Optical cable question

[Big League Chew]

I've got an XBR4 television, a PS3 as a bluray player, and a Sony Bravia HTIB surround system. I currently have an optical cable going from the tv to the back of the surround sound "reciever". I was informed that I could get better sound by moving one end of the optical cable from the tv to the PS3. As far as I can tell it sounds exactly the same, even after changing the sound settings in the PS3, except that normal tv now doesnt have sound. Can anyone give me some advice on how the correct hookup should be fpr optical cables and HDMI cables?

[un4gvn94538]

if i understand correctly your using the tv between the ps3 and receiver? dont. use optical from ps3 to receiver because tvs usually cannot pass 5.1 audio. are you using hdmi for audio at all? what receiver do you have?

[Big League Chew]

I've got this sound system here, Sony - BRAVIA 1000W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System w/ 5-Disc Upconvert DVD Player
Model: DAV-HDX285

I've also got an HDMI cable going from the PS3 to the tv and another HDMI cable going from the tv to the home theater system. With the optical cable going from the PS3 to the home theater, I have no sound when just watching tv. How do I get the sound back if it's going from the PS3 to the home theater?

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by Big League Chew

I've got this sound system here, Sony - BRAVIA 1000W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System w/ 5-Disc Upconvert DVD Player
Model: DAV-HDX285

I've also got an HDMI cable going from the PS3 to the tv and another HDMI cable going from the tv to the home theater system. With the optical cable going from the PS3 to the home theater, I have no sound when just watching tv. How do I get the sound back if it's going from the PS3 to the home theater?

hdmi on the system is output only.
systems like that are limited especially with inputs/outputs. it seems you only have 1 optical inpute and one set of 2ch analog inputs. youll have to compromise. you could use the stereo cables (red/white) for the tv. that will only give prologic surround but youll still get 5.1 with the ps3 via optical. either that or
1) invest in a audio/video switch
2)invest in another system

[BIslander]

It is unlikely that you will get anything more than stereo when running audio through the TV. Most sets only output stereo PCM from external devices such as disc players and set top boxes.

If that's the case with your TV, you will need to attach each device directly to the HTIB for audio. The system has one optical and one coax input for those purposes.

If you are using the HTIB's built in DVD player, you should run HDMI from the HTIB to the TV. If you aren't using the HTIB's DVD player, there's no need for that connection. The HDMI port on the HTIB is an output to feed the TV. It is not an input from the TV.

Connect the PS3 to your TV using HDMI for video. Connect the PS3 to your HTIB using an optical connection for audio.

How do you get TV reception? If you have a set top box, you would hook it up like the PS3 - HDMI to the TV for video and a separate audio connection to the HTIB. If the set top box has coax, you can use that. If it only has optical, then you'll need an optical switch to share the HTIB's one optical input.

If you are using an off-air antenna or a direct cable feed to your TV, then tuning will happen in the TV itself and you would connect an optical or coax output from the TV to the HTIB for audio.

[Big League Chew]

Here's what I've got going on right now, let me know if it makes any sense. I've got an HDMI cable going from the PS3 into the back of the tv. I've got another HDMI cable going from the home theater into the tv. I've got an optical cable going from the home theater into the tv. With this set-up the sound is fantastic whether I'm watching tv or a bluray. It's definitely coming out of all 5 speakers and panning from one speaker to another if something goes from one side of the screen to the other. So i'm content with it as is. As awesome as it sounds, I'm just wondering if by moving the cables around, can I make it sound better? When I moved the optical cable from the port in the tv to the port in the PS3, it sounded exactly the same to me, with the exception that I lost all sound when watching regular tv. I keep hearing that it's better to have the optical cable going from the PS3 to the home theater, but it seems more beneficial to have it going from the tv to the home theater. Am I crazy?

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Big League Chew

Here's what I've got going on right now, let me know if it makes any sense. I've got an HDMI cable going from the PS3 into the back of the tv. I've got another HDMI cable going from the home theater into the tv. I've got an optical cable going from the home theater into the tv. With this set-up the sound is fantastic whether I'm watching tv or a bluray. It's definitely coming out of all 5 speakers and panning from one speaker to another if something goes from one side of the screen to the other. So i'm content with it as is. As awesome as it sounds, I'm just wondering if by moving the cables around, can I make it sound better? When I moved the optical cable from the port in the tv to the port in the PS3, it sounded exactly the same to me, with the exception that I lost all sound when watching regular tv. I keep hearing that it's better to have the optical cable going from the PS3 to the home theater, but it seems more beneficial to have it going from the tv to the home theater. Am I crazy?

If it ain't broke...

