Component Setup

So now you have a DVD player, a 50 inch Plasma TV and a couple of loudspeakers, but the only problem you have is installing them. This is a common dilemma guys encounter when they purchase separate components for home theater rather than the all-in-one component package. Packaged components usually come with a user’s manual that covers comprehensive installation procedures for entire system, a luxury that separate components typically don’t have. So there is a lot of guesswork, a one thing guys like me truly hate.

But the only thing is that I cannot see myself purchasing a packaged home theater component system any time soon. That is because it doesn’t give me variety of my choice separate components feature. And judging from the amount of traffic help sections get, it’s safe to say that a good majority of the population do it like mine. So let me help you then.

Setting up a home theater system has several phases. One is the placement of the components, next is the component setup, and last is the SPL calibration. In here I will be covering on what you should do with the basic components and delve a bit on the other details like speaker placements. For more detailed rundown, I suggest you read my article for Speaker Placements.

So let’s start.

In a home theater system, there’s the input and the output. For the input we have several: the video audio component CD players: VCD, DVD, HD DVD or the Blu-ray, the internet and if available the video game consoles like the Xbox 360 or the PS3. Since there’s more than one variable, let’s stick to the basic to make our component setup simple, and hopefully you can adjust parameters according to what you have. Our sample video audio component stand has a DVD player, a receiver, a HDTV, and the surround sound speakers. So the diagram should be: from the DVD to the Receiver, and then signal branches to two paths, video leading to the HDTV and audio to the speakers. The DVD player connects to the receiver using an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable. The receiver feeds video to the HDTV also using an HDMI cable, and feeds audio to the surround speakers using standard speaker wires. You don’t have to worry blundering HDMI connections, just look for its equivalent socket on the back panel of your receiver. The speaker wires are analog, and easy to install. On typical speakers, there is usually a binding post or a spring clip terminals where you can attach the speaker wires.

By the way, you can also use standard A/V cables to connect the receiver to your television in case the HDMI can’t work for you, or you have an older TV. A/V cables are color coded to match the ports. Furthermore, cable ports are labeled to also make life easier. The only bite is that each component brand name has different designs making it impossible for me to point out which sockets to choose. Just tweak around until you arrive at the right socket.

If you have several HDMI source components, like for instance you have a cable or satellite box, a Playstation 3, and a Blu-ray Player, you can save cables by purchasing a component audio video switcher. You can hook all these to the switcher and hook the switcher to your receiver. If you have a Home Theater PC, this is directly plugged to your receiver using coaxial cables.

My last suggestion is always read the manual. I couldn’t stress enough the importance of manuals in component setup. I know manuals are boring as dead and as cryptic as a java code. But you can never overlook the important hints you might learn just by scanning the book.