Surround Sound Setup Help!

[MacDaddy901]

Alright so here is my dilemma. I have no idea what I'm really doing and I'm getting new carpeting installed tomorrow so I need to run the cable preferably under the carpet tonight. I know, little late.

I tried googling this but everyone has something different and I really have no idea what I'm reading about. But anyway, I want to set up 5.1 surround sound in my downstairs den and I don't know how to hook it all up. You probably do.

Here's what I got.

• At&T U-verse STB
• Xbox 360
• Philips HTS3410D Home Theatre in a box
• 42" Panasonic Viera

I don't know if I have to buy some extra cords or whatnot and I don't mind if have to. I don't really care either how I have to switch from TV to Xbox to DVD just as long as I can get 5.1 on them.

Anything helps. If you need to know something or want pictures just ask me. Thanks a lot!

 

[slpdLoad]

Alright well the limiting factor here is your Philips system. The only digital/5.1 input it has is a coax digital jack. And none of your components feature that kind of output.

U-verse: 5.1 over optical only
X-box: optical only
TV: sometimes you can use a TV to route your sound to a single source, but in this case it appears your TV only has analogue inputs and outputs, so no go there.

You're limited to 5.1 over DVDs that are played through the Philips system with your current setup.

BUT! You could get an optical to coaxial converter box (I have no idea how well these work, but they exist):

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2948&seq=1&format=2

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-Optical-Coaxial-Converter/dp/B0002GV876

With these you could switch back and forth between getting 5.1 from the XBox and the U-verse,

The S/DIF cable clarification:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toslink (xbox and u-verse have this)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable (your 5.1 system has this)

 

[MacDaddy901]

Alright well the limiting factor here is your Philips system.

Yea sitting here trying to figure this out, I realized just how crappy it was. But I'm currently broke so it will have to do.

But say I say screw 5.1 until I get a better a/v receiver, can I still get it to play through u-verse and xbox? Thanks for your help.

 

[slpdLoad]

Sure you can, just use the white and red RCA stereo inputs and outputs to connect things. And to get you by, the Philips system should have some virtual modes that spread the stereo over all the speakers which will help out a bit.

 

[MacDaddy901]

So I have come to terms that I need a new AV receiver. But it will do for now. Thanks for your help.

 

[MacDaddy901]

Sorry to double post but I have another question. I found some Philips HTS3565D/37's on eBay and craiglist. Would I be able to do what I wanted or do I need to buy an actual av/ reciever?

 

[slpdLoad]

That model still only has Digital Coax in, not optical, so you wouldn't be any better off.