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Need audio/visual/tv input - no sound...

Discussion in 'Technology' started by bpu699, Dec 31, 2009.

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  1. bpu699

    bpu699 F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 9, 2003
    17,696
    wisconsin/chicago
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    bo
    #1 bpu699, Dec 31, 2009
    I have a pretty decent tv setup. Plasma hangs on the wall, all the audio/visual/dvr/stereo stuff is in the closet with wiring hardwired in the walls during construction. The only cable that runs from the closet to the plasma is the S-video cable.

    Well, my family/kids don't like putzing with the surround sound, etc. They just want to turn on the TV, and get sound. The plasma doesn't have speakers. So, I bought a sound bar to attach to the bottom of it, plugged the rc jacks into the speaker outputs on the tv, and into the speaker bar. No sound...

    Doesn't the tv get input from the dvr via the s-video cable?! There is no way to plug the audio bar into the dvr etc, as its in a closet 40 feet away, and this would defeat the purpose.

    Am I doing something wrong? Or, am I basically screwed here?

    Thanks...
     
  2. yoda

    yoda F1 Rookie

    Sep 27, 2004
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    #2 yoda, Dec 31, 2009
    The TV has audio output, but maybe it doesn't have an amp or something to power the speakers. So you would need some kind of power source for the speakers too.
     
  3. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
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    Campbell, CA
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    Ian Anderson
    #3 Fast_ian, Dec 31, 2009
    You're basically screwed - S-video is just that, video only. It's also pretty poor quality by todays standards - I don't believe you're getting 1080 from it for example....

    HDMI carries both, but it sounds like your system is older than that, right?

    There are solutions - For example, you could add a wireless audio transmitter in the closet and feed wireless speakers - I haven't checked, but guess you could get a "receiver" that could then plug in to your sound bar.

    If your kit does have HDMI, could you use the S-video cable to pull a new HDMI cable thru the wall? - They support really long runs and your quality will improve.

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  4. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

    Sep 25, 2006
    23,397
    Campbell, CA
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    Ian Anderson
    #4 Fast_ian, Dec 31, 2009
    Nope, sorry - From his description he doesn't have any audio feeding the TV.

    Nothing going in, nothing comes out ;)
     
  5. jeff

    jeff Formula 3

    Feb 19, 2001
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    North America
    #5 jeff, Dec 31, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2009
    The easiest solution is run an HDMI cable from the dvr to the tv. Unless your tv and dvr are very, very old they both should have HDMI connections.

    Also, you might be able to run one audio cable directly from the dvr to the sound bar and bypass the tv.
     
  6. EnzymaticRacer

    EnzymaticRacer F1 Veteran

    Feb 27, 2005
    5,367
    #6 EnzymaticRacer, Dec 31, 2009
    This is Correct.

    Without knowing more about your system bpu, it would be impossible to provide the easiest possible work-around for your situation.

    Since all of your stuff is in the closest, I'm assuming you have an IR-repeater/blaster system set up to control all of the components in the closet.

    If so, your easiest bet is to simply buy an "activities" based Universal remote, such as a Logitech Harmony One (or if you are using RF, the Harmony 880).

    Using an activity based remote, you push one button and the remote does all the work of turning on the relevant devices and switching them to the proper inputs.

    I personally have a Logitech Harmony One remote, which is a fantastic remote. I just purchased one for my dad two weeks ago for $150. Had it set up for him in a couple of hours, and it has replaced 5 remotes, and can control ALL of his devices, including the PS3 (with the proper adapter) and his Sony DVD-Recorder.
     
  7. yoda

    yoda F1 Rookie

    Sep 27, 2004
    2,598
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    #7 yoda, Dec 31, 2009
    That's true, I missed that. He would need an audio input running from his DVR to TV if that's where the audio signal is coming from. But the external speaker bar attached directly to his TV still won't work unless the TV has built-in power for them, or else he would need some kind of external power supply/receiver.
     

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