How many HDMI cables do I need to connect my laptop, HDTV and home theatre system to have surround sound?

[Shakurazz]

I have an Acer Aspire V3-772G laptop (which has no S/PDIF socket), a new Panasonic HDTV and I'm planning to purchase an HTS. I want to connect my system so that e. g. a movie or a video game is displayed from my laptop to the HDTV and also would have a surround sound through my HTS. My HDTV has an HDMI (ARC) connection. Is it enough to connect my laptop to my HDTV through HDMI, then my HDTV to my HTS (I don't know if any cables are normally included with the HTS?)?

 

[Cristi72]

Hello,

It will be enough, but you must be sure that the Home Cinema can decode audio from HDMI (you must stay away from the "HDMI pass-through" thing).

What is your exact model? It is possible that you have an S/PDIF connection bundled with the headset output jack, you just need a jack-to-optical adapter.

 

[Shakurazz]

Hello,

It will be enough, but you must be sure that the Home Cinema can decode audio from HDMI (you must stay away from the "HDMI pass-through" thing).

What is your exact model? It is possible that you have an S/PDIF connection bundled with the headset output jack, you just need a jack-to-optical adapter.

This is my laptop, but it doesn't provide information that specific: http/www.acer.co.uk/ac/en/GB/content/model-datasheet/NX.M74EK.008
As far as being sure that HTS can decode audio from HDMI, don't all current ones do? I'm planning to spend about 500 USD on it. If so, then I shouldn't need the optical?

 

[Cristi72]

This is my laptop, but it doesn't provide information that specific: http/www.acer.co.uk/ac/en/GB/content/model-datasheet/NX.M74EK.008
As far as being sure that HTS can decode audio from HDMI, don't all current ones do? I'm planning to spend about 500 USD on it. If so, then I shouldn't need the optical?

No, not all HTS's or stand-alone receivers can decode audio from HDMI. I'll get back to you with some solutions.

It is also very likely that your onboard audio card cannot be capable of outputting 5.1/7.1 signal over HDMI. Please check your audio software and see if you can output Dolby Digital or DTS signals.

In the mean time, please give this a read:

http/www.axiomaudio.com/hdmi

 

[Cristi72]

Please check the links (my preferences lean towards Yamaha, but DENON + JBL bundle looks compelling):

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/yamaha-500w-5-1-ch-3d-home-theater-system/4372018.p?id=1219098067770&skuId=4372018&st=categoryid$pcmcat186600050005&cp=1&lp=4

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16886971016 (the same system, different retailer);

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1J716N0938 , or:

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1J71JB0839 , some nice bundles;

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120208, a 7.1 system;

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115414, an older Yamaha.

 

[Shakurazz]

Unfortunately I'm from Lithuania and there is no Newegg here. From what I found on our local stores, I think I would choose this: http/www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-MCS-333-Channel-Satellite-Speaker-Black/dp/B00DEN9MO0
Also, if you be so kind as to browse this page (it's in Lithuanian but you can see the model names). I could spend up to 1 500 LTL for the system. The list is sorted by price. http/www.skytech.lt/video-audio-aparatura-namu-kino-komplektai-c-36_1046_53.html?sand=0&pav=0&sort=5a&grp=0&page=1&pagesize=100&f=s%28%29,g%28%29,p%28%29,k%2887.49,4700.00%29&frag=&fragd=0

 

[Cristi72]

Unfortunately I'm from Lithuania and there is no Newegg here. From what I found on our local stores, I think I would choose this: http/www.amazon.co.uk/Pioneer-MCS-333-Channel-Satellite-Speaker-Black/dp/B00DEN9MO0
Also, if you be so kind as to browse this page (it's in Lithuanian but you can see the model names). I could spend up to 1 500 LTL for the system. The list is sorted by price. http/www.skytech.lt/video-audio-aparatura-namu-kino-komplektai-c-36_1046_53.html?sand=0&pav=0&sort=5a&grp=0&page=1&pagesize=100&f=s%28%29,g%28%29,p%28%29,k%2887.49,4700.00%29&frag=&fragd=0

That on-line store has a problem with soundbars

I found something also on Amazon UK:

http/www.amazon.co.uk/Onkyo-HT-S3505-Channel-Receiver-Speaker-BLACK/dp/B007VIHTLW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1407144002&sr=8-2&keywords=home+cinema

Please check the currency parity and see if fits your budget.

