I have a stereo receiver with no optical digital audio cable connection. How can I connect it to my Panasonic TCP50X1? The guy at panasonic said I could try going through a VCR??

Just use the analogue audio outputs from the TV to play its sound through your receiver!

Daniel

Just use the analogue audio outputs from the TV to play its sound through your receiver!

Daniel

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There aren't any analogue outputs. This is a picture of the connections on the back of the plasma.

Patty,

Oops, sorry! I assumed it was a 'good' TV receiver. Does your stereo receiver (brand/model?) have a coax digital audio in (S/PDIF)? If not, probably time to upgrade to a modern receiver! (If it does, you could use a Toslink to coax converter.)

Daniel

Patty,

Oops, sorry! I assumed it was a 'good' TV receiver. Does your stereo receiver (brand/model?) have a coax digital audio in (S/PDIF)? If not, probably time to upgrade to a modern receiver! (If it does, you could use a Toslink to coax converter.)

Daniel

Here's a pic of the back of the stereo receiver:
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Here's a pic of the back of the stereo receiver:
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Here's a pic of the side of the TCP50X1:

Patty,

You're doing well with your inserted photos – they are very helpful in addressing your problem!

But sadly, the labels on your last picture are incorrect. Those side connectors are audio inputs, not outputs. Refer to page 43 of the Operating Instructions, which clearly show an arrow from a connected camcorder pointing in to the TV sockets.

Sadder still is that your picture of the stereo receiver rear shows no digital inputs of any sort.

Like the Panasonic guy said, you could buy a VCR/DVD-recorder or similar that had a digital audio input and analogue audio outputs, and feed that to your stereo (this would possibly be fiddly, with an extra piece of equipment having to be turned on and set in a certain mode to 'pass-through' the audio), but to my mind your money would be better spent on a surround receiver with Toslink audio input(s). Doesn't have to be new or expensive – peruse eBay for a bargain.

Daniel

Patty,

You're doing well with your inserted photos – they are very helpful in addressing your problem!

But sadly, the labels on your last picture are incorrect. Those side connectors are audio inputs, not outputs. Refer to page 43 of the Operating Instructions, which clearly show an arrow from a connected camcorder pointing in to the TV sockets.

Sadder still is that your picture of the stereo receiver rear shows no digital inputs of any sort.

Like the Panasonic guy said, you could buy a VCR/DVD-recorder or similar that had a digital audio input and analogue audio outputs, and feed that to your stereo (this would possibly be fiddly, with an extra piece of equipment having to be turned on and set in a certain mode to 'pass-through' the audio), but to my mind your money would be better spent on a surround receiver with Toslink audio input(s). Doesn't have to be new or expensive – peruse eBay for a bargain.
Daniel

Thanks for the information. I purchased a Pioneer VSX-519V-K and a Samsung DVD-VR375. I also got an optical cable. Any suggestions on the best way to connect all these components? I want to listen to the TV through the receiver and also DVD's. I have ceiling speakers and want all my sound to come through them.
Thanks Again,
Patty
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Patty,

That should be easy with the equipment you now have. I just wish all users of this service were as thoughfull as you – many don't even supply a brand/model number, let alone pictures of the connectors, yet expect someone to tell them how to hook-up A to B to C, etc!

I copied your photos and created the attached diagram, which should help in hooking it all up. You'll need two HDMI cables in addition to the Toslink (optical digital audio) cable you already have.

The images are pretty low-resolution, so in case it's not too clear, here are the required connections:
HDMI from Samsung HDMI OUT to Pioneer HDMI BD/DVD IN
HDMI from Pioneer HDMI OUT to Panasonic AV IN HDMI 1
Toslink from Panasonic DIGITAL AUDIO OUT to Pioneer OPTICAL IN2

To watch TV and listen through your surround receiver, select DVR/VCR input on the Pioneer (and of course 'TV' as the INPUT on the TV). To watch a DVD and listen through the surround receiver, select BD/DVD input on the Pioneer and HDMI 1 as INPUT on the TV.

I hope this solves your problem. If not, give us another yell!

Daniel

Patty,

That should be easy with the equipment you now have. I just wish all users of this service were as thoughfull as you – many don't even supply a brand/model number, let alone pictures of the connectors, yet expect someone to tell them how to hook-up A to B to C, etc!

