Page 1 of Surround Sound : How to?

I have recently bought a Toshiba sd100e DVD player and would like to add surround sound to my set up.

My question is : what is the best way to go about this?

The DVD player doesn`t have a built in decoder so will I need to buy one.
Will I need to buy an amplifier too?

I am confused as to the difference between a:

Surround Sound Reciever
Surround Sound Amp
Surround Sound Processor

the FAQ`s don`t seem to cover this.

Can anyone help me out?

thanks

Iain

Surround Sound Processor:

Decodes the surround information into separate channels ready to be sent to separate amplifiers. Sometimes includes amplifiers for the surround channels but never for the main channels.

Surround Amp

Combines a processor with all the amplifiers needed for surround sound - jyst add speakers (and a subwoofer)

Surround reciever

As above but includes a radio tuner as well


HTH

John

You forgot this one:

Surround sound trousers:

Trousers designed to immerse the wearer in sound.

HTH

What about:

Surround sound pears:

providing surround sound in your fruit bowl without being aesthetically displeasing.

Surround sound rectum

`Nuff said.

I am afraid that is a bit too much said; rather tasteless; and quite unnecessary.

I agree, totally off topic is rectums

It`s ridiculous. Talk about trying to have a serious discussion.

Basically, you need an amp (or receiver if you listen to the radio) and a set of speakers to get you surround sound.

If you`re short on money then there are cheap packages with tiny little speakers, but proper kit is much better.

Look for an amp that supports both Dolby Digital and DTS. A recommendation would be the Yamaha DSPA5, which is quite popular. I got mine before it had really been reviewed but it`s a great little amp. You should get it at a price of between £250 and £280.

As for speakers and a subwoofer, buy some magazines. What Hifi, Home Cinema Choice, Home Entertainment etc will have reviews of products in.

www.homecinemachoice.com has their past reviews online which you can read and also www.audioreview.com has quite a lot of reviews for certain products.

Woooo! Talk about a raw nerve. Nothing wrong with rectums - everbody has one (well, most people). Some people talk out of theirs. And they`re no less serious than trousers, in fact the two go fairly well together.