i just purchased the Samsung HT-TZ512 theater system, and have a PS3, Xbox360, Wii, And HDTV. we have an HP mediasmart 1080p TV w/ 3 HDMI inputs, one Optical Audio out input. I am trying to get all the audio going from the TV to the sound system, but running the cable from the output of the TV to the input of the sound sytem provides no audio. if i plug directly from one console to the sound system, the audio works perfectly. but if HDMI carries at least 5.1 audio, then shouldn't the cable from the tv to the sound system save the hassle of switching the optical out to every console when we want? or is it just some law that you can't be smart about it? lol. really though, anyone have a clue as to why it wont recieve audio from just the T.V? oh, and the RCA 2-channel audio output on the TV works fine. just not the optical.

You don't want to run the optical through the tv anyways as those usually only output stereo.
What you need is to buy an optical switch/selector. Just be sure to check the quality of the selector before you buy.

Well according to the manual (I was bored) the optical out connection on the TV will only work on a digital TV channel, not an external source. This is how I'm interpreting it.
It also states that the digital audio menu can only be accessed when the TV is on a digital channel as well.

Spend some $$ and get a receiver with multiple optical inputs and let it do the switching. Even the bottom line Marantz has 3 optical inputs.

cheap optical switch (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2946&seq=1&format=2)

I have no idea about its quality, but it's cheap enough to give one a spin.

lol. i knew i shouldn't throw away the manual for the TV. thanks alot for the help. i guess i got to go out and buy a switch then. but it will be worth it. better than pro logic II