I copied your photos and created the attached diagram, which should help in hooking it all up. You'll need two HDMI cables in addition to the Toslink (optical digital audio) cable you already have.

The images are pretty low-resolution, so in case it's not too clear, here are the required connections:
HDMI from Samsung HDMI OUT to Pioneer HDMI BD/DVD IN
HDMI from Pioneer HDMI OUT to Panasonic AV IN HDMI 1
Toslink from Panasonic DIGITAL AUDIO OUT to Pioneer OPTICAL IN2

To watch TV and listen through your surround receiver, select DVR/VCR input on the Pioneer (and of course 'TV' as the INPUT on the TV). To watch a DVD and listen through the surround receiver, select BD/DVD input on the Pioneer and HDMI 1 as INPUT on the TV.

I hope this solves your problem. If not, give us another yell!

Daniel

Thank you so much Daniel! I don't have HD service so can I still use the HDMI cables to connect. I do have a bunch of RCA cables. How would I use those?

Patty,

HDMI is a general digital interface for video and audio, not specifically just for high-definition. So yes, the HDMI connections will work and will give you the best quality picture and sound.

That said, if you don't want to rush out and buy some (possibly expensive) HDMI cables, you could get by in the interim with analogue (RCA) cables, if you don't mind the slightly lower quality.

In terms of analogue video quality, the cables that give the best result have the video portion (yellow RCA connector) thicker than the audio section (I'm talking about the 3-way A/V cables, with yellow, red and white RCA connectors). If you only have audio RCA cables (twin, red & white), you could press one into service for video too, but the video quality will suffer even more.

The attached diagram shows the analogue connections that should work. Again, I'll spell them out in case the picture isn't clear. Because I can't show a white cable on a white background, I've use grey to represent white. Also, the cables aren't usually coloured all their length as I've shown, but are usually black or grey on the outside, with just the connectors coloured yellow/red/white.

A/V RCA cable 1:
Ye from Samsung AV OUT VIDEO to Pioneer DVR/VCR VIDEO IN
Wh from Samsung AV OUT AUDIO L to Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO IN L
Rd from Samsung AV OUT AUDIO R to Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO IN R

A/V RCA cable 2:
Ye from Pioneer DVR/VCR VIDEO OUT to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 VIDEO
Wh from Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO OUT L to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 AUDIO L
Rd from Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO OUT R to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 AUDIO R
Toslink from Panasonic DIGITAL AUDIO OUT to Pioneer OPTICAL IN1

To watch TV and listen through your surround receiver, select CD-R/TAPE input on the Pioneer (and of course 'TV' as the INPUT on the TV). To watch a DVD and listen through the surround receiver, select DVR/VCR input on the Pioneer and VIDEO 1 as INPUT on the TV.

Daniel

In hindsight, I guess this adapter would have worked in the first case. Gefen | GTV-DIGAUD-2-AAUD Digital to Analog | GTV-DIGAUD-2-AAUD (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=594341&is=REG&A=details&Q=)

In hindsight, I guess this adapter would have worked in the first case. Gefen | GTV-DIGAUD-2-AAUD Digital to Analog | GTV-DIGAUD-2-AAUD (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=594341&is=REG&A=details&Q=)
Thanks for the info. It's still good that I upgraded to a better receiver and I needed a DVD recorder to record all my VHS home movies onto DVD anyway. I'll keep that adapter in mind if I get another HD TV.
Thanks,
Patty

Patty,

HDMI is a general digital interface for video and audio, not specifically just for high-definition. So yes, the HDMI connections will work and will give you the best quality picture and sound.

That said, if you don't want to rush out and buy some (possibly expensive) HDMI cables, you could get by in the interim with analogue (RCA) cables, if you don't mind the slightly lower quality.

In terms of analogue video quality, the cables that give the best result have the video portion (yellow RCA connector) thicker than the audio section (I'm talking about the 3-way A/V cables, with yellow, red and white RCA connectors). If you only have audio RCA cables (twin, red & white), you could press one into service for video too, but the video quality will suffer even more.

