I’m pretty good with setting up tech stuff, but have always relied on someone else to hook stereo components. Now that I’m using Plex, and have a good selection of content, I’m thinking about adding a surround sound receiver.
My question is, how does the audio from my server/mkv files get to the receiver? If the server is downstairs, would a audio cable need to be run from the server to the receiver? And if so, from what ports on each system? Does anyone have a diagram that would illustrate how this would work?
Can someone help a audio newbie out?? 
Thanks!
If you want to have surround sound, you need to use a Plex client device with a HDMI output.
And the web app won’t do, because the web app cannot ‘pass-through’ the surround sound formats to an AVR.
You can try to use your Samsung TV, but it only supports very few surround sound formats.
Other Plex clients do also differ in their support of the various surround sound formats.
Which kind of surround sound format do you have in your files?
Are you interested in the newer, higher quality formats like TrueHD and ATMOS?
Do you have a 5.1 system or more speakers?
Any Plex client device, except the Samsung TV, should be connected to the AVR, and the AVR will then be connected to the TV per HDMI wire.
I was not using any external device, just the player built into the Samsung TV.
As far as the surround sound formats, I didn’t specify anything in particular, I just ripped the movie to MKV format and left all the other information (subtitles, etc) selected. Is there a way to specify surround sound format when using MakeMKV?
I would like the higher formats if they are available. I am planning on a setting up either a 7.1 or 5.1 surround sound system, haven’t decided which at the moment.
Is it possible to use the optical output of the TV and send that to the optical input on the receiver to take advantage of the surround sound processing?
@144steve@gmail.com said:
As far as the surround sound formats, I didn’t specify anything in particular, I just ripped the movie to MKV format and left all the other information (subtitles, etc) selected. Is there a way to specify surround sound format when using MakeMKV?
No, you can only choose what is on the disk.
Some DVDs come with DTS, some with AC3, some with PCM (uncompressed). Some have several of these formats. This varies from disc to disc.
I would like the higher formats if they are available. I am planning on a setting up either a 7.1 or 5.1 surround sound system, haven’t decided which at the moment.
Then you cannot use just your tv, AFAIK.
Because this one only supports the simplest forms of DTS or AC3 surround sound. It cannot handle the newer formats.
You can ask for detail info about that in this subforum: https://forums.plex.tv/categories/samsung-smart-hub
Is it possible to use the optical output of the TV and send that to the optical input on the receiver to take advantage of the surround sound processing?
You can do that, but again, you will only get the most basic surround sounds formats with this connection.
If you want the more modern surround format you need a different player device with HDMI output.
e.g. nVidia Shield or a fully blown HTPC.
