Setting up my Home Theatre with a 360 & PS3

[DarkColonel]

I have looked around but I wasn't able to find someone with my problem and tech so I thought I'd start a thread.

I have a Phillips HTS3400 5.1. The back looks like this:

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1866/hts3400.jpg

My TV is a Samsung 32" LN-T3253. The back looks like this:

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1959/samsungy.jpg

Basically, what I'm trying to do is have my PS3 (HDMI) and my 360 (Component) hooked up to my receiver so that I am able to use them in 5.1 surround (instead of my TV speakers). I was able to use my 360 through the HT but now that I bought a PS3, I'd also like to use it through my HT (if possible).

If there is someone who can show me how to do it, I'd really appreciate.

 

[Tifababy]

You won't be able to get 5.1 out of the "receiver" you have. It only has stereo inputs, and only two, one for aux (xbox or ps3) and tv. You could get a RCA switch which would allow you to switch between the two, but to get real 5.1, you'll need coax, optical or HDMI input on your receiver.

 

[DarkColonel]

Originally posted by: Tifababy
You won't be able to get 5.1 out of the "receiver" you have. It only has stereo inputs, and only two, one for aux (xbox or ps3) and tv. You could get a RCA switch which would allow you to switch between the two, but to get real 5.1, you'll need coax, optical or HDMI input on your receiver.

I find that odd because I've been getting 5.1 with my 360 for the longest time. When hooked up, I set it to AUX and then 5.1, the sound coming out of my speakers is true 5.1 as I am able to hear "rear" only audio through my rear speakers (I.E. Someone approaching me from behind in Halo 3).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Yeah, with existing equipment you'll be limited to 2.1 playback or possibly a pseudo surround mode like Dolby Prologic II depending on the surround processing abilities of the Phillips set.

HTIB sets generally have very poor connectivity options for hooking up additional sources. Some sets (like the ones Onkyo makes) have basically full featured receivers in their sets that they bundle with very basic speakers. In sets like those, the receiver is usually quite capable of hooking up additional sources effectively (for the price point). The set you have is very basic and will not get you the surround sound experience you're looking for with your new sources.

EDIT: If the surround speakers are giving you audio for the 360, that means its able to Prologic II or something equivalent to give you fake surround from stereo sources.

 

[DarkColonel]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
EDIT: If the surround speakers are giving you audio for the 360, that means its able to Prologic II or something equivalent to give you fake surround from stereo sources.

Yes precisely.

It sounds fine to me as I'm not in a very large room. The audio is crisp with good bass and volume. Plus I got the system for only $100CAD around 6 months ago. Gets the job done.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Well you somehow have to get analog audio from the PS3 to the receiver.

Two possibilities are if you can get HDMI video and analog audio out of the PS3 at the same time (I don't remember if that's possible)
or
If your TV is able to get the audio off the HDMI cable connecting it to the PS3 and then if it's able to send analog audio out from TV to the receiver

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
If your TV is able to get the audio off the HDMI cable connecting it to the PS3 and then if it's able to send analog audio out from TV to the receiver

This should work, as long as your Samsung TV works the same way as mine does. The only problem that I had with running audio over HDMI to the TV was that the TV could only output 2 channels on the optical out, which obviously wouldn't be a limitation in this setup.

If you the 360 can run audio over HDMI as well, you could use the same method, and only need to run the single audio connection to the receiver, just using the TV to switch everything.

 

[DarkColonel]

I found a solution. All I had to do was connect all my inputs into the TV and run audio through the "Audio Out" from my TV to the AUX input for my receiver.

This allowed me to get audio from all of my devices (Including my HD cable box).

Appreciate the replies guys!