"Splitter" Audio Cable? - Audio Question

Galego23

Galego23

Banned
Wasn't sure where to place this type of question and since it doesn't neccessarily deal with Xbox I decided to post here instead of the 360 forum.

Anyways, my question is there such a thing as an "audio splitter" like for example.

I have a home theater system, but in order to have audio come from my 360 and Satellite Box i need to continously switch the audio cables from one box to the other. Is there something I can purchase that will allow me to have both hooked up at the same time to one source?

I don't know if it's possible because my Home Theater System box needs to be on TV/Video to output sound.

So if I have my satellite box and 360 hooked up at the same time to it how will it know which to play? As long as one is turned off while the other one is turned on that should do it?

Sorry if this seems confusing but I have ZERO expertise in this field, ha, thanks.
 
Actually, you'd probably need a stereo to mono converter, and probably two of them if you're using both RCA audio jacks. Otherwise you wouldn't be asking this question because you'd already know what you need. (Or wake up and smell the coffee! You've been listening to half the audio all your life!) It's two females leading into one male. You'll be reappropriating the cables as multi-inputs.

But I can't exactly guarantee this will work. I've got one of those universal component cables that I tried hooking up to both my PS3 and my 360, and neither system would work properly when both of them were plugged in at the same time. Off the top of my head, this would be the same theory as the above paragraph, so that leads me to believe that the above idea might not work. You may need an AV switchbox.

RCA audio splitters do exist, but I've only ever seen three in my life. But anyway, that's not what you need.
 
Are you using standard red/white audio cables or an optical cable? If optical, does your receiver only have 1 optical input?
 
[quote name='Chuplayer']Actually, you'd probably need a stereo to mono converter, and probably two of them if you're using both RCA audio jacks. Otherwise you wouldn't be asking this question because you'd already know what you need. (Or wake up and smell the coffee! You've been listening to half the audio all your life!) It's two females leading into one male. You'll be reappropriating the cables as multi-inputs.

But I can't exactly guarantee this will work. I've got one of those universal component cables that I tried hooking up to both my PS3 and my 360, and neither system would work properly when both of them were plugged in at the same time. Off the top of my head, this would be the same theory as the above paragraph, so that leads me to believe that the above idea might not work. You may need an AV switchbox.

RCA audio splitters do exist, but I've only ever seen three in my life. But anyway, that's not what you need.[/quote]

Man, I wish I knew exactly what you mean haha, I'll try my best to explain my set-up and hopefully you can help me out. I'm such an idiot when it comes to audio set-ups it's ridiculous.

I have a "cheap" Sony home theater system. It only allows for one connection(Red,White,Yellow Out-put) and HDMI-out. Then there are Blue-Green-Red(Component right? but that's for In) so my set-up is this.

HDMI connection from Sony Reciever/DVD Up-Converter straight to TV. Than I have my component cables(Red,Green,Blue) which are connected to the Sony Reciever(but since i'm connecting component cables to regulard R/W/Y I have R/B connected to Red/White) and I constantly alternate from Satellite Box to Xbox 360. I also have an HDMI connection from 360 to TV. So when I want to watch Satellite TV, I remove the cables from the Xbox and plug them into the back of my box, and then vice-versa. I just need a way to be able to listen to either or without constantly switching cables back and forth. I have a cheap Gamestop Universal Game Selectior
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?Product_ID=36338
that I used for my old TV but I don't know if this would help me out. If it's a cheap fix I'll use for the time being although I don't think it'd look right with how I have things set-up.

I hope I haven't made things to confusing, lol, thanks for the help.
 
[quote name='neocisco']Are you using standard red/white audio cables or an optical cable? If optical, does your receiver only have 1 optical input?[/quote]


  • Inputs: 3 HDMI (rear), 2 optical digital audio (rear), 1 coaxial digital audio (rear), 3 audio (rear), Digital Media Port
  • Outputs: 1 HDMI (rear)
This is what it has, hope that helps. As I posted in the comment before I am using component cables (Red,Green, Blue) for the Audio but plugging it into the Red/White slots for audio. I am using HDMI for video.
 
