Can anyone tell me what type of cable I need to get surround sound to come from the t.v.?

Question

I have my tv connected up to surrond sound through speakers. i read in a blu-ray manual where surround sound comes through the t.v.

Answer 1

Sorry to do this ... but the answer will take a bit to explain.

Surround sound can be obtained using several different types of connections: HDMI, digital coaxial and optical. You CAN'T get digital surround from RCA analog (mono or stereo) though (Although you can get a pseudo form of surround (via Dolby ProLogic decoding) from analog stereo) Furthermore, the original program has to support 5.1 sound to get surround ... and not all programs do.

That said, there are lots of variations in equipment and you need to consider what and how you have things connected now. First, consider where the source of the sound is. For example, if it is a TV program the sound is originating at the TV if the TV is tuning the input signal (e.g. from an antenna or cable connected directly to the TV), BUT not if the tuning is done by a cablebox or satellite receiver. In the latter case, the sound is available from an outlet jack on the cablebox or sat receiver (NOT the TV).

Second, not all TVs have audio output jacks and even if they do it might not be a surround sound compatible type. For example, a red/white pair of RCA jacks means stereo analog sound ... and this can't generate true surround sound. On the other hand if there is a single orange coloured RCA audio output jack  (or optical jack or an HDMI output) this is a digital audio output and can deliver a signal to a dolby decoder equipped A/V receiver that can be amplified as surround sound.

If you have a DVD  or Blu-ray player as a source (or cablebox or satellite receiver), it is normal to wire each source device to a Home theatre receiver. This way the sound goes direct from the  source to the receiver (and is selected using the input switch on the HT receiver), and video goes either direct to the TV or through the receiver and then on to the TV.

So ... bottom line ... if the TV is the source of the sound, look for a digital coax, optical or HDMI audio out on the back of the TV (you may have to make a setting in the TV menu to activate the output(s)) and connect to your home theatre/receiver >>> 5.1 surround sound.  If the TV is fed from a cablebox or satellite receiver look for a HDMI, optical or digital coax output and connect with an HDMI, digital coax or optical cable, respectively, to the appropriate input of your HT receiver.