Surround sound setup + dvd buying advice, help!!

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Hi there, this might get a bit complicated, so I'll post what it all involves right from the start.

Surround sound system (2 optical ins, phonos, and coaxial)

So, my ps2 and Q (play dvds through Q) are hooked up via the optical ins. The DC through the phono, as well as the games playing part of the Q via phono, which is all fine and dandy.

However, I dont like missing out on surround sound from my Xbox, so therefore something has to be done!

If I buy a dvd player that has coaxial out, will this connection still give me DTS/DD 5.1. Sorry if that seems like a stupid question, Im not very technical!

As for the dvd player, I was looking at getting the Pioneer DV-464K http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...904219-8094238 - but on amazons description there is no mention of there being a coaxial output on it!

Also, if I connected this up via RGB, would there be much of a difference watching dvds through it, rather than a Q hooked up via S Video?

Any help is very much appreciated

[C']

You can get full DD5.1/DTS 5.1 through Coaxial no problems. In fact I've been told that some enthusiasts state that coax is better than optical (but I can't verify that myself).

Sounds like your setup is similar to mine. My amp has 2 optical ports which are used for PS and X-Box, with the DVD player hooked up via coax and the TV into the phonos.

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Just found this :

http://www.pioneer.co.uk/uk/product_detail.jsp?product_id=3668&taxonomy_id=45-64

Which verifies that it has coaxial output, which is what I need!

Thanks for helping me out mate.

So now, is it really worth buying one of these, would I notice a difference in quality hooked up via RGB to a Q via S Video?

[demon9k]

I would check out:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000094SBX/ref=ed_ec_h_cs_2_2/202-7063153-7237422

I have got a Toshiba DVD player downstairs and its very good plus that one has all the features you want and is ?79.99.

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Hi mate, thanks for the link, but I just dont like the look of it I'm afraid - sure its a cool little player but that glass front panel

The black fits in with my consoles more, and is nice and slimline.

YET another question!! If I plump for this Pioneer, would it be safe to have a PS2 sitting on top of it? As I'm running a bit tight for space!

[Freddo]

u can mod xbox av packs to do coaxial out very easily, literaly about ?3 of parts and a little soldering skills.

im going to do it on my advanced scart lead soon so if it works properly and u cover the shipping I'll do yours too if you like.

just another option....

-Freddo

[RLench]

I have a SD220e and trust me, it looks great in the flesh. The 330 is similar in looks to the 220 that I have. I guarantee that you won't find better picture/sound quality in a machine for less than ?80. Hell, you won't find a better machine for more than ?150 IMO

I noticed the improvements in sound quality within 10 minutes of testing it back when I bought it.

[mid]

The SD330, like the SD220 before is indeed rather scrummy in the picture and sound quality department. Although I can't find a link to one, and they generally seem fairly rare, the 220 definitely exists in black. Its entirely possibly the Pioneer 464 is as nice though; I've not seen it running, and they have a history of nice optical players thanks to Laserdisc.

[ThoseOfTheUnlight]

Yeah, but the Pioneer also gets VERY good reviews, a lot of mags rave about it etc.

Think I might go for the Pioneer, unless anyone has a very good reason not to!!