What Kit for Replacement?
Discussion
This is (was) the setup:
The Octava & Home Cinema are offline, as one or both have developed a fault & will not work correctly.
I'd like to get new kit, but unsure what to go for.
TVs:
These are still going strong & I don't want to replace until they fail, unless it's absolutely necessary.
I appreciate that at nearly 20 years old, there may be a compatibility/functionality issue with any new kit.
But, if a new model solves some of the other connection/functionality issues, it may be worth replacing.
Sky+HD Box:
I'd like to replace this with Freeview, but is there a way to link using RF?
I've seen the Triax MOD103T HDMI to COFDM Modulator, which can transmit HDMI over Co-Ax, but unsure if it will work & what else is needed.
Home Cinema:
This has 5 speakers, with cables run around the room. It's a pain & I'd like to consider a sound bar, but not sure what I should be looking for given the next item.
Octava HDMI/Optical Distributor:
Brilliant bit of kit, now obsolete & unavailable. It's also old tech & I'm not sure if I need to distribute Optical, especially as many new devices don't have a separate output.
CAT 6 could be run, but the Co-Ax is already there, so if there is a solution that works over that, it'd be great.
Thanks in advance.
The Octava & Home Cinema are offline, as one or both have developed a fault & will not work correctly.
I'd like to get new kit, but unsure what to go for.
TVs:
These are still going strong & I don't want to replace until they fail, unless it's absolutely necessary.
I appreciate that at nearly 20 years old, there may be a compatibility/functionality issue with any new kit.
But, if a new model solves some of the other connection/functionality issues, it may be worth replacing.
Sky+HD Box:
I'd like to replace this with Freeview, but is there a way to link using RF?
I've seen the Triax MOD103T HDMI to COFDM Modulator, which can transmit HDMI over Co-Ax, but unsure if it will work & what else is needed.
Home Cinema:
This has 5 speakers, with cables run around the room. It's a pain & I'd like to consider a sound bar, but not sure what I should be looking for given the next item.
Octava HDMI/Optical Distributor:
Brilliant bit of kit, now obsolete & unavailable. It's also old tech & I'm not sure if I need to distribute Optical, especially as many new devices don't have a separate output.
CAT 6 could be run, but the Co-Ax is already there, so if there is a solution that works over that, it'd be great.
Thanks in advance.
What do you want it to do?
Internet to TV? either use the TV's own smart capability, shove a firestick in it, maybe a Raspberry Pi or an Intel NUC or other baby computer.
Recorded TV? Dish, > Humax box or equiv, > TV.
If you need stored/recorded programmes to be available to both TVs, it gets a bit harder.
Internet to TV? either use the TV's own smart capability, shove a firestick in it, maybe a Raspberry Pi or an Intel NUC or other baby computer.
Recorded TV? Dish, > Humax box or equiv, > TV.
If you need stored/recorded programmes to be available to both TVs, it gets a bit harder.
Humax Aura for Freeview and OnDemand, Prime, etc.
AV receiver such as Denon, that will take all the inputs you wish and likely a far better sound, especially if you have a model with Audyessy room correction built in. This will switch the HDMI as you need. I use the AV for sound all the time, whether watching the news, a film or at the moment Glastonbury. Some models have two HDMI outputs and can show the same input or different ones.
The Denon can be controlled via an app...
You could look at a solution for HDMI over co-ax for your second room TV, however the first few I saw in a search didn't appear cheap...
AV receiver such as Denon, that will take all the inputs you wish and likely a far better sound, especially if you have a model with Audyessy room correction built in. This will switch the HDMI as you need. I use the AV for sound all the time, whether watching the news, a film or at the moment Glastonbury. Some models have two HDMI outputs and can show the same input or different ones.
The Denon can be controlled via an app...
You could look at a solution for HDMI over co-ax for your second room TV, however the first few I saw in a search didn't appear cheap...
Thanks all.
I tend to start with the cost is the cost & work backwards.
A quick stab - £500.
Distribute this to the other room, noting your comment I bolded.
The Amazon Box does the digital stuff at the TV & doesn't need to be distributed. There is also a Fire Stick at the 2nd TV.
I've updated the schematic, but can't upload it as Thumbsnap is broken.
The Denon kit has a wide range & some pricey items. Audyessy seems a bit OTT compared to what I currently have.
