# Surround sound issues (&HDMI)

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665>\
**Category:** PittSpeed Off Topic\
**Created:** [May 1, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665 "2007-05-01T14:57:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![EXTtoG35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/67e7ee/32.png) [@EXTtoG35](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EXTtoG35)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/1 "2007-05-01T14:57:21Z")

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Ok, so I want to get a switcher so that I dont have to unplug the HDMI cables from my ps3/cable box all the time. Found a few online.

But I can’t seem to find a solution for the surround sound. I have it running through one of those single wires, I dont even know what its called at the moment, but I have to manually unplug it every time I want to switch from ps3/cable.

Any help/suggestions?

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**Author:** ![8Grand](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/8grand/32/5940_2.png) [@8Grand](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/8Grand)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2007, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/2 "2007-05-01T18:34:15Z")

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> [@WTBorrow: car trailer. Today.](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/wtborrow-car-trailer-today/29863/3):
>
> Ok, so I want to get a switcher so that I dont have to unplug the HDMI cables from my ps3/cable box all the time. Found a few online.
> 
> But I can’t seem to find a solution for the surround sound. I have it running through one of those single wires, I dont even know what its called at the moment, but I have to manually unplug it every time I want to switch from ps3/cable.
> 
> Any help/suggestions?

Does your surround sound have different channels like misc1/cd/etc ??? If it doesnt its going to be a pain to get the surround sound towork. If it does, run the audio to the surround reciever and run the switcher for video only.

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**Author:** ![The1SloR\_T](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the1slor_t/32/5984_2.png) [@The1SloR\_T](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The1SloR_T)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/3 "2007-05-01T18:51:23Z")

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i have HDMI cable from PS3 to HDTV  
then Opitical digital cable from PS3 to Receiver  
also have another Opitical digital cable from HDTV to receiver.

all i have to do is switch receiver from (DVD) to (TV) if i want surround sound on tv and (TV) to (DVD) if i want surround from PS3

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**Author:** ![EXTtoG35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/67e7ee/32.png) [@EXTtoG35](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EXTtoG35)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 8:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/4 "2007-05-03T08:52:20Z")

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> [@What percentage of your income do you spend on Cars?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-percentage-of-your-income-do-you-spend-on-cars/29883/25):
>
> i have HDMI cable from PS3 to HDTV  
> then Opitical digital cable from PS3 to Receiver  
> also have another Opitical digital cable from HDTV to receiver.
> 
> all i have to do is switch receiver from (DVD) to (TV) if i want surround sound on tv and (TV) to (DVD) if i want surround from PS3

doesn’t that mean you need atleast 2 optical inputs on the receiver?

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**Author:** ![BlueZ06](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BlueZ06](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BlueZ06)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 12:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/5 "2007-05-03T12:53:21Z")

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> [@What percentage of your income do you spend on Cars?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-percentage-of-your-income-do-you-spend-on-cars/29883/25):
>
> i have HDMI cable from PS3 to HDTV  
> then Opitical digital cable from PS3 to Receiver  
> also have another Opitical digital cable from HDTV to receiver.
> 
> all i have to do is switch receiver from (DVD) to (TV) if i want surround sound on tv and (TV) to (DVD) if i want surround from PS3

wouldnt it be better to run an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver vs tv to receiver, since the cable box is the true source of your sound when watching tv.

Or are you running a cable card?

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**Author:** ![The1SloR\_T](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the1slor_t/32/5984_2.png) [@The1SloR\_T](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The1SloR_T)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 5:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/6 "2007-05-03T17:32:43Z")

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> [@AVG install problem](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/avg-install-problem/29942/2):
>
> doesn’t that mean you need atleast 2 optical inputs on the receiver?

well you can do it with 2 opticals, or just use a red/white cable  
(i used a red/white cable for a little while before i got another optical)

> [@Vacuum + bad bearings + bored = this](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vacuum-bad-bearings-bored-this/29943/23):
>
> wouldnt it be better to run an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver vs tv to receiver, since the cable box is the true source of your sound when watching tv.
> 
> Or are you running a cable card?

ya it would be better to run the optical straight from the cable box to the receiver but i dont have an optical output from the cable box

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![EXTtoG35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/67e7ee/32.png) [@EXTtoG35](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EXTtoG35)\
**Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/7 "2007-05-03T21:14:51Z")

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> [@Vacuum + bad bearings + bored = this](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vacuum-bad-bearings-bored-this/29943/32):
>
> well you can do it with 2 opticals, or just use a red/white cable  
> (i used a red/white cable for a little while before i got another optical)
> 
> ya it would be better to run the optical straight from the cable box to the receiver but i dont have an optical output from the cable box

thats how i run it when i watch tv, from the cable box, to the receiver. But i have to switch it when I want to play ps3, i need to solve that issue.