[woody_owls4eva]

rite.. i need help. haha
erm i just want to connect my ps3 to my surround system but my surround system doesnt have anywhere to connect my optical cable. is there any other way i can get my ps3 running through my speakers!!!!!?? oh and my dvd and tv actually working aswell. HELLLPPP!!!! haha

[Tony5272]

Originally Posted by Big League Chew

I've got this sound system here, Sony - BRAVIA 1000W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System w/ 5-Disc Upconvert DVD Player
Model: DAV-HDX285

I've also got an HDMI cable going from the PS3 to the tv and another HDMI cable going from the tv to the home theater system. With the optical cable going from the PS3 to the home theater, I have no sound when just watching tv. How do I get the sound back if it's going from the PS3 to the home theater?

In the PS3 menu itself. There is a setting in there called optical or HDMI out. You can only have one running at a time. Turn off optical setting on the PS3 & turn on HDMI in the system settings menu. You can't have both working at the same time. it won't let you. What I did was ran HDMI from my PS3 to my TV. Then optical from my tv to my receiver. HDMI carries the 5.1 signal. Now I can choose between tv sound or my surround because I don't always watch tv with my receiver on.
Or if your tv does not have an optical out run an HDMI out from your tv to an HDMI in on your receiver. Hope this helped. I had the same issue until I figued it out myself. Tony

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by Tony5272

In the PS3 menu itself. There is a setting in there called optical or HDMI out. You can only have one running at a time. Turn off optical setting on the PS3 & turn on HDMI in the system settings menu. You can't have both working at the same time. it won't let you. What I did was ran HDMI from my PS3 to my TV. Then optical from my tv to my receiver. HDMI carries the 5.1 signal. Now I can choose between tv sound or my surround because I don't always watch tv with my receiver on.

You will almost certainly end up with stereo audio when running optical out of your TV. Very few TVs pass DD 5.1 from an external component and none pass DTS.

Or if your tv does not have an optical out run an HDMI out from your tv to an HDMI in on your receiver.

TVs don't have HDMI outputs, just inputs.

If you want discrete 5.1 surround sound, you really need to run audio from the player to the receiver and leave the TV out of the mix altogether.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by woody_owls4eva

rite.. i need help. haha
erm i just want to connect my ps3 to my surround system but my surround system doesnt have anywhere to connect my optical cable. is there any other way i can get my ps3 running through my speakers!!!!!?? oh and my dvd and tv actually working aswell. HELLLPPP!!!! haha

What's the make and model of your surround system?

[Tony5272]

Originally Posted by BIslander

You will almost certainly end up with stereo audio when running optical out of your TV. Very few TVs pass DD 5.1 from an external component and none pass DTS.

If you want discrete 5.1 surround sound, you really need to run audio from the player to the receiver and leave the TV out of the mix altogether.

BIslander, maybe you could answer this question for me. Here's my set-up.
I own a Vizio 55inch TV Model#VF550XVT1A. I have my PS3, XBOX360 & Cable box all connected to it using HDMI cables. On the back on my tv, there is an optical out port which I have running to my Denon receiver Model#AVR3310CI using an optical cable. Now heres my question am I getting a true 5.1 Dolby Digital signal out of my receiver? Or do I have to run everything to the receiver? It sounds like I'm getting the 5.1 when I run the test DVD's the way I have it now.
Thanks for the help in advance.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by Tony5272

BIslander, maybe you could answer this question for me. Here's my set-up.
I own a Vizio 55inch TV Model#VF550XVT1A. I have my PS3, XBOX360 & Cable box all connected to it using HDMI cables. On the back on my tv, there is an optical out port which I have running to my Denon receiver Model#AVR3310CI using an optical cable. Now heres my question am I getting a true 5.1 Dolby Digital signal out of my receiver? Or do I have to run everything to the receiver? It sounds like I'm getting the 5.1 when I run the test DVD's the way I have it now.

The manual isn't clear on the subject. It has a setting for the optical output where you can select Dolby Digital or PCM. But, that may (or may not) apply only to the output of the TV's internal tuner. As I mentioned in my previous post, very few TV's will output DD 5.1 from an external component such as a disc player.

Here's an easy test: set the output of the Vizio to Dolby Digital and play a DVD with a DD 5.1. Look look at the format your Denon says it is receiving. If it says DD 5.1, you are in luck (except for DTS tracks).

I am curious, tho. Since you have a 3310 AVR, why don't you connect your HDMI cables to your receiver? You'll get surround sound for sure that way and you'll get lossless audio from Blu-ray discs.

[Tony5272]

Originally Posted by BIslander

I am curious, tho. Since you have a 3310 AVR, why don't you connect your HDMI cables to your receiver? You'll get surround sound for sure that way and you'll get lossless audio from Blu-ray discs.

Well the problem is I hung my tv on the wall & ran all the cables from all the HDMI ports on the back of the tv to all my devices. I just bought my receiver last week.Note: the wires are all in the wall hidden for a clean look. There is no way I'm getting those cables out of my wall easily. I guess I need to buy new HDMI cables & run them directly to the receiver. One more question do I still need to run optical cables from all devices to the back of my receiver for DTS & DD 5.1 or will the HDMI cables do the job? I don't want to have to run back & forth to buy wires. Thanks again. I thought I new what I was doing but I guess not.

