Optical output on sony bravia 40", cannot get signal while an HDMI device is streaming through it?

Question

I have a sony bravia 40", the newest model. When i connect my xbox 360 via hdmi the speakers will play the sound, but when i connect my 5.1 system via the optical out on the bravia there is no signal.

However when i connect my wii via the rca connections it will output via the optical line to my 5.1 system.

except only in stereo which makes it completely pointless.

how do i get devices that are connected via hdmi to output through the bravia's optical out?

can it not handle doing this?

is there a cheap way around it?

i thought this was top of the line equipment, pretty sad if it cant even through=put to dolby.

any help would be great

Answer 1

Check the manual for your TV.   Most TVs will not "pass through" digital audio from an external HDMI input.  The opitical output is for programs received by the TV's tuner.  The way to get around this is to use the optical output from the xbox into your audio system and turn off the TV speakers.