Home Cinema Setup - HELP NEEDED for 5.1 surround sound!!

[andymet87]

Hi all...

I hope this is in the right place... if not I would appreciate being moved to the best spot on thge forum!

We have a Samsung LE32A457C1D, a media centre PC (windows 7) and a PS3.... We are about to spend a hundred pounds or so on a surround sound / home cinema system... Tight budget :'( but times are hard!

We are looking at the Samsung HT-C460 from here - Samsung HT-C460 5.1CH HOME CINEMA SYSTEM review cheap prices HT-C460 5.1CH HOME CINEMA SYSTEM Samsung best buy discount online uk shop.

Now the problem is this... Can we plug the PS3 & PC into the TV via HDMI, and then have the 5.1 audio sent via the optical out on the TV to the surround sound?

It would be good as the anynet+ feature would mean that essentially the system wouldnt become any more complicated to use as my other half would complain a lot...

So should the TV be able to pass the 5.1 audio through to the optical??

cheers all,

andymet87

 

[PSM1]

Most TVs are unable to pass through surround sound from HDMI to the optical output. Normally the best you get is stereo and sometimes you do not even get this (only works from internal tuner). Even if it does you will not get HD audio from the PS3 by going via optical.
I would question the quality of the system considering the very low price and it may not be a lot better than the TV speakers. If you have a tight budget it would be better to go for a stereo system instead or maybe look second hand (get a second hand AVR and pair of speakers then get the other speakers when more funds allow). Either that or just save a bit longer until you can afford something decent.