Help with home cinema system!

Isla_2

Hi, I'm really hoping someone can help me! I have just brought a Bush dvd home theatre system 5.1 and have connected it all up as per the instructions. I can get surround sound when playing a dvd but can't get it when watching channels through my Virgin box.....am I doing something wrong or is it not possible??

Many thanks in advance

trets77

Isla wrote: »

Hi, I'm really hoping someone can help me! I have just brought a Bush dvd home theatre system 5.1 and have connected it all up as per the instructions. I can get surround sound when playing a dvd but can't get it when watching channels through my Virgin box.....am I doing something wrong or is it not possible??

Many thanks in advance

well most TV channels don't output a 5.1 track like your DVD does .

some do , on certain programs like Sky one or Sky Movies ect , but you will need a Digital hook up ( Toslink , HDMI , or Coaxial ect) from the Virgin box to the Amp to get it . that is of course assuming you Virgin box has a digital output round the back and your Bush equipment has a digital input on the back

best you can get if no raw 5.1 is if your equipment gives you the option to select something like Dolby Pro logic 2 or DTS Neo 6 which is like a best guess of a 5.1 track from a 2 channel track . pretty much all 5.1 stand alone separate Amps have this or something like it , but not sure about budget " all in one" systems

would need to know a few things though. what is the exact make and model of the Bush system , and how are you hooking it up to your Virgin box .

Isla_2

thank you trets77 for your advice, I'm going to have a hunt through all the options....the model is the CHT100DVDTB, listed on the Argos website as Bush 100W 5.1 DVD Home Cinema System. The DVD player that came with the system has all the connections into it, a scart lead going from the dvd player into the Virgin box and another from the Virgin box to the TV, this is just the normal Virgin media box and isn't HD or anything, not sure if that makes a difference :think:

trets77

Isla wrote: »

thank you trets77 for your advice, I'm going to have a hunt through all the options....the model is the CHT100DVDTB, listed on the Argos website as Bush 100W 5.1 DVD Home Cinema System. The DVD player that came with the system has all the connections into it, a scart lead going from the dvd player into the Virgin box and another from the Virgin box to the TV, this is just the normal Virgin media box and isn't HD or anything, not sure if that makes a difference :think:

sounds like it only has a SCART input , which isn't going to give you 5.1 . if it isn't giving you a best guess "version" of 5.1 through the SCART , then it might not have these processing modes .

does it ( The Bush system ) have a 2 channel audio inputs ? . a red and a white rca? like the pictures here

http://www.audioutilities.com/howto/record-music-from-cassette-tape-to-computer.htm

your Virgin box should have them as Outputs or a Toslink Output unless it's pretty old .

Isla_2

ah, yes the Bush system has those 2 inputs labeled 'L' and 'R' but the Virgin box doesn't have anything like that...

trets77

Isla wrote: »

ah, yes the Bush system has those 2 inputs labeled 'L' and 'R' but the Virgin box doesn't have anything like that...

how about a input on the back of Bush Box like this ( also as a output on Virgin Box) ?

look at the picture headed Digital Optical TosLink Cables

http://www.cabletrain.com/cable-guide

don't worry if you have already plugged something into it .

Isla_2

Unfortunately not, I've had a good look but can't seem to find anything like this on either box..

trets77

well looks like your system just has a SCART in and SCART out then . that cannot deliver raw 5.1 .

are you getting any sound from your Bush Speakers through this set up ?

if not then it's there simply to allow you to run both boxes in series , so you end up with only one SCART in the back of your telly .

If your Telly has more than one RGB SCART or no RGB SCART's full stop ( RGB SCART Inputs on the back of telly should be clearly labeled and give a better picture than standard SCARTS ) you could simply plug the Virgin box into it , and Bypass the Bush .

it is a budget system , so unfair to expect the earth from it .

devon_scouse

Do you have anything marked SPDIF on your Virgin box and DVD player?

Hammyman

Those Bush systems only do surround sound from discs you put into them. There are no options to put external optical sources in. In short, they're a prime example of why you should never ever ever buy 5.1 systems where the DVD player has the built in surround sound amp. They're fine playing DVDs or Blu-Ray discs but if you want to plug in Sky+, Xbox 360 or PS3 and get surround sound you're stuffed.

There's a reason why such systems are under £200 inc speakers and a standalone surround sound amplifier costs that alone without speakers.

almillar

As above, sorry but your system is short on features. Sortof good news is that there is very little broadcast in 5.1 - Jools Holland is one example and some of the film channels. £150 for an AV amp from Richer Sounds and any old speakers you have lying around would've been a better starter system if you wanted to build one up...