I'm a noob at HT Audio

[crainger]

If that works yes. Some TVs cannot route the HDMI audio through to optical/coax though. Mine can't at the moment, but an up coming firmware update will fix this. If yours can then it's an ideal solution.

[Zapablast05]

Well, right now, I'm using RCA Audio cables from the TV to my audio receiver. Seems to work well, only thing is that the TV's speakers still work as well as the receivers speakers. What TV/cable receiver do you use? My cable receiver is a Motorola DCH3416 and my TV is a Westinghouse TX42F430S.

[crainger]

Off the top of my head I can't recall model numbers, but my TV is a 40" Philips with the Ambilights and my 'reciever' is a LG HD STB with 250gb HDD. It just receives free to air HD as cable/satellite pricing here is a little crazy, even worse for the new HD stuff.

I run the co-ax from the STB to the TV, then from the TV to my 5500z. The PS3 and 360 both run optical to a digital switcher (cheap Joytech one) then to the 5500z. My HTPC uses the 3 plug analogue on the 5500z. Video, everything runs direct to the TV, HTPC and PS3 on HDMI, STB and 360 on component. I works ok for me, was cheap, but I'm pushing this setup to it's limits now. ::(:

[Zapablast05]

Can I see a picture of it? I need to get an image of how I'll be able to do it. I'm running my cable box and 360 via HDMI and my soon-to-come PS3 via HDMI. My TV only has 4 HDMI, 2 HD Component, 1 Optical, and a bunch of RCA A/V I/O's. My cable receiver has 1 HDMI, 1 Co-ax, 1 Optical, and RCA A/V I/O's. I took pictures so I can show you what I have and so you guys can help me how to hook it all up.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/Zapablast05/Home%20Theater/DSC00349.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/Zapablast05/Home%20Theater/DSC00350.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b215/Zapablast05/Home%20Theater/DSC00351.jpg

[Bman212121]

If it works how I think it should, all you should have to do is connect your peripherals to the TV via HDMI and then connect the optical out from the tv to your z5500 speakers. In an ideal world it should take all of the 5.1 input sources from the HDMI cables (HDMI carries audio and video) and output it to the optical out in 5.1. Hard to say if it's going to work that way or not. If it does then that is probably the best setup because it is really easy to setup and use.

[Zapablast05]

If it works how I think it should, all you should have to do is connect your peripherals to the TV via HDMI and then connect the optical out from the tv to your z5500 speakers. In an ideal world it should take all of the 5.1 input sources from the HDMI cables (HDMI carries audio and video) and output it to the optical out in 5.1. Hard to say if it's going to work that way or not. If it does then that is probably the best setup because it is really easy to setup and use.

My guess is that it will work because right now, I have my audio system hooked up to the TV via A/V jacks, so it's like this:

[cable box]--HDMI--[TV]--A/V jacks--(surround system)

If I attach the Z-5500's to the loop, it should look something like this:

[cable box]--HDMI--[TV]--Optical--(Z-5500)

Basically, I'm replacing the surround system with the Z-5500 and the cable from the TV to the speakers with S/PDIF Optical?

Another thing, I've read a lot about how short the speaker wires are for the Z-5500, will these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882641069) work to replace them or do they have to be a certain gauge?

[crainger]

That speaker wire should work. The cables are a little short, nowhere near as bad as the 680 wires though. That's shocking! They can't be any longer than 3m. ::(:

[Zapablast05]

So the I'll be set with that spool of speaker wire and the Z-5500? I'll have to buy an optical cable too, right?