So a friend of mine is getting an HDTV and new receiver. We want to get surround sound (via optical cable) and I'm a bit confused as to how to do it with multiple systems.

The original plan was to plug each system directly into the TV, then have one optical out going from the TV to the receiver's optical in. Problem is, i have no idea if this would be possible -- can component/hdmi sound convert to optical sound? And if it did, I was also thinking it wouldn't provide the surround sound achived by using optical directly for audio.

The second plan was to have an optical going out of each system into an optical selector and then the optical out on the selector going into the receiver.

I am a bit confused in regards to what will work and what wont; so to try and summarize: He has three game systems (I dont think the Wii has optical so if not, then he has two). He wants to get surround sound from each. How does he do it via optical cable?

Any help is appreciated.

Most surround sound receivers will have multiple digital audio inputs (usually at least 1 coaxial and a couple toslink/optical).

So, you should be able to plug all of your audio sources directly into the receiver (as long as you choose one with enough digital audio inputs), and an optical selector won't be necessary.

Plugging audio directly into the TV normally won't get you 5.1 surround sound.

So a friend of mine is getting an HDTV and new receiver. We want to get surround sound (via optical cable) and I'm a bit confused as to how to do it with multiple systems.

The original plan was to plug each system directly into the TV, then have one optical out going from the TV to the receiver's optical in. Problem is, i have no idea if this would be possible -- can component/hdmi sound convert to optical sound? And if it did, I was also thinking it wouldn't provide the surround sound achived by using optical directly for audio.
The second plan was to have an optical going out of each system into an optical selector and then the optical out on the selector going into the receiver.
I am a bit confused in regards to what will work and what wont; so to try and summarize: He has three game systems (I dont think the Wii has optical so if not, then he has two). He wants to get surround sound from each. How does he do it via optical cable?

Any help is appreciated.

Yeah I have been wondering something like that too. I have a 360 hooked into the hdmi on my tv and an optical cable to my receiver. I mean it works but I'm no audio expert and I really dont know if it truly is 5:1 surround or what happens to the signal...

Help please!

Yeah I have been wondering something like that too. I have a 360 hooked into the hdmi on my tv and an optical cable to my receiver. I mean it works but I'm no audio expert and I really dont know if it truly is 5:1 surround or what happens to the signal...

Help please!

The vast majority of TV's will pass that audio through as ch stereo. Your receiver can expand it using PLII or NEO:6, but of course true surround is much better.

If your friends receiver has only one optical input you will need a switcher or you will have to unplug and replug every time you switch devices. Another option is if the receiver has a coax optical port you can get a toslink to coax converter for pretty cheap from monoprice.