Smidget

Hi! This is my first post on the DVDtalk forum even tho i've been a lurker for some time now Great discussions you all have here and I learn a ton from just reading them (and getting great deals in other forums too). Problem here: I have an Apex 660 http://apexdigitalinc.com/ad660page.htm and a Pioneer VSX-D209 http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pi...22,195,00.html and i was wondering if there is something i can buy to get 5.1 sound out of this system which is just limited to ProLogic right now. I know ppl r gonna be like "What a crappy system!! Buy _____" but it's my first home theater system and I rather put some money away for college and crap but I just want some 5.1 sound for the cool suround stuff. In your opinion is it worth what I have to do to upgrade from there? I heard it's a world of a difference but would like some personal opinions. Thanks a bunch in advance for all your help.

stevevt

You have a bunch of options that'll get you 5.1 sound. All of them mean spending a bit of money.

• Since your receiver has a 5.1 output, you can get an external decoder (the least expensive of which are made by Technics); the signal path would be: dvd player-->decoder-->receiver
• You also could buy a different dvd player that'd have onboard 5.1 decoding; unless you get one that decodes DTS (which is rare), you'd only have Dolby Digital
• You can buy a new receiver that decodes Dolby Digital (or both DD and DTS)
  

Getting a new receiver (or an external processor with multiple inputs) will give you the most flexibility in the future. You'd be able to add other things (like a satellite dish) that output a 5.1 signal at the same time.

Welcome to the forum.

-Steve

[This message has been edited by stevevt (edited January 06, 2001).]

Smidget

Thanks for the fast and informative reply. I have found on the BestBuy website a Pioneer VSX-D309 and it says it has a DD/DTS decoder card in it. http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...1&cat=3&scat=4 Will this work with my dvd player and allow me to have DD 5.1 and DTS?

Seems like a good deal too for only $230

[This message has been edited by Smidget (edited January 06, 2001).]

stevevt

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Smidget:
Thanks for the fast and informative reply. I have found on the BestBuy website a Pioneer VSX-D309...Will this work with my dvd player and allow me to have DD 5.1 and DTS?

Seems like a good deal too for only $230
<HR>

Yes. That receiver will give you DD and DTS.

I'm not sure whether $230 is a good price for it or not, but you should go to www.audioreview.com and look through this forum's archive (search or just look through a bunch of pages) for review of it, and other receiver recommendations in this price range.

Good luck.

Smidget

Looked on audioreview.com and got pretty good reviews, said it was the cheapest decent DD and DTS machine so I'm gonna go for it. Now hopefully I can return my old receiver and I'll be set Thanks a lot for your help.