Basic 5.1 hook up questions

sharpey13
sharpey13 Posts: 4
edited November 2008 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hi everyone - I'm new to this forum, and very much a beginner when it comes to home audio/video. I'm not looking for anything out of this world for my home theater set up (not because I'm not interested, but mainly because being married with twin 18 month olds does not allow me the time!), but I have some basic questions.

I currently have:

- two Polk RTi front bookshelf speakers (probably 4 years old)
- CS1 center channel speaker (2 years old)
- two M30 rear speakers (1 year old)
- Panasonic VSX-D710S receiver (6 years old?)
- Toshiba SE-R0044 DVD player (almost 8 years old)

I have a 50" Samsung rear projection DLP HD TV that I love, and I have my receiver, DVD player, center, and front two speakers and sub hooked up. I do not have my rear speakers hooked up at all, never have.

I want to hook up my rear speakers (hang from wall behind couch), but I don't know how to do this and get the 5.1 channel surround sound (my receiver has 5.1 channel inputs, but what do I put in here? My DVD player and TV don't have anything, do I need a new DVD player?).

Any advice on whether I need to upgrade my DVD player or anything else to make this set up work would be much appreciated. Also, any advice on making speaker wire hook up easier into the back of my receiver? I have the monster plugs which helps a bit, but still have issues with the center speaker coming on and off.

Last question - should I ditch all of this, sell my bookshelf speakers, and buy the Surround Bar to make it easier on myself? Seems someone like me probably wouldn't know the difference anyway!!!

Thank you!!! sorry for the long post...
Post edited by sharpey13 on
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Comments

  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited November 2008
    sharpey13 welcome to CP. The 5.1 inputs you see are for multi channel analog inputs if your DVD player has multi channel outputs they would go there. To hook up your M30 rears you would do the same as the front and center.
    Looking at your receiver from the back your front speakers are the left most terminals. Going from left to right they go in this order: Right-Left-Center, then the next two are surround Right and surround Left. Pos. on the top Neg. on the bottom straight across.

    Can't comment on your DVD player as I'm not familiar with it. Any chance that model number SE-R004 is the remote?

    I know what you mean about time I have a 2 year old that likes to help me "fix" things. Can't imagine twins:eek::D
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  • sharpey13
    sharpey13 Posts: 4
    edited November 2008
    thanks apphd - I understand what you've explained, but I'm still a little confused. My DVD player does NOT have 5.1 channel outputs, so that answers that question. However, let's assume I hook my rear M30's up and everything is hooked up correctly to my receiver (front, center, back speakers). Does that mean I should be getting sound out of all speakers, at least when I'm watching TV (I realize I won't get it when watching a DVD, because my DVD player doesn't have the 5.1 channel outputs). If I should be getting sound out of all speakers, how do I do this on my receiver (ie, what setting?)? Thanks!
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2008
    You will get 5.1 sound if you hook up your DVD player to your reciever using an optical or digital coax cable. (some dvd's come with one or the other, some DVD players have both.)

    No digital connection, no 5.1.
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited November 2008
    To expand on what McLoki said and keep it very basic, (hope not to offend but you said you are new to home A/V :)me too) if the only audio outputs on your DVD player is a right and left RCA (probably red and white) connector then you have no digital outputs. Also keep in mind that there is not always,
    as in every minuet of a movie, a signal (sound) being sent to the rear speakers. You may also need to go into the "Set Up" menu of the DVD when it starts and select a sound track, i.e. stereo, DD Surround, DTS etc.
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  • sharpey13
    sharpey13 Posts: 4
    edited November 2008
    Thanks to you both - one more question. I understand the DVD player hook ups, but what about watching TV? Will I get 5.1 channel sound when watching TV, and if so when? (or how?)?
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  • apphd
    apphd Posts: 1,514
    edited November 2008
    sharpey13 wrote: »
    Thanks to you both - one more question. I understand the DVD player hook ups, but what about watching TV? Will I get 5.1 channel sound when watching TV, and if so when? (or how?)?

    That depends, off air, cable, dish? Check out this tread
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