av sound through an xbox?

bottleneck

bottleneck

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Hi!

Just got a telly that came with a 5.1 system.

As per norm, its got 2 x front, 2 x rear, centre channel and a sub. The sub has an amp built in for the speakers.

My DVD source is an Xbox.

I'm a complete and utter numpty when it comes to AV, I know jack !

I'm presuming I just need to get my xbox to send 5.1 channels of sound to the 5.1 amp in the sub?

Would this be what I need?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20385&item=8208232686&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

If anyone has experience of 5.1 movies through an xbox (not bothered about it for the game sound), does it sound as good as a cheapish DVD player? - should I be looking at buying some other flash bit of kit? like some sort of decoder thing?

I really dont understand this stuff, so help appreciated!!

Cheers
Chris
 
NB

Just moved this from chat to here, because I want wide exposure and a quick answer! - looking to buy something on the net tonight, Im keen to play with my new AV system!!
 
Chris - don't know the answer but sure there must be forums where they specialise in this stuff?

Guessing off the top of my head you need to connect the optical or coax out from the Xbox into an AV amp or receiver.... not sure if your new telly will have coax or optical in.
 
Yeah that looks like the right thing. Its a right gyp that you have to buy a seperate box for 5.1 and you know you have to buy the dvd kit thing to play dvds don't you?
The xbox is actually a suprisingly good dvd player.
 
hiya, thanks for quick replies!

yeah, I've got the dvd playing device for it, but fancy stuffing it through the 5.1 system now I have it... Im guessing that if I already have an AV amp, all I need is some sort of 5 cable thing to plug into it?

seems like a lot of fuss for some explosions and stuff!
 
chris
that ebay gadget is exactly right. Thats the one i have too :) Sent 5.1 through coaxial no prob. Also gave a s-vid out too :)
 
Chris,

unless your TV has a digital audio input you are stumped as far as I know. Anyway, DVD is bound to sound better through those little satellites you already use for stereo use.
 
:)

it will be interesting to hear if a budget 5.1 system sounds better than the main rig for AV stuff!

my new telly has s video and other things which I dont understand at all !

I really need to go to AV school.. :S
 
rory - if thats the exact thing you bought, did you have to source some sort of cable pack to go along with it?
 
thanks for all the help, am sorted now.

going to get a dvd player with 5.1 built in.

Richer sounds to the rescue :)
 
chris, i have something that splits to a scart lead for the tv, and has a an optical socket on the body of the plug in the back of the xbox. then just needs an optical lead for the back of the av amp.
the 5.1 / dts out of the xbox is good, no complaints here whatsover. i have the pc streaming media wirelessly from downstairs, or colin mcrae rally etc in full surround. it's cool. my xbox is more a media server / game playing box (i've modded with a 120 gig hard drive inside and fitted a mich quieter "silenX" case fan).

lead is similar to here, last of the 3 on this page:
http://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/dynamic/eshop_products.set/ref/62/display.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bottleneck said:
rory - if thats the exact thing you bought, did you have to source some sort of cable pack to go along with it?
Click to expand...
no? i just connected an s-video (as my amp does s-vid switching) and a coaxial digital Ixos 105 cable to it. Thats all :)
 
The X Box is indeed a very good DVD player. The only gripe I had with it was the fact that the motor can be quite noisy. I've since upgraded my DVD playback to a Toshiba SD-140 (thanks to Richers) and am greatly enjoying a much sharper picture. For £30 it's an absolute no brainer. I might one day aim for a small 5.1 system but as it's for a bedroom system there's no real point.
 
the Xbox can be quietened down by putting quieter fans inside- thats the only gripe i have with mine, not that i've used it as a dvd player or anything :)
 
thanks everyone. had to get a dvd player with 5.1 decoding, because the 5.1 speaker system I had didnt have it.

Plus side, I can now play dvd-a's on the dvd player, and also SACDs!

Anyone know any good 5.1 music dvd's ? I saw an underworld one that was really good.

It would have cost hundreds to get the x-box into the system. I'd have had to buy some sort of 5 channel amp with dolby and a replacement sub - its complicated! !

I think I'll just put the x-box remote control and infra red for DVD playing on e-bay.

Anybody who wants it cheap let me know.
 
a few recommendations:
the new jean michelle jarre live in china is supposed to be excellent - i've bought it but not watched it yet.
sting all this time is good
talking heads stop making sense is a compulsory music dvd purchase imo

didnt think much of peter gabriel growing up
 
on the contrary i thought Peter Gabriel's 'Growing up' dvd-v was really good.
As is Steely Dan- two against nature (not the DVD-A (thats a different story))
Elton John- One night only
Michael Jackson- History
 

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