[francobegbie]

Hi Folks,

I just bought my first home cinema setup. Not a world beater (by any means, but I'm a student!!) but I'm quite happy. Not able to set it up yet as the flat I'm setting it up in is getting renovated, and I'm looking for advice.

I have:

PS3
Xbox 360
Acer Aspire Revo Rl100
LG SR906
LG 47LW550T

What I am wondering is whether I should

a) Have all HMDI cables running from the Xbox etc, through the sound system to the TV

or

b) Have HDMIs running from Xbox etc to the TV then to the sound system (using arc??)

Will either way make for a better sound? Also, sometimes I'll hook up my Ipod to the sound system whilst playing a game - will this be possible if I use option a?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[davepuma]

I would connect to the home cinema system via HDMI and run a single HDMI to the TV. You can't process two audio sources at the same time so if you want to listen to the ipod while playing a game but a standalone dock w/ speakers.

[francobegbie]

I wouldn't be concerned with sound from the Xbox etc when I've got my iPod playing - its only really when I'm playing FIFA. Would I still get the picture on screen, even though the surround sound was on the channel for the iPod?

[davepuma]

Originally Posted by francobegbie

I wouldn't be concerned with sound from the Xbox etc when I've got my iPod playing - its only really when I'm playing FIFA. Would I still get the picture on screen, even though the surround sound was on the channel for the iPod?

As I said the home cinema can't process more than one source, so for your particular configuration to work you would need to disconnect/connect cables or go into the various setup menus and and alter the set up.

If its just for Xbox I suppose you could connect the Xbox directly to the tv via HDMI and the iPod to the home cinema. Providing ARC or any HDMI control (CEC) functions are OFF the Xbox sound should come out the tv speakers and the music out of the home cinema speakers. If you wanted surround sound from the Xbox now and again I suppose you could hook up an optical audio cable from the Xbox and then change the audio settings on the Xbox from HDMI to optical of that makes sense.

[francobegbie]

Thanks again. I think I'm gonna go the route of connecting everything to the tv, and then one hdmi going to the surround sound system then. Will this compromise the sound at all? Will I still get surround sound etc??

[davepuma]

It is not recommended as TV's lack the necessary audio decoding. As I said, it is always best to connect directly.

Have a play and try it.