Home Theater Hookup Issue (1 Viewer)

[PuttyGod]

Hi!
I just bought a Samsung 5.1 system with an upscaling dvd player/receiver. I mainly bought the setup because I was finding that Blu Ray movies seemed a little too quiet and I was told this would definitely help over the regular stereo sound from my HDTV. Nevertheless, I'm having a lot of trouble connecting the system properly. I have enough experience with this kind of thing, but I can't help but think that I'm missing something. I have a Sharp 42'' Aquos HDTV with 7 inputs, 3 or 4 of which are HDMI. I'll post the specs for the theater system at the bottom.
Now I hook the receiver to one of the HDMI inputs on my TV and from there I could easily use the upconverter DVD player from the system, but how am I supposed to get anything else to produce sound from the setup? for example, if I have the system hooked up to input 3 and a Blu Ray player hooked up to input 4, how do I get the Blu Ray to use the 5.1 for audio? I don't think there is a "master" input for audio on my tv. If anybody could help it would be greatly appreciated. Also if there are anymore details that you would need, please let me know. Thanks guys!

Edit: Someone said something about an optical cable and I see a digital audio output on the side of my tv. If I connect an optical cable from the receiver to the connection on the tv will that make the audio from all of the tv's inputs come through the 5.1?

* Complete home theater system includes 5.1-channel amplifier with built-in surround sound decoders, 1080p upconvert DVD/CD/MP3/DivX player, FM tuner, 4 satellite speakers, center speaker and subwoofer
* 1000W total power (main speakers: 166W x 2; center channel: 166W; rear surround speakers: 166W x 2; subwoofer: 170W)
* Multiple surround sound decoders built in. Learn more about surround sound home theater

* Built-in surround sound decoders include Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS
* 6 discrete DSP soundfields
* DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-Audio, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA, MP3, JPEG and DivX playback capabilities
* FM tuner with 15 station presets
* Front channel bookshelf speakers feature 2-3/4" midrange
* 6-1/2" passive subwoofer
* USB Host Play allows you to enjoy photos or music by plugging a portable digital device into the USB port; Apple iPod docking capability
* Wireless-ready for connection to wireless speakers
* Inputs: 1 optical digital audio, 2 stereo audio
* Outputs: 1 component video, 1 HDMI and 1 video monitor

 

[Robert_J]

This is all you need. Connect the optical cable from your Blu-Ray to the Samsung. Select the proper input on the TV and the sound system when watching a BR disc.

But by going with an Home Theater in a Box, you have limited yourself with the number of inputs. If you want to watch HDTV (cable, satellite or OTA) then your sound system doesn't have enough inputs.

-Robert

 

[Ed Moxley]

No........... the optical output on tvs, is usually for 5.1 output from local HD channels, received with an antenna, over the air (outside antenna, rabbit ears, etc.).

You didn't say the model number of the HTIB you have, so I'm taking it for granted it's not the one that has the built-in Blu ray player, and HD audio codecs, after reading about the problems you're having. Samsung's HTIB that does handle Blu ray, is here:
HT-AS720ST home theater systems - home theater SAMSUNG

Since you have only one digital input on the receiver, I'd say you need a different surround system, with more digital inputs. Especially if you have a separate Blu ray player, you're wanting to use. (If I had a Blu ray player, I'd want to be able to listen to the HD audio formats, on the blu ray movies)
Plus, having the separate blu ray player, puts you using the only digital input on the receiver. What about plugging in your sat/cable box for 5.1 from HD channels, or tv for OTA HD channels?

HTIB (home theater in a box) systems are ok, for people that have very basic stuff (TV and dvd), but most people find they really needed more, when they start trying to hook stuff up. HTIBs, as a general rule, just don't have enough digital inputs, for most people. Also, most people that buy HTIBs are new to home theater, and don't know or think of checking to make sure it has enough inputs.

I hope this has helped a little.
Good luck!

 

[PuttyGod]

Ohh okay. So the only way to get any sound out of the 5.1, HD or not, is by directly connecting the optical cable to the receiver? Is there a way to hook an xbox 360 or something up to get audio from the system? Even if I have to unplug and replug every time I'd just like to know.
And there is no real effect if I were to plug the optical from the receiver to the digital audio output on the tv?

 

[PuttyGod]

Oh and here's the model number if it still helps.
HT-Z310

 

[Ed Moxley]

That should only work for the built-in tuner, to output 5.1, when watching local HD channels, coming in over antenna.

 

[PuttyGod]

Oh and I'll add again that the only thing that got me looking for a better sound system was that Blu Ray movies seemed a little quiet. So is this at least a passable solution, if only for a blu ray player and maybe a 360?

 

[Ed Moxley]

yeah, it's passable, I guess.
You are the one that can answer that the best. As long as you like it, it's all that matters.

 

[PuttyGod]

Okay thanks man. As long as I get it to function I should be happy temporarily

I'll get back with the results. Thanks!

 

[PuttyGod]

Aww, okay on the 360 side of things, I'm not sure what to do. I use an HDMI cable for video and audio from my HDTV, so would I have to use the component hd cables for video and the red white and yellows for audio in order to hook up to the receiver or am I missing something. God, I'm a noob.

 

[PuttyGod]

Oh and if anybody knows of a somewhat similarly priced alternative or something that would suit my situation better, please let me know. I think I have 30 days to return this to Best Buy if it proves to be inadequate.

 

[Robert_J]

You can pick up a Toslink switch box that will give you multiple inputs to the Samsung. At least you won't have to unplg/replug the optical cable every time you switch sources.

Your other alternative is a system with more inputs. But as you add features, your price increases. I use a Pioneer VSX-1014 receiver and I have 3 DVRs, 2 DVD players and an XM radio attached. Four of the sources are connected with digital audio. I also added a friend's PS3 for a few days and still still had a digital audio input left for it.

As you found out, Blu-Ray and other digital formats are recorded at a lower volume than CD, radio and NTSC television. This gives them more dynamic range. They can go from a whisper to an explosion in an instant.

-Robert

 

[PuttyGod]

Ohhh is that why? At least it makes sense now heheh. Do you have a link or a good place to check out a switchbox?

 

[PuttyGod]

Also, is there a similar setup that has maybe 1 hdmi input? Because there are switchboxes for those too I think.

 

[Ed Moxley]

For your situation, I think this is what you'd be happiest with. Plenty of inputs for everything, and not outrageously expensive. But, since it isn't an HTIB, you'd still need speakers to go with it. You'd be much happier in the long run.
Amazon.com: Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black): Audio & Video