I have a number of questions.... First my set up. TV - Samsung 52" LCD LN52A650 - 4 HDMI Inputs Receiver - 7.1 Yamaha RX-V663 - 2 HDMI Inputs, 2 Optical Inputs, 1 HDMI Output PS3 I have been reading a ton of information and everything seems to be contradicting itself and my head is spinning. Questions: 1. Does the PS3 output audio to 7.1 surround? If so, can it be done over an optical cable? I read somewhere that it can only be done via HDMI. 2. When I was setting up my PS3 and going through the audio selections I didn't see 7.1 listed, only 5.1. I have yet to purchase the additional 2 speakers to jump from 5.1 to 7.1, but would the PS3 know that? 3. What's the best/optimal/superior wire setup? I bought everything at Best Buy and one of the salesmen (seemed to be knowledgeable) said for video HDMI going directly from Cable Box/PS3 to the TV is the best and for audio optical is the best. I have the correct number of HDMI inputs in to the receiver and an output to go to the TV. Again, I was told at Best Buy that going through the receiver for video isn't the way to go. 4. I already know that HDMI cables from a site like monoprice.com are just as good as those at the retailers, but what's the appropriate AWG to get? I need about 15 feet and it would have to be in wall rated. 5. What are the AWG numbers for the monster cables that are sold at the retailers? Please help!!!!!
Yes, the PS3 should play 7.1 over HDMI. No, it can't be done over optical cable. The only 7.1 soundtracks are the HD audio of some blu ray movies. It's not possible to get the HD audio over optical connections. With a PS3, it can only be done over HDMI. Your receiver will know that. When doing the automatic speaker calibration (YPAO, I think is what Yamaha calls it), the receiver detects what speakers you have. The salesman at Best Buy needs to get another job! Optical/digital coax used to be the best for audio. But, as I mentioned before, getting the new HD audio soundtracks isn't possible over optical. So, it's not possible the way he said. You must go through the receiver first, with the HDMI from the PS3, to get your HD audio from blu ray movies. Going through the receiver first will also make switching sources much easier. Now days, going through the receiver does not degrade the video signal. It's digital, so it's either there, or it isn't. It's not like the old days anymore, and hasn't been for quite awhile. I don't know what the AWG is for HDMI cables. I'm only familiar with AWG for speaker wire. For speaker wire, I'd use a minimum of 14AWG wire. Heavier gauge wire is always better, so if they have HDMI with heavier wire, get that, and you should be fine. I've not seen different gauges in HDMI, personally. Good luck!
Thanks for the info. If you were to go on monoprice.com they have HDMI cables in different lengths and different AWG's. I purchased the 22AWG, but I think it's causing a problem with the HDMI input plates behind the TV. My TV is mounted to the wall and there isn't a whole lot of room between the wall and the back of the TV. Being that the HDMI cables are 22AWG and are pretty thick, they aren't that flexible so it's not bending easily behind the TV and I'm "assuming" that it's causing an issue with the HDMI inputs. Sometimes I'll be watching a movie on PS3 or playing a game and the video goes out and I have to play with the connection. That's why I was asking what the AWG is for the Monster cables, because I'll just pick up something similiar. Thanks for you help thus far.
Look at BlueJeans cables too. I don't know if AWG is different for cables, than for speaker wire, but 22AWG in speaker wire is tiny, like a spaghetti noodle. Normally, the smaller the number for AWG, the thicker the wire. 12 AWG speaker wire, is about like lamp cord wire........pretty thick wire. I always suggest using 14 AWG or 12 AWG for speaker wire. Especially long runs (long runs NEED heavier gauge wire). You're right to stay away from Monster. I have a 3 ft. HDMI cable by AR (Acoustic Research), that someone gave me. I'm saving it for when I get a new tv. I will need another HDMI cable, when I finally get the tv. I'll probably just get one of the $20-$25 cables from Wal Mart.
I read in another forum that when setting up home theater it's best to have as little connections as possible. Even though the signal is digital, each time you send the signal through another device you could potentially lose bandwith or connection properties, which could potentially degrade the video signal. Perhaps this was what the sales clerk at Best Buy was trying to convey. Being that I can only get 7.1 surround through my PS3 using HDMI I may have no choice, I just hope I don't lose too much, if anything, where it's noticeable.
There is no degradation of a digital video signal. It's either there, or it's not. Just that simple. It's a bunch of ones and zeros. You should not have problems with a video signal going through a receiver, with todays receivers. If you use component cables for video, you could conceivably have a problem, since they are analog connections. But with todays receivers, they shouldn't even be a problem.
