PS3 7.1 Surround Sound System I Only 1 hdmi port on tv

Jul 1, 2014
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Ok, I know that I would need a decoder and/ or amplifier to get a ps3 system to play true 7.1 surround sound (expensive).

But what I'd like to know is there a any way to play true 7.1 audio off a tv with only 1 hdmi input (which is taken up by the ps3) from a ps3 system. I really don't want to degrade my viewing quality by using scart for my tv/ps3 video connection.

A. - Is there a way to split it and allow 2 hdmi connections,

B. - (I can only assume this won't work) use a hdmi to scart converter to get 7.1 surround sound through scart,

C. - get true 7.1 off another tv output (don't think it's possible);

or

D. - get 1080i/p hd off an input from my ps3 using a different output on my ps3.
 
Solution



Yes, you will still need an amplifier with 5.1/7.1 channels and the corresponding decoder (if the amplifier haven't some built-in decoder). You can have any number of HDMI ports on your TV, but if the TV cannot output from its speakers more than 2/2.1 channels you will be in the same situation as before.

You are right about the optical thing, but big...

Cristi72

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Jun 25, 2014
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Hello,

The best way (and hassle-free) is to use an amplifier which supports HDMI audio decoding and has the advantage of multiple HDMI inputs (but yes, it can be quite expensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2GA1885401).

The SCART can do only stereo analogic audio signals (so no 7.1 support).
 
Jul 1, 2014
6
0
4,510



ok thanks

but how could that work with a tv with only 1 hdmi port?

That amplifier you showed me (more expensive than a new 7.1 surround sound system o_O) comes with speakers; can you get a decoder unit on it's own.

can a simple converter like the one in the link do the job or is an amplifier/ decoder a bare necessity for true 7.1 surround sound?

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Adapter-External-Digital-ICUSBAUDIO7D/dp/B002LM0U2S/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1407168754&sr=8-5&keywords=7.1+converter


It really is stupid you have to go through all these technological loop holes when the ps3 should have been equipped to support 7.1 directly.

Is it this same crap on the ps4 too, or does it have 7.1 integrated support????
 

Cristi72

Estimable
Jun 25, 2014
155
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4,710
That receiver has 4 (four) HDMI inputs and one HDMI output, so you can use 4 video inputs (PS3, PC, HS satellite receiver etc,).

The link you gave me is about an USB sound card which work only for PC.

The 7.1 support is dictated by the games/movies themselves; the PS3 can do 7.1 audio output, but only in digital form (HDMI or optical). Given the fact your TV can output only stereo, you cannot use your TV for 7.1 surround.

I know there is a lot of affordable 7.1 systems, but they are not having HDMI inputs and a lot of them cannot decode even digital audio signals from coaxial or optical. If you want to use only the PS3 connected to TV, you can use someting like this (it is 5.1 though, because an optical connection cannot cope with 7.1 bandwidth):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121050 ,

so the HDMi link goes PS3 --(HDMI)--> TV, and the audio goes PS3 --(optical cable)--> Logitech

EDIT: I found the same Onkyo as above, but at a good discount:

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S5600-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B00BLGUKFC/ref=sr_1_9?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1407173347&sr=1-9&keywords=7.1+audio

EDIT2: I found a digital-to-analog converter:

http://www.ambery.com/2hddodtsdihd.html , so if you already have a cheap 7.1 audio system you can use it (it goes PS3 --HDMI--> converter --HDMI--> TV, and all audio outputs connects with the correspondent inputs from the cheapo 7.1 system).
 
Jul 1, 2014
6
0
4,510
If I use a tv with 2 hdmi ports do I still need an amplifier and/ or converter to get 7.1?

I'm Irish so many of those cheaper uk websites don't deliver to the ROI.

ok, bit too expensive for me none-the-less; i'll do with 5.1 over optical.

I thought optical was the go to for surround sound, they really should release something like optical 2.0 or something for 7.1, 9.1; etc.
 

Cristi72

Estimable
Jun 25, 2014
155
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4,710



Yes, you will still need an amplifier with 5.1/7.1 channels and the corresponding decoder (if the amplifier haven't some built-in decoder). You can have any number of HDMI ports on your TV, but if the TV cannot output from its speakers more than 2/2.1 channels you will be in the same situation as before.

You are right about the optical thing, but big manufacturers has no interest to promote such technology (more R&D, possible patent infringements, etc), especially when an unified audio/video technology exists and works (HDMI 1.4, with its 7.1/9.1, 3D and 4K support). You can drive optical an 7.1 system, but you must downgrade the audio quality (for example, my receiver supports 24 bit/192KHz for 5.1 output, but only 24 bit/96 KHz while outputting 6.1)
 
Solution
Jul 1, 2014
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4,510



Cheers! ya, kinda stupid question xD

Can I use optical for 5.1 without a decoder and/ or amplifier.


Cristi72 selected for best answer

 

Cristi72

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Jun 25, 2014
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Are you saying that you already have an 7.1 audio system and it is hooked to your PC? What audio system do you have? I should ask that from the beginning, sorry about it... Maybe there is a possibility to use the PC as a decoder for your speakers.
 
Jul 1, 2014
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4,510


Yes, I was wondering if you could do that with my 7.1 SS pc (using the intregrated audio of the Gigabyte Z87X-UD7 TH), its a good idea Cristi, but I don't want to put extra strain on my new pc.

Down the line I might get a new psu, cheap gpu and a cheap 7.1 audio card for my old pc and use that; thanks for the help.
 

Cristi72

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Jun 25, 2014
155
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Hello,

Please post your problem in another forum thread and give us as much details as you can (you should have an optical-capable audio source and an S/PDIF-capable decoder on your amplifier/receiver/home cinema).