver with hdmi and all the speaker inputs + optical??? Can anyone help me out with recommendations on what to buy please? I'm not well off so go easy please

The speakers and sub are all excellent with phono connections so I think I just need an amp?

thanks guys.

[barneyg42]

I run a lead from my headphone socket to my AV amp if I'm using the freeview on the box. Mini stereo jack to two rca plugs.

[BILL POSTERS]

If theres a scart scocket on it there will usually be audio out on it.

Cant remember which pins, but its bound to be on t interweb somewhere, maybe under 21pin peritel connector.

Scart to phono adaptors usually connect to the audio in, but you might find one with a switch if you look hard enough, or modify one.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Could go for a cheap soundbar ?

[SteveK]

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-Digital-Analogue-Stereo-Converter/dp/B002AKXG5E/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411841837&sr=1-1&keywords=LINDY+SPDIF+Digital+to+Analogue+Stereo+Audio+Converter"]This could be what you want[/url] I've used one for the last year or so - works very well!

[tom1946]

Thanks for that,
Here is the back of my amp and its connections:

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles/inspire5700vsdtt3500/5700decoder-back.jpg

I have been using either the front or rear analog outputs, the other end went into the old tv's audio outs left and right using 2 phono plugs.
The optical is a possibility but when I plug the lead in to it nothing happens, it seems to work from the tv end as there is a light on the end of the cable.

On the tv I have these:
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/image/hdtv/Samsung-UE40H6400/connections.jpg

can you see how it could connect?

thanks.

[tom1946]

Steve, you posted just before I did, that looks good, I don't have phono in to the amp, just left and right minijacks....

[BILL POSTERS]

From the scart pin 1 is Right. pin 3 is left. pin 4 is ground.

to tha amp via the front analogue inputs - stereo jack probably.

Will be stereo like you had before.

Wont matter if your already using the scart for something else, its the outputs your sfter, so either wire it in or get a cheapo poundland scart 2 into one.

Edited September 27, 2014 by BILL POSTERS

[HowieBass]

Have you gone into the TV menu, Sound option and gone through the settings (stuff like Additional Settings and Speaker Settings) just in case you're not routing the sound out correctly?

[SteveK]

[quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1411842566' post='2563266']
Steve, you posted just before I did, that looks good, I don't have phono in to the amp, just left and right minijacks....
[/quote]
Yes, sorry, without phono amp inputs, the box I linked to wouldn't be of any use.

[Dave_the_bass]

Not giving advice on what to buy!

If you have sky DO NOT buy Denon. The 5.1 (hdmi or optical) is in compatible with the amp!

If you don't have sky; get a denon avrx-2000, you'll notkknow how you lived without it!

[tom1946]

We have Virginmedia with a Tivo box. Had a look at that and tried the optical out of that, same as the tele, the amp isn't working via that.

[HowieBass]

I've found a manual for your surround sound system. Have you selected the optical input correctly on the amp (the Digital PCM Audio button) and does the indicator light up to indicate signal detection? Looks like you need to tell the source (TV or Tivo box connected via optical cable) that it needs to send PCM over SPDIF.

[tom1946]

I'm very new to all this, the cable does light up when plugged in to the tv, does that mean it's transmitting signal?

I have selected the optical on the amp, the light under where it says Optical is green?

Edited September 28, 2014 by tom1946

[HowieBass]

I've got a Samsung smart TV but the not the model you've got; however I expect the menu/options to be similar. The TV will have an extensive menu system and as mentioned you might need to change some settings to get the TV to transmit PCM encoded data over the optical cable - there'll probably be an 'E-Manual' button on your TV's remote that takes you into an on-screen manual where hopefully it'll explain what the various menu options do. Here's the link for your surround sound system manual, again you need to become familiar with how to select different input sources [url="http://files2.europe.creative.com/manualdn/Manuals/TSD/7804/0x03C0A3EA/Creative%20Inspire%205700%20Users%20Guide%20English.PDF"]http://files2.europe...e%20English.PDF[/url]

Sorry if I seem to be stating the obvious here and you already know all about the features on both systems but troubleshooting stuff like this is difficult when you're not right in front of the equipment. Good luck!

PS: Where you might be 'going wrong' is in not telling your new TV that you want to listen to sound via your external speaker system instead of listening to sound through the TV's built-in speakers (I mentioned this in my first reply in this thread). If your TV menu system is like mine then try Menu > Sound > Speaker Settings > Speaker Select > External Speaker

Edited September 28, 2014 by HowieBass

[tom1946]

Thanks Howie, I have done everything you suggest above 'ie changed to external sound/speakers but nothing works. My headphone socket won't work either so I'm getting really p$$d off with it now.

thanks for your help.

[Big_Stu]

Maplins do several optical>phono converters.
It used to be Maplins larger branches had an engineer who would advise and/or make up custom gadgets from their stock. Might be worth asking the question.

edit; Closest I could find with a quick search, so I might not be reading right, was this [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/digital-to-analogue-audio-converter-a14kf"]http://www.maplin.co...converter-a14kf[/url]

On a similar gadget a buyer mentions a lag between video & sound, but it can be adjusted for.

Edited September 28, 2014 by Big_Stu

[tonyquipment]

Headphone out on tv into the amp

[tom1946]

Cheers for that, I don't have phono inputs on the amp, the headphone socket on the new tv doesn't work.
It shuts the sound off the tele but there is nothing coming out of the headphones.

My amp inputs are:

Two 3.5 mini jacks for front & centre and rear and sub
An optical that doesn't seem to work
One coax phono input

Gonna ring samsung today and see what gives.

[mrtcat]

I know you say you don't have lots of money but I bought a brand new Sony 5.1 av receiver from richer sounds for £89 last yr. If you go into a branch and speak to them they often have a managers special at silly prices. They will often sell you a unit that has been loaned to another customer whilst their machine was being repaired. My mate picked one of those up for £70 and it still had full warranty.

[tom1946]

That sounds like an excellent buy. If I don't get anywhere with my current setup I'll talk to them.

[tom1946]

ok tv is on it's way back the optical out and the headphone socket are not working, just my usual luck.

ordered a used, guaranteed one the same as we had before, at least it was much better quality and picture.

thanks again for your help guys.

[HowieBass]

Am glad you'll be able to get a TV you want - I know it's now too late to try but the odd (interesting?) thing with my Samsung TV is that the set has different volume settings for the in-built speakers and for the headphone socket, so I could have my headphones or some external speakers plugged in and have the volume set at say 20 and when they're unplugged the TV sound comes back on and at the volume I left it at previously (say 10).