HDMI ARC and PS3/Sky

[pzkpfw]

I've got a semi-decent receiver and full set (5.1) of semi-decent speakers; but I need to replace two crossovers and two tweeters. It's taking me a while to get around to that, so on a whim I recently bought a cheap "Home Thetre" system (cost about what the two tweeters are going to cost me). This cheap system only does DVD, not BluRay, but I wasn't too worried as we have the PS3 to do that.

But - I'm wondering about getting full sound "value" out of the PS3 and our MySky.

The cheap "Home Theatre" system doesn't have a digital input for audio. It does, however, have an ARC (Audio Return Channel) compatible HDMI output. (i.e. it will accept audio back into that output). The T.V. has an ARC compatible input.

So, I'd have thought that if Sky and the PS3 are connected to the T.V., then whichever is being displayed, it's sound would be passed back to the "Home Theatre" system, in full surround glory.

However, I've been googling around, and it seems possible that:
a. T.V.'s will only send down their ARC input, sound signals from their own built-in decoders. (Which seems a bit pointless).
and/or
b. A PS3 connected to a T.V. won't emit surround sound as they don't "think" they're connected to a device that understands the signals. (Which seems a bit limiting).

(You say "just try it" - I built stands for the new speakers and need to paint them, so haven't yet.)

I'm basically interested to know if anyone here has had experience with using HDMI/ARC ... what'd you find?

[Nova.]

Just try it. not going to hurt.
we have my sky and a home theater system and the ps3 only plays through the tv, could probably make it go through the speaker system if i wanted too.

[pzkpfw]

Well, yeah, at some point I will just try it. It's not like I expect it all to explode and burn down the house!

Simply wanted to see if anybody had actual ARC experience/wisdom.

(Just put first coat of paint on the speaker stands, so the thing'll be installed in the coming week.)

[Nova.]

Well, yeah, at some point I will just try it. It's not like I expect it all to explode and burn down the house!

You never know with technology these days.

[pzkpfw]

Good point (story in todays DomPost about explosion in GM factory, related to vehicle battery, possibly related to some electric cars that have melted....)

[pzkpfw]

Just for the web-searcher who finds this thread: it works.

Sky Decoder to T.V.
PS3 to T.V.
T.V. to Home Theatre via ARC compatible HDMI inputs/outputs ... and I'm getting sound from Sky and PS3 without all the darn cables I'd normally need.

(Set the Sky box to output Dolby, not PCM).

Will add to this whether the sound is real 5.1. from Sky and PS3 (i.e. BluRay movie) once I've been able to test further.