[HELP] How to get 5.1 on this setup.

[Parth Trivedi]

Hey guys,
I have taken a sudden interest in the home audio system and want to know how to get a 5.1 sound output. Here is my setup

LG 55" 55LH50YR LCD TV
Local Cable HD Set top box ( for cable connection)
Yamaha RXV-795 Receiver (no HDMI)
2 front bookshelves , 2 surround, 1 subwoofer
this setup works fine, except not on 5.1.
Currently using the tv's audio out and sending it to audio in on the yamaha using 2 analog RCA cables. ( so im assuming this is just plain stereo)

my question(s) are:

1) Am I correct to replace those analog cables by a digital optical cable so as to enable 5.1?

2) If I'm watching HD channels on my TV HDMI input (because thats where the set top box is connected), Do I get a 5.1 experience on HD channels?

3)I dont have a blue ray player, I usually watch HD movies on my TV by connecting my Macbook pro via HDMI, how do I determine that my laptop is sending 5.1 signals via HDMI and not stereo?

4) If I directly plug in Flash drive to the TV, will I enjoy Video content on 5.1?

I thank you audioholics in anticipation, also its a sincere request to any kind soul who wishes to answer these questions to please answer in 1,2,3,4 format so that its easy for me to understand.

Hope I'm asking the right questions

 

[markw]

Several issues.

1) Yes, you do need either an optical cable or coax cable from your source directly to the receiver.

2) Anything going through the TV will come out two channel.

3) Can't say about your MacBook or flash drive, but see # 1 and # 2.

You might want to invest in an inexpensive DVD/Blu-Ray player. Feed the HDMI out to the TV and the optical/coax to the receiver.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

3) is probably your best chance. Get cable like this one:
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1558&seq=1&format=2
connect it to your mac headphones port
2) "Anything going through the TV will LIKELY come out two channel"
There is a small chance it would digital if your TV has BOTH of these two things: Digital audio out and b) ability to send surround sound.

 

[Parth Trivedi]

Several issues.

1) Yes, you do need either an optical cable or coax cable from your source directly to the receiver.

2) Anything going through the TV will come out two channel.

3) Can't say about your MacBook or flash drive, but see # 1 and # 2.

You might want to invest in an inexpensive DVD/Blu-Ray player. Feed the HDMI out to the TV and the optical/coax to the receiver.

1) My set top box does have an digital optical out, I will send the audio directly to the receiver then.

2) How can you be sure that anything comes out of the TV is 2 channel. (I'm not challenging this fact, just want to know the reason for my knowledge)

3) I do have a PS3 if that helps.

 

[Parth Trivedi]

3) is probably your best chance. Get cable like this one:
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1558&seq=1&format=2
connect it to your mac headphones port
2) "Anything going through the TV will LIKELY come out two channel"
There is a small chance it would digital if your TV has BOTH of these two things: Digital audio out and b) ability to send surround sound.

2) in the owners manual it does say that its a digital audio out, couldn't find anything about the ability to send surround sound.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

1) My set top box does have an digital optical out, I will send the audio directly to the receiver then.

2) How can you be sure that anything comes out of the TV is 2 channel. (I'm not challenging this fact, just want to know the reason for my knowledge)

3) I do have a PS3 if that helps.

If your box has digital out, then don't worry about #2. Just connect it to your avr

 

[Parth Trivedi]

If your box has digital out, then don't worry about #2. Just connect it to your avr

Yes, I just tried this and 5.1 is working nicely.
now I have only one query, where should I connect the USB flash drive if I want to watch 5.1 Video content from that? ( I can think of two options)

a) connect Macbook pro and use the cable that was advised above and send the audio directly to the receiver.
b) watch it through the ps3 and send audio directly to the receiver.

 

[herbu]

want to know how to get a 5.1 sound output. Here is my setup...
2 front bookshelves , 2 surround, 1 subwoofer

It is hard to get 5.1 with only 4 speakers and a sub.
Do you have a Center speaker?
Your setup sounds like 4.1.

 

[Parth Trivedi]

It is hard to get 5.1 with only 4 speakers and a sub.
Do you have a Center speaker?
Your setup sounds like 4.1.

Sorry forgot to mention I have a center speaker. from the same make as the rest speakers aiwa.
But it does not function as it is supposed to so planning to pick up a affordable one soon enough.

 

[agarwalro]

Yamaha RXV-795 Receiver (no HDMI)

Sources > HDMI > Receiver > HDMI > TV is the most convenient. The price of entry for HDMI receivers is low. Why not save yourself a bunch of hassle and pick one up?

If you pick up a BluRay player, the easy way to enjoy HD audio is send digital signal over HDMI to the receiver.

 

[herbu]

Sources > HDMI > Receiver > HDMI > TV is the most convenient. The price of entry for HDMI receivers is low. Why not save yourself a bunch of hassle and pick one up?

If you pick up a BluRay player, the easy way to enjoy HD audio is send digital signal over HDMI to the receiver.

100% agree. HDMI is one of my favorite new technologies of the 20th century! Way better than The Facebook or The Twitter or The Selfie!!!

 

[markw]

1) My set top box does have an digital optical out, I will send the audio directly to the receiver then.

Good.

How can you be sure that anything comes out of the TV is 2 channel. (I'm not challenging this fact, just want to know the reason for my knowledge)

Two ways:
1) Check your TV manual. I'm sure if it does pass 5.1 it will proudly say so.

2) Your ears. Seriously, if you can't tell, does it really matter?

3) I do have a PS3 if that helps.

Not at all. I'm not familiar with them but the same rules apply: video to TV and audio to receiver.

 

[Parth Trivedi]

Good.

Two ways:
1) Check your TV manual. I'm sure if it does pass 5.1 it will proudly say so.

2) Your ears. Seriously, if you can't tell, does it really matter?

Not at all. I'm not familiar with them but the same rules apply: video to TV and audio to receiver.

Wow thanks a lot.
This really clears the air.

 

[markw]

Wow thanks a lot.
This really clears the air.

I'm glad I could help.

Your AVR should also tell you when it receives a 5.1 signal.