Using a receiver w/ no HDMI connections

[cbrzana]

Hello,

I am considering purchasing the Onkyo HT-S3100, but noticed there are no HDMI In/Outs on the receiver. I currently have my cable box, PS3, and DVD player all use HDMI connections. Is it true that I can keep all of these connected directly to my TV, and then just simply connect from my TV to the receiver via a Toslink cable so that all audio goes through the receiver? Is it really that simple or am I missing something?

Ultimately I want to make sure I can still use my HDMI connections while using the audio from this receiver.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[markw]

well, sorta...

I am considering purchasing the Onkyo HT-S3100, but noticed there are no HDMI In/Outs on the receiver. I currently have my cable box, PS3, and DVD player all use HDMI connections. Is it true that I can keep all of these connected directly to my TV,...

Stop right there!

First, the good news. So far, so good. This will assure that the TV gets the pure, unadulterated video signal from the HDMI equipped unit. You'll, of course, have to use the TV for the video switching device.

... and then just simply connect from my TV to the receiver via a Toslink cable so that all audio goes through the receiver? Is it really that simple or am I missing something?

Now the bad news. Ever heard the term "if it seems too good to be true it probably is"? This is a perfect example.

From what I've seen, that toslink output on he TV itself does not "pass thru" audio from external sources. It only outputs what the TV's internal tuner generates. But, things do keep changing in this hobby. RTFM

You'll have to run a separate audio link (coax, toslink, analog, whatever it takes) from the other source units directly to the receiver. And, of course, you'll have to select the audio from the receiver.

What you suggest will probably work if you use the two channel red/white analog audio outputs from the TV, but somehow I think you want more than that. I would.

Ultimately I want to make sure I can still use my HDMI connections while using the audio from this receiver.

Using the above schema assures that. Switching may not be quit whatyou liked, but sometimes compromised must be made. At least here you lose nothing, quality wise.

 

[cbrzana]

Appreciate the reply!

You'll have to run a separate audio link (coax, toslink, analog, whatever it takes) from the other source units directly to the receiver. And, of course, you'll have to select the audio from the receiver.

Just to make sure I understand what you are saying...

Rather than use a single toslink from the TV to the receiver, I would want a toslink for each source (PS3, DVD player, cable box) so I would need a total of 3 toslinks connected to the receiver. So my final setup would be to leave my HDMI cables as they are now, and just add toslink connections from each source to the receiver, and I will be all set. Correct?

One last question -- wouldn't I then have audio coming from both the TV and the speakers connected to the receiver? Since HDMI contains video and audio I'm not sure how this would work.

 

[markw]

Appreciate the reply!



Just to make sure I understand what you are saying...

Rather than use a single toslink from the TV to the receiver, I would want a toslink for each source (PS3, DVD player, cable box) so I would need a total of 3 toslinks connected to the receiver. So my final setup would be to leave my HDMI cables as they are now, and just add toslink connections from each source to the receiver, and I will be all set. Correct?

Correctomundo! You've got it. It could be toslink or cioax, whatever works for you, depending on what your receiver offers.

One last question -- wouldn't I then have audio coming from both the TV and the speakers connected to the receiver? Since HDMI contains video and audio I'm not sure how this would work.

Good catch! I forgot to mention this. Again, correct. Simply turn the TV volume down when you want to use the receiver for sound.

This works to your advantage since, at least for me, I don't find the receiver is needed for everythng I watch. For me, it adds nothing to the news, sitcoms, kiddie shows and the like. Movies or stuff with musical content, yes, but not most stuff.

 

[aberkowitz]

One last question -- wouldn't I then have audio coming from both the TV and the speakers connected to the receiver? Since HDMI contains video and audio I'm not sure how this would work.

All tv's have an option in their setup menus to allow you to permanently mute the sound that may come out of the TV speakers (I believe it's the "fixed" option under audio output, depending on the tv you have).

 

[cbrzana]

Awesome, thanks again. I think I will be ordering this system within the next few days, and your answers have been a great help!

 

[cl0316]

You can also set the ps3 to output the video to HDMI and the sound to Optical just an FYI