gardenweasal

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
210
63
Above the Clouds....
Read your thread on recievers but couldn't help because I'm going through the same thing. Spent 2 days and three trips to Best Buy to get the right cables etc.

My question is now that yours is hooked up did you buy a HDMI cable in order to get surround sound? Someone told me I needed it but another said no.

I have sound out of my speakers but just stereo.

Let me know what you found out. Thanks!
 

gardenweasel

el guapo
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
40,575
226
63
"the bunker"
morris.....i hope you`re having better luck than me......

mine is working...and well...but,i`d be hard pressed to explain how that happened...

i`ll try and help...what did you buy?.....what are you hooking it up to?...
 

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
210
63
Above the Clouds....
Thanks buddy. I bought a 42" Sony LCD and a Panasonic reciever and surround sound package. Every thing is hooked up and sound is fine. I just don't think it is in surround sound.

Did you buy an HDMI cable to go from the tv to the reciever in order to get surround?

Question is do I need that cable to get surround?
 

gardenweasel

el guapo
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
40,575
226
63
"the bunker"
the first thing i did was buy my t.v.(a sony,like you)...and a hi def dvd(a panasonic)......i hooked these up using hdmi cables......

1)you didn`t say whether you had a blueray/dvd or vcr hooked up with your stuff....

2)there are several ways to hook-up....you obviously have hdmi inputs on both components...right?...

you can go with hdmi/a component hook-up(those 3 pronged red/green/blue plugs), or a composite hook-up(the regular red/white/ yellow rca plugs)..or,like i did,go with fiber optic digital optical pluge...


3)with my set-up,not every "source" is gonna give me "surround sound"....depends on what the station is putting out...your system might give you a "simulated surround sound" option...and my system ,with the hdmi cables,also needs an analog hook-up too...

but you know what i hooked up with mine that i think saved me?...along with the hdmi?...it was the "digital optical' plugs that i picked up at radio shack(around $17 bucks a set)....


you have "digital optical" inputs?..that was important for me......

this is what i know...

audio connections:

1)good....rca composite audio plugs(for stereo..red/yellow/white)
2better...digital coaxial plugs(surround)
3best......fiber optic/digital optical(dolby digital surround)

video connections

1)good..rca composite(like above..they carry both signals,video and audio)
2)better...super video/s-video(higher performance video signal)
3)best...component video cables(the red/blue/green cables)

speaker connections

good...stereo...(2 speakers)

better..surround sound(5 speakers...(front l/front r/center/rear l/rear r)

best...dolby digital...6 speakers(surround sound with a sub woofer)...

supposedly,hdmi supplies both maximum video and audio....buti also hooked up digital optical cables and an analog connection...

mines really involved....i wish i`d gotten a simpler set...

how do you know it`s stereo and not surround?....how many speakers you using?...and are you getting sound from all your speakers?...

answer as much as you can without going apeshit and i`ll try and respond as beast as i can without completely confusing us both....

where the hell is marine?..........he knows this stuff...
 
Last edited:

Mags

Registered User
Forum Member
Aug 8, 2000
2,813
27
48
Morris:

There is a couple of things that could be wrong. I'm assuming you have a cable box. Here are 3 options to hook this up and get surround sound:

1. Run HDMI from the cable box to the receiver, and then run an HDMI cable from the reciever to the TV. Your receiver would have surround sound via HDMI. HMDI switching receivers are expensive - so I'm not sure if you have one of those or not.

2. You can run Component cables (red/blue/green) from the cable box to the receiver for video and then run Component cables from the receiver to the TV. This just supports video. Now the audio part. Here you need to run an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver ALONG with running left and right audio cables to the receiver. If you are just running left/right audio cables and do not have the optical cable also you will not be getting surround sound - as Dolby Digital surround sound 5.1 is carried via a digital cable (optical).

3. You will need to be sure you are watching a show that has a Dolby Digital 5.1 sound track - most primetime shows on the major networks do.

4. Finally, you'lll know you are in the promised land of digital surround sound when your receiver shows something to the effect of "Dolby Digital" on the display while watching a TV show.

