Using existing surround sound with new blu-ray player (1 Viewer)

[Ryan Atwood]

Hi Everyone,

I have a pretty high-end DVD player that has an 8-prong cable that connects from the DVD player directly to a sub-woofer. From there, the subwoofer also connects to the 5 surround sound speakers. This 8-prong connection from the DVD player to the sub-woofer says "SP-PWC5" on it.

I am thinking to buy a Blu-ray player. I could just connect the blu-ray player to the TV via HDMI and take down the surround sound (as the DVD player would no longer be useful), but I thought it would be better to use the surround sound system if I can with a new blu-ray player. Can someone tell me what is the best / cheapest way to connect a blu-ray player that I can buy to this existing surround sound system. If I remember right, I think these were purchased maybe in 2003-ish?

Thanks

 

[Carl Johnson]

Unless the DVD player or sub have some sort of external input jack there will be no way to connect a blu ray player to the sound system. I bought a system similar to what you have years ago for my parents and it could only play DVDs.

 

[Jason Charlton]

Welcome to the forum, Ryan,

Unfortunately, that 8-prong connector seems like a "proprietary" connection, and to be frank, "high end" combined with "proprietary" is an oxymoron.

I don't think you will find any standalone Blu-ray player that will work with that speaker/surround setup. If you could provide us with a specific make and model number for the surround system, we could tell you for certain. The only hope you have for using that speaker system with any other device is if it has at least one digital audio input (either coaxial or optical).

 

[Ryan Atwood]

Thanks guys. The subwoofer is a JVC powered subwoofer and the model no: is "SP-PWC5". The only inputs it has is that 8-prong jack + the 5 pairs of L/R speaker wire inputs for the 5 speakers in the system. Can you confirm for me that there is no way to use a Blu-Ray player with this as you said?

 

[Jason Charlton]

Found the manual online.

The receiver unit (the DVD player - not the subwoofer) does have one optical digital input. You can get a standalone Blu-ray player that has an optical output and connect the optical (audio) from the Blu-ray player to the surround system, and the HDMI (video) from the Blu-ray player directly to the TV.

You leave the speakers connected to the surround system as they are now.

On the surround system, you change the input to "DBS" in order to hear the audio from the connected device.

You will have to read the manual for your Blu-ray player carefully to make sure it is properly configured to output audio in a form that your surround system can process (i.e. your surround system may not be able to handle DTS audio from external devices, etc.).

All of this being said, you really should replace this system. Clearly, you've already outgrown it, and using the digital optical connection from your Blu-ray does not allow you to truly benefit from the improved audio formats that Blu-ray has to offer (lossless audio). You can get much better systems for $3-400 if your budget allows.

 

[Ryan Atwood]

Thanks Jason. This was a big help!