PS3 with old home theater system

[Shadow Conception]

We have a home theater system with the three basic RCA inputs (yellow, white, red). I generally use the HDMI cable to hook up the PS3 to the TV (which transfers both sound and video). Now, would I be able to get surround sound if I used composite cables (in addition to the HDMI for video) to hook up the PS3 to the home theater system?

So basically it'd be like this:

- PS3 --> TV (HDMI)
- PS3 --> 5.1 Home Theater System (composite)

 

[Shawn]

you would get simulated surround with prologic.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Thanks for the quick answer.

So what would be the deal with that? In MGS4, would a guy walking around behind me really cause the back speakers to activate? Or would it just echo in all of the speakers to give an impression of surround sound?

 

[Shawn]

No idea how that would work for a game. It works out pretty well for movies though. Still, no where near as good as real surround.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Got it, I'll be trying this out tomorrow.

Thanks a lot!

 

[cheesehead]

Most old HT receivers have optical or coaxial S/PDIF digital inputs, and the PS3 has an optical S/PDIF output. (Monoprice sells a $12 adapter.) This should solve the problem.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Most old HT receivers have optical or coaxial S/PDIF digital inputs, and the PS3 has an optical S/PDIF output. (Monoprice sells a $12 adapter.) This should solve the problem.

Yes, if your receiver has a digital input, you can use it in conjunction with the HDMI output for 5.1 max (HDMI will pass 7.1 PCM).

For the stereo composite cables, the receiver will hopefully be able to use Pro Logic, which would be a fairly convincing surround simulation. Any sounds played primarily from the left or the right will also play in the rear speakers.

Just so you know, the PS3 can also do the opposite of what you want to do: play video through composite and audio through HDMI.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Nah, doesn't have those. It's over 10 years old, so whatever.

I just hooked it up and eagerly put on Children of Men. Then, as the initial explosion came, I heard a BOOM and the receiver just sort of... dies. I unplug the receiver and plug it back into another slot on the surge protector, and retry, only this time with the Warhawk demo. Another boom sound, and the receiver shuts off. I guess it can't handle the PS3, must have some sort of safety shut-off tech. Either that, or it's pulling too much electricity from the surge protector.

However, it did work. It just didn't work "all the way".

 

[Shawn]

Let me guess, is it a Sony?

 

[Shadow Conception]

Aiwa.

Now, it seems to auto shutoff during any sudden, loud sound. Looks like the PS3 really did something with it...

 

[Shawn]

Time for a new one.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Aiwa.

Now, it seems to auto shutoff during any sudden, loud sound. Looks like the PS3 really did something with it...

Check your speaker wires.

My Onkyo did that when I first wired it up, because a copper strand from one speaker wire was touching another connector besides its own.