TOSLINK pass-through?

[Conquest10]

So I've got a problem. I've only got one optical audio input on my receiver. I now have three components that have an optical audio out so what I've been doing is switching back and forth. Recently I've noticed this tv: the Samsung LN40A650. It has 4 HDMI inputs and an optical audio output.

Now, I'm thinking that HDMI carries the 5.1 (and whatever is on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray) signal through to the tv, right? Can it pass through that same signal into the receiver through the tv's TOSLINK out? That would really help me out as I would just plug them into the tv through HDMI and just use the one connection on the receiver.

[yoda313]

I would not bet on it. I don't think the circuitry on the tvs are that sophisticated.

You're other option is to get a cheap manual fiber optic swithcer for your receiver. I have one I got for 20.00 I think - online at amazon. Its a three way swithcer. I'm sure they have other variations and probably have auto switching ones these days.

That is probably the most "straightforward" way to add extra fiber optic inputs to your existing system.

[rallynavvie]

It might work for any audio source that isn't copy-protected like DTS or Dolby that you would run through optical without HDMI. However some sources use the HDCP and probably wouldn't allow the change from HDMI to optical (such as SACD for instance).