LF Advice on Audio for New HD TV

[mpcook]

Just finally upgraded two of our three TV's to HD and upgraded our Dish receivers as well. We are very happy with the setup. I also got the Dish version of the sling gadget so we can watch our Dish in any room via our wireless network on any one of our many Thinkpads, or anywhere in the world with an internet connection, either live TV or recorded shows on the Dish PVR.

I would like to add an inexpensive set of speakers to the TV, something that will just upgrade the sound a bit. I would rather not have to get an amp or home theater receiver, just plug mid quality small speakers into the TV. As it turns out, the one has Digital Optical audio out, I cannot see an easy way to connect speakers to the TV using this. The other one doesn't appear to have any audio out, only in.

Also, I have two units input to TV with the optical audio -- one is the Dish receiver, the other is a DVD player into the TIVO into the TV. So I can't use the audio out from the Dish receiver as it would then bypass the TIVO.

Anyone have any advice, suggestions, or experience with this? Recommendations on a pair of small but decent quality speakers? I assume they will have to be powered speakers.

If the only way to go is an amp or receiver, any recommendations on an inexpensive unit? Also small size, my wife will go crazy if I add more electronic gadgets to the TV shelves.

Thanks
Mike

[ZaZ]

2.1 or 5.1?

[mpcook]

2.1 or 5.1?

I have to keep it simple so 2.1, or even 2.0

[mediasponge]

Preamp-level audio signals are high impedance. You could put a Y-adapter on each of the audio outputs of the Dish receiver and run the extra line to a simple pair of amplified speakers like those used on PCs. Volume control will be manual, tho. Just do a search for "RCA y splitter" and you'll find things like this. Radio Shack should have them. You can get a cheap set of gaming speakers for around $39.

I was given a Coby 5.1 Home Theater system as a company service award. It's only a $100 value. Lots of wires to hook up.

[mpcook]

Preamp-level audio signals are high impedance. You could put a Y-adapter on each of the audio outputs of the Dish receiver and run the extra line to a simple pair of amplified speakers like those used on PCs. Volume control will be manual, tho. Just do a search for "RCA y splitter" and you'll find things like this. Radio Shack should have them. You can get a cheap set of gaming speakers for around $39.

I was given a Coby 5.1 Home Theater system as a company service award. It's only a $100 value. Lots of wires to hook up.

Thanks, that sounds like a simple option to try.

Mike