Any audio-visual experts on?

I got a surround sound system (sub & soundbar) for Xmas, but not the cables needed to connect it. Options are Coaxial, Optical or auxiliary. I can also connect directly to the TV, or to the DVD player. My questions are:

1. Which cable type should I go for?
2. Should I connect to the tv or DvD (I want better sound for both)
3. Where's the best place to buy it? (I'm not local, so main chains only)

Thanks!

 

question 1, i would probably go co ax.put not too sure on that
question 2 personally i would connect to the tv
question 3 try looking on ebay,

 

this may help also

What's the best way to connect to my TV?

Most sound bars connect via traditional red and white analogue phono sockets or digital Toslink connections. But connecting by HDMI offers the most versatile functions. Connect this way and you should be able to control the sound bar using just the TV remote.

Older HDMI equipped TVs can't pass audio out of HDMI ports, so require a Toslink or phono connection to send audio to your speakers. However, if you connect both HDMI and Toslink, you can at least control the volume using your TV remote.

Luckily, newer TVs sport a feature known as ARC, which stands for audio return channel. It's easy to spot - the socket on your TV will be labelled ARC.
If you have a television with this feature and a sound bar to match then audio will pass through the HDMI and will work with your TV remote. Check your TV's user guide if in doubt or if it doesn't work.
Does the quality of the cable matter?

Cables from the cheaper end of the market will normally do the trick for sound bar set-ups. Sound bar audio performance is still short of decent hi-fi system so cable quality is less important.

But cheap cables used over 'long runs' may actually deteriorate sound. It's not as relevant for sound bars but if you have a discerning ear or an expensive audio system you will probably notice. To ensure a decent cable look to spend a minimum of £2 per metre and up to £10 per metre if you need to have decent terminals fitted.

Like HDMI cables, audio cables can go up to ridiculous prices with Oxygen free cable, solid silver and even directional cable. These can generally be disregarded.

 

What is the make & model of the sound system?

Sounds as though you don't have an AV amplifier so without you would only be able to take the sound from one source. It would also depend on what sound output options you have on your TV on whether you'd be able to get surround sound on your DVD player. Which in turn would also depend on how your DVD is connected to your TV.

With an AV Amplifier you connect everything to that, with the output being to your TV & Surround speakers.

 

The box says 'Easy 1-cable connection' - easy for who!?

It's a Philips SoundBar CSS2115. I don't think HDMI is an option.

I have a Sony Bravia TV. The DVD player is also Sony, and only has a coaxial socket.

 

besides the tv and dvd do you want to connect anything else,gaming system surround sound besides the soundbar, blue ray set top box

 

http://download.p4c.philips.com/files/c/css2115_12/css2115_12_qsg_aen.pdf

heres the quick start guide did you get one of these with your system

 

connect it by co ax or by optical so you bet dolby surround sound on

 

Have you checked their online guide on how to setup ?

http://www.connectivityguide.philips.com/#connections

Add your equipment, remembering to adjust your settings (config) for each piece of equipment and it should show you how to set it up.

 

Only need to connect the TV and DVD player - no Sky or games consoles.

Re. the quick start guide, yes it came with one. But it only lists the connections available - there is no guidance as to the relative merits of each. Same for device connections: you can coonect to the TV or the DVD player. Erm great, but what's the difference! If I connect to the TV, will I not get better sound when watching DVDs (and vice versa)?

 

User manual page 7 http://download.p4c.philips.com/files/c/css2115_05/css2115_05_dfu_eng.pdf

Option 1: Best Quality
Option 2: Good Quality
Option 3: Basic Quality

RTFM lol

What make / model are your TV and Video? Or what audio output options do they have?

 

Both Sony. DVD has coax only. Tv has so many connections I'm assuming it has everything (is this necessarily the case?)