Let me know how it goes for you......
 

gardenweasel

el guapo
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
40,575
226
63
"the bunker"
mags sounds like he knows his shit....the digital optical cables were the mother lode for me....

i hooked up a cable box/dvd-vcr/and a receiver to the t.v.....

and i know for a fact that my system has sound "settings" that don`t use all the speakers...

i had to use a microphone and run test signals(loud sounds generated by the receiver) to "read" where my speakers are located in the room and how much power is needed to send equivalent sound to each speaker and get the "delay" just right......

direct streams/acoustic calibrations/dts wma9pro format/crossover networking/phase control?......

wtf ever happened to bass and treble?....lol
 

Kanuck

Registered
Forum Member
Mar 17, 2007
3,302
0
0
50
GREAT WHITE NORTH
thebeerstore.ca
Thanks buddy. I bought a 42" Sony LCD and a Panasonic reciever and surround sound package. Every thing is hooked up and sound is fine. I just don't think it is in surround sound.

Did you buy an HDMI cable to go from the tv to the reciever in order to get surround?

Question is do I need that cable to get surround?


You talking about cable TV or DVD remember a TV show can
be heard in SS if its broadcasted in SS.
 

Mags

Registered User
Forum Member
Aug 8, 2000
2,813
27
48
mags sounds like he knows his shit....the digital optical cables were the mother lode for me....

i hooked up a cable box/dvd-vcr/and a receiver to the t.v.....

and i know for a fact that my system has sound "settings" that don`t use all the speakers...

i had to use a microphone and run test signals(loud sounds generated by the receiver) to "read" where my speakers are located in the room and how much power is needed to send equivalent sound to each speaker and get the "delay" just right......

direct streams/acoustic calibrations/dts wma9pro format/crossover networking/phase control?......

wtf ever happened to bass and treble?....lol

Yea, I've been into this a lot of years. I just upgraded my receiver recently to the Pioneer Elite 94txvi.... it is awesome. Many people overlook the importance of the receiver, but it is really the engine of the whole system.

The Pioneer is unbelievable - 4 HDMI inputs, XM radio, internet radio (with some cool free surround sound channels to listen to), tons of power and great sound. It also allows 2 additional zones - which I use to power my home home audio system - so everything plays off the one receiver. This works out great for things like our super bowl party - I broadcast the game throughout the house so everyone can hear it.

I can get complicated - but be careful - it's like anything - once you start understanding how it all works - and start understanding the quality differences between products, it gets VERY addicting.

On top of all that, TV's and audio receivers are changing technology so fast that you'll find yourself upgrading every few years to always get the best sound, etc.

Be careful, it can drag you in :00hour
 

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
210
63
Above the Clouds....
Thanks guys!

I just bought the tv and system last week and was pulling my hair out by Sunday.

Cable guy came and hooked me up with Hi Def. Red white and green plus another red and white. Back of cable box to tv. I hooked up yellow (video to video) and red and white audio between the two.

I have sound on my speakers. Front, center left and rightand the ones behind me.

In order to get surround do I need that HDMI from tv to reciever?
 

Mags

Registered User
Forum Member
Aug 8, 2000
2,813
27
48
Thanks guys!

I just bought the tv and system last week and was pulling my hair out by Sunday.

Cable guy came and hooked me up with Hi Def. Red white and green plus another red and white. Back of cable box to tv. I hooked up yellow (video to video) and red and white audio between the two.

I have sound on my speakers. Front, center left and rightand the ones behind me.

In order to get surround do I need that HDMI from tv to reciever?


Morris:

Maybe you misspoke on the above. Here are your choices:

1. You want to be able to hear sound through the TV AND through the receiver (some people like this so they can watch and hear TV without the receiver being on):

Connect the cable box RED/GREEN/BLUE (there is no white) to the TV (make sure to use the component connections AND make sure to use component cables - NOT the red/white/yellow ones that sometimes come in the box).

From the cable box, connect the red/white audio to the audio in red/white on the TV. (there is no need for a digital sound hookup to your TV itself as it only as 2 speakers (stereo) anyway).

