HDTV/PS3/Sky surround sound setup

[twohornedking]

Hi. I'm new to this forum and need some advice on connecting up a home cinema system.

I have a Sony Bravia KDL-37U4000 tv (only up to 1080i). It has three HDMI inputs, two scart inputs, component connection and red/white audio out.

At the moment, I have a PS3 connected to the HDMI, a SKY+ box connected to the scart and a Wii connected to the component input.

I'll probably upgrade to a SKY HD box at the end of the year. My dilemma is I want a 5.1ch home cinema system but dont want another DVD/Blu-ray player as my PS3 suffices. I'm thinking of buying a Sony HTAS5 surround sound system as it seems to be more or less future proof for my needs but I wanted expert advice on how to connect it all up.

Any help would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

[RayB]

There will be plenty of help available, but perhaps you could provide better info?

What other connections does your PS3 have? (lots of us don't have anything to do with consoles and won't want to do your basic research for you)

At least a link to the specifications page for your intended Home Cinema system would also be advisable.

[twohornedking]

Many thanks for the feedback and apologies for the lack of info.
The PS3 has a HDMI out (currently connected to the TV), an AV multi-out (not in use) and a Digital Out (optical- also not in use).

The TV has 3 HDMI in (two connected to the PS3 and SKY box) and a component connected to a Wii (not really fussed about surround sound for this).

The SKY HD box has one each of an optical out, HDMI out, S-video out and component out.

I'm thinking of buying the Sony HTAS5 surround sound system. In addition to the 5.1 channel speaker connections, this has:
1 x red/white audio in
2 x optical inputs (one for a digital receiver and one for a TV)
1 x coax in for TV
3 x HDMI inputs
1 x HDMI output (connects to HDTV)

I was thinking of connecting them as follows.

1. PS3 via HDMI to surround sound system
2. SKY HD box via HDMI to surround sound system
3. Surround sound system to HDTV

Would I still need to connect the SCART out of the SKY box to the TV?

One major problem I foresee is that there is no optical out on the TV so I may have to connect the HDTV to the surround sound system using red/white audio cable. I understand that this doesn't carry surround sound audio.
Or would connecting the surround sound system to the TV via HDMI be enough?

Many thanks for your help.

[RayB]

Much better

Now, from what you've put there, connect the PS3 and Sky HD box via HDMI to the Sony Amp and then the HDMI output of the Sony amp to one of the TV's HDMI inputs.

You'll be able to leave the TV sound permanently down (or it may be possible to totally disable it) as the Amp will be taking care of all audio from here on in.

If you have occasions where you don't want to use the surround sound for whatever reason, from what I can see of the spec from the Sony site, it'll pass the signals through to the TV so you could still use the speakers on that, but why would you when you've got something better?

Hope it makes sense?

As an extra note - remove all SCART cables between the TV and Sky Box, you'll end up tearing your hair out of you don't!

[twohornedking]

Many, many thanks!

I'm going to buy the kit this week and try to get it all hooked up over the weekend.

I'll put a post on the thread to let you know how it all went.

Once again, many thanks. Your help was greatly appreciated.

[twohornedking]

Have finally got round to setting up the system. Didnt realise that its not as straightforward as simply plugging all the wires correctly. Lots of aggro involved in ensuring that all the settings are correct in the tv, the satellite box, and the ps3 and the actual surround sound system itself.
I think they are all now talking to each other. Just a few more minor adjustments here and there and I think it will all be perfect.

Thanks for your help on this.