Hi folks, sorry to bother you all, I'm a total newbie with this and hope you can help me. Have looked through the forum and got some ideas, but just wanted to check I'm doing it correctly.

Have inherited an old Sony DAV-SC5 system (not a brilliant system, I know but OK for my v.small living room) and have no idea about the best way to connect it to the TV and other boxes:

This is what I have:

Sony DAV-SC5 +scart lead

TV: Sony Bravia 40W3000 - with (I think) 2 scarts (one is smartlink), 1 digital optical out, 2 component inputs + L and R in, 3 HDMI, 2 L and R out.

Sony PS3 (currently connected to the TV via HDMI) - use this for watching Blue Ray as well.

Nintendo Wii (currently connected to the TV via official wii component cable which includes inc L and R inputs to TV)

Sharp TU-R160 PVR (currently connected to the TV via Scart - the picture quality of recordings on this is terrible, although from looking on the net I suspect it may by the unit, not the cables). It does seem to have a digital optical out on it though.

Old Sony Video Player - Scart to the TV via 3 in 1 scart adapter

Phillips DVP3005 DVD player - Scart to the TV via 3 in 1 scart adapter. (I think I might get rid of this now I've got the DAV-SC5, but have read that there can be problems with playing DVDs on it, so I might keep it for a bit).

TV aerial goes from wall to the Sharp PVR then from Sharp PVR to TV.

I'm thinking of just connecting the DAV-SC5 to the TV via the Digital Optical and, from what I understand, I need to connect the Scart as well for the picture.

Then leaving everything else plugged into the TV - am assuming the sound from anything plugged into the TV will then go through the DAV-SC5?

Is this the right way to do it, or should I have anything else plugged into the DAV-SC5?

Also if anyone can help with the the best way to set up the sound on the TV for this set up. Should I mute the sound on the TV or will the TV do it automatically?

Cheers for any help in advance.

[davepuma]

Unfortunately not. The TV's audio output will be 2.0 stereo. If you want true surround sound (not pseudo matrix'd effects like Dolby Pro Logic) you have to connect directly. To this end, I would make the PS3 the priority and connect via optical. If you want surround sound from the other sources, you'll need a 3 way manual optical switch. However, it may well be that the only audio output from the TV's optical connection is from the built in tuner. You would need to check the manual and try it for yourself. You could simply use the DAV as an audio device and omit the video connection (SCART) to the TV. I would stick to the PS3 for disc spinning unless you have another reason to use the DAV for playing discs (multi-region perhaps?).

Muting the TV might result in you having an annoying mute symbol on screen so it's often best to simply turn the sound down on the TV manually.

[jamesmflint]

Jools,

I have a similar set up. Also have a DAV SC5, and with that I have at present a Sky+ box, Wii, and iPod connected, and all going to the TV (Panasonic 32LXD85).

I am about to replace the Sky+ with Sky HD, so will be using the optical cable.
At present, I send everything into the DAV SC5 first:

Sky + via scart
Ipod via the red/white/yellow cable (sorry don't know it's real name)
Wii via the red/white/yellow again

Then, I have one scart out from the DAV to the TV.

This means all the sound is played through the DAV, so you always have to turn it on, but you select the source using the Function button on the remote:

TV for TV
Video 1 for ipod
Video 2 for Wii
DVD for DVD

I then just turn the sound down on the TV. By doing it this way, if anything on Sky is on DD, I get the correct sound, but everything plays through the 5.1 speakers, even if it's not true 5.1 sound.

I am just about to get HD tomorrow, so I guess I'll have to change it slightly, and run the HDMI straight from HD to TV , and then use the digital optical out of the HD to the DAV. My only question to anyone who might know, is what function do I use to hear the sound from Optical In on the DAV?

James