PS3 to HDTV to HiFi Reciever to 5.1 Surround

Hi guys, I need some help here: I want to enjoy my 5.1 surround sound when I am using PS3, Computer, and TV.

So far I got the HK surround system hooked up to my Hifi receiver (as you can see in the diagram I used the bottom right speaker hole for the 5.1 speakers.

-My PS3 is connected to the TV with HDMI-HDMI.
-I will be using a DVI-HDMI from my computer desktop to the HDTV, and a RCA plug from desktop to reciever. The RCA plugs will go into the Video 2 holes (see diagram). Will I have a problem with the 5.1 with these set up?
-What cables do I need for my HDTV to the receiver? And which holes will I be using on the receiver?

Hi guys, I need some help here: I want to enjoy my 5.1 surround sound when I am using PS3, Computer, and TV.

So far I got the HK surround system hooked up to my Hifi receiver (as you can see in the diagram I used the bottom right speaker hole for the 5.1 speakers.

-My PS3 is connected to the TV with HDMI-HDMI.
-I will be using a DVI-HDMI from my computer desktop to the HDTV, and a RCA plug from desktop to reciever. The RCA plugs will go into the Video 2 holes (see diagram). Will I have a problem with the 5.1 with these set up?
-What cables do I need for my HDTV to the receiver? And which holes will I be using on the receiver?

You need to connect audio and video cables from all of your sources to the receiver. Them connect the video from the receiver to the TV.

No diagram shown.

You need to connect audio and video cables from all of your sources to the receiver. Them connect the video from the receiver to the TV.

No diagram shown.

ahah I'm confused...
I want to have 5.1 sound when I play PS3, watching TV, and Computer (music/video)
diagram updated**

ahah I'm confused...
I want to have 5.1 sound when I play PS3, watching TV, and Computer (music/video)
diagram updated**

What diagram are you talking about? Ahhhh, now the diagram appears.

Hi guys, I need some help here: I want to enjoy my 5.1 surround sound when I am using PS3, Computer, and TV.

So far I got the HK surround system hooked up to my Hifi receiver (as you can see in the diagram I used the bottom right speaker hole for the 5.1 speakers.

-My PS3 is connected to the TV with HDMI-HDMI.
-I will be using a DVI-HDMI from my computer desktop to the HDTV, and a RCA plug from desktop to reciever. The RCA plugs will go into the Video 2 holes (see diagram). Will I have a problem with the 5.1 with these set up?
-What cables do I need for my HDTV to the receiver? And which holes will I be using on the receiver?

According to that diagram, you only have 2 digital audio inputs and one analog input capable of 5.1 surround. What you will need to do is plug an optical Toslink cable in to the PS3 in the back and connect it to the Digital Optical in the top left of your receiver. Then a coax audio (RCA plugs) from the computer audio to the digital COAX just below the optical. That is assuming your PC has a digital COAX output. If it does it will be a RCA type and it will be orange.

Your receiver is not capable of outputing any HD content. The only output it has is a component video (single yellow RCA labeled "Monitor: Video Out") out which is not capable of any HD. You may be better to bypass the receiver for your video needs and plug the video from the PC and the PS3 directly into the TV. Only using your receiver for audio.

According to that diagram, you only have 2 digital audio inputs and one analog input capable of 5.1 surround. What you will need to do is plug an optical Toslink cable in to the PS3 in the back and connect it to the Digital Optical in the top left of your receiver. Then a coax audio (RCA plugs) from the computer audio to the digital COAX just below the optical. That is assuming your PC has a digital COAX output. If it does it will be a RCA type and it will be orange.

Your receiver is not capable of outputing any HD content. The only output it has is a component video (single yellow RCA labeled "Monitor: Video Out") out which is not capable of any HD. You may be better to bypass the receiver for your video needs and plug the video from the PC and the PS3 directly into the TV. Only using your receiver for audio.

yup my Receiver does not support HDMI. When you said: "a coax audio (RCA plugs) from the computer audio to the digital COAX just below the optical." Do you meant a Coax cable with RCA plugs on the other end? Please read my post below (yahoo's answer) and give me some tips:

Hi all, I would like to use 5.1 surround for all my components:
PS3 - for games and movies.
TV - for watching regular TV channels.
Computer Desktop - for mp3 music and video.

I already have HDMI-HDMI from PS3 to HDTV, people said to add an optical cable from PS3 to Receiver and change the audio setting on the PS3. If I do it this way, will the PS3 sound also come out on my HDTV speakers? And what other wires do I need to watch regular TV channels with surround sound?

I already have DVI-HDMI from desktop to the HDTV and RCA cable from desktop to receiver, will this set up work with 5.1 surround?

yup my Receiver does not support HDMI. When you said: "a coax audio (RCA plugs) from the computer audio to the digital COAX just below the optical." Do you meant a Coax cable with RCA plugs on the other end? Please read my post below (yahoo's answer) and give me some tips:

The term coax can be a bit confusing because we usually think of coax being the antenna or cable wire we get our TV signal across. But in reality a coax cable is just a type of cable construction. The plugs on the ends tell us what the cable is used for.