From the cable box connect the red/white audio to the red/white audio inputs for TV on the receiver (you'll need these for channels that do not have digital sound). Most cable boxes will have 2 sets of outputs for audio.

From the cable box hook up the optical audio cable to the receiver and you'll be able to hear the surround Dolby Digital.

With this hookup, you'll be able to hear channels in surround with your receiver (when they are in Dolby Digital) and still hear them either with the TV or receiver when they are not.

2. If you will always have the receiver as your audio source when watching TV (the best way to do it), then you can skip the audio hookups from the cable box (the red/white cables) to the TV.

I hope this helps!
 

gardenweasel

el guapo
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
40,575
226
63
"the bunker"
Thanks guys!

I just bought the tv and system last week and was pulling my hair out by Sunday.

Cable guy came and hooked me up with Hi Def. Red white and green plus another red and white. Back of cable box to tv. I hooked up yellow (video to video) and red and white audio between the two.

I have sound on my speakers. Front, center left and rightand the ones behind me.

In order to get surround do I need that HDMI from tv to reciever?

morris...make sure you HAVE hdmi inputs...and check to see if you have "digital optical" inputs...

do you have a subwoofer?...it`s a big,heavy box that provides your bass sounds...

mags...i think i have the low end "mini" version of what you have(i have the pioneer vsx-917v-k)...it was between this,a harman kardon and an onkyo(only because i heard onkyo`s were a snap to set up)...the jbl speaker syatem i bought is decent...even though there were much more expensive ones calling out to me.... ...i can play sound in another room ,too.... although that little exercise in masochism ain`t happening until i recover from just getting this thing to work correctly...

it is amazing...and that sub woofer?.....whew!!!...
 
Last edited:

gardenweasel

el guapo
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
40,575
226
63
"the bunker"
Morris:

Maybe you misspoke on the above. Here are your choices:

1. You want to be able to hear sound through the TV AND through the receiver (some people like this so they can watch and hear TV without the receiver being on):

Connect the cable box RED/GREEN/BLUE (there is no white) to the TV (make sure to use the component connections AND make sure to use component cables - NOT the red/white/yellow ones that sometimes come in the box).

From the cable box, connect the red/white audio to the audio in red/white on the TV. (there is no need for a digital sound hookup to your TV itself as it only as 2 speakers (stereo) anyway).

From the cable box connect the red/white audio to the red/white audio inputs for TV on the receiver (you'll need these for channels that do not have digital sound). Most cable boxes will have 2 sets of outputs for audio.

From the cable box hook up the optical audio cable to the receiver and you'll be able to hear the surround Dolby Digital.

With this hookup, you'll be able to hear channels in surround with your receiver (when they are in Dolby Digital) and still hear them either with the TV or receiver when they are not.

2. If you will always have the receiver as your audio source when watching TV (the best way to do it), then you can skip the audio hookups from the cable box (the red/white cables) to the TV.

I hope this helps!

mags...are you saying that you HAVE to use your receiver when you watch t.v.?....`cause that`s one of the things i was finally able to change....i didn`t want to have to use the receiver every time i watch t.v.....

just askin`......maybe i misunderstood..

i`m not sure that
 

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
210
63
Above the Clouds....
Morris:

Maybe you misspoke on the above. Here are your choices:

1. You want to be able to hear sound through the TV AND through the receiver (some people like this so they can watch and hear TV without the receiver being on):

Connect the cable box RED/GREEN/BLUE (there is no white) to the TV (make sure to use the component connections AND make sure to use component cables - NOT the red/white/yellow ones that sometimes come in the box).

From the cable box, connect the red/white audio to the audio in red/white on the TV. (there is no need for a digital sound hookup to your TV itself as it only as 2 speakers (stereo) anyway).

From the cable box connect the red/white audio to the red/white audio inputs for TV on the receiver (you'll need these for channels that do not have digital sound). Most cable boxes will have 2 sets of outputs for audio.

From the cable box hook up the optical audio cable to the receiver and you'll be able to hear the surround Dolby Digital.

With this hookup, you'll be able to hear channels in surround with your receiver (when they are in Dolby Digital) and still hear them either with the TV or receiver when they are not.

