Ruby1
10-13-2009, 07:06 PM
I have an Apex LD3249 TV. The built in speakers are not very good.
I notice I have an SPDIF Coaxial digital cable out audio source plug.
Does anyone know of an inexpensive sound system that I can just plug into the SPDIF plug to get better sound?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Bigloww
10-15-2009, 01:20 PM
What exactly is inexpensive to you?? What devices do you have connected to your TV (XBOX, Cable box)??
If a 5.1 surround system is not your gig, a soundbar may be rite up your alley. Not as good as a true surround, but a major upgrade over most TV speakers. The SPDif out from the TV will do 5.1 dobly for the built in ATSC or QAM tuners. If not used for those, it should output 2 channel PCM.
Here is a decent sound bar with plenty of inputs for $249 shipped. There are some cheaper SB's with no sub and less inputs for around $150..
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTCT100-Sound-Bar-Sub-Woofer/dp/B0015HS1HQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255634203&sr=8-1
Ruby1
10-15-2009, 05:21 PM
I I have a dvd/vcr combo recorder hooked up directly to a COX cable outlet. Then I have a cable going from the dvd/vcr combo to my tv.
I don't want to have to turn on the dvd/vcr to hear sound.
I thought if I go directly from the tv SPDIF out audio plug to a set of speakers and I guess an amp that has a in SPDIF plug,
I would not need to turn on the dvd.vcr for sound.
So is there a system that I can plug in to work this way?
:banghead:
Ruby1
10-20-2009, 06:57 PM
Anyone know of a amp and 2 speakers and that will work with the SPDIF audio out plug? Or other ideals?:helpme
Anyone know of a amp and 2 speakers and that will work with the SPDIF audio out plug? Or other ideals?:helpme
Ruby, sorry to say your problem may seem simple, but it isn't. Your life would be a lot easier if your Apex had stereo analog R/L red/white audio outputs, but apparently it doesn't. Because you have a digital output there are two problems:
The SPDIF output on this TV may not work all the time. It will probably output a signal only on those digital channels the TV's QAM tuner will pick up on your cable line. It most likely will not convert any analog audio to Dolby Digital or PCM. I am not sure about this, but it is very likely that all the lower tier channels on your cable will not be output on that SPDIF output. I tried to see what the owner's manual says about this, but the Apex site has been down for days now. (I am betting their customer service department is populated only by mice and insects.:huh)
Even if the SPDIF functioned on all channels, there's no cheap way to convert that digital signal to analog. There are digital to analog converters such as this Gefen (http://www.fullcompass.com/product/367756.html), but because it only converts PCM and not Dolby this is not the answer. A regular audio/video receiver with a SPDIF input would work, again assuming the unlikely and the Apex outputs audio on all channels on its SPDIF out.
One solution would be to install a cable box, to which you could connect some self powered computer speakers that would provide much better sound at a reasonable cost. The analog audio outputs on a set top box would reliably feed audio out on all channels. But even this solution has a drawback as you would not have remote volume control on those speakers.
Sorry I don't have an easy answer for you. :o
Ruby1
10-21-2009, 01:16 PM
JMS thank you for your input.I guess I will just listen to the built in tv speakers.
Unless their is an easier solution.:confused:
