Help Needed with Entertainment System Setup

[CantFeelMyFace08]

Ok guys, heres what I have and I need recommendations as to the best way to set this up and have all audio going through my surround sound system.

Philips 42' 1080p LCD w/Perfect Pixel-3 HDMI ports
Sony PS3 40gb
XBOX 360
Motorola HD/DVR Cablebox
Samsung 5.1 5-disc Home Theater system w/ HDMI in & HDMI out ports
3 HDMI cable

Ok, so right now I have my HD/DVR cablebox hooked into the HDMI-in on my HomeTheater and the HDMI-out is hooked up to the TV.

I need input on how I can have all my audio outputing through my home theater system and not have to use 3 remotes. I'm new to this so any help/input would be greatly appreciated.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

Ok guys, heres what I have and I need recommendations as to the best way to set this up and have all audio going through my surround sound system.

Philips 42' 1080p LCD w/Perfect Pixel-3 HDMI ports
Sony PS3 40gb
XBOX 360
Motorola HD/DVR Cablebox
Samsung 5.1 5-disc Home Theater system w/ HDMI in & HDMI out ports
3 HDMI cable

Ok, so right now I have my HD/DVR cablebox hooked into the HDMI-in on my HomeTheater and the HDMI-out is hooked up to the TV.

I need input on how I can have all my audio outputing through my home theater system and not have to use 3 remotes. I'm new to this so any help/input would be greatly appreciated.

Because you are using a 5-disc changer as a receiver, you may have to find some kind of switch unit that can take all different audio inputs from your other units. Otherwise, buy a standalone receiver unit and that will do the job and then some (as long as the speakers can connect to it and CHECK THE WATTAGE RATING ON THE SPEAKERS COMPARED TO THE RECEIVER OUTPUT! You don't want to push too much power through a speaker. Smoke is never a good thing in home electronics). The receiver remote should be able to be used as a universal remote to help eliminate the multiple remotes.

[Emmabhack]

i need to find a wireless 660w to 800w home theater system under $250 any help is appreciated

[CantFeelMyFace08]

Is this the type of switch that I need? Also, how can I get my Xbox's audio to output through my HomeTheater speakers?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

Is this the type of switch that I need? Also, how can I get my Xbox's audio to output through my HomeTheater speakers?

do you have any optical inputs?

[CantFeelMyFace08]

Is this the switch I need?

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


I know this may be a dumb question but what exactly is an optical input?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

I know this may be a dumb question but what exactly is an optical input?

this is an optical input (not the best picture)



and this is an optical cable...




the only way you will get surround sound with your PS3 and System is through the optical cable.

are you are using the Samsung HT-TX72 5-Disc Home Theater Surround Sound System? (yes it does have an optical input)

[CantFeelMyFace08]

I have the Samsung HT-TQ85, and it does have an optical input. Does this connect to my PS3? What do I do with it?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

I have the Samsung HT-TQ85, and it does have an optical input. Does this connect to my PS3? What do I do with it?

YES, get an optical cable. It connects to the back of the PS3 and the other end to your Receiver. This will give you 5.1 audio from the PS3.

You will then have to go into PS3 settings and make a few changes:

Settings - Sound Settings - Audio Output Settings - Digital Out (Optical)

this tells the PS3 to output audio through the optical cable. Then change...

Settings - BD/DVD Settings - BD Audio Output Format (Optical Digital) - Bitstream

setting on bitstream will allow your receiver to decode dolby digital and dts 5.1

[CantFeelMyFace08]

So I'm debating on if I should get the HDMI switch like this one:

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

or getting the AV Receiver like this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840609689.

I really don't see the need for getting both, I just need to know the pros and cons of both.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

So I'm debating on if I should get the HDMI switch like this one:

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

or getting the AV Receiver like this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840609689.

I really don't see the need for getting both, I just need to know the pros and cons of both.

If you want HD Audio surround soun...get a Receiver.

If you like TV speakers...just get a switcher.

[CantFeelMyFace08]

But my surround sound system has HDMI in and out ports, so is there a was I can have all HDMI inputs outputting audio through my surround sound???

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

But my surround sound system has HDMI in and out ports, so is there a was I can have all HDMI inputs outputting audio through my surround sound???

Im not 100%, because I could not find much info on the internet...but im about 95% that it will not process HDMI audio (Video Passthrough only?). You can give it a try...but I doubt it...you can still connect an HDMI source to it, but I believe you will need an optical cable if you want surround sound.

[CantFeelMyFace08]

Okay, so in order to make sure all audio and video goes through my surround sound I should get an AV receiver.

So are there any recommendations as to which one I should buy and where to get it for the cheapest?

I've been eyeballing this one at BestBuy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840609689

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

I've been eyeballing this one at BestBuy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166840609689

not a good choice. would be in same situation, no HMI audio processing.


if youre looking for cheapest...

Sony STR-DG810 ($300)
Sony STR-DG910 ($400)
Yamaha RX-V661 ($410)
Onkyo TX-SR605 ($440)


The Sony 810 is 5.1 PCM while the rest are 7.1 PCM. Your best bet is either the Yamaha or the Onkyo, but if its price, the Sony's are good enough.

[CantFeelMyFace08]

Yeah, I bet those are good. But I wasn't looking to spend that much money on it. So why is the Sony that I chose not a good choice?

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by CantFeelMyFace08

Yeah, I bet those are good. But I wasn't looking to spend that much money on it. So why is the Sony that I chose not a good choice?

The Sony (STR-DG510) you were looking at is HDMI Passthrough. Meaning you would need an optical cable for audio. You might as well keep your Samsung Home Theater System and just connect an optical cable.

Or save up at least $300.

[CantFeelMyFace08]

yeah but my sammy home theater only has hdmi in and hdmi out, i need more inputs than that and inputs for my component cables for my xbox360.