Can't get 5.1 from my XBOX on my HTIB!

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I've got an XBOX 360, and can't get 5.1 from my Panasonic HTIB because it doesn't have an optical input, what can I do? Do I need to buy a new system or what? My speaker wire is also in the wall.

My Response:

When it comes to Home Theater systems with DVD players built into them, this tends to be the number one complaint. Although you don't have an optical input on the unit, you do have the analog audio inputs (Right , White ) which you can connect the XBOX 360 to. It will not produce the 5.1 surround sound that the system is capable of, but it should have a surround mode for gaming, or general purpose that will make the gaming experience more complete. If you want to enhance the sound even more check out upgrading the Audio/Video cables to Monster Game Cables from Monster Cable, they will maximize your picture and sound to its best capabilities. Also if you want more of the surround experience use the Level settings on the system to raise the level of the Surround Speakers so that there is more active sound from behind you. If it really gets down to you wanting the optical input, you can switch out the receiver, and more than likely keep the existing speakers, or switch out the speakers as well since you have the wires run through the wall. But if you do that you will either end up using the XBOX360 as your DVD player, or purchase a DVD player as well. There are some really good HTIBs out there now for under $500, one in particular from Sony, comes with an up-converting DVD player, and HDMI connectivity on the receiver for future use as well.

How do I get my Digital Cable sound to my Bose 3-2-1, or HTIB?

This question was posted on an answers site:
How do I get the sound from my Digital Cable box to my Bose 3-2-1 system (also applicable for most any stereo)?

My Response:
There are a couple of different ways to do this, but the easiest is this:
For watching cable - on the back of your digital cable box you will have an audio output (red/white - left/right). Basically all you do there is connect that output to the input on your GS system and when you are watching anything on the cable box, the sound will then come through the GS.Your TV may have an audio output as well, if it does, then all you do is connect an audio cable from the TV audio output to the GS input and from there anything going through the TV would come out through the GS. I'm not a big fan of doing this though because if you watch your TV through Channel 3, it converts sounds to mono, even if you have a stereo TV. The best bet is to just run audio out of your sources like your cable box, VCR, etc. directly into the GS. Hope this helps.

The picture from my DVD Player is PINK! How do I fix this?

This question was posted on an answers site:
The picture from my DVD Player is PINK! How do I fix this?

My Response:
Couple of things to check:
1. If using component video, then somewhere in the mix it is very possible to have switched one of the connections by mistake, this happens a lot. Check to make sure that the plugs are where they are supposed to be, and that may fix it.2. If the cables aren't the problem then it could be the output on the DVD player is not set to match your TV - if you have a progressive scan DVD player, and your TV is not an HDTV, you may need to deactivate the progressive scan.3. Could be a bad cable. This happens as well, more so with S-Video than any other, but S-Video would probably show up in black and white.Check the cables, then check the DVD player video settings to make sure that they match your television.

What is Philips Ambilight and why would I want it?

This question was posted on an Answer site:
What is this Philips Ambilight gimmick and why would I want it?

My Response:
The Abilight is a nice feature to have for people who wear glasses or contacts especially because the purpose of Ambilight is to make TV viewing less stressful on the eyes, that's exactly why when you go to a movie theater they have the small sconces on the walls that produce just a little bit of diffused light, because watching TV in total darkness is bad for the eyes. So Philips saw this and put it inside their sets, most people think its a joke, but its a nice feature to have, especially for anything with a lot of moving action like sports, specifically racing. It also makes the picture look bigger too. I personally like it and think that is has made watching movies and sports more enjoyable.

What is a QAM Tuner and do I need it?

This question was posted on an answer site:
What is a QAM cable tuner and do I need it in my HDTV?

My Response:
A QAM tuner is basically your HD Cable Tuner, similar to that of a cable card, but if you are going to be using an antenna for reception of your local channels, or satellite then you will not be using the QAM tuner. You're not paying for it in the sets anymore, its pretty much a requirement now to be in there, but the funny thing about the QAM tuner is that most cable companies won't broadcast in a way to allow them to be used, you've got to go through their box or cable card. Cable card and QAM tuners are nice options to have down the road, as the regulations on cable are lifted, if you happen to select a TV with those features then you'll be ok, and you're not paying extra for them like you would have 2 years ago. Hope this helps.

What are Jewel Cube/Direct Reflecting Speakers

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Bose Lifestyle Series system. What's the difference between Jewel Cube and Direct/Reflecting cube speakers?

My Response:
Jewel Cube and Direct Reflecting are basically the same thing. Its just what Bose calls their small "cube-like" speakers. The cubes were designed to be virtually invisible and utilize a Bose technology called Direct Reflecting technology, which is great if you are going to be in a solid room, and not so great in an open area. The purpose behind the Reflecting technology is that sound bounce off of walls to make the room sound bigger, but if you have windows with drapes, or an open wall to another room, then the effect is lost. If you haven't purchased yet, and are looking at speakers, take a look at the Klipsch Quintet III available at Best Buy, add in a subwoofer and for $1000 you can have a much better sound system, without worrying about reflected sound, plus they do specials all the time, where you get the speakers, subwoofer and high power receiver for $1000, so essentially you get the receiver for free. Hope this helps.

Is it really necessary to use the Video In jacks on my surround receiver?

This question was posted on an Answers site:
Is it really necessary to use the Video inputs on the back of my Surround Receiver?

My Response:
It entirely depends on the components which you are connecting and the type of operation that you want. For instance, if you have a DVD player, Satellite, VCR, and a Video Game system your TV more than likely couldn't handle all that, so this is where the receiver comes in. If you run everything through the receivers A/V inputs then you could in a sense have one cable going to your television, making operation easy. Depending on the brand of receiver, it may convert lower video inputs out to higher outputs (example - Composite (yellow) in from VCR, but send out S-Video or Component to your TV). I travel for a living and I have most of the equipment I listed above, and I have everything running through the receiver, and now when my wife and son want to watch a movie or play games all they do is select the input on the receiver for the device they are going to use, and there it is right on the TV.