Since a high-definition cable box can provide high-quality audio as well as video, connecting it to a full surround sound system will help you get the most out of the HD sound. Most surround sound systems offer 5.1 digital audio for optimum sound quality, although some can go as high as 6.1 or 7.1. When wiring a surround sound system directly to the HD cable box, you are splitting up the cable box's outputs. The cable's audio connects to the sound system, while the video output still goes straight to the TV.
Instructions
1. Get a surround sound system with multiple input ports. This is needed if your TV set has other peripherals connected to it, like a DVD player or DVR, so you can connect them along with the cable box.
2. Compare the input ports on the surround sound system with the audio output ports on the HD cable box. Your two primary options are a digital optical (which looks like a small square port) or RCA audio (the red and white rounded ports) connection.
3. Connect the cable box to the surround sound's main input. The digital optical cable will give you the best quality. If you use the RCA connection, use a separate RCA audio cable (red and white plugs only).
4. Assemble the entire surround system, connecting all speakers and subwoofers to the central receiver. These will use RCA audio or compression wires. For compression wires, connect one wire branch to the red ports on the receiver and speaker, then connect the other branch to the black ports. The receiver's output ports will be labeled as to which speaker they should be connected to.
5. Plug the surround sound's power cable into a wall jack or surge protector. Normalize the volume levels for each speaker by placing them at medium level. Use the system's central volume control to adjust the volume.
6. Connect the HD cable box's video output to the TV. Your main choices here are HDMI (the long, thin, trapezoid-like connection), component (red, green and blue RCA-style) or RF coaxial (the standard twist-in-place black cable).
7. Connect your DVD player, DVR and other peripherals to the sound system just like you did with the cable box. Remember, you're connecting their audio outputs to the sound system and the video outputs to the TV set.
Tags: sound system, surround sound, surround sound system, surround sound, compression wires, Connect cable