PS3 blu-ray -> Samsung LCD -> Samsung HT-Z310 receiver = no 5.1 sound

[crimson117]

My gear:
Samsung LN52B630 52-Inch LCD
Samsung HT-Z310 receiver and 5.1 speakers w/built-in DVD player
Playstation 3

Current setup is:
PS3 -> HDMI -> TV
HT-Z310 DVD -> HDMI -> TV
TV -> Optical Out -> HT-Z310 receiver
HT-Z310 receiver -> 5.1 speakers

What works:
Full 5.1 sound when using HT-Z310's DVD player.
Only 2.1 sound when playing blu-ray on PS3.

What doesn't work:
Center and rear channels when playing blu-ray on PS3. (haven't tried gaming, but probably same issue)

How can I get 5.1 sound from the PS3 blu-ray with this setup?

 

[NutBucket]

You need to connect the optical out of the PS3 directly to the receiver. The issue is that the TV isn't passing 5.1 from HDMI--> optical.

I think if you set the PS3 to bitstream it may pass the 5.1 correctly. Not 100% sure on this as the TV is the limiting factor.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Is your ps3 set to output audio in bitstream when playing bluray? If it's set to pcm switch it to bitstream and see if you get 5.1 audio. Optical audio doesn't have enough bandwidth for 5.1 pcm.

 

[crimson117]

You need to connect the optical out of the PS3 directly to the receiver. The issue is that the TV isn't passing 5.1 from HDMI--> optical.

I think if you set the PS3 to bitstream it may pass the 5.1 correctly. Not 100% sure on this as the TV is the limiting factor.

Ah, okay, thanks! I will try both tonite.

 

[crimson117]

Is your ps3 set to output audio in bitstream when playing bluray? If it's set to pcm switch it to bitstream and see if you get 5.1 audio. Optical audio doesn't have enough bandwidth for 5.1 pcm.

I will check tonite. It should still be whatever default the PS3 ships with.


I also might have to consider a new receiver (this one was a used gift from a friend).

 

[IcePickFreak]

Yeah ideally a standalone receiver with HDMI input/outputs would be best and just use the ps3 for dvds. It does a great job at upscaling IMO. I'd make sure a new receiver supports HD audio to get the most out of Blurays - pretty much all the popular ones do.

NutBucket is right though that if switching it to Bitstream doesn't work, it's the TV that's not allowing your current setup to passthru the 5.1 audio back to the receiver. In that case you could try ps3 > Optical output > DVD Player/Receiver for audio and keeping the ps3 > HDMI > TV for video. You may need to check the ps3 settings if you have to go this route.

 

[crimson117]

PS3 -> Optical -> Receiver did the trick

For now I'll live with only the PS3 getting 5.1. DirecTV will have to wait until I get a new receiver!

 

[NutBucket]

Or you could get a switch for the optical cables/input.

 

[mmntech]

PS3 -> Optical -> Receiver did the trick

For now I'll live with only the PS3 getting 5.1. DirecTV will have to wait until I get a new receiver!

Ugh, thats why I'd never buy a HTIB setup. Got my Pioneer receiver at a reasonable price and it decodes HD audio.

This is what you need. A Toslink switch. Then just buy the cables of Monoprice.
http://www.amazon.com/Nyrius-SW100-D.../dp/B000812QC6

 

[IcePickFreak]

Ugh, thats why I'd never buy a HTIB setup. Got my Pioneer receiver at a reasonable price and it decodes HD audio.

This is what you need. A Toslink switch. Then just buy the cables of Monoprice.
http://www.amazon.com/Nyrius-SW100-D.../dp/B000812QC6

Not so much a HTIB, some come with good receivers. I have just a Sony soundbar in my bedroom and the receiver has 3-hdmi inputs and does HD audio. This is more an issue of the DVD-player/receiver all-in-one. Those generally don't have too many options.

Not a bad idea on a toslink switch for the meantime though.