Surround sound setup

[Jeffd398]

i just got a surround sound for xmas...i am going to hook it up this weekend. i am new to this and need some help...

I have a HDTV and HD receiver...this is connected via an HDMI cable
1st question...My surround sound receiver does not have an HDMI port...what is the best way to set this up to get the best picture and sound? do i use an optical cable from the hdtv receiver to the surround sound receiver?

2nd...what gauge speaker wire should i use? i read in the help guides 14g for less then 100ft, which it will be

3rd...what composite cables should i use to hook up the DVD player?...doesnt have to be the best (getting ps3 later this year and will use the blu ray to play dvds from then on

thanks in advance for any help.

 

[agarwalro]

Welcome to the forum.

1) Optical or Coax from HDTV receiver to AV receiver will be best
2) For a 100ft run get wire which is 12 gauge at the least.
3) If your DVD player has DVI or HDMI use it, if not use component connecitons (Yellow, green, blue connections) for video and digital out (optical or coax) for sound.

 

[Jeffd398]

thanks for the info!
can anyone recommend an optical cable?
my DVD player has no HDMI or DVI, it is built in to the surround sound receiver, do i hook this up any different? or just use component cables to the tv?

 

[pbarach1]

thanks for the info!
can anyone recommend an optical cable?
my DVD player has no HDMI or DVI, it is built in to the surround sound receiver, do i hook this up any different? or just use component cables to the tv?

Optical cables are all alike. They are transmitting the sound digitally, so as long as the cable isn't broken or something like that, any optical cable of the right length will do. As for the DVD player, component cables to the TV will work fine. Sometimes people report that they get better picture quality from HDMI (I do in my setup), while other people have found no difference or that component was better.

On the speaker wire, get the heaviest gauge that you can afford. Some people love those expensive speaker cables and claim that they make a difference compared to Home Depot-grade 10- or 12-gauge wire.

 

[jcPanny]

Optical cable

I am impressed with the quality of the Optical and RCA audio cables I purchased recently from monoprice. The $5 silver color optical cables are very flexible and have nice connectors on both ends.

 

[flyv65]

1) Go with the HDMI to your TV if it's the only way to get an HD signal to the monitor (otherwise, I'd think about using the component connection), and use a digital audio to the receiver (I prefer digital coax to Toslink, but only because of a slight advantage in durability).

2) I like 10 ga Belden from Blue Jeans cable for speaker wire: the chart says that 10 gauge is overkill in most cases, but its only $0.57/foot, so why not?

3) I wouldn't use a composite hookup, even if your DVD player isn't capable of progressive scan you ought to consider using an S video or component hookup for your picture.

Bryan...HTH...