Audio Systems: home theater, audio video receiver, bose speakers

Question
I have an Akai big screen tv, a dvd player, a cable digital converter box and a Sherwood audio video receiver.  I also have 4 Bose speakers and a subwoofer with the speakers.  I can't seem to get surround sound from the speakers.  With trying to hook up the dvd player, cable box I must be doing something wrong.  Can you perhaps tell me which way is the best way to hook up these devices?  I also use component wiring.  I am not sure whether to run the dvd player through the converter box or the receiver or what.   thanks for your help.

Answer
Dear Steven,

What kind of connection are you using for the "audio out" from your DVD player? S-video and composite video connections are video only; neither carries the audio signal. So, you have to connect the audio separately.

If you've done that, then make sure that the audio from the DVD player is connected to the corresponding video output from your receiver. Most receivers are preprogrammed for certain audio outputs to be mated with certain video outputs. If you've connected your audio output to something other than the factory preset, then you have to use the receiver's programming menu to tell the receiver that you want this audio instead of that audio to go with your DVD player.

Finally, you need to make sure that you've selected the proper audio and video channels when you finally decide to play back a DVD. You can make all the right connections, but unless you "push the right button", you won't get any sound.

Good luck. And thanks for choosing allexperts.com!

Kindest regards,

Kevin