Does your satellite box have an HDMI output? If so, this should be a relatively easy fix. Since your receiver has 3 HDMI inputs run 1 HDMI cable from sat box output to 1 receiver input and 1 HDMI cable from 360 output to 1 receiver input. Run 1 HDMI cable from receiver output to the HDMI input on the TV. HDMI carries both the audio and video signals which eliminates the need for any audio cables (as long as you have the necessary HDMI inputs/outputs). If your sat box doesn't have HDMI output then hopefully it has component video output and optical audio output. Post if this works for you or not and we'll go from there.
 
[quote name='neocisco']Does your satellite box have an HDMI output? If so, this should be a relatively easy fix. Since your receiver has 3 HDMI inputs run 1 HDMI cable from sat box output to 1 receiver input and 1 HDMI cable from 360 output to 1 receiver input. Run 1 HDMI cable from receiver output to the HDMI input on the TV. HDMI carries both the audio and video signals which eliminates the need for any audio cables (as long as you have the necessary HDMI inputs/outputs). If your sat box doesn't have HDMI output then hopefully it has component video output and optical audio output. Post if this works for you or not and we'll go from there.[/quote]

so I'm home now and I guess the website had completely the wrong information either that or I was gipped haha but I only have 1 HDMI out slot.

I have a TV/Video and Video Out slot.

I have a component video out slot.

1 HDMI out slot.

and a coaxial optical slot.

I have the HDMI from the Reciever straight to the TV.

The component video cables from the receiver to my satellite box and I alternate with the 360.

I have an HDMI cable straight to the TV from the 360 and one from the satellite box to the TV.
 
[quote name='neocisco']So you don't have any HDMI inputs on the receiver?[/quote]


I do have one, that is connected straight to the TV. The receiver is also a DVD player so that's how it's connected.

I solved the problem by using the cheap Gamestop system selector and having the box connected to the receiver and then optical cables from the GS box to 360 and Satellite box.

It's a shit load of cables so if there's anything easier let me know, lol.
 
I would recommend getting a new reciever lol. But seriously, how are the Sat and xbox connecting (audio wise)? Through optical, HDMI or composite(red and white)? Because if you have a coax optical option for the sat, you can plug the xbox through the regular optical and sat through the coax and it should be fine.

Edit:

Just read the later post. Its a tough spot because you need more Inputs on the receiver than you have, and if your going to invest in a switch, it might be worthwhile to save a little more and get a ok reciever for 100-150. That way you have at least 3-5 inputs ranging from composite, component and maybe HDMI. Plus if you are using just a coax digital for the Sat, you can use my fix by using HDMI to the TV and optical to the reciever for the xbox. (Heres a link to help you if you dont want to spend money on the HDMI converter or dont have an elite. http://www.chadledford.com/?p=50

And from what it sounds like that HDMI is output only because of the dvd player(although technically I think HDMI works both ways but I dont think your hardware can handle input). Doesnt sound like your reciever cant handle that much, DVD/reciever combos usually cant.
 
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[quote name='cmart05']I have an HDMI cable straight to the TV from the 360 and one from the satellite box to the TV.[/QUOTE]

I'm confused?? If you're using HDMI to connect the 360 to the TV, and another HDMI to connect the satellite straight to the TV whats the problem? You want the surround sound from the receiver right, and don't want to keep changing cables?

Edit: Post the model # of your receiver, it sounds like there is only 1 composite input (Yellow, Red, White,) and only outputs. Like a basic HTiB setup
 
[quote name='striker199']I'm confused?? If you're using HDMI to connect the 360 to the TV, and another HDMI to connect the satellite straight to the TV whats the problem? You want the surround sound from the receiver right, and don't want to keep changing cables?[/QUOTE]

The problem from what I can make is that he wants to output the sound from the Sat and box to the reciever while using the HDMI to go directly to the TV for video only(sounds familiar to me cause thats what I do).
 
It sounds like its only a coax optical (im pretty sure there are splitters for that too) except Xbox as far as I know doesnt use coax optical. My bro had a dvd combo that sounds similar and its only digital input is the coax optical. Love how the littlest thing could ruin such a simple fix.