A digital coax audio cable would pretty much look the same as any other RCA cable with the RCA plugs on both ends. In fact, you could technically use any cable with RCA plugs as your cable. If you look at the back of your receiver on the top left where the Digital COAX connection is, you’ll find it’s orange but it looks the same as all the other RCA type connections. You need to have that same kind of connection on both ends. So your PC has to have a matching orange RCA type connector on the audio card. Some do, some don’t. Your PC will call it the S/PDIF plug. But don’t get confused because S/PDIF can be either COAX or TOSLINK. The difference is COAX is a copper cable, TOSLINK is a fiber optic. The reason I said you’ll have to use the COAX from your PC is that you have no choice with the PS3. It ONLY has the TOSLINK, which is labeled “optical” on your receiver. The only way to get 5.1 out of the PS3 is via HDMI or TOSLINK.

Check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPDIF

Here is a digital COAX audio cable from Radioshack:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3230528&cp=2032058.2032228.2032244&parentPage=family

Here is a TOSLINK audio cable:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3235595&cp=2032058.2032228.2032248&parentPage=family

Notice the difference? For heaven’s sake do not spend a lot of money on these cables. It’s not worth it unless you plan to run 100+ feet. $4 for a cable is more than enough for COAX.

BUT, if you are getting a new PC or new audio card, the COAX option is becoming a thing of the past! It’s hard to find a new card that has it, most of them have TOSLINK. If you are forced into TOSLINK on your PC, you are in trouble. But there is some hope, just a really complicated set up.

The thing is, your receiver has the set up for 5.1 analog inputs also. And most new 5.1 surrround audio cards include a way to get 5.1 analog out. What you have to do is get at least (3) – 1/8” stereo plug to stereo RCA adapter cords. Like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2290564&cp=2032058.2032228.2032251&pg=2&parentPage=family

Plug the headphone type jack into each of the plugs on the audio card. You should have 6 headphone type jacks. You’ll probably use the light green, yellow, and black. Those are pretty common colors. Each can be configured in the settings on your PC to be R/L front, R/L rear, and center/sub. That way you can get 5.1 out of the PC without needing to use the digital.

The term coax can be a bit confusing because we usually think of coax being the antenna or cable wire we get our TV signal across. But in reality a coax cable is just a type of cable construction. The plugs on the ends tell us what the cable is used for.

A digital coax audio cable would pretty much look the same as any other RCA cable with the RCA plugs on both ends. In fact, you could technically use any cable with RCA plugs as your cable. If you look at the back of your receiver on the top left where the Digital COAX connection is, you’ll find it’s orange but it looks the same as all the other RCA type connections. You need to have that same kind of connection on both ends. So your PC has to have a matching orange RCA type connector on the audio card. Some do, some don’t. Your PC will call it the S/PDIF plug. But don’t get confused because S/PDIF can be either COAX or TOSLINK. The difference is COAX is a copper cable, TOSLINK is a fiber optic. The reason I said you’ll have to use the COAX from your PC is that you have no choice with the PS3. It ONLY has the TOSLINK, which is labeled “optical” on your receiver. The only way to get 5.1 out of the PS3 is via HDMI or TOSLINK.

Check here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPDIF

Here is a digital COAX audio cable from Radioshack:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3230528&cp=2032058.2032228.2032244&parentPage=family

Here is a TOSLINK audio cable:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3235595&cp=2032058.2032228.2032248&parentPage=family

Notice the difference? For heaven’s sake do not spend a lot of money on these cables. It’s not worth it unless you plan to run 100+ feet. $4 for a cable is more than enough for COAX.

BUT, if you are getting a new PC or new audio card, the COAX option is becoming a thing of the past! It’s hard to find a new card that has it, most of them have TOSLINK. If you are forced into TOSLINK on your PC, you are in trouble. But there is some hope, just a really complicated set up.

The thing is, your receiver has the set up for 5.1 analog inputs also. And most new 5.1 surrround audio cards include a way to get 5.1 analog out. What you have to do is get at least (3) – 1/8” stereo plug to stereo RCA adapter cords. Like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2290564&cp=2032058.2032228.2032251&pg=2&parentPage=family

Plug the headphone type jack into each of the plugs on the audio card. You should have 6 headphone type jacks. You’ll probably use the light green, yellow, and black. Those are pretty common colors. Each can be configured in the settings on your PC to be R/L front, R/L rear, and center/sub. That way you can get 5.1 out of the PC without needing to use the digital.

Thanks soooo much!!! I get it now
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1447&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=2683&seq=1&format=2
I'll have to go check if I have a Coax output on my desktop, 1 more question... will the Coax cable let me have the 5.1 sounds?

For confirmation: PS3 to TV to Receiver. I'll be using HDMI-HDMI from PS3 to HDTV (so I can get both audio and video on TV). An Optical cable from PS3 to Receiver (so I can have 5.1) wow nice!

I'll have no more digital inputs left on my receiver after PS3 and Desktop. Can I use RCA-RCA cable from TV to Receiver for 5.1 sound?

