| Home theater wiring can be one of the most difficult | | | | this connection type and so it can be a useful addition |
| things about putting together a home theater system. | | | | to the types of connections a TV has. |
| You've spent all that time researching the HDTV, the | | | | 7. Optical Audio |
| amplifier and the speakers - and then even more time | | | | A method of sending digital audio signals between |
| finding the best place to buy it all from. However, your | | | | devices. You can use this for sending 5.1 surround |
| problems can really start when you get everything | | | | sound as well as stereo audio. |
| home and unpack all the boxes.....now what? Unless | | | | 8. Coaxial Audio |
| you're quite experienced with all the connections and | | | | Similar to the optical version above. It is another way |
| cables that come with your equipment it can be quite | | | | of sending stereo and surround sound digital audio |
| a difficult task to put everything together. | | | | signals. |
| Let us take a look at the major connection and cable | | | | 9. Stereo Audio |
| types you will come across and briefly describe what | | | | The red and white RCA connections that give you a |
| they are for. | | | | basic method of connecting the audio from your |
| 1. HDMI | | | | devices. |
| The standard method for connecting new audio visual | | | | 10. Speaker cable/Speaker Wire |
| devices. This can send the audio and video signals | | | | Different to the connection types already mentioned, |
| between your equipment. | | | | but an important part of your home theater wiring. This |
| 2. DVI | | | | connection sends the audio from the amplifier to the |
| A digital connection for sending video signals. Less | | | | speakers. This type of cable usually consists of two |
| common on HDTVs but quite common on projectors | | | | separate wires to carry the audio signal to each |
| and PCs. | | | | speaker. |
| 3. Component | | | | So that's quite a long list. It's no wonder it can get |
| This connection type sends analog video signals | | | | confusing when it comes to wiring together our home |
| between devices. You will recognise this by the red, | | | | theater system. |
| green and blue RCA connectors on the back of your | | | | The main thing to remember is that although there are |
| device. | | | | many types of connections available to you - you |
| 4. S-Video | | | | aren't expected to use them all at the same time! |
| An connection for sending analog video signals - but | | | | The thing you need to do is to look at the connections |
| doesn't have the quality of a component connection. | | | | you have available on your equipment, and then decide |
| 5. Composite | | | | which are the best ones for you to use. All the |
| Another analog connection for video signals. | | | | connection types you have on your equipment are just |
| Compared to the others it provides the most basic | | | | there to give people plenty of options when they |
| video quality, but is still widely used as it is easy to set | | | | connect their devices - or to allow you to connect |
| up. | | | | more than one device at the same time. |
| 6. VGA | | | | In most cases, you just won't need many of the |
| You may find this input on the back of your TV for | | | | connections that your equipment comes with. |
| connecting a PC or notebook. Many computers have | | | | |