Audio Systems: TV Add-on speakers, inch lcd tv, optical input

Question
Wayne:
I suspect that this is an easy one for you. I would like to add better sound to my 32 inch LCD TV. It has an optical port which I would like to use. I attempted to use a Vizio Audio stick, but its optical port was damaged, so I returned it. But also, the audio stick and the TV each had their seperate control units to control sound. That was cumbersome. My question: Can you suggest an add on speaker system (inexpensive under $100) for my TV, and can you suggest an approach to my requirement such that I am able to use only one control unit to control TV sound quality. Hope you can help.

Answer
Hi Nicholas,

Any device that accepts an optical input would require a separate DAC & amplifier, and therefore a separate volume/tone controls. For under $100 dollars, I doubt that you'll be able to get anything but the most basic powered speaker system, and it would have very few features other than the essential controls.
As far as being able to tie both volume controls under a single remote, I don't know of any gear that is really set up for that, but there may be a third party remote that could possibly programmed to do this. As it stands, you're stuck with the dual remotes unfortunately.