 

[Shakurazz]

Thank you for your effort. Another thing is that I want to pay for it in installments (leasing). That local store can do that. I only posted the link on Amazon because it was in English, but that Pioneer is available in my local store. I browsed around and found only one local store that had Onkyo / Yamaha systems and accepts paying in installments. It has a sale going on: http/www.hificentras.lt/akcija-namu-kinas
The first one on top: JAMO S 426 HCS 3 speaker set and Yamaha RX-V377 receiver. But the description here: http/www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-v377/review says this: "With 70W for each of the five channels (at six ohms) and 4K Ultra HD pass-through across its HDMI inputs, you’d be forgiven for thinking the RX-V377 is identical to its previous model – aside from being 10 quid more expensive."

Is this what you warned me of in the first post (about pass-through)?

 

[Cristi72]

Thank you for your effort. Another thing is that I want to pay for it in installments (leasing). That local store can do that. I only posted the link on Amazon because it was in English, but that Pioneer is available in my local store. I browsed around and found only one local store that had Onkyo / Yamaha systems and accepts paying in installments. It has a sale going on: http/www.hificentras.lt/akcija-namu-kinas
The first one on top: JAMO S 426 HCS 3 speaker set and Yamaha RX-V377 receiver. But the description here: http/www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-v377/review says this: "With 70W for each of the five channels (at six ohms) and 4K Ultra HD pass-through across its HDMI inputs, you’d be forgiven for thinking the RX-V377 is identical to its previous model – aside from being 10 quid more expensive."

Is this what you warned me of in the first post (about pass-through)?

No, "4K Ultra HD" is about video signal pass-through, the technical hype of the moment (pass-through: the signal passes the device without being processed in any way).

That receiver + speakers combo seems a good choice:

PRO: - a balanced system between bass, medium and high (very good for playing stereo music);
- USB, AM/FM radio tuner;

CONS: - if you want powerful bass (disco, techno) you must add a powered subwoofer, because the receiver has only 5 output power stages (being a local store, please go test the system and see if it can play your music the way you want).

 

[Shakurazz]

Thank you very much for all the help!

Thank you for your effort. Another thing is that I want to pay for it in installments (leasing). That local store can do that. I only posted the link on Amazon because it was in English, but that Pioneer is available in my local store. I browsed around and found only one local store that had Onkyo / Yamaha systems and accepts paying in installments. It has a sale going on: http/www.hificentras.lt/akcija-namu-kinas
The first one on top: JAMO S 426 HCS 3 speaker set and Yamaha RX-V377 receiver. But the description here: http/www.whathifi.com/yamaha/rx-v377/review says this: "With 70W for each of the five channels (at six ohms) and 4K Ultra HD pass-through across its HDMI inputs, you’d be forgiven for thinking the RX-V377 is identical to its previous model – aside from being 10 quid more expensive."

Is this what you warned me of in the first post (about pass-through)?

No, "4K Ultra HD" is about video signal pass-through, the technical hype of the moment (pass-through: the signal passes the device without being processed in any way).

That receiver + speakers combo seems a good choice:

PRO: - a balanced system between bass, medium and high (very good for playing stereo music);
- USB, AM/FM radio tuner;

CONS: - if you want powerful bass (disco, techno) you must add a powered subwoofer, because the receiver has only 5 output power stages (being a local store, please go test the system and see if it can play your music the way you want).