I have an HDTV and have a PS3 and xbox360. I am looking to buy my first surround sound system.?

Question

I found a receiver with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output. To hook this up, do I simply plug the xbox components and PS3 HDMI cable into the receiver and then connect the receiver to the TV using HDMI? I thought I could but a salesman told me I'd have to use fiberoptic cables and got me confused. Help!!

Answer 1

HDMI is digital, you will receive a full surround from any Dolby or THX source. Connect the PS3 and XBOX360 using HDMI. Proceed by connecting the HDMI OUT from receiver to the tv. You will then be able to switch digital video and audio through the av receiver. Fiber cords send the same digital signal. Your sales person is wrong from the info you have provided.

Answer 2

HDMI connections on most AV receivers are only pass throughs, any audio sent via HDMI is not sent to the HC speakers.

To receive 5.1 sound from any device you also need to connect an audio lead like digital optical between devices.

I've attached a website for you where you can have a look at a PDF file on connecting systems, I hope this helps.

http://www.onkyo.co.uk/

Answer 3

First check and make sure your receiver will upconvert any lesser video cable you plug into a HDMI output to your tv because it sounds like your xbox will not be hooked up to the receiver via HDMI.  If I am right about that and your receiver doesn't upconvert then you will need to run whatever video cables were used to hook up xbox to receiver back out of the receiver to the tv.  Many popular receivers that offer HDMI on them usually upconvert all lesser video cables (composite/y,r,w  S video, Component/r, g, b, r, w) so you are probably ok but if it didn't you would be wondering why you have no pic when playing Xbox.

Now HDMI sends audio too so your receiver does pick up on that but its only 2.0 sound in other words just left and right audio channels.  Now unless thats an xbox 360 instead of an xbox I wouldn't suggest using optical on that because I don't believe they offer more than 2 channel games.  They have dolby digital but its pro-logic which is still 2 channel.  Now PS3 offers Dolby digital surround sound 5.1 and 7.1 available which means when 5.1  is offered you are not just getting 2 channels of distinct sound like before you are getting 5 distinct channels of sound and .1 stands for the low frequency sounds in the movie sent to the subwoofer in your home theater.  7.1 adds two more channels of distinct sound.  If you are asking yourself why do I want 5 or more distinct channels of sound think of yourself playing a shooting game or racing game and you can hear enemies or other cars creeping up on you because your surround sound only sends those sounds through your back speakers.  Cool huh?  

So that is why the salesperson told you about the fiber optic cable because you told him you had or were getting home theater.  Fiber optic cable is the only way to send dolby digital surrond sound (5.1 and 7.1) to a home theater receiver via PS3.  Using anything else available for the PS3 only send two channels of sound.  

Sorry so long but wanted to be thorough.  email if you need more info