Speakers for my LG plasma telly

[andygo]

I have a LG 42" Plasma which I am pretty happy with apart from the sound.

I'm trying to find a cost effective way of upgrading the speakers but it is a little tricky trying to find something with optical audio compatability. The LG only has optical output, it has no headphone jack etc. I would also like the tv output to control the volume as well, don't want the faff of finding/losing yet another remote control.

We hardly watch any DVD films so not really in the market Blu ray.

I don't really want to spend fortunes either - how unusual!

Anyone got some practical suggestions?

[OldSkoolRS]

Just so you know, it's unlikely that the volume level of the optical output will be variable by the TV's remote; it's likely to be fixed. You'll likely have to buy an AV amp as well as speakers to achieve what you want (maybe a 'soundbar' type speaker which has the amp built in?).

By aware that, many AV amps include a remote that can be set to control most popular TVs so you just use that remote instead...you'd need to check any 'soundbar' remotes to see if this is possible. However, from what I've heard of soundbars, you'll be little better off than the TV speakers unless you add a subwoofer as well due to the laws of physics you can't get a quart in a pint pot.

[andygo]

OldSkoolRS said:

Just so you know, it's unlikely that the volume level of the optical output will be variable by the TV's remote; it's likely to be fixed. You'll likely have to buy an AV amp as well as speakers to achieve what you want (maybe a 'soundbar' type speaker which has the amp built in?).

By aware that, many AV amps include a remote that can be set to control most popular TVs so you just use that remote instead...you'd need to check any 'soundbar' remotes to see if this is possible. However, from what I've heard of soundbars, you'll be little better off than the TV speakers unless you add a subwoofer as well due to the laws of physics you can't get a quart in a pint pot.

I thought it might be the case re the volume side of things. However, all of the tv we watch is supplied by our sky HD box, and its the Sky remote we use pretty much all the time. I wonder if its a solution to have the Sky box connected to the speakers and amp?

You would have thought it would have been a bit more seamless these days,LOL!

[audidoody]

I've just bought a SHAR-HTSB250 sound bar from Richer Sounds of these for my second room LG 37". The headphone jack is hidden away on the side of the TV

[andygo]

audidoody said:

I've just bought a SHAR-HTSB250 sound bar from Richer Sounds of these for my second room LG 37". The headphone jack is hidden away on the side of the TV

Ok, ok, I get your point, lol. I don't have a headphone jack - I've looked!

[Agoogy]

Are you sure its not maybe hidden away on the side..he seems quite insistent

[derestrictor]

Panasonic HT-B520 soundbar thingy.

So much better than it has any right to be.

[audidoody]

andygo said:

Ok, ok, I get your point, lol. I don't have a headphone jack - I've looked!

Yeah. Sorry about that. Bloody PH BB often auto re-posts my stuff. Never been able to figure out why. I'll go and delete.

[andygo]

audidoody said:

Yeah. Sorry about that. Bloody PH BB often auto re-posts my stuff. Never been able to figure out why. I'll go and delete.

LOL.

[audidoody]

May I recommend Richer Sounds whatever you buy. I bought the Sharp sound bar off them for £125. The day of delivery I found another web site selling it for £99.99. I called Richer and said I wanted to claim the difference under their Price Guarantee. They checked out the web site of the cheaper seller, confirmed it was new in stock, and refunded the £25 difference into my PayPal account there and then without quibble. Impressive.

[andygo]

Just bought a Panasonic sc htb10. Sounds pretty good to me, thanks for all your advice guys, appreciated.

[andrewstokes]

Hi , just spotted your thread. Can you tell me whether the sound on your Panasonic sound bar can be adjusted via the tv volume? How have you got it connected up?

Thanks.

[essexplumber]

Just bought a BOSE Companion 3 from Comet. 250 quid, two speakers and an amp. Connected to my LG 42" with ease, you can control the sound with the TV remote or the volume disc. IPOD clicks straight in too.

[andygo]

andrewstokes said:

Hi , just spotted your thread. Can you tell me whether the sound on your Panasonic sound bar can be adjusted via the tv volume? How have you got it connected up?

Thanks.

If you have a Panasonic telly, then it will work from the remote.

However, if, like most people you use your sky+ box, then you will have to use the remote that comes with the speakers. Not perfect, but you pays yer money I guess.

[headcase]

SKY+ remotes do have the ability to control some AV amps so it could well be possible to leave your TV volume on min then program the Sky R/C to control the soundbar/amp. I have mine set up this way but my kit is about 6 years old, not sure if they updated the code set to work with newer stuff.

http://www.morlocks.co.uk/remote-setup.htm <first google search revealed instructions here.

[andygo]

Just worked for my speakers although the punch through won't work.

Excellent work though, good spot.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Another option is to use HDMI control. So the TV controls the amp volume, and it also turns it on and off with the TV, which is handy.