I recently purchased a PS3 to go along with my 360 and upconvert DVD player. Originally I just had my DVD player hooked up through HDMI. Now on this model TV there is only one HDMI input. Now I have 3 HDMI capable machines.

My question is, if I purchase a switch box 3x1 and hook them all up via the HDMI port, would I be able to connect the ptical audio out on the TV to my 5.1 receiver's one input considering HDMI transfers both audio and video to the TV?

I've been fiddling with it, but cannot find a way to make it work.

Thanks alot.

Most TV's will only pass Dolby Digital over optical for the internal ATSC (HDTV) tuner. You'll most likely only get stereo from any other input device. Plugging all the audio cables to the receiver would probably be better.

So, I should probably purchase another receiver with HDMI and optical inputs? How much are those running for nowadays?

It depends on if you really want to buy a new receiver. You can also buy an optical switch which would also work.

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

Thanks a lot. I looked into those. This sounds lazy, but do you know if such a thing as an auto switch exists? Or one with a remote? I'm gonna scout around, but you've been a big help. Thanks a lot.

There are a few auto switches for optical, but they are usually also component switches. I don't think you'll find a good one for less than $150.