Using Ht Speakers With Tv Channels

[stinhambo]

This is going to sound unbelievably noobish but what kind of cabling will I need to get the TV to pass sound to my HT speakers?

I assumed (wrongly) that HDMI did all this but obviously not.

Do I need to get an optical cable (I have an LG Plasma with optical output) or are the old school Black, Yellow and Red cables needed?

[Shonky*]

Correct. An optical cable to your receiver is what you need to have access to the *potential* 5.1 surround. Generally this is only for the tuner i.e. if you run your Xbox in using analogue connections the optical out might not work.

If you go the analogue route you'll only need the Red/White RCA cables. There's no need to send the TV's video out (the yellow) to the AVR.

[Procrastinator]

This is going to sound unbelievably noobish but what kind of cabling will I need to get the TV to pass sound to my HT speakers?

I assumed (wrongly) that HDMI did all this but obviously not.

Do I need to get an optical cable (I have an LG Plasma with optical output) or are the old school Black, Yellow and Red cables needed?

I have a Samsung TV which i use the optical audio out on the TV (as my TV does not have HDMI out) to one of the optical ins on my amp works great surround sound on the HD channels not sure how the LG's work but should be the same, just set your amp to applicable source where you plug your optical into. Other option is to buy a HD set top box/ PVR with twin tuners and HDMI output.

This is what i hope to do when the budget/wife allows.

[stinhambo]

Correct. An optical cable to your receiver is what you need to have access to the *potential* 5.1 surround. Generally this is only for the tuner i.e. if you run your Xbox in using analogue connections the optical out might not work.

If you go the analogue route you'll only need the Red/White RCA cables. There's no need to send the TV's video out (the yellow) to the AVR.

So is it better to go the optical route then? I am using an LG HT system (HT903) and it has the option for both optical and analogue. One thing to bear in mind is that I will be getting a PS3 down the line.

I guess I need a primer on the best choices to make now and for the future.

[tb1231503560936]

Using the Red/White analog cable will only give you 2 chanel stereo.

If you want to receive the full 5.1 sound (assuming the program is transmitting in this format) then you will need to use the optical cable from your TV to your receiver.

TB

[stinhambo]

Using the Red/White analog cable will only give you 2 chanel stereo.

If you want to receive the full 5.1 sound (assuming the program is transmitting in this format) then you will need to use the optical cable from your TV to your receiver.

TB

Awesome, I will go the optical route then

How does this work when it comes to plugging in a PS3 as well? Do I need to swap over the optical cable?

[tb1231503560936]

Awesome, I will go the optical route then

How does this work when it comes to plugging in a PS3 as well? Do I need to swap over the optical cable?

"most" receivers these days will have multiple optical inputs to use. I'd be surprised if it had only one?

Even ones with HDMI inputs would probably have an optical or two to use (mine does).

I'm pretty sure the PS3 can be connected via HDMI (if you have that option on your receiver?) and then the TV could use the optical port.

If you only have one optical port and no HDMI ports on your receiver (which would be unusual I think), then you are pretty much stuck.....

[stinhambo]

I have one optical in and one HDMI out on my receiver.

[stinhambo]

Yeah I think I just learned the main difference between a Home Theatre and an AV Receiver setup!

It's cool though as I mainly play DVD movies. I don't have a PS3 yet.