Surround sound V+

[admin_exported]

Help.

I've just bought a Samsung HT-TZ222 Digital Home Cinema System and a Toshiba 42AV635DB.

I have the DVD player connected to the TV with an HDMI cable and the same for my V+ box.

The system works fine when playing a DVD but when watching TV the sound
only comes out of the TV speakers and not any of the surround sound
speakers.

I purchased an optical cable and connected the DVD player to the V+ box but still nothing.

I've read various threads and tried different ideas suggested, like turning the HDMI audio override off, but still no change.

I phoned Virgin today to ask their advice and they told me that Virgin
V+ boxes don't support surround sound, that my service was working as
it should and goodbye !!!

This can't be right can it? Am I now stuck with a system that will only work when playing a DVD?

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks.

Si.

 

[fayeanddavid]

Sky+ HD??

 

[davejberry]

Assuming Tv is connected via HDMI and you have an optical cable from the V+ digital out to the Samsung digital in. Press AUX on the remote for the Samsung until ' D In' appears on the display (you can also use the 'function' button on the unit itself) This should then pass the sound from the V+ box to the amp in the samsung. I don't know if the Samsung will apply 'surround' to the signal from the V+ but you should at least get sound from the big speakers, not just the TV

 

[Anonymous]

I have not seen your samsung, and I know it is a silly question, but is the optical connection on the back an input? not an output.

And if it is an input, make sure it's assigned to source button you are selecting.

I have a V+ box, and I get surround sound / 5.1 from it's optical connection.

Is there a signal coming out of the optical lead, i.e. is there a red light, if so, you need to check the settings on your samung all in one system to make sure it decodes is correctly.

i.e. If it only gets a stereo siganl from the optical lead, to use one of the dolby pro logic modes to make a surround mode.

 

[Andy Clough]

simon70:

I phoned Virgin today to ask their advice and they told me that Virgin
V+ boxes don't support surround sound, that my service was working as
it should and goodbye !!!

This can't be right can it?

Thanks.

Si.

Complete nonsense! The Virgin V+ box most certainly DOES support surround sound, either Dolby Pro-Logic or DD 5.1 soundtracks, depending on what the broadcaster transmits.

As mentioned, you'll have to hook it up to your Samsung surround system using an optical cable.

 

[Anonymous]

Dave,

The system is connected up exactly how you have described with Samsung unit set to 'D in'

Still nothing from the speakers, just from the TV.

 

[Anonymous]

Mark,

Yes there is a red light on the optical lead.

I'm not getting anything out of the Samsung speakers, stereo or surround, only from the TV.

Works fine when playing a DVD.

 

[Anonymous]

Right then, just thought I'd give people an update.

Found out that the optical input on the Samsung DVD player was is faulty (taking it back tomorrow)

People should be aware about Virgin though:-

When I was told that Virgin doesn't support surround sound what they meant was that they will not support/repair any faults on their box that results in your surround sound not working. They told me that as long as you are recieving pictures and sound to your TV from the virgin box then that is all they are responsible for. If the box was at fault i.e there was no optical output from their box, then they are not willing to do anything about it.

To get a technician out to look at mine I had to tell them that my box wasn't recording!!

Once he was here we went through everything and still couldn't work out what the problem was.

Only after he had given up and left did I find out what the problem was.

Simon.

 

[bigboss]

That's complete nonsense!! If you want only the picture & sound regardless of quality, why would you go for a V+ box (apart from the recording feature ofcourse)? They can easily be successfully challenged in court on this issue. If a digital STB doesn't do what it's supposed to do, it is faulty & Virgin is liable to repair it. Otherwise, threaten them that you're moving over to Sky.

 

[tvspecv]

so does that mean the V+hd does not support dolby 5.1 ? or just certain channels i.e. hd ones?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Si,

I worked for then Telewest-Broadband whilst the box had trials - Myslef and
the engineers that worked in my team at the time, where part of the original
guys who installed and monitored these for the trials.

As stated it does have the facility for Digital Optical out - Unfortunately
since the companies merged to become Virgin M*dia... Customer service reps
where made redundant and the work outsourced, leaving people with little knowledge
or a customer service skills! You'll need to hook the box up to your amp with
an optical lead.

I would personally pick the box up and put it in the bin - There are some
nice features to the box, such as being able to record 2 programs and watch a
third - But this comes at the expense of any kind of picture quality. The HD is
appalling - Not a patch on SkyHD.

Get rid mate.

Gary.