The basic speaker provision is 2.2 (£749) & presumably would not be used with a Soundbar, as the Soundbar would have some of the IO & functionality of the AV Tuner included?
The Triax HDMI distributor is on Amazon @ £162. It apparently needs an RF Distribution Amplifier (with IR Passthrough), which seems to be c £75.
So far:
TV Tuner/Recording...
Humax Aura (2TB HDD) has equivalent HDD to my SKY+Box: c £279
Humax HDR-2000T has only 1TB HDD: used only c £70 - £229
Humax FVP-5000T has 2TB HDD, but no stock available: c £299 eBay (1TB c £220)
Triax MOD103T HDMI to COFDM Modulator: c £162
RF Distribution Amplifier: c £75
Not sure if any of the Humax solutions will match Sky+ for live pause or whether they can record one thing & watching something else.
Sound:
The sound solution is less clear.
It would seem the neatest solution would be a 2.2 Soundbar with the necessary IO, but don't know if that exists.
The other option would be the Denon unit (c £749) plus some speakers.
I am also assuming that the HDMI output of the Humax & other devices would connect into the Denon & the Denon HDMI output would connect into the Triax, which would then connect to the TV.
Not sure if all that would work properly. There's no phono output on the Denon (unless that's what "Pre Out" is), so might not work with the main TV, although that might be something specific to the Viera Sound feature.
If it does work, using the Humax Aura for TV Play/Record, the cost would be c £1266, plus the cost of adding a new Aerial & some speakers.
I've drawn up another schematic & will upload when Thumbsnap is fixed.
TEKNOPUG said:
Budget?
Good question. I tend to start with the cost is the cost & work backwards.
A quick stab - £500.
OutInTheShed said:
What do you want it to do?
Internet to TV? either use the TV's own smart capability, shove a firestick in it, maybe a Raspberry Pi or an Intel NUC or other baby computer.
Recorded TV? Dish, > Humax box or equiv, > TV.
If you need stored/recorded programmes to be available to both TVs, it gets a bit harder.
Record/Playback as per the Sky+ Box, ideally via SAT as internet is not great.Internet to TV? either use the TV's own smart capability, shove a firestick in it, maybe a Raspberry Pi or an Intel NUC or other baby computer.
Recorded TV? Dish, > Humax box or equiv, > TV.
If you need stored/recorded programmes to be available to both TVs, it gets a bit harder.
Distribute this to the other room, noting your comment I bolded.
The Amazon Box does the digital stuff at the TV & doesn't need to be distributed. There is also a Fire Stick at the 2nd TV.
I've updated the schematic, but can't upload it as Thumbsnap is broken.
markiii said:
Plex might help, app on each TV or attached fire stick type thingy
Hdhomerun freeview tuner attached to Plex server allows centralised recording and distribution to all tvs
Will investigate this further, thanks.Hdhomerun freeview tuner attached to Plex server allows centralised recording and distribution to all tvs
Techno9000 said:
Humax Aura for Freeview and OnDemand, Prime, etc.
AV receiver such as Denon, that will take all the inputs you wish and likely a far better sound, especially if you have a model with Audyessy room correction built in. This will switch the HDMI as you need. I use the AV for sound all the time, whether watching the news, a film or at the moment Glastonbury. Some models have two HDMI outputs and can show the same input or different ones.
The Denon can be controlled via an app...
You could look at a solution for HDMI over co-ax for your second room TV, however the first few I saw in a search didn't appear cheap...
The Humax Aura is Aerial only, no SAT connection. The Aerial here is in the loft & a bit rubbish. Will look at getting an external one, but was hoping to use the existing dish.AV receiver such as Denon, that will take all the inputs you wish and likely a far better sound, especially if you have a model with Audyessy room correction built in. This will switch the HDMI as you need. I use the AV for sound all the time, whether watching the news, a film or at the moment Glastonbury. Some models have two HDMI outputs and can show the same input or different ones.
The Denon can be controlled via an app...
You could look at a solution for HDMI over co-ax for your second room TV, however the first few I saw in a search didn't appear cheap...
The Denon kit has a wide range & some pricey items. Audyessy seems a bit OTT compared to what I currently have.
The basic speaker provision is 2.2 (£749) & presumably would not be used with a Soundbar, as the Soundbar would have some of the IO & functionality of the AV Tuner included?
