Want surround sound from TV and PS3

admo

I think I need a new receiver to do it, though.

TV: Samsung LN32A330
Recevier: Kenwood (don't recall model number), but for audio has 1 fiber-optic input and 1 digital coax input. Outputs Dolby Digital 5.1. No HDMI.
PS3

Right now, I have video going straight to tv from PS3 via hdmi. Ps3 audio is going from PS3 to the receiver via fiber-optic.

For the TV, I have only our coax tv cabel hooked directly into the tv, and using the internal tv speakers for audio. I've noticed that the in-the-clear HD channels often have DD audio, which would be nice to have (especially once the fall season starts, mmm Lost in HD and DD).

Short of swapping the fiber optic cable everytime I want to watch tv or play a game, what are my options? Are there fiber optic switchers, so I can have two fiber optic signals going into my receiver, which I can switch with a button?

Otherwise, it looks like I will need a new receiver. I had hoped that the TV itself could pass through the 5.1 audio, but upon reading the manual more carefully last night, it seems that it will only send 2 channel sound down the fiber optic if the input is HDMI.

Anyone overcome this obstacle?

Loves2Watch

In your situation it seems that a HTIB and a cable box would be in order. The cable box WILL send out the DD soundtracks to the receiver of the HTIB and all would be fine. Here is an example of a good HTiB - http://www.accessories4less.com/make...-Sirius/1.html It has gotten excellent reviews from Home Theater Magazine and a few other publications.

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Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

admo

At first I was wondering what HTIB was. Funny, because my Kenwood receiver is a Home Theater in a box. That unit seems excellent, lots-o-watts, many inputs (especially 2 hdmi, 2 digital coax, 2 digital optical), and quite affordable. Unfortunately, since my 5.1 system still impresses the wife much, I don't think I can justify spending another $300. For tonight, I think I will simply swap the cable to see what the Olympics sounds like.

I also found in another thread this 3X1 Optical Audio Toslink Bi-Directional Manual Switch at monoprice.com. It will do the trick in the short term.

Then, I may have to "break" the Kenwood to justify getting a new audio system

Thanks for the onkyo link. It seems great!

Loves2Watch

Welcome...

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Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

Bigloww

Since your receiver has 1 optical and 1 digital coax....You can use one of the manual switches or get a digital optical to digital coax converter and hook your cable box or TV to your receiver that way. You can get one at the same place monoprice.com for around $12. I used 1 on my old Sony receiver and it worked great.

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

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Commit to the Indian..

In Loving Memory of Junkie, The Rizz, Eagle and the Boys.. They are gone (wasted in fact) but not forgotten..

ping.brady

Does this mean you don't have a cable box?

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Panasonic TH50PZ77U / VIP722 / PS3 (120GB) / Wii / Toshiba A3 / Onkyo 605 / In-wall surround speakers / Sony Sub

admo

We do have a digital, non-hd cable box in a separate room from the HDTV.

Thanks for the head-up on the optical to coax converter, Bigloww. That may be better. Easier to change the input via remote on the receiver than standing up to flip a switch on an optical switcher.

It's nice to know I have some short term solutions until I upgrade my sound system.

Bigloww

No problem.
You propably already are aware of this or are doing it but.....1 other idea you may want to scope out since you have digital cable but not HD service. You can either take the coax going to the box or split it before the box and connect the coax directly to the RF connection on the back of your TV. Since your TV has a built in QAM tuner (built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without the need for a set-top box). Do a scan for digital channels and see what you get. Depending on your service and area you can get some HD channels including your locals. Check out some Olympic coverage in HD for free.. You can also take the optical out from your TV to the receiver if you want SS (for the movies and programs that broadcast in 5.1 that is)..You can keep both connected at the same time if you want and switch between the 2 for your premium scrambled channels. Just a FYI..

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Commit to the Indian..

In Loving Memory of Junkie, The Rizz, Eagle and the Boys.. They are gone (wasted in fact) but not forgotten..

admo

Indeed we already are. The cable is split at the outside of our house. From the split, one cable goes to out cable box, the other runs up to our "theater" room which is where the HDTV is. I was quite surprised that we got a handful of HD channels. All we have watched in HD was the Olympics, and it was just amazing. This is what got the wholw surround sound thread started, because I noticed that the Olympics were broadcast in DD. I had no chance last night to listen to the Olympics in DD, but I hope to soon.