Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

Okay, I'm new to this Home Theater stuff, so forgive my ignorance, please. I've done some Googling and I haven't seen much in the way of my surround sound cables. I'm currently buying a new TV for my room and I was going to ask for some cheap surround sound stuff for Christmas, I just don't know what's going to be compatible.

The TV I'm buying appears to have composite, component, and a green TRS 1/8" input on it. Does this accommodate most surround sound systems? And my second question, would a computer surround sound system (Like amazon.com/Creative-Inspire-Surround-Speaker-System/dp/B000LIDLV6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1248243120&sr=8-10 this) hook up through the TRS inputs or through the component/composite inputs?

Thanks in advance for your help. I really appreciate it.

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

Wiki tells me no [ I had no idea what a TRS connector was].

What TV is it? For the life of me I can't figure out what inputs that speaker set takes. Creatives webpage is useless as well for that. I'll assume 5.1 analog inputs - something your TV will not have. You'd need a a player or receiver that would output and/or process those.

I'm not saying buy these, but for comparison you'll notice how this set how a controller module that accomplishes some of what I described.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/sp...s/224&cl=us,en

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

Essentially, its a computer screen with television parts (Composite, component, cable, HDMI etc). Would the controller go into the component inputs then? I really hope its that simple, lol.

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

RMakoto you should spend the time to read the FAQ in this section of the forum. You need to understand the basics of TV connections, DVD, and surround sound receivers. You can use computer type speakers, I dont recommend it unless you are sitting close to your tv and speakers. Computer speakers are designed to be "near field" ie sitting 2-3 feet from them. Most surround sound systems are designed to fill a whole room.

If you post the specific model of TV I would be interested in the connections, most digital tv's have analog audio out and digital audio out. You would want to use the digital audio out for the best sound and highest quality surround. The FAQ explains the different surround sound formats but you cant get most of them through stereo analog outputs. The digital connection will come through the HDMI, optical output, or digital coaxial. You would then need a surround sound system typically in a home theater setup it would start with a Receiver, the reciever would then connect to the sub and speakers.

The logitech setup linked above offers optical and coaxial digital inputs as well as 6 channel analog inputs. Typcially computer sound cards will use the analog outputs but some have digital connector or some have both.

To summarize read the FAQ, determine what OUTPUTS the TV has and make sure your surround sound setup has the corresponding INPUTS. You will also want to think about connecting a DVD or Bluray player and its OUTPUTS.

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

That was one of the first things I did, and I'm still not sure.

Computer speakers are fine for me. Its for my room and since I'm a teenager and have a limited budget, I'm not willing to spend more $75-$100 on sound.

reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/sceptre-x240bv-fhd-24/4505-6482_7-33698060.html?tag=mncol;lst That's the TV I'm getting. The outputs in it are pictured here images.tigerdirect.com/SkuImages/gallery/large/S197-2406-09.jpg .

It appears that there's USB, HDMI, VGA, a blue and green TRS, YPbPr/Component outputs, RCA/Composite outputs, and a cable output.

Anyways, I'm assuming that then the receiver plugs into the Component outputs, and I plug my surround sound speakers into the receiver? If that's true, then I believe my question is answered.

I wasn't sure if it goes in via TRS connector or through a YPbPr/RCA output, which is why I asked.

The only other thing I've got is a 360 which serves as my main DVD player going through the HDMI.

Anyways, thanks for the help. :D

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

The TV has both analog stereo out and coaxial digital (also called SPDIF). The component YPbPr/ RCA's are VIDEO INPUTS, they would allow connection of a game system, cable box, dvd player, etc. They are NOT used for audio. The Red/White RCA's are analog stereo, I cant tell from the picture if they are in or out, doesnt matter wouldnt use them. For the setup you mention you should try to use the coaxial digital out the orange rca (might be labeled SPDIF Out). The Xbox will send digital videa and audio via the HDMI to the TV, the TV will output the digital audio to the coaxial digital output. You should connect the coaxial digital output to the sound system.

Now on the sound system you wont get anything worth having for $75. I would stick with the TV speakers if thats the budget. The logitech system above is a good system for a bedroom but its about $300.

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

Alright, I understand how the sound system works a bit better now. Thanks for that.

You sure the one I posted above (around $50) won't work? I'm not looking for something tooth-rattling, I'm just looking for something that just works and is mildly inexpensive. :/

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

Yep Im sure. You cannot get surround sound from that speaker system and that TV. That speaker system only has analog surround inputs designed to work with a PC sound card. The TV only has analog stereo outputs, so you could get left/right stereo to that speaker system but that's it no center or surround speaker sound.

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

Ah, alright. Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

The cheapest solution that is generally even close to recommended is the Onkyo HTIB (Home theater in a box). Here is one for $324:

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-HT-S3200...8394897&sr=8-2

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

You could pay that much for a good pair of headphones. I know it sounds lame but cranking up the headphones that have pseudo surround sound in a pitch black room is pretty intense playing certain games or watching movies.

Re: Surround Sound Cables Inquisition
 

Are you Spanish by chance?

;)