The Triax HDMI distributor is on Amazon @ £162. It apparently needs an RF Distribution Amplifier (with IR Passthrough), which seems to be c £75.
So far:
TV Tuner/Recording...
Humax Aura (2TB HDD) has equivalent HDD to my SKY+Box: c £279
Humax HDR-2000T has only 1TB HDD: used only c £70 - £229
Humax FVP-5000T has 2TB HDD, but no stock available: c £299 eBay (1TB c £220)
Triax MOD103T HDMI to COFDM Modulator: c £162
RF Distribution Amplifier: c £75
Not sure if any of the Humax solutions will match Sky+ for live pause or whether they can record one thing & watching something else.
Sound:
The sound solution is less clear.
It would seem the neatest solution would be a 2.2 Soundbar with the necessary IO, but don't know if that exists.
The other option would be the Denon unit (c £749) plus some speakers.
I am also assuming that the HDMI output of the Humax & other devices would connect into the Denon & the Denon HDMI output would connect into the Triax, which would then connect to the TV.
Not sure if all that would work properly. There's no phono output on the Denon (unless that's what "Pre Out" is), so might not work with the main TV, although that might be something specific to the Viera Sound feature.
If it does work, using the Humax Aura for TV Play/Record, the cost would be c £1266, plus the cost of adding a new Aerial & some speakers.
I've drawn up another schematic & will upload when Thumbsnap is fixed.
Is the issue internet speed to the property or coverage within the property? A pair of streaming sticks would make your life very easy, as everything you can record via Freeview, you can simply stream. Recording and then redistributing is a massive additional complication and cost. You'd be better spending the money on improving the internet.
For audio for main TV, Q Acoustics M20 powered speakers are an all in one solution. You can even add a sub later. £350 if you shop around.
For audio for main TV, Q Acoustics M20 powered speakers are an all in one solution. You can even add a sub later. £350 if you shop around.
Edited by TEKNOPUG on Saturday 24th June 13:26
TEKNOPUG said:
Is the issue internet speed to the property or coverage within the property? A pair of streaming sticks would make your life very easy, as everything you can record via Freeview, you can simply stream. Recording and then redistributing is a massive additional complication and cost. You'd be better spending the money on improving the internet.
For audio for main TV, Q Acoustics M20 powered speakers are an all in one solution. You can even add a sub later. £350 if you shop around.
The downside is that some programmes don't stay available to stream for very long.For audio for main TV, Q Acoustics M20 powered speakers are an all in one solution. You can even add a sub later. £350 if you shop around.
Edited by TEKNOPUG on Saturday 24th June 13:26
Some stuff we record and then watch months later.
We don't find it a big deal only having access to recorded stuff on one TV.
Lots of stuff on non-BBC channels we record to allow skipping through adverts.
Smiler. said:
The Humax Aura is Aerial only, no SAT connection. The Aerial here is in the loft & a bit rubbish. Will look at getting an external one, but was hoping to use the existing dish.
The Denon kit has a wide range & some pricey items. Audyessy seems a bit OTT compared to what I currently have.
The basic speaker provision is 2.2 (£749) & presumably would not be used with a Soundbar, as the Soundbar would have some of the IO & functionality of the AV Tuner included?
The Triax HDMI distributor is on Amazon @ £162. It apparently needs an RF Distribution Amplifier (with IR Passthrough), which seems to be c £75.
So far:
TV Tuner/Recording...
Humax Aura (2TB HDD) has equivalent HDD to my SKY+Box: c £279
Humax HDR-2000T has only 1TB HDD: used only c £70 - £229
Humax FVP-5000T has 2TB HDD, but no stock available: c £299 eBay (1TB c £220)
Triax MOD103T HDMI to COFDM Modulator: c £162
RF Distribution Amplifier: c £75
Not sure if any of the Humax solutions will match Sky+ for live pause or whether they can record one thing & watching something else.
Sound:
The sound solution is less clear.
It would seem the neatest solution would be a 2.2 Soundbar with the necessary IO, but don't know if that exists.
The other option would be the Denon unit (c £749) plus some speakers.
I am also assuming that the HDMI output of the Humax & other devices would connect into the Denon & the Denon HDMI output would connect into the Triax, which would then connect to the TV.
Not sure if all that would work properly. There's no phono output on the Denon (unless that's what "Pre Out" is), so might not work with the main TV, although that might be something specific to the Viera Sound feature.
