Hey all. I have a crappy Sony mono TV (looking to upgrade soon), and a pretty good surround system. So when I watch a DVD with some friends in here, everyone's blown away. But when we're watching a football game or something, I've gotta pump the volume ALL THE WAY up just to hear it alright. So I'm trying to find a way to get my AC3 coax cable into my Yamaha HTR5240, which doesn't have that type of input. I know to go from RCA to AC3 I'd need an RF modulator. And I know a demodulator would accomplish what I need to do (does anyone still make them?). But I'm wondering if anybody has a solution for me cheaper than a demodulator or a VCR. Thanks.

'E

DVD players do not require demodulators. The signal output via the digital outputs (coaxile RCA, or optical) is already in the appropriat digital bitstream (AC3, DTS, or PCM)

If I read your post, right, your DVD player only has coaxile digital out (RCA) and your receiver only has optical digital in? If this is the case, you need to purchase a coaxile -> optical converter. There was a post in here not too long ago about this, and had several links. Do a search for optical converter, and you should find it. Or another forum member (one not as lazy as me) might find it and stick it in here,for ya.

Maybe I wasn't very clear. My DVD player connection to my receiver is just fine. Why wouldn't it be? I'd like to take my cable TV signal and feed it into the receiver, which doesn't have an AC3 input. What's the best way to do that?

'E

I think the only way you can do this is if you have a Hi-Fi stereo VCR. If you do then you can connect the cable connection to your VCR and from your VCR to your TV. Then you connect a composite cable from the composite out jacks in your VCR to the corressponding input jacks in your receiver. The only thing is is that you have to have your VCR on when watching TV and you won't be able to record at the same time unless you are recording from the same channel you are watching. I don't think there is any other way to do that.

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"The earth does not belong to people; people belong to the earth. Everything that happens to the earth happens also to the sons and daughters of the earth." -Chief Seattle.

Just a general clearing up of some confusing things.

A digital coax connection is not a "coaxial cable" connection. "Coax" simply means that there are 2 directions of flow (e.g., the tip and the ground). This connection looks exactly like an RCA-type connection -- the same connections you use for CD players and tape decks, etc. It is labeled "coax" because it is different from an "optical" connection, which sends the digital information one way, using light.

Both of these connections are digital connections. That means they are for PCM, Dolby Digital, or DTS information. "AC-3" is simply another name for "Dolby Digital 5.1" and does not refer to the method of connection. "AC-3" moniker is simply not used anymore, in favor of the more descriptive "5.1", which tells you exactly how many channels of information there are. The confusion is that most laserdisc players say "AC-3" while DVD uses "5.1", and because of the limitations of laserdisc, the Dolby Digital track is modulated on an analog channel, requiring a RF demodulator to get a proper digital bitstream before decoding can even take place. Thus "AC-3" is often incorrectly associated with demodulation, while "5.1" is often associated with DVD -- even though they are exactly the same thing.

This is again confused with RF modulators, which you can buy at Radio Shack and can take the video signal of your DVD player and convert it to a cable/antenna (RG-59) connection, for TVs that don't have a video input. Don't confuse demodulation with modulators.

Furthermore, cable and antenna TV does not typically have any Dolby Digital (AC-3) or DTS soundtrack -- especially for broadcast TV. You can only get Dolby ProLogic, which is a surround format, and can be "decoded" by simply connecting the stereo R/L output on any TV or VCR to the receiver. Some satellite dish channels have digital information, but they require a special cable box with a digital output, just like any DVD player -- most often it is an optical "Toslink" connection. So, you can't get AC-3 surround from Wheel of Fortune, or X-Files, or Everybody Loves Raymond, etc. -- but you can get Pro-Logic surround sound for most shows and VHS video tapes. Look for the surround sound logo at the beginning of the show or on the VHS box for verification. It's not as good as digital surround, but it can be very effective.

Finally, you can't get any surround sound information from a mono source. Because of the way Pro-Logic -- or any surround sound format --works, you must have a stereo signal. Therefore, the easiest method to get surround sound from your favorite TV show or sporting event is to buy a hi-fi 4-head stereo VCR and connect the R/L audio outputs to your receiver and set the receiver to Dolby ProLogic surround sound mode (or stadium, live, hall, theatre, etc. if you'd prefer).

I hope that clears up some of the confusion that typically comes from this similar-but-different terminology. I don't know, maybe I just added to the confusion.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Evolution:
I'd like to take my cable TV signal and feed it into the receiver, which doesn't have an AC3 input. What's the best way to do that?<HR>

You never originally said how you currently have it set up. How is the TV sound connected to the receiver right now, and why do you have to turn the volume way up?

