Dolby Surround Sound question

[jkatz01]

HI ALL, <br />I''''m PLanning to get the Onkyo-595 (or696)A/V since I''''ve heard some great things about them and they are not that expensive. (MY First A/V rcvr.)<br />I already have a Sony DVD so I assume I''''m set on the AC-3 and DTS side. But I still have alot of Videos (that aren''''t available on DVD yet Lucasfilm! frown.gif border=0 !)... MY QUESTION: Can I use any VCR connected to this A/V Receiver and get the Dolby Surround track decoded? I have a plain Panasonic VCR (with no "Hi-Fi" emblem).<br />ALSO, Does anyone know why some VCR tapes say THX digitally mastered and some simply say "Hi-Fi" Stereo - Whats the difference?<br />MUCH THANKS <br />J. Katz confused.gif border=0

As far as getting stereo/surround sound from a mono VCR, I have heard of ways to do this, but I''m not sure how it works. Owners manuals sometimes tell you. On the internet, a broad search topic like "Hi-Fi sound from a mono VCR" or "Stereo sound from a mono VCR" may get you some useable results. Perhaps the "Video" forum has some answers buried in its pages. Good luck.<p>< December 13, 2001: Message edited by: meestercleef ></p>

[apcarandang]

You won''t be able to decode Dolby prologic with a mono VCR unfortunately. You can try and simulate stereo by getting a Y-adapter and splitting the audio signal to the left/right inputs of your receiver and see if any of the DSP modes give you a good surround effect.<p>Otherwise investing on a HI-FI VCR ($100 or less nowadays) will be a better option.<p>Use the optical or coax output on your DVD to connect it to the receiver. <p>Hope this helps wink.gif border=0

[jkatz01]

THANKS ALOT! I guess I''ll pick up a Hi-Fi VCR while I''m at it - whats a few hundred more..<br />I didn''t understand this part:<br />"Use the optical or coax output on your DVD to connect it to the receiver. "<br />How does this connect the VCR to a Receiver?<br />(I guess it will make more sense AFTER I actually buy the stuff.. but I''m curious now)

I don''t think he mean''s your vcr. He means use the optical or coaxial digital audio outs on your DVD player and connect them to the corresponding jack on the r5eceiver so that you can take advantage of the Dolby Digital/DTS audio tracks on you DVDs.

[apcarandang]

When you hook up your Sony DVD player to your receiver use the optical or coax connection( orange rca)and not the left/right (red/white rca)<p>That way your receiver decodes the DD/DTS signals. biggrin.gif border=0

Hey Jonkatz!<br />The optical inputs/outputs have a small, square, dust cap that you need to remove. The cable is also called a Toslink, (I think TOShiba invented it). Either the toslink or the coax. (orange RCA) will work fine. Which one is better? Thats'' the $64,000. question! I think theres'' a thread somewhere, on this very subject. Good luck.

Get the 696. I have that receiver also. The Pro logic II may help with some cassettes but not all. It is a great reciever. Definitely hook up your DVD with the coaxial or fiber optic digital connection. You will be very satisfied.