If it does work, using the Humax Aura for TV Play/Record, the cost would be c £1266, plus the cost of adding a new Aerial & some speakers....
Well, to be fair you did ask about 'Freeview' that's why I recommended the Humax Aura, but if you want Freesat, that is available too on their other products (that I have no experience of).The Denon kit has a wide range & some pricey items. Audyessy seems a bit OTT compared to what I currently have.
The basic speaker provision is 2.2 (£749) & presumably would not be used with a Soundbar, as the Soundbar would have some of the IO & functionality of the AV Tuner included?
The Triax HDMI distributor is on Amazon @ £162. It apparently needs an RF Distribution Amplifier (with IR Passthrough), which seems to be c £75.
So far:
TV Tuner/Recording...
Humax Aura (2TB HDD) has equivalent HDD to my SKY+Box: c £279
Humax HDR-2000T has only 1TB HDD: used only c £70 - £229
Humax FVP-5000T has 2TB HDD, but no stock available: c £299 eBay (1TB c £220)
Triax MOD103T HDMI to COFDM Modulator: c £162
RF Distribution Amplifier: c £75
Not sure if any of the Humax solutions will match Sky+ for live pause or whether they can record one thing & watching something else.
Sound:
The sound solution is less clear.
It would seem the neatest solution would be a 2.2 Soundbar with the necessary IO, but don't know if that exists.
The other option would be the Denon unit (c £749) plus some speakers.
I am also assuming that the HDMI output of the Humax & other devices would connect into the Denon & the Denon HDMI output would connect into the Triax, which would then connect to the TV.
Not sure if all that would work properly. There's no phono output on the Denon (unless that's what "Pre Out" is), so might not work with the main TV, although that might be something specific to the Viera Sound feature.
If it does work, using the Humax Aura for TV Play/Record, the cost would be c £1266, plus the cost of adding a new Aerial & some speakers....
The Humax Freeview PVRs have been capable of live pause (for up to two hours) for a number of generations and the Aura can record four channels while you watch a fifth. As if three at a time wasn't enough!
Yes, Denon AV Receivers go from the, relatively, budget end to what you might call 'high end'. Don't rule out going second hand, I recently sold a ten year old AVR that was going strong. Some peeps sell after a couple of years or so...
My thoughts would be for you to use the five current speakers and their cables for now, the Audyessy will help the set up of the sound to the best of your speakers capabilities (which I'm assuming is rather limited), and you can choose to update them when /if you wish. Since you already have the five speakers, and assuming they are sensibly positioned, they are likely to give you a better 'soundfield' than going to a soundbar, however expensive it is.
Not sure where you're getting 2.2 as the 'basic provision', even the Denon AVR-S660H is a five channel model that would connect to your existing speakers (accepting you need to check the impedance of the speakers is within the range of the AVR).
However, to have two HDMI outputs, that I think you'll want to send AV to the second TV as and when, it'll take stepping up to something like the current model AVR-X2800, this also has the Audyessy room correction, that the low end models lack, and much more besides. At first look Richer Sounds has the X2800 for £699.
Sorry its somewhat over budget, but it seems like a way of getting what you are used to but with improvement to the sound and other features, like a step into HEOS multi room audio perhaps.
As mentioned, consider looking at secondhand. This could get you all the features you need at a lower price point.
Cheers TEKNOPUG, you make good points.
As a Sky customer form a long time, we've become to used to doing what OutInTheShed said.
Not that we couldn't or wouldn't consider switching to streaming only.
Although, if I have got the schematic below right, distribution might not be that difficult.
And thanks Techno9000.
I did say Freeview, which reflects my lack of knowledge of the subject specifics.
But I think the Aura box is the way to go, after you mentioned it.
As for the comment about basic provision, coming at it from assuming provision for the least number of speakers being basic & wanting to ditch the ones I have now. That, and the plethora of models on the Denon website. As you're already aware, I'm a bit clueless in this department.
The AVR-S660H looks like it will do the job. And 2nd hand - no issue with that.
Where's the best place to look for such kit?
Back to the above diagram. If I have it right, the sound kit can be added in at a later date to the HDMI/RF distribution, which coupled with the Humax Aura is looking like c £502. This is way less than the minimum HD package I can get from Sky (18-month contract). It will pay for itself within 12-months.
I do have to add the cost of a replacement UHF aerial, but still worth it.
