How to Hook Up a High-Definition TV to Surround Sound
- 1). Identify the ports available for input audio on your surround sound's main unit. Look at the back of the unit for any jacks. Or, look on the manufacturer's website under "Specifications" or "Features" to see which jacks are included. Most surround-sound units will include HDMI inputs, RCA inputs and digital-optical and digital-coaxial cables.
- 2). Look on your HDTV for possible audio outputs. Digital-optical and digital-coaxial cables are circular and have only one jack. HDMI connections are shaped very much like USB connectors, and are labeled "HDMI." These connections can take both audio and video signals. Also look for the old red and white RCA audio connectors, which are still used on some television models and surround-sound systems for transmission of analog signals.
- 3). Use an HDMI connection between your surround-sound system and your HDTV, if possible. This is a particularly simple method of connection, because all of the information is transmitted through one wire. Determine whether you can make this connection by checking to see if both your surround-sound system and your TV have HDMI ports.
- 4). Use a digital-optical or digital-coaxial cable to transmit the audio if you can't use HDMI. These cables work on fiber-optic technology, and can also transmit the required signal through one cable instead of two. Look for a small digital-optical or digital-coaxial cable port on both your HDTV and surround-sound unit to determine whether this is a suitable option. Only use either the digital-optical or the digital-coaxial cable; they both perform the same function.
- 5). Connect your HDTV to your surround-sound system using RCA connectors if you have no other options. The RCA connectors are the red, white and yellow connectors used for audio and video. The red and white cables are the audio cables, and they may be needed if you have an old surround-sound system. Most HDTVs will be equipped with either HDMI or digital-optical connections.
- 6). Make the connections using the relevant cable. If there isn't a matching connection on your units, purchase a converter to enable you to make the connection. This is an unlikely scenario, however; most surround-sound units and televisions contain several options for connectivity.
