Setting Up Surround Sound Via Optical

[Jamz]

Hi All,

Ive been trying to get this setup for a while now, and i'm currently banging my head against the table.

Right here's the story, i have a Sony surround sound system (with wireless rear speakers), a Samsung PS42A457, Samsung Sky HD Box. So far, I have a HDMI lead going from Sky box to tv, and an optical lead from Sky to Sony surround sound.

Now the above works just fine, full surround sound, now my brother has just plugged the PS3 into the TV, and wants the surround sound to work for that too, so i tried doing optical from the back of the TV to the Surround sound, now this kind of works, but i only seem to get front left and right channels only, not the full 5.1 surround sound (even through Bluray or HDTV)

Now is there a setting you have to enable to get the full 5.1 to be output through the TV, or can this not be done?

Or what other options do i have in wiring all this up

 

[davepuma]

The majority of TV's only output stereo over their audio outputs, inc. digital. Therefore to get true 5.1 discrete audio from your PS3, you will need to connect it directly to the home cinema system. If it only has one optical input, then you will need a 3 way manual optical switch, with each source (PS3 and Sky+HD) to the switch, then another optical cable is run from the switch's output to the h/c input.

Also make sure your PS3 is set to bitstream.

 

[Jamz]

The majority of TV's only output stereo over their audio outputs, inc. digital. Therefore to get true 5.1 discrete audio from your PS3, you will need to connect it directly to the home cinema system. If it only has one optical input, then you will need a 3 way manual optical switch, with each source (PS3 and Sky+HD) to the switch, then another optical cable is run from the switch's output to the h/c input.

Also make sure your PS3 is set to bitstream.

I thought i would have to go down this route. Any tips on a decent 3 way switch?

 

[davepuma]

Try audiovisualonline for both the switch (manual and powered) and the Fisual Pro optical cables if you need any more. They cost £5 and are identical to an older QED cable that I have that cost substantially more.