Setup help for a newbie!

[spikecast]

Hi all, would be very grateful if someone could help me with a setup I've put in for the parents, not sure if I've got it plugged in and if someone could suggest how to connect it properly I would be very grateful. I have:

Samsung 32" LCD HDTV with optical port
Sony HTSS1100 Home Cinema Kit (Received today)
Sky Box (Thompson one no optical port)
Samsung DVD Recorder with Optical port.

Any idea how I should connect all of these to the amp? I've currently got the Sky and DVD recorder plugged in via scart and an optical cable from the TV to the amp. I get surround on Sky which is great but why is it only coming out in 2 channel sound or Pro Logic II? Does a normal Sky box not output true 5.1? if so how? Also to connect my DVD recorder to the amp for movies etc do I need another optical cable for this? I'm a bit confused so any help would be great! Thanks!

[ijd]

for 5.1 you will have to connect using optical or co ax as only these carry digital signal, or if your amp has the capability you will see inputs for each individual channel, this will also give you 5.1 but as an analogue signal used on early amps.
to get 5.1 from sky you will need sky+ or sky hd as only these have the optical required.

[spikecast]

Thanks we have Sky HD in the other room which we got 5.1 from but this is just bog standard Thompson "Sky" box with Sky lit up in the blue on the front. So are you saying I'm stuck with Dolby Pro Logic II then on this setup? Thanks.

[kentish_lad]

With a standard sky box you will get 2 channel stereo only, which is processed by the amp to give some sort of surround, but it wont be 5.1

[spikecast]

Thanks for the help. We will probably get it replaced with a HD box eventually but not until the prices come down.