Will an HDMI cable produce surround sound for a PS3?

Question

Okay so I want to get surround sound without alot of money, so I am looking at the Logitech Z-5500's. But the only problem is that they only have 1 digital optical cable input...

So basically I need to figure out if I can get this to work. I could connect the PS3 to the T.V. using HDMI and then the T.V. to the surround using the surround but what would that do to sound quality?

Does anyone know of any other ways to hook this configuration up?

If it helps I have a LG 37LG30...

Thanks for your help with this...

Answer 1

Simple Answer:No

Answer 2

While HDMI does carry the digital audio signal needed for surround sound, no receiver can actually decode the HDMI signal into its audio and video streams.

You have 2 options:

1. Some newer TVs can split the digital audio signal out of an HDMI input, and output this as an optical audio connection.  IF your TV can do this, you can plug your PS3 into your TV with the HDMI cable, and then connect your TV to your surround system with an optical audio cable.  The advantage here is you can easily switch your TV between the TV speakers and the optical cable.

2. Connect your PS3 to the TV with HDMI, and then connect your PS3 to the surround speakers with an optical audio cable.  (The PS3 has a separate port for this on the back.)  This is how my PS3 is connected up.  The downside with this setup is that the PS3 cannot output audio on both the optical audio and HDMI cables at the same time.  So, be sure to go into the PS3's menu under Audio Settings, and turn OFF HDMI audio.  Otherwise, you'll only get sound from your TV's speakers, not the surround speakers.

(Other devices, like my DVD player, can do audio on the HDMI and optical audio cable at the same time, so I don't know what the PS3's problem is...)

Either way, remember that surround sound from the PS3 can ONLY be carried by optical audio.  The red&white RCA cables are only for stereo sound.  Sure, the Logitech speakers will still sound better than your TV even in stereo, but it's not the same as true surround sound, which is why you're paying the extra money.

Answer 3

A very simple way to solve all of your problems is to buy a new reciever with HDMI inputs that'll let you recieve & send full HD video/digital surround sound from and to all of your components.

Check out this reciever - it'll let you take 3 HDMI (Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, PS3, Xbox 360 Elite - just to name a few) sources and route them to your TV with full HDTV (And up to 7.1 digital audio) to you acclaimed THX speaker system. ;)  http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...

Any similar reciever will do, though - I just made an example.

It's simple. You have some awesome components. The PS3 (I own and highly recommend) acts as a great gaming machine AND Blu-Ray DVD player.

Your LG 37LG30 supports 1080i/720P (not the best-of-the-best *1080P*, but really great resolutions and contrast ratio's) - No worries, not many people can really tell a difference between any of the HD format's... seriously!!!

The Logitech Z-5500 is THX certified and sounds exceptionally great (I own as my PC speakers and haven't dissapointed in any circumnstance)

So... the point is (!) - why not spend just a few hundred dollars more that'll put many smiles on you & your friends faces and put to rest ALL of your pre-mentioned problems? You've spent so much on hardware thus far - this will be a minor expense, to say the least!

I hope this info helps. Good luck and great gaming/movie experiences to you! :D

Answer 4

The answer to your original posted question "Will an HDMI cable produce surround sound for a PS3?" is yes. The downside is you have to have a real surround sound system that to do it.

If your not going to do cable/sat audio as well just connect the optical from the ps3 to the speakers.

For cable or sat purposes (if the speakers have it) just connect the red and whites to the back of the speakers because the majority or tv broadcasts are not in dd 5.1 anyway and you would only get dpl2.