LG HT554PH 5.1Ch Home Cinema System

b820ag2

Right Loats123,

You said you have an optical cable plugged into your sky   (u r lucky as my older one doesn't). That means you have a digital link to your HT554PH and so if the film etc on sky is broadcast in dolby then you can get the audio in 5.1 (5 speakers and sub). Usual sky and freeview tv is broadcast in stereo so you will only get sound through the front two speakers in that case.

As you say you have a HDMI cable from your HT554 to tv, you therefore u have a digital audio link/picture which is best. Set your input on the HT554 to TV using remote top left button but again it will only be front speakers in stereo unless a program is broardcast in dolby.

A scart lead is an analogue signal and so I think you will only get stereo with that connection. Note though if both scart and optical is plugged into the same unit picture is by scart and audio by optical but you would have to change the input on you HT554PH to OPT AUX.

When playing a dvd you will allways be able to get at least Dolby Digital 5.1 but note the rear speakers only become active when needed for the surround sound effect so won't be on all the time.
Most dvd's have 5.1 as a minimum but some have the option in the dvd set up to change from 5.1 to a slightly higher standard called DTS but look on the back of the dvd box to see if it has the red DTS symbol.

By the way sky visual HD is only broadcast in entry level 720p and not full HD which is 1080p. The only way you get full HD is through blue-ray or playstation. I've got a 42" regza 1080p.

There is the best HD sound when playing through a HDMI cables called Dolby true/master but our HT554PH won't play this as no decoder for that.

Now for my bit!
If you have a dvd that has DTS audio on the box can you play the dvd and go into the dvd set up option and change the audio to DTS and see if sound is still on?

I have rang LG again and they insist it has a DTS decoder so it should play. They advise going back to Currys with a DTS audio dvd and try it in the shop. I might just have to settle for the 5.1 but its just the fact it should play that niggles me and not that is it that much better that normal 5.1.

Hope that helps you anyway!

loates123

ok cheers

is there any programs or films on sky that play in 5.1 as yet to see any

also can you play hd dvds on the player as fancy that planet earth

also i have just ordered a few dts films today as i did not have any once they arrive i will test them for you


how u meant to get dts on the remote?

b820ag2

Hi Loates,

I went back to currys today and tried my disc on there demo and it doesnt play DTs on theres either! so LG are wrong or there is a major design fault with these!

I've just therefore swapped it for a panasonic SC-PT175EB-K which was £299 in store but £200 when bought with a tv so he did it for the same price I paid for the LG so no extra.

No set it up yet, it does say DTS this time although the design isn't as nice as the LG and its 330 watts RMS instead of the LG's 500 so will have to see what its like.

On your remote when playing a DTS enabled disc, slecect I think either set up or setup in the dvd menu and just change the dolby digital from 5.1 to DTS and see if you still hear the audio! bet you carn't!

Good luck!

andy2322

i got this on weekend from currys.tryed to play battlefield bad company ps3 and no sound,game is in dts.

do u think i will be able to take it back to currys?

b820ag2

Hi Andy,

Yes take it back if bought recently. Currys on-line spec for this does say 'DTS - yes' so quote this as being wrong or say unless you can show me otherwise.

I changed mine but I do find it all rather strange that they don't play DTS as its been around for ages. It could be a major design fault with them as even LG told me it should
play it. I gave up after trying 3 different units and all the same!
Good luck.

b820ag2

Loats,

Further to what you asked earlier about getting full sound with the analogue signal usually broadcast in stereo, set the HT554PH to Pro Logic II and that should enhance the 2 channel signal to play out of all speakers. Not quite 5.1 standard but the best you will get with a normal deff sky film!
Hope that helps

andy2322

I not got the box anymore.will that matter.also recomend a diffrend one for me.

andy2322

will get refund tomorrow is there 1 in currys anyone would recommend must have dts.

b820ag2

Andy,

I changed my LG to a Panasonic SC-PT175EB which is really similar but does sat DTS on the top of the unit. It also has two front tall boy speakers. Similar price both £200 in Currys if bought with a tv. I originally bought a tv with my LG HT554PH so got it for the same price.
The only difference I can see is the total output is 330watts RMS instead of the LG's 500watts but for the level I watch at it shouldn't make a massive difference? If currys said it does play DTS (as per their spec sheet) then it shouldn't matter if you have the box or not but prob more or an arguement!

andy2322

Anyone got the Sony dav-dz630?