2. If you will always have the receiver as your audio source when watching TV (the best way to do it), then you can skip the audio hookups from the cable box (the red/white cables) to the TV.

I hope this helps!



Yes I did say that wrong and realized it after ( about 15 mins after).

I think I'm getting closer because I'm starting to understand.

Looks like I have everything but the cable box hook up (optical) to the reciever.

OK I will go get that tomorrow!

Now there is no connection from the reciever to the tv to get surround? Does the surround come from the cable box.

Sorry I think I'm confusing myself. Thanks!!
 

Mags

Registered User
Forum Member
Aug 8, 2000
2,813
27
48
mags...are you saying that you HAVE to use your receiver when you watch t.v.?....`cause that`s one of the things i was finally able to change....i didn`t want to have to use the receiver every time i watch t.v.....

just askin`......maybe i misunderstood..

i`m not sure that


NO - read #1 again - it gives you the option of listening to the TV sound or using the receiver (although make sure you turn your TV sound all the way down when using the receiver - don't use MUTE, as usually the TV screen will show "MUTE" while the TV sound is muted on the screen)
 

gardenweasel

el guapo
Forum Member
Jan 10, 2002
40,575
226
63
"the bunker"
NO - read #1 again - it gives you the option of listening to the TV sound or using the receiver (although make sure you turn your TV sound all the way down when using the receiver - don't use MUTE, as usually the TV screen will show "MUTE" while the TV sound is muted on the screen)

mine work independent of one another..i must have misunderstood you....

interesting conversation...

morris......g.l. brother...
 

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
210
63
Above the Clouds....
mine work independent of one another..i must have misunderstood you....

interesting conversation...

morris......g.l. brother...

You too bud!!

I don't know if this helps or confuses but I don't use the tv sound at all. Like Mags said i think it is better. There is an option on the tv where you can shut the tv speakers off. Mine does. GL

Anything else you find let me know!
 

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
210
63
Above the Clouds....
mags last question for the nite.

I found the port on the cable box that says optical video out. Does that go to option V.I on the reciever?

Thanks!!
 

Mags

Registered User
Forum Member
Aug 8, 2000
2,813
27
48
mags last question for the nite.

I found the port on the cable box that says optical video out. Does that go to option V.I on the reciever?

Thanks!!

Morris:

I'll bet it is optical audio out. There really is no such thing as optical audio out that I know of. Video choices are limited to :

HMDI (also carries audio - the ONLY cable that does both audio and video)

Component cables (Video only - the 2nd best connection after HDMI. There are 3 cables in total. These actually convert the digital signal to analog and then back to digital in your TV. The picture quality difference between this and HDMI is very small, but HDMI is better as it is a continuous digital signal).

The rest of the choices are analog, and are nowhere as good as the above:

S-Video
Composite (yellow connector) Video

If you post the make of your cable box and model number, I can probably pull it up on line and review the back and tell you what you have (I have Directv so I don't know the cable boxes).
 

The Judge

Pura Vida!
Forum Member
Aug 5, 2004
4,909
29
0
SJO
podcastImage.jpg
 

Morris

Tent Maker
Forum Member
Aug 23, 2002
32,058
210
63
Above the Clouds....
Morris:

I'll bet it is optical audio out. There really is no such thing as optical audio out that I know of. Video choices are limited to :

HMDI (also carries audio - the ONLY cable that does both audio and video)

Component cables (Video only - the 2nd best connection after HDMI. There are 3 cables in total. These actually convert the digital signal to analog and then back to digital in your TV. The picture quality difference between this and HDMI is very small, but HDMI is better as it is a continuous digital signal).

The rest of the choices are analog, and are nowhere as good as the above:

S-Video
Composite (yellow connector) Video

If you post the make of your cable box and model number, I can probably pull it up on line and review the back and tell you what you have (I have Directv so I don't know the cable boxes).

Thanks Mags. The cable box is Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250 HDC.

You're right the connection is optical video out. I was getting confused last nite.

In order to get surround do I connect the optical video out to the reciever? Where does it connect on the reciever.
 
Bet on MyBookie
Top