Surround and Center Speakers work, but don't play

[StonedAudio]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so first off I hope this is in the correct section.
I recently received a Samsung Home Theater Entertainment System, and after hooking it up, the surround and center speakers won't work.
I have my PS3 hooked up to my TV by an HDMI cord, and the receiver hooked up to the TV by the left and right component cables.
PS3 Slim (not ultraslim) model.
TV Model - Vizio E32IVL
Samsung Home Theater Model - HT-EM35
I was wondering if it had anything to do with the output channels on the PS3 selection. OR if I need to hook the receiver to the TV via HDMI. Any help is appreciated

 

[brianedm]

Hi, I'm new to the forum so first off I hope this is in the correct section.
I recently received a Samsung Home Theater Entertainment System, and after hooking it up, the surround and center speakers won't work.
I have my PS3 hooked up to my TV by an HDMI cord, and the receiver hooked up to the TV by the left and right component cables.
PS3 Slim (not ultraslim) model.
TV Model - Vizio E32IVL
Samsung Home Theater Model - HT-EM35
I was wondering if it had anything to do with the output channels on the PS3 selection. OR if I need to hook the receiver to the TV via HDMI. Any help is appreciated

Under audio options on the ps3 do you have it outputting in stereo?

 

[StonedAudio]

The only Output settings are HDMI, Component, or Optical

 

[brianedm]

The only Output settings are HDMI, Component, or Optical

I don't own a ps3 to play around with, but it looks like this should work for you.

Surround Sound System For PlayStation 3 Introduction

edit: wait, that's for a surround sound system sold by sony. Do you have hdmi selected?

 

[StonedAudio]

I have the receiver hooked to my TV by the left and right component cables. I was thinking that's the problem.. might have to invest in another HDMI cord

 

[brianedm]

I have the receiver hooked to my TV by the left and right component cables. I was thinking that's the problem.. might have to invest in another HDMI cord

ahh, there ya go. I'm sure that'll fix it Monoprice has good pricing on hdmi.

 

[StonedAudio]

Thanks a bunch man, I'll look into it

 

[JerryLove]

If I understand you correctly: you have an HDMI cable running straight from your PS3 to your TV.

You then run two coaxial cables from your TV-audio-out to your receiver.

Those two cables are "left" and "right".

Your concern is that your left and right speakers are the only ones playing sound?

Yes. That is the result of how you have connected. Normally, the PS3 would hook into the receiver by HDMI, then the TV (in) would hook to the receiever (out) also by HDMI.

*if* the TV has an HDMI out; you could conceivably use that to a receiver in and get the desired results, but it would be an unusual way to do so.

 

[jcl]

Here's a link to your manual online, page 11 shows the front and rear diagrams
Front Panel - Samsung HTEM35 Manual [Page 11]

There is no HDMI in. It looks like you can hookup the digital optical in on the samsung to the optical out on your playstation. You'll have to look into the playstation settings as to configure it to output video via hdmi and sound via optical out.

 

[StonedAudio]

So, keep the PS3 hooked up to the TV HDMI, and hooked the receiver to the TV either HDMI or Optical to get sound out of the center & rear speakers?

 

[markw]

Maybe, maybe not. Many TV's only "pass through" two channel signals from outside sources. If that's the case with yours. you'll be right back where you started from.

Check your manual.

 

[StonedAudio]

The manual that came with it is very discreet. Not much info. I called Samsung and they said component cords only deliver 2.1 ch sound, and said if I buy an HDMI or Optical cord, it'll deliver 5.1 ch. Any truth to this before I invest money?

 

[jcl]

So, keep the PS3 hooked up to the TV HDMI, and hooked the receiver to the TV either HDMI or Optical to get sound out of the center & rear speakers?

This might work if you tv supports it, but not what I was suggesting. I meant hooking up the ps3 to the samsung htib via digital optical to pass audio, while leaving ps3 connected to tv through hdmi for video. That way the ps3 outputs video to the tv and audio to the htib.

 

[markw]

The manual that came with it is very discreet. Not much info. I called Samsung and they said component cords only deliver 2.1 ch sound, and said if I buy an HDMI or Optical cord, it'll deliver 5.1 ch. Any truth to this before I invest money?

Frankly, from looking at your manual, you have no way to go from your TV to your receiver via HDMI. How did they suggest you connect it to your receiver?

And, I/m pretty sure "they" are wrong. As far as I can see, that optical digital (and red/white analog) link from the TV to the receiver will deliver 2.1 sound, not 2.1. Your receiver will have to pull out that ".1" channel from the two channels.

If you want 5.1 sound from anything except the TV's internal ATSC tuner, you'll have to run your sources directly to your receiver.

Now, if you run all your sources to your receiver, use that as your main selector, and then run HDMI to the TV, that's another story.

But, it's your call.

 

[JerryLove]

Yea. Hadn't looked at your receiver before posting.

You'll need to hook the PS3 to the receiver with an optical cable for sound and leave the HDMI between the PS3 and TV for video. I know my fat PS3 has an optical connector. I don't know if you have a different PS3 version and, if you do, if it has an optical out.

Alternately: if your TV has an optical out you can attach that to the in on the receiver.

That or replace the receiver.