Not sure if this is a TV question or audio question, but let me post it here first.

I have a Sony 46" XBR-3, and since I don't have a HDMI receiver, I plug in my PS3 directly to the TV via the HDMI (so in theory i have digital audio in to the TV), and then use the optical audio out from the TV to my receiver. However, I don't get any 5.1 audio at all. What is wrong with this set up?

Does the TV automatically convert the digital audio in from HDMI to analog audio? Anyway or setting I can do so the digital audio "pass through" the TV to my receiver?

What is wrong with this set up?

Does the TV automatically convert the digital audio in from HDMI to analog audio?

The TV is downmixing it to stereo.


Anyway or setting I can do so the digital audio "pass through" the TV to my receiver?

Probably not, unless your TV is specifically designed to pass through 5.1, and you would have probably seen something referring to this in the manual or menu.

Your best bet is to route audio to the receiver, and since you don't have HDMI on the receiver, you can really only use the optical cable direct from the PS3 to the receiver.

Short of that, if your TV can only downmix and not pass 5.1, there's nothing you can do with your current setup.

The optical to the receiver is the only way to get the surround sound. The above is correct, the TV will only pass a stereo signal back to the receiver.

The optical to the receiver is the only way to get the surround sound. The above is correct, the TV will only pass a stereo signal back to the receiver.

Err looks like i need to upgrade to a receiver with HDMI inputs. Any recommendations?

Onkyo TX-SR606 (or the somewhat cheaper 605), Yamaha RX-V663, the upcoming Denon AVR-1909, the upcoming Harmon/Kardon AVR 254. Any of those would work.

I take it you don't have an optical input in your present receiver? For a new receiver, check out Onkyo and Denon, and be sure to look for something that uses the HDMI 1.3 standards to make a bit future proof. Many of the receivers will upconvert other video signals, such as VCR, making them a nicer quality to send to your TV over a single HDMI out.

I take it you don't have an optical input in your present receiver?:confused:
.......and then use the optical audio out from the TV to my receiver.

OOOOppppsss!

OOOOppppsss!No biggie. Which lead to my next question.


Err looks like i need to upgrade to a receiver with HDMI inputs.Why? Does the PS3 not have an optical out?

It does, but he might consider a new receiver just for the HDMI audio capability. Nothing wrong with that if he wants to spend the cash.

But he could also just take the optical audio from the TV and hook it direct from the PS3. I should have been more clear that you can get 5.1 audio that way (although not TrueHD or those types.)