Sorry. Don't know why I was thinking AC3. I'll try to be crystal clear this time. My TV cable signal is currently NOT hooked up to my receiver. My signal comes through a standard F-type cable coming out of the wall. It is going directly into my crappy mono television, which is why I have to turn the volume way up. The audio on the TV sucks. I'd like to hook my TV cable into my A/V receiver, but the receiver doesn't have an F-connector input, just S-Video, RCA, optical, and coax. I know I'm not going to get a 5.1 surround mix by doing this. I'm not naive enough to think that television is broadcast in Dolby Digital or DTS. I'm just trying to get my television audio coming through my receiver (hence my mains), so that I don't have to listen to that crappy mono audio anymore. Now, I hope I've cleared that up. Does anyone have any suggestions other than a VCR?

'E

Jeez, how cheap are you?

A low-end stereo VCR is less than $100.



[This message has been edited by BEC (edited November 06, 2000).]

pretty darn cheap... I'm a college student and I've spent all my money recently on my receiver and speakers. I don't have the money to shell out on a VCR right now, especially since I wouldn't use it for anything other than splitting my TV signal. If I wanted to record anything I'd get a TIVO. And it seems kind of ridiculous to spend $100 just to be able to watch TV in stereo. I'd much sooner buy a new TV than a VCR just to split the signal.

'E

You'd get to watch VCR rentals in stereo/pro-logic as well. A TV upgrade will run you MUCH more than $80. Since you have speakers and a receiver, there'd be no point in upgrading your TV just for audio purposes.
VCR/cable audio playback through your receiver would be a FAR better option.

Amazon has a Sylvania hi-fi VCR for $80, no tax, temporary free shipping for electronics. On this forum there are tons of ways to get Amzaon gift certificates. I just saved up $200 worth and bought a PDA. Others rake in much more.

As digit pointed out, a rf modulator from radio shack ($30) goes the other way - analog stereo to RF coax. A device that runs the way you want would still set you back at least $30. IMO, you'd be better off saving up Amazon credits.

If you were capable of DIY electronics, I could refer you to some web-sites to make your own VHF/UHF demodulator. Needs 2 IC chips, a few caps, resistors, an oscillator.
Still about $20 in parts.





[This message has been edited by BEC (edited November 06, 2000).]

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Evolution:
Sorry. Don't know why I was thinking AC3. I'll try to be crystal clear this time. My TV cable signal is currently NOT hooked up to my receiver. My signal comes through a standard F-type cable coming out of the wall. It is going directly into my crappy mono television, which is why I have to turn the volume way up. The audio on the TV sucks. I'd like to hook my TV cable into my A/V receiver, but the receiver doesn't have an F-connector input, just S-Video, RCA, optical, and coax. I know I'm not going to get a 5.1 surround mix by doing this. I'm not naive enough to think that television is broadcast in Dolby Digital or DTS. I'm just trying to get my television audio coming through my receiver (hence my mains), so that I don't have to listen to that crappy mono audio anymore.<HR>

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to direct all of those comments at you, and I certainly didn't mean to make you feel naive or anything. That post was more for everyone, and I thought it was an appropriate place to post all that information for those who read the board regularly.

Now, I finally understand your setup, and I agree that that must be brutal. I agree that a stereo VCR is your cheapest and best solution. At the very least, borrow someone's on Sundays!

If you really don't need the playback and recording capabilities of a vcr, you should check your local classified ads, pawn shops, etc. for something used.

You should be able to find a stereo vcr (99% of them are hi-fi, but for your needs, it doesn't matter; "hi-fi" refers to is the way in which the vcr records a stereo signal) for $50 or so.

-S

Digit, you are awesome! I was surprised that people still remembered the F-type output on the old laserdisc players (from another thread).

I just was curious, don't some TV's come with "variable audio outputs"? I think he could go with F-pin cable into the TV, then audio out (RCA out) to the receiver.

All you would have to do then, is find a good TV with this feature. I might be wrong though.

No, that's right - in fact some TVs have a fixed audio output as well, meaning you can mute the TV and still pass the audio to your receiver. I prefer this to the variable kind, where turning the TV volume up affects the receiver volume. Yet another good suggestion as an alternative to a VCR, albeit more expensive.

Won't you be happier in the long run with a new TV, though?

[This message has been edited by DigIt (edited November 08, 2000).]

personally, I am thinking of a wega. I can't decide between the 27" or the 32". The main feature I am looking at is the "anamorphic (vertical) squeeze" feature. I would assume that the 32" would take advantage of this feature a little better.

I also like panasonic, (goood blacks).