What is wrong with my Surround Sound?

What should I do for optimal surround sound?

• Hi there, and thanks for everyone who takes the time to read this and hopefully provide me with some helpful answers. I have a Samsung DLP. I don't have cable(I'm a college student, haha), but I do have a PS3 and an Xbox 360. I'm about to purchase a surround sound system from amazon, along with an optical cable. I'm not really sure what the optical cable does yet, but from what I've read you need it to make the most out of surround sound. My problem is: I'm looking at a lot of forums and they mention how you should connect the surround sound and tv with the optical cable or connect the game system with the surround sound, or how you need to do this and that to get surround as opposed to stereo. It can be a little confusing, so I figured I might as well do something about it and ask you guys. My main priority right now is to get the best sound possible while using my game systems. I don't plan on getting cable for a long while, so the entertainment consoles are my primary concern right now. So basically...where exactly should I connect the optical cable to get the best sound possible with my surround sound system(while playing videogames). Thanks so much for your time, I do appreciate it!

• Answer:

  I have a samsung DLP. The optical out on this tv does NOT send surround unless you are using an antenna and the internal tuner. So to get surround from your Xbox and PS3 you need to get two optical cables. And connect each one directly into your new receiver when you get it. So be sure it has multiple optical inputs, if not, get another sound system. Then you plug the video cables (HDMI) into the tv. So you have all audio optical cables into the receiver. All the video cables into the tv. Turn off the tv's sound. And select each input on both the tv and receiver as you change items you are using. And that's how it works best.