Hi guys, not sure if I should post here or in the xbox section. This is an audio related question so I think I will have better luck here.

I just purchased a new TV (Samsung LN52A650) I am trying to connect everything with the hardware that I currently have. I will have to make some upgrade later.

Here is what I was thinking.

I have an older xbox360 so HDMI is out of the question for me unless i buy a new xbox. So I will connect this to the TV via VGA cable. This VGA cable only has the L/R audio cables for audio. I have to use a cable to convert this into a headphone jack so it will plug into the back of the TV.

Everything else I am connecting via HDMI cable.

I plan to use the Digital Audio Out (optical) on the back of the TV to run the sound to my receiver. Since my receiver does not have HDMI hook ups.

My question is, will I still be able to get 5.1 audio from the xbox to my surround sound with this method? Does the L/R from the VGA send this signal?

My other option is to use the component cables for the xbox to the tv and run the audio straight to the receiver from the xbox. The only thing that I do not like about this is that it will require me to change the input on the TV for the video signal and then change the input on the receiver for the audio. I guess if the L/R is incapable of passing the 5.1 audio then that will be my only option for now until i upgrade some hardware.

Thanks for your input.

never mind, VGA cable has an optical output on it... doh! I should have looked closer to it.

Although the only audio input to the TV for the VGA is the headphone jack so I guess im running an optical cable directly to the receiver anyway. I guess I need to upgrade my xbox to HDMI.

Does anyone know if the audio passthrough on the TV via Optical cable is better than getting a receiver with HDMI passthrough?

I just figured that I would rather keep my video signal as pure as possible by going directly to the TV.

you'll need to use a digital optical cable (toslink) to get 5.1 & connect it to your receiver. your tv will not send 5.1 to your receiver & l/r analogue connectors wont send surround signals. if you have to use the l/r cables then you could set your receiver to process the 2 channel analogue signal using pro logic ll, but it wont sound as good as a dolby digital 5.1 signal.

if switching inputs is a real pain then consider getting a logitech harmony remote. its easily programmable & it turns all necessary components on & switches to the proper inputs etc. at the press of just one button.

are you able to run all your audio & video for your components into you receiver, then send the video to your tv using a component out (does your receiver have component out)?

This way your tv would stay on the same input for everything & you just have to switch inputs on the receiver. if your receiver is decent then there should be no difference in video quality as opposed to going right to the tv.

the only reason i would go directly to the tv is if you have a piece of equipment that uses hdmi (as your receiver doesnt have an hdmi input), but you would still need to run optical to receiver for 5.1.

are you able to run all your audio & video for your components into you receiver, then send the video to your tv using a component out (does your receiver have component out)?

This way your tv would stay on the same input for everything & you just have to switch inputs on the receiver. if your receiver is decent then there should be no difference in video quality as opposed to going right to the tv.

the only reason i would go directly to the tv is if you have a piece of equipment that uses hdmi (as your receiver doesnt have an hdmi input), but you would still need to run optical to receiver for 5.1.

Thanks for the help Funky. Ya I have a receiver with a Component out but my new TV is HDMI and want to use that cabling for the Blue Ray player and Cable box.

My friend has that remote control it is very nice.