The attached diagram shows the analogue connections that should work. Again, I'll spell them out in case the picture isn't clear. Because I can't show a white cable on a white background, I've use grey to represent white. Also, the cables aren't usually coloured all their length as I've shown, but are usually black or grey on the outside, with just the connectors coloured yellow/red/white.

A/V RCA cable 1:
Ye from Samsung AV OUT VIDEO to Pioneer DVR/VCR VIDEO IN
Wh from Samsung AV OUT AUDIO L to Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO IN L
Rd from Samsung AV OUT AUDIO R to Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO IN R

A/V RCA cable 2:
Ye from Pioneer DVR/VCR VIDEO OUT to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 VIDEO
Wh from Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO OUT L to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 AUDIO L
Rd from Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO OUT R to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 AUDIO R
Toslink from Panasonic DIGITAL AUDIO OUT to Pioneer OPTICAL IN1

To watch TV and listen through your surround receiver, select CD-R/TAPE input on the Pioneer (and of course 'TV' as the INPUT on the TV). To watch a DVD and listen through the surround receiver, select DVR/VCR input on the Pioneer and VIDEO 1 as INPUT on the TV.

Daniel
Thanks Daniel!! I will eventually get the HDMI cables but I have the RCA cables I need. Spent too much money on electronics this month. Not too many women get excited about LARGE TV's and sound but I don't shop for shoes and purses... rather go barefooted!
I guess I could have gotten this converter but $67 plus shipping is better spent on new equipment!23060
Thanks Again,
Patty

Patty,

I agree that your new equipment was a better choice than the adapter KISS found (he's clever at finding useful stuff like that).

Though I downloaded user manuals for your equipment, I missed the fact the Samsung is a recorder (I jumped straight to the connections pages!). I hope you realise that you won't be able to record TV programs on that recorder because your TV doesn't have a video output connector. All you'll be able to do is transfer your VHS tapes to DVD, and watch tapes and DVDs.

Also, because the pioneer has both digital and analogue inputs for DVR/VCR, you may need to do some setup on the Pioneer to select the analogue inputs rather than the digital ones. But the manual doesn't speak about this, so I'm guessing it has auto-sensing, and switches automatically according to the signals received.

Daniel

How right you are. But, it's unlikely that one would want to record the same program that they are watching because you would have to power up the TV at the same time.

What we don't know is if this is connected to digital cable with the settop box having it's own video outputs. Warning, I heard that even if the connector is present there is no guarantee that the signal is. HDMI preserves copy protection. Not sure about component video. Composite (lowest quality) generally does not.

Patty,

HDMI is a general digital interface for video and audio, not specifically just for high-definition. So yes, the HDMI connections will work and will give you the best quality picture and sound.

That said, if you don't want to rush out and buy some (possibly expensive) HDMI cables, you could get by in the interim with analogue (RCA) cables, if you don't mind the slightly lower quality.

In terms of analogue video quality, the cables that give the best result have the video portion (yellow RCA connector) thicker than the audio section (I'm talking about the 3-way A/V cables, with yellow, red and white RCA connectors). If you only have audio RCA cables (twin, red & white), you could press one into service for video too, but the video quality will suffer even more.

The attached diagram shows the analogue connections that should work. Again, I'll spell them out in case the picture isn't clear. Because I can't show a white cable on a white background, I've use grey to represent white. Also, the cables aren't usually coloured all their length as I've shown, but are usually black or grey on the outside, with just the connectors coloured yellow/red/white.

A/V RCA cable 1:
Ye from Samsung AV OUT VIDEO to Pioneer DVR/VCR VIDEO IN
Wh from Samsung AV OUT AUDIO L to Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO IN L
Rd from Samsung AV OUT AUDIO R to Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO IN R

A/V RCA cable 2:
Ye from Pioneer DVR/VCR VIDEO OUT to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 VIDEO
Wh from Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO OUT L to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 AUDIO L
Rd from Pioneer DVR/VCR AUDIO OUT R to Panasonic VIDEO IN 1 AUDIO R
Toslink from Panasonic DIGITAL AUDIO OUT to Pioneer OPTICAL IN1

To watch TV and listen through your surround receiver, select CD-R/TAPE input on the Pioneer (and of course 'TV' as the INPUT on the TV). To watch a DVD and listen through the surround receiver, select DVR/VCR input on the Pioneer and VIDEO 1 as INPUT on the TV.

