Home Theater Set Up Help!!!!

[SAMSUNG HUNG]

I have ps3, sony de-997 w/ out hdmi inputs or outputs, directv hd box and smasung pn50a450 plasma. I would like the best movie surround sound experience. 1) Should i hook my ps3 and hd box directly to the plasma using hdmi cables? or 2) Should i hook them up directly to my receiver using component cables? What are the pros and cons of each set up and how many optical cables do i need for each set up and where do they go. I have all the cables i need i just need to know the best all around set up using 5.1.
Im using Fluance Speakers (not here yet) great reviews psb subseries 1. I'm going to bi wire using wire from Accessories4less. 100ft of 4conductor $50.
3- monster thx 4ft cables $5 a pop
2- monster fiber opt. $4 a pop.

Go there to get your cables the best prices!!!!!!

 

[Adam]

Hi. I'd suggest connecting the PS3 and DirecTV box to the TV using HDMI for the best video connection. I would also suggest connecting the optical outputs from the PS3 and DirecTV box directly to the Sony STR-DE997 for the best audio connection.

If you only connect the PS3 and the DirecTV box to the TV using HDMI, and then connect the optical audio output from the TV to the Sony receiver, you'll only get two-channel sound. That's because the Samsung downconverts any sound coming in through an HDMI port into two-channel audio for output through the optical audio output port.

Alternatively, you could route the audio and video through the receiver using optical audio connections and component video connections (like you mentioned), but I think that the HDMI video connections will be better. You could always try both and see if you can tell a difference.

 

[SAMSUNG HUNG]

thanks Adam

Am i missing out on the full video functionality of the receiver without the component video set up thru the receiver?

 

[Adam]

You'd be missing out on being able to switch the audio and video source at the same time by just switching inputs on the receiver, but I think that's about it. You could always do that with a remote control that could run macros and switch the TV input and receiver input with a single button push.

 

[SAMSUNG HUNG]

What exactly is macros? I know that the remote for the de-997 has macros functions. Will it work for the directv remote and samsung?

Thanks again!

 

[Adam]

Macros are just a way to have the remote perform a series of operations by pushing only one button. For example, you could use a macro to turn on all of your components, switch the receiver input to the PS3, and change the video input on the TV to the PS3.

Let me take a look at your owner's manual to check on the specifics for your remote.

 

[Adam]

Yep, your remote can do it. Check out page 56 of the owner's manual for the STR-DE997.

 

[SAMSUNG HUNG]

Cool! When i get my speakers next week sometime I'll let you know how everything works out. Thanks a million!!!!!

 

[Adam]

You're welcome! I look forward to reading about your new gear once you get it. Thanks.

 

[SAMSUNG HUNG]

GOT IT!!! It sounds awsome!! Only one prob though. I put in a dvd and i got no sound. i have the digital optical from ps3 (out) to sony de-997 (in). but on the receiver it doesn't have a dvd input for digital optical so i used the sa cd/cd. the directv is connected to the tv/sat input. what am i missing? thanks in advance.

 

[Adam]

Hi. Congrats on the speakers!

The first thing that I'd do regarding the lack of sound from the PS3 is assign that optical input to the correct source on your receiver. That is all explained on page 35 of the owner's manual for the receiver.

The second thing that I'd do is make sure that the audio input mode wasn't set to something that would prevent it from using that digital input. That is described on page 36 of the owner's manual.

 

[SAMSUNG HUNG]

tried it and still no sound. any ideas what i'm doing wrong?

 

[Adam]

I'll look into this more when I get back. I need to go walk the pooch pretty soon.

Have you looked at the menu on the PS3 for options? Perhaps you need to set it up to output through the optical output? Also, try switching between having the PS3 output in PCM versus bitstream (if that's an option).

 

[Phil Taylor]

Someone a while back had a similar problem getting optical audio to work ... they had tried everything - then Adam suggested checking the optical connector to make sure they had removed the "condom" protective cover on the fiber connector and that was the culprit. Just a suggestion...

 

[Adam]

I forgot all about that. Great memory, Phil!

 

[SAMSUNG HUNG]

Thanks, but i did remember to do that. I did another bone head mishap though. I forgot to change the output in the ps3 settings to optical from the previous hdmi. Working excellent now. Thanks a million Adam i appreciate all the advice and help. You too Phil!!

 

[Phil Taylor]

Glad you got it working. Sometimes it's the little things that make a difference.