Optical splitter - will it work properly?

[TheVoice]

Hope someone can help with this. I have my PS3 connected to my home theatre system via optical. I've just bought an Xbox 360 however, and am now looking to get that connected to the HTS also. I've already ordered the dongle I need for the console to get an optical output, I just need a way to get both optical cables into the HTS.

Will a standard cheap splitter work, or is it likely to cause problems? Would I be better off with something that you have to actually switch between one or the other? Anyone got or used one that they can recommend? Not looking for anything serious, just a cheap thing that will do the job.

Thanks!

 

[ssmacc]

you can buy a powered converter - optical to coaxial if your HTS has one of those? I use one as i had the same problem, works very well.

 

[PFarrey]

I had a similar issue and the splitter only worked for my sky hd and not my wd live. I could have bought a manual optical switch http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/4766 but I didn't want to have to get up to change the input all the time. There are other products out there which have remote controls which will do the job such as HDMI switches which also have a number of optical inputs.

Its probably worth trying one of those splitters as they don't cost much and there are others I know who have had success as long as they turn off one item before they turn on the other.

 

[MrScott]

I had a similar issue and the splitter only worked for my sky hd and not my wd live.

I've heard of issues with Sky HD and these before, AFAIK it's because Sky HD boxes output a silent audio stream over optical even when in standby (i.e. they don't actually turn their optical output off). Don't know if either the PS3 or XBox 360 do anything similar though.

 

[TheVoice]

Thanks all, I'll give the splitter a go and see what results I get.

 

[Pug]

i used to use one of these with my 360 & PS3, and Sky HD on a separate optical channel. The theory was i'd never have my ps3 & 360 on at the same time... Worked a charm, cheap as chips too.

 

[TheVoice]

Well, got all the stuff I needed today and...no luck. 360 works fine connected directly to the HTS, but I get the impression the signal is just too weak via the splitter because I get nothing when it's used, be it from the PS3 or 360.

Rather disappointed, will have to send it back and get a switch I guess. Annoying, but I suppose it's still easier than swapping cables.