Daniel
I hooked everything up and I can't even get sound out of the receiver when it's on tuner.
I have 4 speakers in the ceiling(2 front-left and right- and 2 rear-left and right) What is the best connecton for me to make on the back of this receiver for my speakers? What am I doing wrong? I have always had a TV hooked up to the receiver but there are sooooo many buttons and controls and... HELP!!
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Patty, the attachment didn't make it.

patty, the attachment didn't make it.
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I have 4 ceiling speakers and my other receiver front left and right and rear left and rt connections. Where do I connect the front and rear speakers? I did a sound test on the phone with pioneer and there is sound but can't get an fm channel to play through them.

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I have 4 ceiling speakers and my other receiver front left and right and rear left and rt connections. Where do I connect the front and rear speakers? I did a sound test on the phone with pioneer and there is sound but can't get an fm channel to play through them.

I'm about ready to take this receiver back to Best Buy. Why does it have to be so complicated? I hooked up my other receiver and got sound from all 4 speakers and a radio station. I might just get that converter for it.

I'll look at the manual for the receiver when I get a chance.

If the receive is in Mute or the tape monitor loop is activated, would cause it not to work.

519 manual is here: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Support/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/PioneerReceivers/ci.VSX-519V-K.Support

Looks like there is a speakers button which selects the speaker of the headphne jack. If you have a pair of headphones, you might try there.

I'll look at the manual for the receiver when I get a chance.

If the receive is in Mute or the tape monitor loop is activated, would cause it not to work.

519 manual is here: Pioneer USA - Pioneer A/V Receivers (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Support/HomeEntertainment/AV-Receivers/PioneerReceivers/ci.VSX-519V-K.Support)
I have the manual but I don't understand it! The receiver is unmuted.

Patty,

Unfortunately (for you), all modern surround receivers are complicated to connect and set up. This is because they are made to be very flexible in the number and types of inputs catered for. I say unfortunately 'for you', because it's good for people like me, with multiple input devices and modes, which a single surround receiver can (almost) handle on its own! :)

I'm assuming you've hooked up the input RCA (analogue) and Toslink (digital) cables as per my earlier diagram/instructions, and your four speakers are connected to the front and surround pairs of speaker connectors on the receiver.

The instructions on page 34 of the Operating Instructions talk about selecting the input type. You need to first select the input to be assigned (CD-R/TAPE if you've followed my suggested connections) and then press the remote's SIGNAL SEL button repeatedly until 'O2' (= optical input 2) appears in the receiver's display (just where on the display, the manual doesn't stipulate!). You should only need to do this setup once - the receiver should remember it even after a power cycle.

Make sure the SP->A indicator is lit, indicating that the speakers are 'on'.

Daniel

Sorry, that's 'O1' (optical input 1) you need, not O2.
Daniel

Yes. HDMI is just a digital standard. See High-Definition Multimedia Interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi)

Audio cables might no have the quality for video. The devices use component video, which means 3 cables and audio which means 2 cables, so a total of 5 cables per source. Hint: Mattch colors

Patty,

Unfortunately (for you), all modern surround receivers are complicated to connect and set up. This is because they are made to be very flexible in the number and types of inputs catered for. I say unfortunately 'for you', because it's good for people like me, with multiple input devices and modes, which a single surround receiver can (almost) handle on its own! :)

I'm assuming you've hooked up the input RCA (analogue) and Toslink (digital) cables as per my earlier diagram/instructions, and your four speakers are connected to the front and surround pairs of speaker connectors on the receiver.

The instructions on page 34 of the Operating Instructions talk about selecting the input type. You need to first select the input to be assigned (CD-R/TAPE if you've followed my suggested connections) and then press the remote's SIGNAL SEL button repeatedly until 'O2' (= optical input 2) appears in the receiver's display (just where on the display, the manual doesn't stipulate!). You should only need to do this setup once - the receiver should remember it even after a power cycle.

Make sure the SP->A indicator is lit, indicating that the speakers are 'on'.

Daniel
Got it working! Thank you so much. Still don't understand a lot about it but my son-in-law will fine tune it when the come to visit from Chicago. He owns Frequency Audio but has been no help to me yet.
Patty