I got a PS3 and am planning to upgrade my TV. Right now I have a 19 inch Samsung TV, The channel with HDMI had a HDMI port with left and right audio using composite cables (white and red connectors). There is no sound if just use the HDMI cable.

Never used HDMI before so I thought HDMI is just for picture not for audio, but when I looked at the new Panasonic TV, it had 3 HDMI channels and each channel only had a HDMI port, the Panasonic guy said HDMI is both for audio and video.

So now I'm kind of confused, if HDMI is for both audio and video, why is there an optical sound port in the PS3?


Thanks if anyone help me clarify this matter.

This post has been edited by cic.lemur: Jun 15 2010, 02:43 PM

HDMI yup for both..as far i know this(correct me if i'm wrong). Hdmi can support up to 7.1 surround speaker. While Optical currently can support 5.1 surround speaker. u just have to adjust to ur setting in PS3.

There are few ways to connect HDMI cable to LCD TV.

First:-
If you have LCD TV only without home theater system. Directly connect PS3 to LCD TV via HDMI cable. The HDMI cable carry both audio and video to LCD TV and TV output picture and sound.

Second:-
If you have home theater system without HDMI port (but with optical port). You can connect through this way:
For video, PS3--->HDMI cable--->LCD TV
For audio, PS3--->optical cable--->home theater system
Note: you need adjust PS3 sound setting to optical.

Third:-
If you have home theater system with HDMI port (but not HDMI pass through). You can connect through this way:
For video and audio, PS3--->HDMI cable--->Home theater system--->HDMI cable--->LCD TV
Note: you need two set of HDMI cable for this connection.

Ok, thanks for the replies, I feel more comfortable getting the TV now.

The optical output is an option if you want to use TOSLINK for your audio connectivity.

Not everyone has those nice spanking HDMI AVR with a nice spanking 5.1 sound system and sound coming out from the TV can be quite a put off for some, therefore a lot of people use Optical since there are a lot of people who have old AVR or HT systems that comes with the Optical input.

I currently use Optical for sound on my PS3 to my HTIB because I'm broke, no money to buy an AVR with multiple HDMI inputs yet.. hehe

Actually between 7.1 and 5.1...difference not that great. Not worth spending your money to upgrade ur AVR system from 5.1 to 7.1. If u have a good 5.1, it'll sounds fantastic already...no need 7.1....just more marketing to make people spend on stuff they don't need(and with minimal improvement).

My main AVR is collecting dust anyway..not used......nowadays, i prefer 2.1 or 2.0.....eventhough i have another 5.1 HTIB in my bedroom, there's really no need for so many speakers...since i put all in front anyway...same goes for my PC 4.1 speakers...all in front...

I don't think many people actually take the trouble to set proper 5.1 positioning, other than the main living room. Bedroom...studyroom...laying so many cables around is a no-no.

7.1....even more trouble.

Nah.. I'm only into 5.1... 5.1 is enough.. 7.1 is not necessary unless I have a very nice and large living room...
Reason is being I'm sharing the same optical cable between the PS3 and my Mede8er... thinking of getting an AVR so I can just use HDMI and have them all plugged into the AVR and from there 1 HDMI to the TV.

but 5.1 really helps especially when you are playing FPS like COD. in free for all ever footsteps you hear is a target for you. my play improved so much after utilizing the extra 2 rear speakers - i was too lazy to set it up initially but thanks to that, i saw the difference

if you are playing racing games you can probably block the car behind you from overtaking by just listening to the sound. other than these 2 genres i have no idea how surround sound is going to help you

p/s i run the cables up the ceiling for the rear speakers that is attached to the rear wall. practical, clean, and working setup

or a nice 5.1 headphones in case you don't wanna disturb people living in your house (and your neighbours)!