HDTV Setup Guide - DVD Player, Non-HDMI Surround Receiver & HDTV
If you already have an older surround sound system without HDMI ports and are incorporating an HDTV into the system, there are some minor issues that can pop up, but no fear, there's always a way to solve them.
To get proper surround sound, simply plug your DVD player's S/PDIF Digital Output (either an orange RCA socket or a TOSLink optical) into the surround receiver and you're done. It's that easy.
Getting the best picture, however, is more complicated. HDTVs ruthlessly reveal the quality of standard definition sources. You do not want to connect a Composite video cable to an HDTV, and S-Video isn't that much better. If your DVD player only outputs standard definition (it doesn't upscale) then use the Component video input. If your surround receiver doesn't have Component video inputs, you won't be able to use it as a video switcher, but resist the temptation to use Composite or S-Video cables and plug the DVD player straight into the HDTV's Component inputs.
If your DVD player does upscale, then you can use either its Component outputs or preferably its HDMI output for video. Set the DVD player to output the highest resolution your TV can display. If your receiver can route Component video, then you may want to connect the DVD-player's Component cables to the receiver, but you wil get a better picture if you run HDMI straight into your HDTV.
Some HDTVs do have digital outputs (TOSLink optical or RCA electric), so you can also connect your TV to your surround system for the full home theatre experience from television broadcasts. If your HDTV doesn't have digital outputs, then you can connect its RCA analogue-out cables to the receiver. You won't get full surround like you would from a digital connection, but you will get Dolby Pro Logic or Dolby Pro Logic II, which are perfectly good for TV.
If you arrived at this page but have different equipment, go the the main page of the HDTV Setup Guide to find the setup that suits you.
Which Cables?
Confused about the names of cables? Here's a quick visual guide to help you figure out which connectors we're talking about. If you're not familiar with the technical terms, either click the words the difficult words for a definition or visit our HDTV Glossary.