Thanks soooo much!!! I get it now
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022901&p_id=1447&seq=1&format=2
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=2683&seq=1&format=2
I'll have to go check if I have a Coax output on my desktop, 1 more question... will the Coax cable let me have the 5.1 sounds?

For confirmation: PS3 to TV to Receiver. I'll be using HDMI-HDMI from PS3 to HDTV (so I can get both audio and video on TV). An Optical cable from PS3 to Receiver (so I can have 5.1) wow nice!

I'll have no more digital inputs left on my receiver after PS3 and Desktop. Can I use RCA-RCA cable from TV to Receiver for 5.1 sound?

Good cable choices. I really like Monoprice.

Slight correction. You cannot output sound from the PS3 over both optical and HDMI. You have to chose one or the other. If you hook HDMI from the PS3 to the TV and optical from the PS3 to the receiver, you won't get any audio out of the TV from the PS3. The other problem is that it will really depend on your TV as to whether you can get 5.1 out of it over the optical output. What model do you have?

Yes, you can get 5.1 surround out of the coax. It's a digital signal. You probably can't use RCA-RCA from the TV to the receiver though. Again, depends on the TV, but most TV's that have digital outputs are TOSLINK output.

Good cable choices. I really like Monoprice.

Slight correction. You cannot output sound from the PS3 over both optical and HDMI. You have to chose one or the other. If you hook HDMI from the PS3 to the TV and optical from the PS3 to the receiver, you won't get any audio out of the TV from the PS3. The other problem is that it will really depend on your TV as to whether you can get 5.1 out of it over the optical output. What model do you have?

Yes, you can get 5.1 surround out of the coax. It's a digital signal. You probably can't use RCA-RCA from the TV to the receiver though. Again, depends on the TV, but most TV's that have digital outputs are TOSLINK output.

I have the Samsungs LNT-4665F, If no RCA to RCA, what can I do? I have no more digital inputs on my receiver:crying:

If I do hdmi-hdmi (PS3 to TV) and optical (PS3 to Receiver), like you said I will no t get sound on my TV speakers right? Is it because I have to change the setting on PS3 from TV speaker to something else?

Edit: I just got home and check the back of my desktop it has a digital optical output but PS3 does not have a Coax output.
Here is the back and side of the TV please go to page 6: http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200703/20070301133755718_BN68-01178A-00L02-0216.pdf

I have the Samsungs LNT-4665F, If no RCA to RCA, what can I do? I have no more digital inputs on my receiver:crying:

If I do hdmi-hdmi (PS3 to TV) and optical (PS3 to Receiver), like you said I will no t get sound on my TV speakers right? Is it because I have to change the setting on PS3 from TV speaker to something else?

Edit: I just got home and check the back of my desktop it has a digital optical output but PS3 does not have a Coax output.
Here is the back and side of the TV please go to page 6: http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/200703/20070301133755718_BN68-01178A-00L02-0216.pdf


OK well life is going to get really fun for you.... I'll post something in a bit, unless someone beats me to it, but I don't have a lot of time right now... Stand by.

OK well here’s what you’re going to do. From what I can tell, your tv cannot output 5.1 from the optical output. So even if you could get 5.1 into it via HDMI from thePS3, it would stop at the tv and only pass regular stereo out of the optical. That is surprisingly common.

I’m assuming at this point you are getting your TV over the air or by a cable plugged directly to the TV.

So, run your HDMI from the PS3 to the TV. I’m also assuming that your PC does not have any added video cards and you are going to use the 15-pin D-sub connector on the PC. It’s the blue VGA socket. Run your monitor cable from that socket to the “PC” socket on the back of you TV. Run an optical cable from the PS3 to the receiver in the Digital Optical jack. Also run a pair of RCA type audio cables from your TV Audio out to your Receiver audio in on say Video 1. You won’t get 5.1, but you will get any audio that your TV would get over the antenna or cable through your receiver. So now you have video from the PC and the PS3 going into the TV and audio from the TV and PS3 going into the receiver. The last step is the tricky one.

You’ll need those 1/8” plug to RCA connector cables I showed you. I wouldn’t get the monster ones at $20 a pop, find a cheaper one at radio shack or something. Shouldn’t be more than $5-10 each. You need three. One will plug into the green jack on the back of your pc, one into the black jack, and one into the yellow jack. In the green jack you are getting your front left and right. Right is read, left is white. So the red plug from that connector will plug into the MULIT CH INPUT: FRONT red jack on your receiver located in the lower left as you look at the back. The white plug from that connector will plug into the white jack on the same line. Make sure they are the “FRONT” jacks. From the black jack, you are going to be getting your rear or surround speakers left and right. The red plug will plug into the MULTI CH INPUT: REAR red jack. The white into the white jack next to it. Again make sure you are plugging it into the rear jacks. From the yellow jack on your PC, you get the Center and Sub channels. Now the fun. I’m not sure which (red or white) is the sub and which is the center. You may be able to force it either way in your sound set up, and then again it may not matter. I can’t tell from the diagram if the jacks are colored on your receiver, but sometimes they are not. This would be the MULIT CH INPUT: CNT and SUB WOOFER jacks.

You’ll need to be sure your PC is set up to output 5.1. Try that out and let me know what happens.