iPod/mp3 to home theater, help
 

How would I or can I even hook up an iPod or any MP3 player to this home theater system? It has optical inputs and no 3.5 mm inputs.

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/SC-HTB20?t=specs

I'm looking for a budget 2.1 system for movies and occasional music. They've got these at sears for $199. If you have any other suggestions on a 2.1 NON soundbar system under $300 thats better than the panasonic, let me know.

Thanks

doesn't look like you can unless it could work over Bluetooth

You can hook your iPod up via your tv if it has an unused HDMI connection, but the tv will have to be turned on while playing music.

An amplifier without an analog input? I just realized I'm old. :crying:

Your pretty much only option is to buy a converter from analog audio to Toslink. That should cost you around 30-40 dollars, including the cables.

Added: The cable certifiedfunds mentioned can only be used with special 3.5mm connectors that have both electrical and optical outputs. Non-Mac mp3 players are unlikely to have it; you will need a standalone converter like this:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Analog-L-R-to...yZg~~60_58.JPG

apple tv...
I think I saw them on sale for $89

You aren't that old CoD, it's that this system doesn't have a real amplifier. This is a "you get what you pay for" type of situation. I understand the OP doesn't want to go broke on this, but when you take the cheaper way out, you sometimes have to sacrifice functionality. One of my co-workers bought a THIB where the Blu-ray player is also the receiver/amplifier. It only had 1 HDMI input on it, nothing else. He had issues trying to listen to music channels through his cable box, and was pretty frustrated with the overall experience.

OP: Do you HAVE to have a soundbar, or is it just a convenience thing? You could always set this system up as 3.1 (no rear speakers), and not have to worry about running speaker wire all over the room:

Thanks, I feel better now! :wavey:

This. Bluetooth would do it. New Nano has BT, touch has had it for awhile.

If you get an Apple TV for 99 bucks, i think that has hdmi. you can stream to the apple tv unit and the ATV pipes it in thru hdmi.

That system DOES NOT have Bluetooth connectivity. You should be just fine with something more to purchase.

Except one minor problem: the amplifier in question does not have any Bluetooth capabilities. :whistling:

Where did you read that? The owner's manual does not mention any Bluetooth.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...t=1#largeimage

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

That's what I did!

Excuse, don't want to hijack, but would these solutions work for playing music from an IPAD as well?

Why a 2.1 system and not a 5.1 or 7.1 system? They have more inputs, and can be set to stereo mode if you want, and you can find them in the $200-$300 range.

D'oh! Misread the specs page. Sorry.

Yep, that spec page is a bit misleading - all possible features are listed in bold letters, and then there is a tiny little dash that means "feature is not present". :dunno:

That's exactly what happened. I went ahead and edited my original post.

Yes they would.

I didn't think the iPhone did audio output for bluetooth anyway because apple wants them to use airplay. Or maybe they just won't certify it for use with iPhone?

Thanks all for the answers, but, this one really intrigues me.

Is there a switch to set most receivers to stereo mode, or do I just hook up the 2 front speakers? Would I miss out on sounds that are supposed to be transmitted through the rear speakers if the rears are not hooked up?

This is great news, as you've pointed out there are many name brand surround systems for around $300. I would like true 5.1 surround, just not enough to route the speaker wire and mount the speakers behind the couch. I'm also not a audiophile, so a decent 2.1 system should be fine for me.

Just hook up the 2 speakers and set the system to "stereo". I use a 7.1 receiver, but only have it set for 5.1.