How Can I listen to cable tv in 5.1?

[Erman_94]

I have the following:

Scientific Atlanta: Explorer 3250HD Cable Box
Pioneer 1018 Receiver
Polk Audio 5.0 setup

I'm assuming there is a certain cable I need to hook up from the cable box to the receiver...what cable is this? Currently, I am running a DVI-HDMI connection and would still prefer to run my video in this manner.

Also, I currently don't own a subwoofer...so would the 5.1 programs just play on 5 channels like BD/DVD until I get my sub?

Any help is appreciated...thanks

[neos_peace]

does the cable box have an optical or hdmi or similar output?

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by neos_peace

does the cable box have an optical or hdmi or similar output?

It might also have a digital out. That's what I use (cable out from digital out on cable box, into receiver), and I get the benefit of 5.1.

You'll need to go into the setup for your cable box and change "audio out" to "Dolby Digital."

EDIT: Just checked your inputs on your model cable box. You have both an Optical Audio Out and a Digital Audio Out. Mine does, too, but I use the latter because you can use any old RCA cord to do your connection (some might argue it's not as high quality as a Monster Cable, but who cares).

[bda4life]

With your cable set top box, you can achieve 5.1 surround sound (Dolby Digital) via an optical or coaxial cable. See the link I found from Googling your receiver model.

http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/su...op_3250HD.html

Which connection you use will depend on which input your receiver has. If the receiver has both inputs, it does not matter if you use optical or coaxial.

By the way, if you need to buy the cable, stay away from Mon$ter and Best Buy. Buy your cables from an online seller like Monoprice, Blue Jeans Cable or Amazon. An optical cable should not cost you more than $10.00 (and that may be too high).

Good luck and enjoy the surround sound.

[Erman_94]

Thanks for the replies guys. So, depending on which out i want to use, is this right...?

optical audio out = optical cable
digital audio out = coaxial cable


does that sound right? or no? im a bit of an audio noob so bear with me

i do know to stay away from monster, but its nice to know people still keep others informed. i usually buy from monoprice.

[Another_Dude]

That's right, just make sure you go into your cable box's menu and make sure that the audio output is correct as was mentioned above.

[Chordata]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

Thanks for the replies guys. So, depending on which out i want to use, is this right...?

optical audio out = optical cable
digital audio out = coaxial cable


does that sound right? or no? im a bit of an audio noob so bear with me

i do know to stay away from monster, but its nice to know people still keep others informed. i usually buy from monoprice.

Use an RCA cable (red, yellow, white corded; or just a single cord) for Digital Audio Out. If you use the 3-corded RCA, just make sure to use the same colors on both ends. Then you can let the other 2 colors just dangle.

Don't forget to change the settings in your Cable Box!

[Erman_94]

Originally Posted by Another_Dude

That's right, just make sure you go into your cable box's menu and make sure that the audio output is correct as was mentioned above.

thanks

also, i will still use my hdmi-dvi connection for video correct?

finally, since my receiver and cable box can both accept either a coaxial or optical cable...is there one that is better than the other for any particular reason? (be it audio quality, price, versatility etc)

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

thanks

also, i will still use my hdmi-dvi connection for video correct?

finally, since my receiver and cable box can both accept either a coaxial or optical cable...is there one that is better than the other for any particular reason? (be it audio quality, price, versatility etc)

There's probably a technically correct answer to your question, but given the same conditions as you (and actually, I am under the same conditions with my DVD recorder and its connectivity with my receiver), I would use a fiber optic cable with your cable box's and receiver's connections. Something about RCA/coaxial cables bug me and I avoid them if I can.

That said, you can't go wrong either way, and the opinion expressed above is simply my preference.

[Erman_94]

thanks for the reply brettallica, always good to get insight on preference.


can anyone else offer some insight on to which may or may not be better in terms of their performance or is it just a preference issue?

[Erman_94]

any other opinions guys?

[DeadDog]

From my understanding both Optical and Coaxial cables carry digital audio signals. It really shouldn't make a difference at all. In fact they're similar enough that a converter can be purchased if you ran into a problem of only having an optical output with a coaxial input (or vice-versa).

I'd say go with whichever is easier to hook up. If you already have an RCA/Coaxial cable laying around then I would say save a few bucks and use that. If for some reason you don't think it sounds good (but it should) then switch to optical. Either way you should have nice 5.1 audio from your cable box.

[dolphinc]

Aslo remember not all programs broadcast in 5.1 surround. If your watching a football game then you will hear it in 5.1 which sounds awesome by the way but if your watching a re-run of Gilligans Island then NO SS.

[RedHot]

Originally Posted by dolphinc

Aslo remember not all programs broadcast in 5.1 surround.

This is especially true for broadcasts on the local stations. The network may be broadcasting in 5.1, but if the local station is not equipted for it, you will just get 2.0 stereo. This is also true if the locals are picked up by the cable company.

[Chordata]

I just want to know if you tried the recommendations above yesterday and, if so, how you like it.

[Erman_94]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

I just want to know if you tried the recommendations above yesterday and, if so, how you like it.

havn't gotten around to buying a cable yet as i was waiting for suggestions on whether to get optical or coaxial.

will start looking around the house now for an old rca coaxial and will come back and let you guys know

thanks for the tips guys

[Chordata]

FWIW, I use an old RCA cable and it works fine.

I've never tried an optical cable though, mostly because I'm lazy and cheap. Two great attributes...

[Erman_94]

Originally Posted by O_V_N

FWIW, I use an old RCA cable and it works fine.

I've never tried an optical cable though, mostly because I'm lazy and cheap. Two great attributes...

when using an rca cable...what do i do? just connect the two white plugs?

sorry im very noob with this stuff

[Another_Dude]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

when using an rca cable...what do i do? just connect the two white plugs?

sorry im very noob with this stuff

Pick any color, as long as you're using the same color on both ends.

[dolphinc]

Plug the white cable into the flux capacitor.