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**Author:** ![halo\_666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e36b37/32.png) [@halo\_666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/halo_666)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 4:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/8 "2007-05-04T04:45:45Z")

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> [@Vacuum + bad bearings + bored = this](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vacuum-bad-bearings-bored-this/29943/32):
>
> well you can do it with 2 opticals, or just use a red/white cable  
> (i used a red/white cable for a little while before i got another optical)

if you want true 5.1 channel surround sound you cant use the red and white rca cables, they are analog and do not transmit the 5.1 surround sound.

digital coax and digital optical are the only two that carry the true 5.1 signal

you can also find optical switches

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**Author:** ![fshowcars](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fshowcars/32/5937_2.png) [@fshowcars](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fshowcars)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 5:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/9 "2007-05-04T05:59:35Z")

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this site is one of hte best online resources for devices like what is being discussed.

[http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c\_id=101&cp\_id=10110&style=](http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&style=)

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**Author:** ![BlueZ06](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BlueZ06](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BlueZ06)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 6:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/10 "2007-05-04T06:18:16Z")

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> [@Vacuum + bad bearings + bored = this](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vacuum-bad-bearings-bored-this/29943/32):
>
> well you can do it with 2 opticals, or just use a red/white cable  
> (i used a red/white cable for a little while before i got another optical)
> 
> ya it would be better to run the optical straight from the cable box to the receiver but i dont have an optical output from the cable box

then youre not getting 5.1 surround. You maybe getting Pro Logic though.

The optical/digital coax connection has to come from the source. Not converted i.e. RCA into TV, then TV Optical into receiver.

Does your receiver/cable box have a digital coax in/out? Who is your cable company?

All of comcast’s new boxes have these inputs. If you bought your HDTV then go for an HD receiver, they will have the desired inputs/outputs you’re looking for.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BlueZ06](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BlueZ06](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BlueZ06)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 6:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/11 "2007-05-04T06:18:42Z")

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> [@The Caz 13th Annual Car Show pics](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/the-caz-13th-annual-car-show-pics/29938/24):
>
> if you want true 5.1 channel surround sound you cant use the red and white rca cables, they are analog and do not transmit the 5.1 surround sound.
> 
> digital coax and digital optical are the only two that carry the true 5.1 signal
> 
> you can also find optical switches

and HDMI 😉

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![The1SloR\_T](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the1slor_t/32/5984_2.png) [@The1SloR\_T](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The1SloR_T)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2007, 5:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/12 "2007-05-04T17:21:59Z")

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> [@lookin for a boat?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lookin-for-a-boat/29885/14):
>
> then youre not getting 5.1 surround. You maybe getting Pro Logic though.
> 
> The optical/digital coax connection has to come from the source. Not converted i.e. RCA into TV, then TV Optical into receiver.
> 
> Does your receiver/cable box have a digital coax in/out? Who is your cable company?
> 
> All of comcast’s new boxes have these inputs. If you bought your HDTV then go for an HD receiver, they will have the desired inputs/outputs you’re looking for.

oh I already know this… getting true 5.1 from my tv to my receiver isnt a big deal, i just want 5.1 and 7.1 from the PS3 for blueray movies and DVD’s

and I dont want to get an HD receiver because i dont want to pay for HD service, I’ll just go get a cheap $40 phillips HD antenna and plug it in to get local shit.  
I have Direct TV, im sure i could call in and get a new cable box but im not worried about it.

> [@ultimate factories: ferrari](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/ultimate-factories-ferrari/29921/6):
>
> this site is one of hte best online resources for devices like what is being discussed.
> 
> [http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c\_id=101&cp\_id=10110&style=](http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&style=)

best site for cables and everything you need! got a few things from them

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BlueZ06](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BlueZ06](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BlueZ06)\
**Post date:** [May 5, 2007, 9:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/surround-sound-issues-hdmi/189665/13 "2007-05-05T09:53:53Z")

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> [@Things that suck v. Elise \[Now with daytime pics\]](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/things-that-suck-v-elise-now-with-daytime-pics/29980/14):
>
> oh I already know this… getting true 5.1 from my tv to my receiver isnt a big deal, i just want 5.1 and 7.1 from the PS3 for blueray movies and DVD’s
> 
> and I dont want to get an HD receiver because i dont want to pay for HD service, I’ll just go get a cheap $40 phillips HD antenna and plug it in to get local shit.  
> I have Direct TV, im sure i could call in and get a new cable box but im not worried about it.
> 
> best site for cables and everything you need! got a few things from them

you have to buy the boxes for Direct TV huh? well then in that case I see your point. If they give you a free box though, what does HD cost? $10/mo?

For that $10 dont you get more HD channels than just the locals etc etc? Seems like its worth it to me, if the box is free.