[BIslander]

Originally Posted by Tony5272

Well the problem is I hung my tv on the wall & ran all the cables from all the HDMI ports on the back of the tv to all my devices. I just bought my receiver last week.Note: the wires are all in the wall hidden for a clean look. There is no way I'm getting those cables out of my wall easily. I guess I need to buy new HDMI cables & run them directly to the receiver. One more question do I still need to run optical cables from all devices to the back of my receiver for DTS & DD 5.1 or will the HDMI cables do the job? I don't want to have to run back & forth to buy wires. Thanks again. I thought I new what I was doing but I guess not.

HDMI carries audio and video. With your receiver, one cable per device is all you need. I suggest trying monoprice.com for cable purchases. Excellent cables at very low prices.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Tony5272

Well the problem is I hung my tv on the wall & ran all the cables from all the HDMI ports on the back of the tv to all my devices. I just bought my receiver last week.Note: the wires are all in the wall hidden for a clean look. There is no way I'm getting those cables out of my wall easily. I guess I need to buy new HDMI cables & run them directly to the receiver. One more question do I still need to run optical cables from all devices to the back of my receiver for DTS & DD 5.1 or will the HDMI cables do the job? I don't want to have to run back & forth to buy wires. Thanks again. I thought I new what I was doing but I guess not.

You should be able to fit your hand behind the TV and unhook all the HDMI cables and then pull them through the wall.

Maybe I'm missing something that was already mentioned and I just skimmed over it. If so, I'm sorry.

[Tony5272]

Originally Posted by BIslander

HDMI carries audio and video. With your receiver, one cable per device is all you need. I suggest trying monoprice.com for cable purchases. Excellent cables at very low prices.

Thanks for all your help. Thats what I'll be doing.

Originally Posted by louhamilton

You should be able to fit your hand behind the TV and unhook all the HDMI cables and then pull them through the wall.

There is no way to pull the cables from out of the wall, their directly behind the Tv which is zip tied w/ all the other cables. It would be much easier just to buy new cables certainly not cheaper!

[Tony5272]

I'm wondering if someone can answer this question for me. This is probably a dumb question but I have to ask. I bought all new cables & ran everything to my receiver through HDMI cables 1.3b. My question is this, when I watch TV, Movie or Sports, lets say a football game in HD. When the commentators are on the tv talking I can still hear them talking faintly through my tower speakers. Now I'm not talking about watching the game & hearing the commentators in the backround. I'm talking about seeing them on the tv talking to eachother before the game. Is this normal? I thought I was only suppose to hear them through my center channel only. The same goes with movies. I'm new to this reciever & not sure if I have all the setting right. In fact I know I don't. Thanks for all the help. Tony

[progers13]

Originally Posted by Tony5272

I'm wondering if someone can answer this question for me. This is probably a dumb question but I have to ask. I bought all new cables & ran everything to my receiver through HDMI cables 1.3b. My question is this, when I watch TV, Movie or Sports, lets say a football game in HD. When the commentators are on the tv talking I can still hear them talking faintly through my tower speakers. Now I'm not talking about watching the game & hearing the commentators in the backround. I'm talking about seeing them on the tv talking to eachother before the game. Is this normal? I thought I was only suppose to hear them through my center channel only. The same goes with movies. I'm new to this reciever & not sure if I have all the setting right. In fact I know I don't. Thanks for all the help. Tony

Depending on the signal, it is possible. I know when I watch a football game, sometimes the announcers voices also overlap through the fronts. It's not as noticeable as you describe (at least in my setup), but the whole front stage should blend together so you don't hear the commentary as discrete sound through the towers. You might need to adjust your levels so they blend better with your center. Have you calibrated using an SPL meter?

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Tony5272

I'm wondering if someone can answer this question for me. This is probably a dumb question but I have to ask. I bought all new cables & ran everything to my receiver through HDMI cables 1.3b. My question is this, when I watch TV, Movie or Sports, lets say a football game in HD. When the commentators are on the tv talking I can still hear them talking faintly through my tower speakers. Now I'm not talking about watching the game & hearing the commentators in the backround. I'm talking about seeing them on the tv talking to eachother before the game. Is this normal? I thought I was only suppose to hear them through my center channel only. The same goes with movies. I'm new to this reciever & not sure if I have all the setting right. In fact I know I don't. Thanks for all the help. Tony

What listening modes do you use when watching TV? This can impact what you hear coming from certain speakers. I use DD (Dolby Digital) for HD channels and PLXII Movie for SD channels. However, what you will hear is based on what the broadcast station is sending the audio out as. Dialog is not a discrete signal sent only to the center channel, so there are other forces at work. These variables will influence what you hear.