Aldi Surround Sound $99

[Richard]

Hi There,

What does the term " compatible with AC-3 & DTS connection" mean?

http://australia.aldi.com/cms/

[wim]

"Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:4021f3b0$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> Hi There,
>
> What does the term " compatible with AC-3 & DTS connection" mean?
>
> http://australia.aldi.com/cms/

My guess is that it is to do with the fact that it does not include a
processor, just the speakers,
which are connected to something else, requiring then only a connection to
work.
Does Aldi use credit cards at all, I sense an organised effort to reduce
their use.

>
>

[Richard Grzeszkiewicz]

"wim" <fredj@labyrinth.NOnet.SPAMau> wrote in message news:<bvt3um$1hb4$1@arachne.labyrinth.net.au>...
> "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> news:4021f3b0$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > Hi There,
> >
> > What does the term " compatible with AC-3 & DTS connection" mean?
> >
> > http://australia.aldi.com/cms/
>
> My guess is that it is to do with the fact that it does not include a
> processor, just the speakers,
> which are connected to something else, requiring then only a connection to
> work.
> Does Aldi use credit cards at all, I sense an organised effort to reduce
> their use.
>
> >
> >

Does that mean six RCA connections C, SW, FL, FR, SL, SR or something else?

You can use your credit card to do an eftpos transaction.

[John Saunders]

Dick Smith Electronics has a similar unit for $79.84, although
sightly less power output on each speaker. Like the ALDI unit
it has 6 RCA connectors, no SP/DIF connection of any kind.

For a unit with both optical and coaxial audio input, and DD5.1
and DTS decoder on-board, DSE sells a Voxson for $248.

Not sure if there would be any difference in sound quality given
that the speakers in these systems are less than ideal. However
only having to run 1 cable is a bonus. Also ensure that your
sound card digital output can output the full 5.1 channels, as
this requires a DD5.1 or DTS encoder in the sound chip (ala
nForce2 SoundStorm). Cheaper systems simply put stero in PCM
format out the digital connection, and there is not enough
bandwidth in SP/DIF to output 6 channels of PCM.

"Richard Grzeszkiewicz" <richardg@colourcity.com> wrote in message
news:4a2fa33a.0402051140.30f16963@posting.google.c om...
> "wim" <fredj@labyrinth.NOnet.SPAMau> wrote in message
news:<bvt3um$1hb4$1@arachne.labyrinth.net.au>...
> > "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:4021f3b0$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > > Hi There,
> > >
> > > What does the term " compatible with AC-3 & DTS connection" mean?
> > >
> > > http://australia.aldi.com/cms/
> >
> > My guess is that it is to do with the fact that it does not include a
> > processor, just the speakers,
> > which are connected to something else, requiring then only a connection
to
> > work.
> > Does Aldi use credit cards at all, I sense an organised effort to reduce
> > their use.
> >
> > >
> > >
>
> Does that mean six RCA connections C, SW, FL, FR, SL, SR or something
else?
>
> You can use your credit card to do an eftpos transaction.

[Chriz - was Ben Smith \(B.S\)]

"Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:4021f3b0$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> Hi There,
>
> What does the term " compatible with AC-3 & DTS connection" mean?
>
> http://australia.aldi.com/cms/
>

You can hook it up to a reciever with Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS decoding
for multi channel sound.

[Chriz - was Ben Smith \(B.S\)]

"Chriz - was Ben Smith (B.S)" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c02k7d$1281db$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> news:4021f3b0$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > Hi There,
> >
> > What does the term " compatible with AC-3 & DTS connection" mean?
> >
> > http://australia.aldi.com/cms/
> >
>
> You can hook it up to a reciever with Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS
decoding
> for multi channel sound.
>

Sorry, didn't check the site. Yeah that thing has a decoder in it to decode
the discreet channels of sound. It looks like one of those cheapo packs, but
hey it might sound OK. It is nowhere near the level of a proper set-up
though.

[Richard]

If that is the case. I will buy it and give it a go.



