Help hooking up components to theater system?

Question

I just bought a Sony KDL-52XBR5 LCD TV and I have a TIVO HD box (HDMI cable), and a PS3 (HDMI cable). I am thinking about purchasing a Sony DAV-HDX500 theater system, but it has no HDMI inputs. I just want to know if I can hook the PS3 and the TIVO box through the TV HDMI inputs and then run an audio wire to the theater system so that all of it can be heard through the theater system. My new tv has enough connections to hook the PS3 and TIVO straight to the tv, but will I be able to listen to those through the Sony system? Do I have to hook everything up directly to the theater system to get surround sound or can it be routed through the TV? Any help is greatly appreciated :) I am hoping to have this up and running this weekend for the kids!

Answer 1

If this is the same Sony system you are thinking of buying ...

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stor...

It has one coaxial digital audio input and one optical digital audio input.  Both support surround sound.  Connect one from your Tivo HD box and the other from your PS3.  This should allow you to hear surround sound through the theater system.

Do not use red and white rca cables as those can only carry stereo or a very crude surround sound called dolby pro-logic which is not as good as dolby digital.

edited .. read your additional post.  It is very possible the optical output from your tv will pass the surround sound info.  You will need to try it and see.  You also may need to get into the tv's menu to turn on and configure the optical audio output.  It may be set OFF by default.

Answer 2

Here is my recommendation:

TIVO HDMI output --> TV HDMI1

PS3 HDMI output --> TV HDMI2

TIVO coax/digital audio out --> Sony KDL coax/digital input

PS3 coax/digtital audio out --> Sony KDL coax/digital input

This setup will provide you hi-quality video and surround sound

Answer 3

You can run Optical out of the PS3 into your HT system...as long as it has an OPTICAL IN.  But most systems only have one optical in.

Get a receiver.  HTiB(Home theater in a box) systems seem like a good price...but really just get a receiver and speakers, they last longer and you'll be happier.

EDIT: Running a red/white cable WILL NOT give you surround sound.

Answer 4

Hook up the tivo and ps3 through the hdmi, and then run a set of audio cables (red & white) out from the tv and into the the surround sound.