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Optical Cable Question

#1
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4/24/09 at 5:53am
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I am new in setting up a surround sound system and I hoping you can clarify something for me.

I have the following equipment:

·TV—Sony BRAVIA 46 XBR6
·Blu-ray—Sony Blu-ray
·Cablebox—Scientific Atlanta 8300HD
·Receiver- Sony Receiver


The following is the connection:. The Cablebox and Blu-ray are connected via HDMI to the Sony Receiver. The Receiver is then connected to the TV through HDMI.

So, is an Optical Cable needed? If so, what should be the correct way to connect it? The following is the connection for each

·TV—Digital Optical out
·Blu-ray— Digital Optical out
·Cablebox— Digital Optical out
·Receiver- There are two Digital Optical “IN” (TV and Satelite)

I really appreciate your help!!!
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#2
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4/24/09 at 6:52am
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Re: Optical Cable Question

It all depends on the capabilities of the receiver. If the receiver processes audio via HDMI, then you are all set. If the receiver only passes thru video, then you will need an optical out from the cable box and Blu-ray to the receiver. The optical out from the TV is more than likely only used for the internal TV tuner, and since you have a cable box, it is not needed.
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#3
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4/24/09 at 7:02am
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Re: Optical Cable Question

Thank you for the response. I think that it has the capability (not really sure). It is the Sony HTS-S360.

I got confused because in the manual it has the HDMI connections into the receiver and then one going to the TV. It then has another picture showing the optical cable from the TV to the receiver.

So, do you think I need to do get the cable with this receiver?

HTS-S360 | Home Theater A/V Receiver (5.1-channel) | Sony | Sony Style USA
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#4
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4/24/09 at 7:03am
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Re: Optical Cable Question

Unless you purchased the cheapest Sony AV receiver, the STR-DH500, the audio decoding is done internally through from the Hdmi connection for all other Sony receivers.

Only the STR-DH500 needs the optical inputs for audio input.

Consideirng the quality of the equipment you purchased I guess you didn't buy a $200 receiver!

Cheers...
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#5
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4/24/09 at 10:25am
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Re: Optical Cable Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by hdmiquest
Thank you for the response. I think that it has the capability (not really sure). It is the Sony HTS-S360.

I got confused because in the manual it has the HDMI connections into the receiver and then one going to the TV. It then has another picture showing the optical cable from the TV to the receiver.

So, do you think I need to do get the cable with this receiver?

HTS-S360 | Home Theater A/V Receiver (5.1-channel) | Sony | Sony Style USA

That has to be the most misleading manual I've ever seen.

I believe the optical connection from the TV is just for the internal tuner (as I said above). This is not needed if you are using the cable box for your TV source. Other than that, as far as I can tell you will be fine with the HDMI cables for both audio and video.

Please note that in order to hear the HD sound formats (TrueHD/DTS-HD/MA) from Blu-ray, you will need a Blu-ray player that decodes the HD audio and outputs it as raw LPCM (Linear PCM), because your receiver does not decode HD audio. List your Blu-ray player and we can tell you how to set it up for this (if it is capable).
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#6
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4/24/09 at 12:24pm
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Re: Optical Cable Question

Thank you again for your help.

I must have read the manual wrong. I am glad I can use HDMI as the inputs. Just to make sure, this will be good for Dolby sound...etc when using the cablebox?

For the blu-ray it is the BDP-S350
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#7
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4/24/09 at 4:52pm
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Re: Optical Cable Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by hdmiquest
Thank you again for your help.

I must have read the manual wrong. I am glad I can use HDMI as the inputs. Just to make sure, this will be good for Dolby sound...etc when using the cablebox?

For the blu-ray it is the BDP-S350

Yes, that should be good for the cable box.

As to the 350, from the audio menu set the Audio Output to HDMI, the Audio (HDMI) to Auto and the BD Audio to Mix.
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#8
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4/24/09 at 5:15pm
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Re: Optical Cable Question

Thank you again for all your help...I really appreciate it

The following is what I wrote about earlier:

With HDMI, you can easily enjoy both high quality sound and high quality images.

However, it is necessary to connect the autio output of the TV to the audio input of the receiver using an optical cord to listen to the TV multichannel surrond sound broadcasting from the receiver.

This is what is causing all my confusion
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#9
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4/25/09 at 8:30am
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Re: Optical Cable Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by hdmiquest
Thank you again for all your help...I really appreciate it

The following is what I wrote about earlier:

With HDMI, you can easily enjoy both high quality sound and high quality images.

However, it is necessary to connect the autio output of the TV to the audio input of the receiver using an optical cord to listen to the TV multichannel surrond sound broadcasting from the receiver.

This is what is causing all my confusion

Yeah, that only applies to the TV's internal tuner. If you are watching a source that originates at the TV (via coax cable or antenna), then you need a way to get the surround sound to the receiver. The optical out is how you'd do it.
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