"Chriz - was Ben Smith (B.S)" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c02ki0$11slni$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de...
>
> "Chriz - was Ben Smith (B.S)" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:c02k7d$1281db$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de...
> >
> > "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:4021f3b0$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > > Hi There,
> > >
> > > What does the term " compatible with AC-3 & DTS connection" mean?
> > >
> > > http://australia.aldi.com/cms/
> > >
> >
> > You can hook it up to a reciever with Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS
> decoding
> > for multi channel sound.
> >
>
> Sorry, didn't check the site. Yeah that thing has a decoder in it to
decode
> the discreet channels of sound. It looks like one of those cheapo packs,
but
> hey it might sound OK. It is nowhere near the level of a proper set-up
> though.
>
>

[Chriz - was Ben Smith \(B.S\)]

"Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:402589a8_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> If that is the case. I will buy it and give it a go.

Well if you do get it check the box to make sure it has got a decoder
because the info is a bit sktchy. If it doesn't, then you need to buy a
reciever and hook up the speakers to that.

[Richard Grzeszkiewicz]

"Chriz - was Ben Smith \(B.S\)" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<c044cg$12jv75$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> news:402589a8_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > If that is the case. I will buy it and give it a go.
>
> Well if you do get it check the box to make sure it has got a decoder
> because the info is a bit sktchy. If it doesn't, then you need to buy a
> reciever and hook up the speakers to that.

Is there a way of telling that by looking at the back of the unit Physically.
Or is something that has to be specified on the box?

[Chriz]

"Richard Grzeszkiewicz" <richardg@colourcity.com> wrote in message
news:4a2fa33a.0402081111.34bd7c07@posting.google.c om...
> "Chriz - was Ben Smith \(B.S\)" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<c044cg$12jv75$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> > "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:402589a8_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > > If that is the case. I will buy it and give it a go.
> >
> > Well if you do get it check the box to make sure it has got a decoder
> > because the info is a bit sktchy. If it doesn't, then you need to buy a
> > reciever and hook up the speakers to that.
>
> Is there a way of telling that by looking at the back of the unit
Physically.
> Or is something that has to be specified on the box?

Well I'm no expert, but my DVD player manual says that if you want surround
sound, you need to hook up the DVD player to a reciever either by the
Optical output or a coaxial output. Therefore if the speaker system has
either of these inputs on the back, then it should have a decoder. If it
doesn't then I guess you'd need to buy a reciever and then hook that up to
the speakers. Apart from one of the two inputs, there should be 5 speaker
connectors to the speakers.
On the box just check if it says it decodes Dolby digital and DTS. I hope
this helps a bit.

[Richard Grzeszkiewicz]

"Chriz" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<c06h16$12oc63$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> "Richard Grzeszkiewicz" <richardg@colourcity.com> wrote in message
> news:4a2fa33a.0402081111.34bd7c07@posting.google.c om...
> > "Chriz - was Ben Smith \(B.S\)" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:<c044cg$12jv75$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> > > "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> > > news:402589a8_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > > > If that is the case. I will buy it and give it a go.
> > >
> > > Well if you do get it check the box to make sure it has got a decoder
> > > because the info is a bit sktchy. If it doesn't, then you need to buy a
> > > reciever and hook up the speakers to that.
> >
> > Is there a way of telling that by looking at the back of the unit
> Physically.
> > Or is something that has to be specified on the box?
>
> Well I'm no expert, but my DVD player manual says that if you want surround
> sound, you need to hook up the DVD player to a reciever either by the
> Optical output or a coaxial output. Therefore if the speaker system has
> either of these inputs on the back, then it should have a decoder. If it
> doesn't then I guess you'd need to buy a reciever and then hook that up to
> the speakers. Apart from one of the two inputs, there should be 5 speaker
> connectors to the speakers.
> On the box just check if it says it decodes Dolby digital and DTS. I hope
> this helps a bit.


Thanks for that.

[Richard]

I brought it and took it back.
It has 6 RCA connectors, no SP/DIF connection of any kind.



