Optical Cable

[TxZ-GeCkO]

Where do you plug the optical cable to? What does it do?

[ASTRO Warblade]

The optical cable plugs into the back of your PS3, or from your Xbox 360's Component or VGA Cable (near the part that plugs into the xbox, there's a small square sized port). If you're using HDMI with your xbox, you'll need to either purchase the Xbox HDMI Adaptor kit (that comes with the audio dongle, really the only part you need), or pry open the VGA or component cable housing.

The other option is seeing if your TV supports sending output through optical at 5.1. Not all TV's do.

Lastly, the other end of the optical cable goes into the back of the MixAmp. If you just bought the headphones without the mixamp, it does you no good, as you need the mixamp in order to get the virtual surround sound to your headphones, as well as to connect your headphones to the xbox or ps3.

[Skwidman]

I use an HDMI cord with my 360, is it better to step down to component and use the 360 optical output, or is keeping in the HDMI and using the optical output on my Samsung LN46A550 LCD TV fine?

I don't know if there's any quality difference in sound processing or anything between the TV and the 360 or if it's the same (don't know much about audio yet). Thanks in advance!

[ASTRO Warblade]

While your TV could do some processing to the audio (when it transmit it from the HDMI 5.1 to the optical out port), most HDTVs will not process the audio signal much, or it won't be that noticable. I'd say it's safe to atleast try it. The benefit is you don't have to replug the optical cable if you want to use the MixAmp with a PS3 or regular TV/Cable box.

[Skwidman]

Excellent. Thank you for the prompt response!