How to Hook Up a DirecTV Receiver to My Home Theater Surround System

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Watching a movie or your favorite television shows on DirecTV not only gives you a great picture, but it also gives you digital audio with surround sound options such as Dolby digital and DTS that make the sound as important as the picture. To take full advantage of the digital audio quality, you will want to hook up the DirecTV receiver to your home theater system. Doing this will allow you to enjoy the total experience of DirecTV's digital technology.

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Using an RCA Audio Cable

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Step 1

Locate the red and white connections on the back of your DirecTV receiver that is marked "Output."

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Step 2

Plug the red plug on the RCA cable into the red connection on the back of your receiver, then plug the white plug on the RCA cable into the white connection.

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Step 3

Locate a red and white input on the back of your home theater receiver.

Step 4

Plug the other end of the RCA cable into the "Input" on the back of your home theater receiver. Match the color of the plugs with the color of the input.

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Using an Optical Audio Cable

Step 1

Locate the optical output on the back of your DirecTV receiver. It will be marked "Digital Audio Output." (Not all DirecTV receivers have the optical output; if your receiver doesn't, connect using an RCA cable.)

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Step 2

Slide the plug on the end of the optical cable into the optical output on the back of the receiver. The plug will only fit one way, so don't force it in.

Step 3

Locate the optical audio input on the back of your home theater receiver. The input will have a red light in the middle of the connection and will be marked "Input."

Step 4

Slide the end of the optical cable into the optical audio input. Remember not to force it.

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