|
|
Q: How can I improve audio sound quality? A: Used correctly upgrade audio cables can enhance your home theater system sound as spectacular as any of the latest movie theaters. There are a number of different ways you can connect your DVD player to your home entertainment system depending upon what components you already have and what you are aiming to achieve. These will depend upon: Your DVD player Your Receiver (if applicable) Your desires, i.e. do you want to get DTS and/or Dolby Digital Sound There are now two audio formats found on many of the latest DVD discs. These are Dolby Digital and DTS (Digital Theater Sound) 
 Q: Should I purchase a DVD player with a Dolby Digital Decoder? A: One of the main features which manufactures are using to distinguish their more expensive DVD player for their cheaper versions is built-in Dolby Digital decoding. This should be one of the most important issues you look at when deciding upon your DVD player. You may be influenced by what other pieces of hardware you already have in your home entertainment systems and by what components you may need to upgrade in the near future. DVD players that have built in Dolby Digital decoders convert the single AC-3 multi channel digital audio signal encoded on the DVD Movie into six analog audio signals by means of a AC-3 decoder chip and six digital to analog converter circuits. This level of decoding is only available in a higher end DVD Players, in all separate component Dolby Digital Decoders and in all Dolby Digital-capable A/V receivers. Q: What is DTS? A: DTS (Digital Theater Sound) is a new audio format which has grown rapidly in the last year. The majority of DVD players on the market now have DTS output. In order to enjoy DTS sound then you will have to connect the DVD player to a receiver with a DTS decoder onboard or to a separate DTS decoder. Q: How should I hook up my DVD player and what cables do I need? A: This will depend upon what you have in your home entertainment system. Please select from the the most appropraite hook up option below. Option 1 You have a DVD player with a Built in Dolby Digital Decoder and DTS output. You also have a receiver which has both a DTS and Dolby Digital decoder. Hook up possibilties for option 1:  If you wish to use the decoder in the DVD player then you would use a 6 channel interconnect to connect to the receiver. If you wish to use the decoder in the receiver you would use either optical or coaxial cables connections. (The picture demonstrates a optical cable going into a receiver optical input) Option 2 You have a DVD player with DTS output but without a built in Dolby Digital decoder You also have a receiver which has both a DTS and Dolby Digital decoder. Hook up possibilties for option 2: 
You would connect the DVD player to the receiver using an optical or coaxial cable. You could also use 2 standard RCA jacks but this would not give you DTS or Dolby Digital sound.
The picture shows two RCA jacks being connected into a receiver for audio, it's also shows an s-video cable being connected for video input. The RCA jacks would be comming from a DVD player, this method would not transmit digital signals from the DVD player to the receiver. You would use an optical or coaxial cable for this) Option 3 You have a DVD player with a Built in Dolby Digital Decoder and DTS output. You also have a receiver without a DTS or Dolby Digital decoder but it does have a 6 channel interconnect. Hook up possibilties for option 3: 
You would use a 6 channel interconnect for Dolby Digital Sound. You would not be able to get DTS sound unless you go through a DTS decoder
(The picture shows a STRAIGTWIRE 6 channel interconnect cable)
Option 4 You have a DVD player without a DTS or Dolby Digital decoder You have a DTS and Dolby digital separate decoder module. You have a receiver with 6-channel input Hook up possibilties for option 4: You would connect the DVD player to the decoder using a coaxial or optical cable. You would then connect the decoder to the receiver using a 6 channel interconnect cable. Next Step: Test your cable knowledge |
Why Upgrade Cables?
How to Upgrade Video Picture Quality
How to Upgrade Audio Quality
Test your cable knowledge
Common Cable Misconceptions
| ||||||||