Edit:
This thing IS outputting in 5.1 right? cause if your only getting stereo just use a simple switch (like the one u said you had) and avoid all the digital audo stuff cause theres no point in using optical anything if your only outputting 2.0. By the way striker199, good find at monoprice. I might get one just in case I ever need it.
 
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[quote name='striker199']^ then an optical cable will fix that, if there is an input on the receiver for one. Then he can get an optical splitter for the 360 and satellite

Edit: like this http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2946&seq=1&format=2[/quote]

I would recommend staying away from this one. I bought one and it died within a few months. It definitely isn't the best manufactured product. OTOH, for the price it's worth a shot. For about $8 it's certainly worth trying once. I ended up buying a component video/optical audio switcher for about $55 which, IMO, was worth every dollar. Plus, it has a remote.
 
Yeah I mean, I bought this thing on sale. It's basically for my bedroom so I didn't need anything crazy. The sound is pretty damn good despite the "basic" system, I guess.

Um, this is my system

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Sony-998W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System w/ 5-Disc Upconvert DVD Player-DAV-HDX275[/FONT]
 
[quote name='tankass']The problem from what I can make is that he wants to output the sound from the Sat and box to the reciever while using the HDMI to go directly to the TV for video only(sounds familiar to me cause thats what I do).[/quote]


Yep, that's exactly what I do.
 
[quote name='klwillis45']http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665361519

For this system you need hdmi to your tv for video, nothing for sound.

360: component or hdmi to tv, optical to reciever

Sat: component or hdmi to tv, coax audio to reciever.[/QUOTE]

If thats the right one, then that setup should work out fine. I wasnt sure if you had that optical input. If you do that should make things easier. Hope you dont get anything else you need to plug in though.
 
but how will the receiver differentiate between the two? i.e. I have to press the "Function" key and put the receiver on "TV/Video" to get sound from either the 360 or the Satellite Box from what I remember(i'm at work) there's only DVD, TV/Video, BMODE(for the iPod), AM, and FM "Inputs."

I hope you understand my question, I don't know exactly how to word it.

Would just having the satellite box on, 360 off and vice-versa do it?
 
[quote name='klwillis45']From looking at the remote, I'm guessing you just need to hit the "audio" button to change inputs.
Edit: Scratch that, from looking at your back panel, leave the system on tv/video and change the video input on your tv.[/quote]

So basically set it up as you said:

For this system you need hdmi to your tv for video, nothing for sound.

360: component or hdmi to tv, optical to reciever

Sat: component or hdmi to tv, coax audio to reciever.
Click to expand...

Have the receiver set to TV/Video( as I currently do now) and then just switch the input on the tv?(So my satellite box is like HDMI 1, and my 360 is HDMI 2/DVI right now) and this should work?

Are the optical and coax cables expensive?
 
[quote name='klwillis45']http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665361519

For this system you need hdmi to your tv for video, nothing for sound.

360: component or hdmi to tv, optical to reciever

Sat: component or hdmi to tv, coax audio to reciever.[/quote]

I concur. You do have 2 HDMI inputs on your TV, right? You can then connect the receiver/DVD player to the TV via the component output. BTW, don't worry about ordering from monoprice. Their merchandise is rock solid. Their prices are so low because they don't have to pay for packaging to ship and display in stores. Anytime you buy cables in a store you're paying for a huge markup. I was somewhat skeptical of monoprice at first but I've ordered from them a few times now and I'm fully satisfied. As long as they're in business I'll never buy cables/wirese at retail again.

EDIT: Measure your distances before ordering cables. A 3 foot cable won't go far at all if the connected components aren't practically sitting on top of each other. You're better off getting a 6 foot and just coiling up any extra length.
 
[quote name='neocisco']I concur. You do have 2 HDMI inputs on your TV, right? You can then connect the receiver/DVD player to the TV via the component output. BTW, don't worry about ordering from monoprice. Their merchandise is rock solid. Their prices are so low because they don't have to pay for packaging to ship and display in stores. Anytime you buy cables in a store you're paying for a huge markup. I was somewhat skeptical of monoprice at first but I've ordered from them a few times now and I'm fully satisfied. As long as they're in business I'll never buy cables/wirese at retail again.

