Connecting multiple components to a home theatre system?

Question

So we just got a Sharp home theatre system and I've managed to get the DVD function working (sounds great!), but I need to figure out how to get the same sound from our V+ box and my husband's PS3 (which I think is the whole reason we got the thing). They all have optical connections (home theatre has 2 optical inputs), should I just get a couple of optical cables and hook everything up to the home theatre? The cables are kind of expensive, and I don't want to go out and get them only to find I need something else. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Sounds like you need optical. I have a PS3 hooked up through optical and it sounds awesome.

Never buy cables at a big store like Best Buy or Circuit City, they will rip you off big time. I've linked two highly rated cables for $10-$13. The length you need based on how far the PS3 is from the home theater is the only difference.

I've had nothing but good experiences buying from Newegg, but lots of other sites are good to. Be careful with Amazon as some of their items are sold by third party companies who may not live up to the high standard of service that Amazon itself delivers.

EDIT:

Good call to 42 on asking what the components are. I had assumed an analog TV since (no offense) it sounded like an upgrade from a much older setup.

From the 3rd link, doesn't look like the TV has 3 HDMI inputs; if so 42's recommendation won't work without an HDMI switch (4th link shows one that I personally own and recommend, and I paid twice the current price.)

I don't have any experience passing HDMI into the TV and then passing the optical back out to the receiver. I thought that HDMI audio couldn't be redistributed like that, but I could very well be wrong since I don't have a similar setup.

On the other hand, I know from personal experience that the PS3 can pass HDMI to the TV for video only and pass audio to the receiver via optical.

Note: Sounds like the question is from the UK. Newegg (which I linked to 3 times) may not be available from there, but similar components can be had from UK sources, I'm sure.

Answer 2

If you want a definitive answer on exactly what you should get then please provide the EXACT model numbers of everything you want to hook up.( PS3 can be omitted.)

Only then will a hook up diagram be forthcoming.

EDIT:

I would recommend the following hook up: (>< indicate signal direction)

PS3>TV via HDMI

V+ Box> TV via HDMI

Sharp> TV via HDMI or Component video whichever is cheaper for you.

TV> Sharp via optical. ( If you use an analog audio source to the TV i.e. old VCR you may need to connect an audio patch set from the analog out to the Sharp to get sound to the Sharp.

Also you will need to configure all your source devices to digital audio output as well as the TVs input side. (See the manual, and look at the trouble shooting guides if you get stuck).

This represents the minimum cables needed for the best possible resolution and sound.

Edit: to thumbs downer: The TV does have 3 hdmi inputs. So my configuration will work. I did forget to mention that the first input is video only and the sharps output should be hooked up there.

Have a blast!!

Answer 3

You have no choice if you want the best. Around $20 you can buy 2 optical cables.

Answer 4

If the PS3 has an optical audio out and the Sharp has an optical audio input then an optical audio cable would be the best and easiest solution. You don't need anything else.