Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with hometheater and wiring

How can I use my TV speakers as the center channel on my receiver?

odinsdream — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:02:13 -0800

How can I use the speakers in my TV as the "center" speaker on my receiver? I have a receiver hooked up to four normal speakers. I'd like to use the speakers in my TV as the center speaker.

My TV has audio inputs for each set of video inputs. These are normal RCA red-white connectors.

Is there some way to connect powered speaker wires to these without breaking the TV? My first thought was to open the TV and disconnect the speakers from the internal wiring and substitute my own. I'd prefer not to do this since the TV is new and still under warranty.

The other problem would be that the TV has two internal speakers, left and right, which I want to treat as one.

Any thoughts?

DIY Balanced Audio Cable-O-Rama

Skorgu — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:36:34 -0800

What's the best balanced audio wiring stuff, and where do I get it all? I'm wiring up some speakers. I want to build custom audio cables (and eventually in-wall conduit and fancy faceplates) that will run under a drop ceiling to the speakers. The total run is ~25'. I'll be running balanced audio cable from a line-level converter to the balanced ins of my speakers, so I need balanced wiring. I'm not afraid of a soldering iron or of spending money, as long as I get what I pay for. I don't need any new devices, mixers, or converters, just the cable.

I'd like to eventually use Neutrik combo connectors on the wall plates, but for now is there an advantage to 1/4" TRS over XLR connectors? I've heard that certain brands of cable and connector work better together than others. Is there any truth to this, and if so, what brands/combinations do you recommend? What about shielded cable? Grounding the XLR sheath? Can I run audio cable alongside ethernet cable in one conduit?

Finally, if anyone has any horror/success stories about this sort of thing (including where you got good prices!), please share!

How do I get a DVD playing on two screens?

bigcheesegump — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:04:02 -0800

How do I have one DVD player go to two TV's? I am looking to configure a way to have one DVD player send it's image to two TV's. I have looked at Best Buy and other electronics stores for some information or products with no luck. The two TV's are standard non-HD capable TV's with only one antenna output and one set of component jacks a piece. The closest example I can think of is at electronic stores, they have walls of TV's playing the same thing. Is there a basic way to do this or is it so complicated/expensive it's not even worth it?

Help me utilize my home theater.

CwgrlUp — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:22:52 -0800

How can I wire my home theater correctly? I've had a home theater for years now and it's never been wired right. So as of this moment it's a big ass radio that takes up a lot of space. I'm using RCA cables and coax. I have the tv, home theater, Directv dvr, vcr and dvd player. Suggestions to help me hook all this stuff together and make it play nice?