As for the Denon kit, as you rightly point out, I should be able to reuse the existing 5 speakers for now (specs at the bottom of this post).
How do I check compatibility with the AVR-S660H? I couldn't see any relevant spec details on the Denon webpage.
The original SC-PT850 Home Cinema system uses a 2-channel audio cable between the TV & the AV Tuner. The back panel connections are shown below:
I assume this cable would connect to the 'Audio In' on the Denon unit?
Do you know what it does/why it's needed?
It might be a requirement of the Viera system, which I think is now obsolete on new kit.
Speaker Specs:
As a Sky customer form a long time, we've become to used to doing what OutInTheShed said.
Not that we couldn't or wouldn't consider switching to streaming only.
Although, if I have got the schematic below right, distribution might not be that difficult.
And thanks Techno9000.
I did say Freeview, which reflects my lack of knowledge of the subject specifics.
But I think the Aura box is the way to go, after you mentioned it.
As for the comment about basic provision, coming at it from assuming provision for the least number of speakers being basic & wanting to ditch the ones I have now. That, and the plethora of models on the Denon website. As you're already aware, I'm a bit clueless in this department.
The AVR-S660H looks like it will do the job. And 2nd hand - no issue with that.
Where's the best place to look for such kit?
Back to the above diagram. If I have it right, the sound kit can be added in at a later date to the HDMI/RF distribution, which coupled with the Humax Aura is looking like c £502. This is way less than the minimum HD package I can get from Sky (18-month contract). It will pay for itself within 12-months.
I do have to add the cost of a replacement UHF aerial, but still worth it.
As for the Denon kit, as you rightly point out, I should be able to reuse the existing 5 speakers for now (specs at the bottom of this post).
How do I check compatibility with the AVR-S660H? I couldn't see any relevant spec details on the Denon webpage.
The original SC-PT850 Home Cinema system uses a 2-channel audio cable between the TV & the AV Tuner. The back panel connections are shown below:
I assume this cable would connect to the 'Audio In' on the Denon unit?
Do you know what it does/why it's needed?
It might be a requirement of the Viera system, which I think is now obsolete on new kit.
Speaker Specs:
Hi.
In regard to Freeview, just wondering if you are looking to watch different channels on the two TVs (from the Aura) at the same time, as this won't be possible. I'm just pointing this out as I wonder if that is what you are used to via your current set up.
When you say you want to ditch the speakers you have now, is that because you just don't want the clutter, or is it that you wish to improve on the sound?
The AVR-S660H will connect all the inputs you need, but only has the one HDMI output.
If you were to go to a X series model you will get the two HDMI outputs. These have the ability to have different content or the same depending on your preference. In my case I can send what I'm watching in the living room to the kitchen TV by HDMI as well (over a 15m cable).
On the subject of second hand, I go with eBay. I bought my current AVR on there, about three years old, boxed with all the original bits, bobs and manuals.
You could go for a X2700H which was only released in the Autumn of 2020.
Such as this one for £400.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304873048488?hash=item4...
The current model of this, the AVR-X2800H is retailing around £700, so a good saving and the 2700 gives you 95% of the features of todays model.
Coming on to the speakers, the spec you have shown give an issue in that some of your speakers have an impedance of 3 Ohms. This is on the low side for most amplifiers including the Denon, which is specified at 4-16 Ohms. Now, in my honest opinion the Denon won't expire in a smouldering heap running them at low to medium volumes, but they will be demanding / taking more current and so running high volumes could lead to a problem over time.
So, in reality both technically and from a sound quality perspective some speakers are required. These can be as cheap or expensive as you wish...
You are correct, that you could go with the diagram you have drawn, one point being that you wouldn't need Optical cable as well as HDMI between the Humax Aura and the distribution (or Denon).
I'd really take a look at running HDMI to the second TV, perhaps whosoever does the aerial upgrade would do this for you if you don't want to tackle it yourself? It could save you purchasing the HDMI > RF distribution kit entirely.
P.S. Forgot to answer your last question around the 2 channel audio cable between to the existing Panasonic Home Cinema system.
That is a way to input audio to the Home Cinema system from equipment where that is the best / highest level of connection on the 'source' equipment. The Optical input on the Home Cinema is a better connection as it will handle multi channel recordings giving better steering of sound to the five speakers. The 2 channel audio cable will at best give you Dolby Pro-Logic, the Optical cable can give Dolby Digital on your Panasonic where it is being streamed out of the connected equipment, such as the Humax Aura.
