360 hdmi with 5.1 surround

[Substance]

Just been out and picked up a surround sound kit as an impulse buy, and was just wondering if it was possible to connect a 360 to this if i use a hdmi>hdmi cable?

Also is there a way that i can have all my devices (360, wii, dvd player) using the surround sound together without having to switch wires all the time?

 

[gord]

Depends what surround sound system youve got and its inputs..

Im not 100% on HDMi considering 5.1, but there is surely an optical out on the connector? That would give you 5.1 as long as your system has an optical input.

My Z5500s have optical in, digital coax in, 3.5mm in etc.. find the documentation for your sound system.

 

[bilston]

with HDMI and optical, it gets a little fiddly with the non elite versions.

basically, you can either buy the hdmi pack from MS, which includes a special adapter that elite owners get for free, or you can bodge your free component cable which has an optical out on it.

because of the size of the component connector, you will not be able to get an hdmi lead and it in at the same time. you have to physically remove the grey shell of the connector that fits into the xbox to be able to get both to fit.

go here for details

http://www.chadledford.com/?p=50

With regards to getting multiple inputs to one set of speakers, you would need something that I myself have purchased. Its the Creative Decoder DDTS-100 which supports PC 7.1 speakers and lets you plug in 3 optical, 1 coax and decodes dolby digital!
Unfortunately its now discontinued but you might find something similar with the help of google.

Be aware that to get surround sound working on the 360, you need something that decodes dolby digital streams for you, because the 360 doesnt do it internally.