Using TV as Input switch, Best Audio Connection?

I have a 42" LG 1080P TV from last year, an Onkyo TX-sr600 receiver, dvd player, and HD cable box.

I lost the remote to the reciever so I want to use the TV as the input switch and the reciever to run audio for both the HD cable and DVD.

If I connect both to the TV to switch between the cable and DVD, how do I run the audio to the reciever without any degradation and still being able to use dolby surround sound?

I am hoping to switch inputs once on the TV but use the same audio input on the reciever for both sources. I was thinking I would connect both devices to the TV and then a digital audio out? to the reciever??

Any ideas of how to keep the surround sound quality this way? I heard that some TV's will degrade the sound coming out and I will lose the surround sound if i pass through the TV.

Just connect the Cable box and DVD player to the TV via HDMI or component for video. Then connect both to your Onkyo receiver via optical cables. The you just choose the video input on the TV and then switch between digital 1 or 2 (or whatever it is) for sound. Don't use the optical out on the TV if that is what you mean. That is for the built in digital tuners and usually will only pass PCM 2 channel if not associated with the tuners.

You may find codes to control your onkyo receiver via either your TV remote or Cable remote. I did for with my Dish 622 remote. Enough to switch between inputs and conrol volume and stuff. Or just pick up a decent universal remote at Radio Shack for around $20..

Ok i hear ya. Is that completely correct? Is there no way of doing one audio out from the TV to the reciever for all inputs i have going to the TV? This would work best for cable routing and remote use with my setup.

Even the LG remote will only do volume on the ONKYO and my cox cable remote wont do anything. I have to use the cox cable one for the DVR features so I would like to use that and one other remote which is the LG one right now that also switches inputs on the TV. I would hate to go buy another remote to use instead of the LG that i already have.

To get DD 5.1/DTS for all your components most likely no... Your TV's digital output will most likely pass your digital audio inputs (devices connected HDMI), but as I stated before, it will probably pass them as PCM 2 channel/prologic. You can do a simple anc quick optical cable connection to see what the onkyo will output when connected this way. But I don'y see all the fuss about 1 extra optical cable connection. They are quite small and only run about $10 a piece. And your component are probably sitting rite next to your receiver anyway, so short cable runs are all you will need and will hide easier.