home theater hookup question-help please! [Archive] - High Def Forum - Your High Definition Community & High Definition Resource

tim24740

08-19-2009, 08:23 AM

ckone180

08-19-2009, 09:04 AM

Hello:
I have a Panasonic SC-PT960 home theater system with a 5 disc built-in dvd player. . It has one optical in port and a HDMI port.My HDTV is an Emerson 32" that has 1 HDMI port and 1 digital coaxial out port. My cable box is a Scientific Atlanta 3100 that has 1 digital coaxial out port. It has no HDMI ports. I want to insure that when I watch tv, the sound will come through the home theater speakers. Can you please tell me the BEST way to connect these three items together. I have tried researching this on the net, but have read conflicting hookup explanations. I have ordered a digital coaxial to optical converter to compensate for the fact that one component is optical and the other 2 are coaxial . I have the required cables to make the connections but am not sure how to connect them the best way. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks for your advice!

Leave the cable box connected as it is currently, but install an optical cable between the output and into the input of the HT(home theater.) Connect the HDMI out of the HT to the input of the TV. When you play the DVDs, it will automatically play through the HT speakers. Now when the cable box is on, set the HT to the optical input(sometimes labeled as AUX or Digital Input) so that your TV viewing will play through the HT speakers. You will need to turn the volume down on your TV. This allows you to play either audio from cable box via TV or HT.

If your cable box only has digital coax output, then you can have your cable company upgrade your box, usually free. Connecting this way should allow you to return the converter that you have purchased, and get you a more updated box. I am not familar with the SA 3100, but all the TWC boxes in my area offer optical out, and the model numbers are in the 8000s series. I also don't know if your box is HD, so that may account for the difference in numbers and optical output.

I hoped I have helped you. Good luck, and enjoy!

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	High Def Forum - Your High Definition Community & High Definition Resource > General Chit Chat > Cables & Connections > home theater hookup question-help please! PDA home theater hookup question-help please! tim24740 08-19-2009, 08:23 AM Hello: I have a Panasonic SC-PT960 home theater system with a 5 disc built-in dvd player. . It has one optical in port and a HDMI port.My HDTV is an Emerson 32" that has 1 HDMI port and 1 digital coaxial out port. My cable box is a Scientific Atlanta 3100 that has 1 digital coaxial out port. It has no HDMI ports. I want to insure that when I watch tv, the sound will come through the home theater speakers. Can you please tell me the BEST way to connect these three items together. I have tried researching this on the net, but have read conflicting hookup explanations. I have ordered a digital coaxial to optical converter to compensate for the fact that one component is optical and the other 2 are coaxial . I have the required cables to make the connections but am not sure how to connect them the best way. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks for your advice! ckone180 08-19-2009, 09:04 AM Hello: I have a Panasonic SC-PT960 home theater system with a 5 disc built-in dvd player. . It has one optical in port and a HDMI port.My HDTV is an Emerson 32" that has 1 HDMI port and 1 digital coaxial out port. My cable box is a Scientific Atlanta 3100 that has 1 digital coaxial out port. It has no HDMI ports. I want to insure that when I watch tv, the sound will come through the home theater speakers. Can you please tell me the BEST way to connect these three items together. I have tried researching this on the net, but have read conflicting hookup explanations. I have ordered a digital coaxial to optical converter to compensate for the fact that one component is optical and the other 2 are coaxial . I have the required cables to make the connections but am not sure how to connect them the best way. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks for your advice! Leave the cable box connected as it is currently, but install an optical cable between the output and into the input of the HT(home theater.) Connect the HDMI out of the HT to the input of the TV. When you play the DVDs, it will automatically play through the HT speakers. Now when the cable box is on, set the HT to the optical input(sometimes labeled as AUX or Digital Input) so that your TV viewing will play through the HT speakers. You will need to turn the volume down on your TV. This allows you to play either audio from cable box via TV or HT. If your cable box only has digital coax output, then you can have your cable company upgrade your box, usually free. Connecting this way should allow you to return the converter that you have purchased, and get you a more updated box. I am not familar with the SA 3100, but all the TWC boxes in my area offer optical out, and the model numbers are in the 8000s series. I also don't know if your box is HD, so that may account for the difference in numbers and optical output. I hoped I have helped you. Good luck, and enjoy!