"Richard Grzeszkiewicz" <richardg@colourcity.com> wrote in message
news:4a2fa33a.0402082251.5c2091c0@posting.google.c om...
> "Chriz" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<c06h16$12oc63$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> > "Richard Grzeszkiewicz" <richardg@colourcity.com> wrote in message
> > news:4a2fa33a.0402081111.34bd7c07@posting.google.c om...
> > > "Chriz - was Ben Smith \(B.S\)" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in
message
> > news:<c044cg$12jv75$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> > > > "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> > > > news:402589a8_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > > > > If that is the case. I will buy it and give it a go.
> > > >
> > > > Well if you do get it check the box to make sure it has got a
decoder
> > > > because the info is a bit sktchy. If it doesn't, then you need to
buy a
> > > > reciever and hook up the speakers to that.
> > >
> > > Is there a way of telling that by looking at the back of the unit
> > Physically.
> > > Or is something that has to be specified on the box?
> >
> > Well I'm no expert, but my DVD player manual says that if you want
surround
> > sound, you need to hook up the DVD player to a reciever either by the
> > Optical output or a coaxial output. Therefore if the speaker system has
> > either of these inputs on the back, then it should have a decoder. If it
> > doesn't then I guess you'd need to buy a reciever and then hook that up
to
> > the speakers. Apart from one of the two inputs, there should be 5
speaker
> > connectors to the speakers.
> > On the box just check if it says it decodes Dolby digital and DTS. I
hope
> > this helps a bit.
>
>
> Thanks for that.

[Chriz]

"Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:402b3ec8$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> I brought it and took it back.
> It has 6 RCA connectors, no SP/DIF connection of any kind.

That's bodgey, but I guess it explains the price.

[Microvolt]

"Chriz" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<c0fh1d$15g2v2$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> news:402b3ec8$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > I brought it and took it back.
> > It has 6 RCA connectors, no SP/DIF connection of any kind.
>
> That's bodgey, but I guess it explains the price.

Yes, the box/brochure says it can be hooked up to a VCR or other
stereo source, but as it has 6 separate RCA jacks as inputs, I'm
unsure how one would take advantage of all 6 speakers at once, if
stereo is all that is required.

As for 5.1, unless your DVD has 6 RCA analog outputs, you can only use
two of the speakers (plus the subwoofer), it would seem. My
Hiteker/Digitrex GK-1000 only has stereo analogue RCA outputs - the
5.1 is coaxial/digital only.

Has anyone achieved better than this, or found another way of
optimising this system. It doesn't sound too bad, despite the
miserley 15W per channel. A family member bought one - but I'm unsure
whether to advise them to take it back, as they have the same DVD
player as me & g\hence the same issues.

[Chriz]

"Microvolt" <microvolt100@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:da32d6e3.0402140129.348abc01@posting.google.c om...
> "Chriz" <chrizizhere@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:<c0fh1d$15g2v2$1@ID-207118.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> > "Richard" <richard_g@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:402b3ec8$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au...
> > > I brought it and took it back.
> > > It has 6 RCA connectors, no SP/DIF connection of any kind.
> >
> > That's bodgey, but I guess it explains the price.
>
> Yes, the box/brochure says it can be hooked up to a VCR or other
> stereo source, but as it has 6 separate RCA jacks as inputs, I'm
> unsure how one would take advantage of all 6 speakers at once, if
> stereo is all that is required.
>
> As for 5.1, unless your DVD has 6 RCA analog outputs, you can only use
> two of the speakers (plus the subwoofer), it would seem. My
> Hiteker/Digitrex GK-1000 only has stereo analogue RCA outputs - the
> 5.1 is coaxial/digital only.

As far as I know a digital optical out or the coaxial is the only way to
achieve surround sound, at least on proper hifi equipment. RCA is not for
surround, unless there are 6 rca outputs for systems such as this.

> Has anyone achieved better than this, or found another way of
> optimising this system. It doesn't sound too bad, despite the
> miserley 15W per channel. A family member bought one - but I'm unsure
> whether to advise them to take it back, as they have the same DVD
> player as me & g\hence the same issues.

I don't know, I have a DVD player in the living room just hooked straight to
the TV. I have a mini hifi in my room with has in built decoder, so there's
no hooking up problems because it plays the DVDs itself, but is still a lot
more costly than the $99 Aldi system. I can't afford anything better right
now, I'm a student after all.