How should I go about setting up my surround sound?

[DevSingh1359]

I'm a total novice when it comes to home theater stuff so I'd really appreciate some help here

On Black Friday I got this Sony BRAVIA 5.1 home theater system from Best Buy for $279

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+BRAVIA+1000W+5.1-Ch.+Home+Theater+System+w/+5-Disc+Upconvert+DVD+Player/9238871.p?id=1218065493022&skuId=9238871&st=DAV-HDX589W&cp=1&lp=1

I'm currently waiting until my next paycheck to buy a 55" Samsung LED TV (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+55"+Class+/+1080p+/+120Hz+/+LED-LCD+HDTV/9234303.p?id=1218068137461&skuId=9234303&st=UN55B600&cp=1&lp=1) and a Bluray player (finally upgrading from the CRT TV I've been using for the past 6 years ). Along with the Bluray player, I'll need to connect my Xbox 360 (one of the old models with component output/no HDMI) and my cable box to the receiver.

The problem with the A/V receiver is that it only has one optical audio input and one HDMI output. What I'm wondering is...if I route everything to the TV's inputs (Bluray player and cable box via HDMI cable and 360 via component cables) and then route the TV's audio to the receiver via a single optical audio cable, will I receive 5.1 digital surround sound for ALL of my devices?

Or should I take another (albeit more complicated) approach to this by connecting only the video for each of my devices to the TV via HDMI/component...and then separately connecting the audio for each device directly to the receiver via optical cables for each of them? (In this case I would have to use a splitter on the receiver's single optical input.)

Which approach would you guys recommend?

 

[jliedeka]

You are pretty hamstrung with that setup. Running BluRay through the TV first means you won't get the benefit of the improved audio codecs on the BluRay discs. TVs generally output Dolby Digital (AC-3) at best.

For now, I'd probably live with that but upgrade to a receiver and real speakers at the earliest opportunity.

Jim

 

[Adam]

To follow up on what Jim said, I'll answer the question about getting 5.1 surround sound if you run all audio through the TV - the answer is that you won't get that. For a more thorough explanation, here is an excerpt from page 12 of the owner's manual for your new TV:

When the Home Theater receiver is set to On, you can hear sound output from the TV’s Optical jack. When the TV is
displaying a DTV(air) signal, the TV will send out 5.1 channel sound to the Home theater receiver. When the source is a
digital component such as a DVD / Blu-ray player / Cable Box / Satellite receiver (Set-Top Box) and is connected to the
TV via HDMI, only 2 channel sound will be heard from the Home Theater receiver. If you want to hear 5.1 channel audio,
connect the digital audio out jack on DVD / Blu-ray player / Cable Box / Satellite receiver (Set-Top Box) directly to an
Amplifier or Home Theater, not the TV.

This is pretty standard. I've only researched one TV (forget which one) that did not downconvert HDMI audio into two-channel audio.

 

[DevSingh1359]

To follow up on what Jim said, I'll answer the question about getting 5.1 surround sound if you run all audio through the TV - the answer is that you won't get that. For a more thorough explanation, here is an excerpt from page 12 of the owner's manual for your new TV:



This is pretty standard. I've only researched one TV (forget which one) that did not downconvert HDMI audio into two-channel audio.

This is exactly the answer I'm looking for, thanks. So my best bet is to buy an optical audio switcher, plug that into the A/V receiver's optical input and route all audio from all devices directly to the switcher, correct?

 

[Adam]

Well, you also have a coax digital audio input. So, if any of your sources have a coax digital audio output, you could at least take advantage of that.

As I see it, you'll have three digital audio sources:

• Blu-ray
• Cable box
• Xbox 360

If you watch over-the-air broadcasts, then you'll want to connect your TV, too. For now, I'm assuming that you watch everything through the cable box.

So, three sources and two inputs. Does the cable box or Xbox 360 have a coax digital audio output?

BTW, have you considered getting a different all-in-one system? Just asking.

 

[DevSingh1359]

Well, you also have a coax digital audio input. So, if any of your sources have a coax digital audio output, you could at least take advantage of that.

As I see it, you'll have three digital audio sources:

• Blu-ray
• Cable box
• Xbox 360

If you watch over-the-air broadcasts, then you'll want to connect your TV, too. For now, I'm assuming that you watch everything through the cable box.

So, three sources and two inputs. Does the cable box or Xbox 360 have a coax digital audio output?

BTW, have you considered getting a different all-in-one system? Just asking.

The 360 has an optical audio output but I'm not sure about the cable box...I'm gonna be calling my cable company once I get the TV to come and change out my DVR box for an HD DVR...I know those have HDMI output but I'm not sure whether they have coax audio output or optical audio output. My current cable box does have an optical output, however. Will it make a difference in sound quality whether I use optical or coax output from my Bluray player?

I actually wasn't even planning on getting a sound system, but I took the opportunity with this one because it was only $279 (which was easily affordable for me) and I didn't want to have to stick with the TV's speakers only (which aren't very good from what I've read from reviews). I doubt I'll be returning it because the TV is currently the top priority in my budget...however, I may upgrade sometime within the next one or two years to a much better system once I have the money. But for now, I think as long as I'm getting 5.1 surround sound without having to worry about the TV's crappy speakers I'll be happy

 

[Adam]

Oh, I totally understand about keeping that system. I just thought that I'd ask.

As for audio differences between optical and coax digital audio connections, there aren't any. Just two difference ways to get the info to the receiver. Not all blu-ray players have both types of outputs, btw. For example, mine only has an optical output.

 

[DevSingh1359]

Oh, I totally understand about keeping that system. I just thought that I'd ask.

As for audio differences between optical and coax digital audio connections, there aren't any. Just two difference ways to get the info to the receiver. Not all blu-ray players have both types of outputs, btw. For example, mine only has an optical output.

I'm about to go out to Bestbuy and I'm thinking about getting this Bluray player that's on sale:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Insignia®+-+Blu-ray+Disc+Player+with+1080p+Output/9386112.p?id=1218096447923&skuId=9386112

It seems it has both types of outputs, so I think I'll be set

Thanks for the help! I really appreciate it