I just bought a new Sony 6.1 channel receiver, a Sony Blue Ray player and a Toshiba 57 inch DLP. I am trying to figure out the best way to connect everything to get good sound and picture. This is my first attempt at a surround sound setup, so I thought I should ask someone that has some experience. Here is what I have figured out from my research. The TV has an optical sound output and the manual says that it is capable of Dolby Digital. I understand that DD is a 5.1 spec. My receiver an Blue Ray are capable of DD EX, which is 6.1/7.1. I also understand that the DD EX spec doesn't transmit new channels, but it actually transmits all surround information using just the two surround channels of the 5.1 spec, and the decoder using a digital flag to decode the additional channels. Please correct me if I am wrong here.
With that said, here is my question... I like the idea of connecting everything to my TV then using the optical output to connect to the receiver. This allows me to just use the TV speakers if I feel like without powering up the receiver. But, I don't want to loose the rear center channel. Will my receiver still be able to decode the center channel if I set it us this way? Or will I have to connect the cable box and the Blue Ray via HDMI to the receiver, then the receiver via HDMI to the TV? And if I run everything through the receiver first, will I have any picture quality issues?
Thanks for your help.
