What do I need for Surround Sound?

WD Legacy Products WD TV Live & Live Plus
1

I have just bought the a WD TV live box and I am woundering how I would setup a surround sound system with this. I have no experiance with surround sound systems so I have no idea what I need? Do I just need a 5.1 speak system or do I need a mixer or somthing aswel? I was looking at something cheap like this: http://www.ebuyer.com/242265-logitech-z506-5-1-surround-sound-speakers-75w-rms-980-000432

Would this work do I need to buy anything else or would this work fine on its own?

2

That and the right cables should work

3

@Chudz

The Logitech uses a 3.5mm Audio cable input…

5.1 Surround Sound from the WD Unit is via Optical (Toslink) or HDMI

Hopefully* a Toslink to 3.5mm cable (or adaptor) will work with the Logitech.

 

Logitech Setup Guide Pdf Page: (*Join the Logitech Forum and ask Your Question there … to 100% confirm.)

 

http://logitech-en-amr.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18222/section/troubleshoot/crid/409/lt_product_id/7191/tabs/1,3,2,4,5/cl/us,en

4

I get 5.1 sound via the A/V socket.

5

@richUK

 

I get 5.1 sound via the A/V socket.

 

Really ? with the WHITE and RED Composite Lead ?

 

I find that hard to believe, you may be getting “sound” from all 5.1 channels …

 

but not “Real” 5.1 Channel Surround Sound Separation.

 

What 5.1 Surround Sound Test File are you using ?  (if any)

 

I use this one … (which tests each individual speaker L,R,LR,RR,C & LFE channels) …

 

if you try this, and get sound from more than 1 Speaker at a time …

 

then your ‘Setup’ is not “True” 5.1 Surround Sound … it’s classed as “Pseudo” or “Emulated” Surround Sound …

 

60MB  5.1 Channel Dolby Digital Surround Sound Test File

https://hotfile.com/dl/186275216/0103468/Dolby_Channel_Check.m2ts.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

6

Sorry I meant Dolby Pro Logic which gives L, R, Centre, Rear and Sub. A  number of TV progs plus DVD’s are encoded with pro-logic.

I believe the Logitech system above would need 6 descrete inputs to get 5.1 so a 3.5mm input would only give a Pseudo surround.

7

Out of interest I downloaded the Dolby test video and it is encoded in pro-logic so I do get the left centre right and rear. Pro logic only has a single rear output so the left and right rear come out of the same speakers. Obviously Dolby Pro-logic is not as good as discrete digital channels but it does a reasonable job and is certainly not pseudo or emulated. Pro-logic is the home version of the old theatrical Dolby surround which was used on 2 channel film in cinemas. I have my pro-logic decoder connected to my satellite box etc so I can get full surround from films, concerts and sporting events simply by feeding the L and R outputs to the decoder.

8

richUK wrote:
Out of interest I downloaded the Dolby test video

URL? Thx.

9

@Techflaws

 

URL? Thx.

 

See my post above…

 

I use it as a ‘test’ to make sure all my speakers are working.

 

And i can hear the voice announcing the speaker positions on all speakers.

 

including separation of the Left and Right Rear Speakers with Audio Output set to “Digital Pass-Through via Optical Only”

 

if i leave Audio Output set to Stereo … then L,R,C have Separation but the L,R Rears are ‘Combined’

 

 

 

If anyone is interested there’s a bunch of other Audio & Video ‘test’ files here:

 

http://www.demo-world.eu/trailers/high-definition-trailers.php

 

 

10

JoeySmyth wrote:

@Techflaws

 

See my post above…

D’uh! Thanks.