TV condensing 5.1 signal to 2-channel. Need some sort of switching solution.

[IsenMike]

Here's my situation. Instead of a proper surround-sound receiver I have a Panasonic all-in-one home theater system with a built-in DVD player. Unfortunately, the thing only has one optical audio input.

My TV, a Samsung LN40B630, has a whole mess of HDMI inputs and an optical output. So I figured I'd hook up my DVR and XBox360 to the TV via HDMI, and run an optical cable from the TV's output to the home theater's input.

It works for the most part, but I've noticed that I'm not getting surround-sound. The TV seems to be condensing any incoming signal down to 2-channel stereo. When I play a THX audio test in the Home Theater's DVD, I get sound from all 5.1 speakers. Same disc in the XBox, running through the TV before hitting the Home Theater, gives sound from only the front L and R.

Any recommendations for a relatively-inexpensive solution? Any good optical switches out there that work with a remote?

 

[kalrith]

What you're describing is typical of a TV's optical out. They usually only send surround sound through the optical out for OTA or cable that's connected to the TV's tuner.

Here's a cheap manual switch. I couldn't find any reasonably priced remote-controlled TOSLINK switches. However, I found this remote-controlled HDMI switch that will convert the audio from the HDMI input to a TOSLINK output.

Both received good reviews.

 

[IsenMike]

What you're describing is typical of a TV's optical out. They usually only send surround sound through the optical out for OTA or cable that's connected to the TV's tuner.

Here's a cheap manual switch. I couldn't find any reasonably priced remote-controlled TOSLINK switches. However, I found this remote-controlled HDMI switch that will convert the audio from the HDMI input to a TOSLINK output.

Both received good reviews.

Trying to avoid a manual switch. I got a programmable Harmony remote a few months ago, and it seems like a waste if I have to get up and walk across the room every time I want to change A/V sources.

That HDMI switch is basically perfect, though. Thanks!

 

[simonizor]

Trying to avoid a manual switch. I got a programmable Harmony remote a few months ago, and it seems like a waste if I have to get up and walk across the room every time I want to change A/V sources.

That HDMI switch is basically perfect, though. Thanks!

Why not just have th HDMI connected to your television and then run the optical audio cables from your Xbox and your DVR directly to your surround sound receiver? As long as you have multiple optical inputs on your receiver, all you'd have to do is change the input on your receiver to whatever device you're using.

 

[IsenMike]

Why not just have th HDMI connected to your television and then run the optical audio cables from your Xbox and your DVR directly to your surround sound receiver? As long as you have multiple optical inputs on your receiver, all you'd have to do is change the input on your receiver to whatever device you're using.

Errr...

Here's my situation. Instead of a proper surround-sound receiver I have a Panasonic all-in-one home theater system with a built-in DVD player. Unfortunately, the thing only has one optical audio input.

 

[sivart]

I have thought about a "surround bar" for my living room (casual watching only), but couldn't find one with enough 5.1 inputs. (I.e. 3), so I haven't done that yet.

Seems like you have run into a similar problem.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Did you look at a "surround bar" that isn't an all-in-a-box solution like the Polk SurroundBar50 (or original 42)? They are simply a speaker that connects to any receiver/pre-processor/amplifier combo you want to use.