Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Hooking up surround sound to digital cable box
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Hammylinky
02-02-06, 04:49 AM
OK, I just got digital cable and want to hook it up to my surround sound. Before that, I ran the digital audio cable (orange) from the SS to the DVD. Then I ran the red/white stereo audio wires from the SS to the VCR (which is where the cable ran through).
When I look at the back of the digital cable box, I see red/white "audio to TV" and "audio to VCR" and an orange digital audio line. I think what I need to do is run the digital audio line from the SS to the cable box. And now run the red/white stereo audio wires from the SS to the DVD.
Does that make sense? I wanted to check this before I went out and bought the new digital cable. Thanks!
When I look at the back of the digital cable box, I see red/white "audio to TV" and "audio to VCR" and an orange digital audio line. I think what I need to do is run the digital audio line from the SS to the cable box. And now run the red/white stereo audio wires from the SS to the DVD.
Does that make sense? I wanted to check this before I went out and bought the new digital cable. Thanks!
BobF
02-02-06, 01:03 PM
Yes, to get surround sound from digital cable, you'll need a digital coax cable.
You will also need to keep the red/white stereo audio connection to the cable box. I had digital cable 2 years ago and only channels above 100 had digital audio. Channels below 100 still used the stereo cables. Of course the HD channels will be digital, but you didn't mention HD.
Very few non-HD channels are in surround sound. All default to pro-logic with the digital audio, though. If your ss can decode pro-logic, you'll notice some sound effects in the rear speakers. I get that with my satellite and ss.
Does your ss and DVD player have fiber optic, too? That also carries digital sound. If you only use red/white for audio, you won't get surround sound from the dvds.
You will also need to keep the red/white stereo audio connection to the cable box. I had digital cable 2 years ago and only channels above 100 had digital audio. Channels below 100 still used the stereo cables. Of course the HD channels will be digital, but you didn't mention HD.
Very few non-HD channels are in surround sound. All default to pro-logic with the digital audio, though. If your ss can decode pro-logic, you'll notice some sound effects in the rear speakers. I get that with my satellite and ss.
Does your ss and DVD player have fiber optic, too? That also carries digital sound. If you only use red/white for audio, you won't get surround sound from the dvds.
Hammylinky
02-02-06, 01:48 PM
My SS has one port for a digital coax cable. From what I'm understanding, I need to hook up both the DVD and cable box to the SS via the coax cable to use the receiver for both. How can I do that with only one port on my SS?
classicsat
02-02-06, 07:28 PM
Personally, I'd keep the DVD on surround, as nearly most DVD are surround, and most TV programs, if anything, use analog surround that works from analog stereo.
If you insist on using both digital, you need a coaxial A/B switch.
If you insist on using both digital, you need a coaxial A/B switch.
BobF
02-02-06, 07:55 PM
You can't. I guess neither ss nor DVD has fiber optic ports?
I don't know how well the coax A/B works for digital cable so I see you as having three choices:
1. Choose one source for surround sound and leave it alon
2. Switch cables every time you switch devices
3. Buy a good receiver with multiple digital inputs. You may also need a new DVD player if the one you have doesn't have fiber optic oputput. A new receiver is around $299 and will have at least 1 digital coax and 2 fiber optic inputs.
I don't know how well the coax A/B works for digital cable so I see you as having three choices:
1. Choose one source for surround sound and leave it alon
2. Switch cables every time you switch devices
3. Buy a good receiver with multiple digital inputs. You may also need a new DVD player if the one you have doesn't have fiber optic oputput. A new receiver is around $299 and will have at least 1 digital coax and 2 fiber optic inputs.