You see multi channel recordings on the Freeview HD channels where it is in the original mix such as films, but sometimes other 'big events'. Optical is the way to go for the connection between the Aura and your Panasonic.
If you were to purchase an AV receiver, such as the Denon, then the HDMI connection would be preferable as it can carry all the information in one cable and allow even higher bitrate sound streams (where encoded in the mix) to pass from the Aura into the receiver for processing eg: Dolby True HD.
In regard to Freeview, just wondering if you are looking to watch different channels on the two TVs (from the Aura) at the same time, as this won't be possible. I'm just pointing this out as I wonder if that is what you are used to via your current set up.
When you say you want to ditch the speakers you have now, is that because you just don't want the clutter, or is it that you wish to improve on the sound?
The AVR-S660H will connect all the inputs you need, but only has the one HDMI output.
If you were to go to a X series model you will get the two HDMI outputs. These have the ability to have different content or the same depending on your preference. In my case I can send what I'm watching in the living room to the kitchen TV by HDMI as well (over a 15m cable).
On the subject of second hand, I go with eBay. I bought my current AVR on there, about three years old, boxed with all the original bits, bobs and manuals.
You could go for a X2700H which was only released in the Autumn of 2020.
Such as this one for £400.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304873048488?hash=item4...
The current model of this, the AVR-X2800H is retailing around £700, so a good saving and the 2700 gives you 95% of the features of todays model.
Coming on to the speakers, the spec you have shown give an issue in that some of your speakers have an impedance of 3 Ohms. This is on the low side for most amplifiers including the Denon, which is specified at 4-16 Ohms. Now, in my honest opinion the Denon won't expire in a smouldering heap running them at low to medium volumes, but they will be demanding / taking more current and so running high volumes could lead to a problem over time.
So, in reality both technically and from a sound quality perspective some speakers are required. These can be as cheap or expensive as you wish...
You are correct, that you could go with the diagram you have drawn, one point being that you wouldn't need Optical cable as well as HDMI between the Humax Aura and the distribution (or Denon).
I'd really take a look at running HDMI to the second TV, perhaps whosoever does the aerial upgrade would do this for you if you don't want to tackle it yourself? It could save you purchasing the HDMI > RF distribution kit entirely.
P.S. Forgot to answer your last question around the 2 channel audio cable between to the existing Panasonic Home Cinema system.
That is a way to input audio to the Home Cinema system from equipment where that is the best / highest level of connection on the 'source' equipment. The Optical input on the Home Cinema is a better connection as it will handle multi channel recordings giving better steering of sound to the five speakers. The 2 channel audio cable will at best give you Dolby Pro-Logic, the Optical cable can give Dolby Digital on your Panasonic where it is being streamed out of the connected equipment, such as the Humax Aura.
You see multi channel recordings on the Freeview HD channels where it is in the original mix such as films, but sometimes other 'big events'. Optical is the way to go for the connection between the Aura and your Panasonic.
If you were to purchase an AV receiver, such as the Denon, then the HDMI connection would be preferable as it can carry all the information in one cable and allow even higher bitrate sound streams (where encoded in the mix) to pass from the Aura into the receiver for processing eg: Dolby True HD.
Edited by Techno9000 on Wednesday 28th June 07:43
Techno9000 said:
...lots of helpful stuff...
Thanks for that detailed reply.Apologies for not replying sooner, I've been away.
The current box in room 1, TV in room 2 is just the Sky RF Magic Eye job.
I did used to have 2 boxes & used a distribution unit similar to the Triax setup to watch different things but haven't used it for years. So as you pointed out with the Aura, is what we have now & all I need.
The speakers, I initially wanted to de-clutter, especially as the TV & front speakers are in the corner of the room & the rear ones are along the wall opposite. Having said that, your earlier post has prompted me to re-think this. So for now, they're staying.
I really like the look/spec of the Denon units, so will be keeping an eye out. The urgency has somewhat receded as I found a cheap HDMI splitter with a Toslink connection, which actually works with the Panasonic kit. It turns out the Home Cinema was not at fault.
What I do want to look at, is what the best arrangement for speaker position/type would be, given the way the room is laid out. I'll post up a plan later, but we'll be redecorating soon so there's opportunity to run cables in the ceiling/wall.
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