EDIT: Measure your distances before ordering cables. A 3 foot cable won't go far at all if the connected components aren't practically sitting on top of each other. You're better off getting a 6 foot and just coiling up any extra length.[/quote]

Wow ok, thanks alot for the advice and the website guys I appreciate it. 3ft cables should be enough, I think. My tv-stand is set up where the receiver is right below the Satelitle box and 360.

Hopefully this solves my problem, thanks again!
 
[quote name='klwillis45']

I'm assuming that your sat box has a coax out, so double check that before you buy.[/quote]

Edit: Nevermind I did a quick search
You do have S-video (480i) and R-L audio, RGB video (480i or 480p), and two RCA video and audio outs. There are also a coaxial digital audio out, an optical audio out.
Click to expand...
 
Please post the model numbers of your tv & sat box so we can tell exactly what we're working with.

Edit: After your edit, it seems like you're good to go.
 
so I finally got the chance to get this set-up today. The Box works, but the 360 has no sound?

I did exactly as above, I double checked to see if it were plugged in correctly and it seems that it is
 
That product is taking once source and splitting the signal off to to speaker systems. I need mine to go from two different sources (xBox and PC) to one speaker system.
 
I don't know how that's relevant to my problem VIP... but anyways...


[quote name='klwillis45']From looking at the remote, I'm guessing you just need to hit the "audio" button to change inputs.
Edit: Scratch that, from looking at your back panel, leave the system on tv/video and change the video input on your tv.[/quote]


It looks like I can only have one thing plugged into the receiver as changing video inputs does nothing. For example:

My Sat Box is on HDMI 3, even if I switch to HDMI 1 and HDMI 2 the sound from the Sat Box is still functioning.

So even though I had optical from 360 to Receiver it doesn't work. I tried component for audio from 360 to Receiver and nothing. Grrr this is so frustrating.
 
[quote name='neocisco']Maybe the 360 has to have the optical audio turned on in an option screen?[/quote]

I checked but the only audio options were:

Digital Stero
Dolby Digital
and Dolby Digital with WMA I think.

Anyways I don't think it's that simple because even if I have the TV Input set to the 360, it's still playing satellite box sounds. So I'm starting to think you can't have two things plugged in at once which is stupid.. I'm probably going to have to stick with my cheap gamestop thing.
 
I"m assuming your hdtv has an optical output? What you can do is check if the tv will pass the digital signal from the hdmi source to your stereo. So, connect the sat and 360 to hdmi. Then connect the optical cable from your hdtv to your stereo. Doesn't hurt to try and you have all the cables already.

Your current setup...
Did you have the sat on while trying the 360? Maybe the stereo was giving priority to that connection. Cause your stereo has only 1 audio input, just different types of connections. So, you can't have both on at the same time.
 
haha I really wish I had found that out before hand.


[quote name='sirhc-']I"m assuming your hdtv has an optical output? What you can do is check if the tv will pass the digital signal from the hdmi source to your stereo. So, connect the sat and 360 to hdmi. Then connect the optical cable from your hdtv to your stereo. Doesn't hurt to try and you have all the cables already.

Your current setup...
Did you have the sat on while trying the 360? Maybe the stereo was giving priority to that connection. Cause your stereo has only 1 audio input, just different types of connections. So, you can't have both on at the same time.[/quote]


I'll try that out.

As for my current set-up. I tried sat off and 360 on and no volume. It's only when I unplugged the cord from either or is when I would get sound. So I needed to physically unplug the cord from either system to get the sound I wanted regardless of what was on and what was not.
 
do you guys have any recommendations for a home theater setup under $1,000? probably in the $600-800 range? Keep in mind I don't need anything crazy it's just for a bedroom.

If I can find something good I can just try selling this one on Ebay or something.
 
Meh that's way to small on the second one.. as the first have you tried that system? I'm a little way of a "no-name" set-up.
 
Onkyo is actually one of the best receiver manufacturers on the market. As far as brand names go, Onkyo is one you can definitely trust.
 
I suggested the 2nd one becaause it's plenty for a bedroom and it's very easy to setup, even for someone with your limited knowledge. My dad hooked his up and he's pretty tech ignorant.
 
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