• Around The HomeToggle Menu

    • Entertainment
    • Productivity
    • Smart Home
  • FamilyToggle Menu

    • Parenting
    • Toys
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • Product ReviewsToggle Menu

    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Desktops
    • Wearables
    • Audio
    • Cameras
    • Headphones
    • Printers
    • Smart Home
    • TVs
    • Gaming and Video
  • One Cool ThingToggle Menu

    • Frugal Tech
    • Kickstarters
    • Videos
Techwalla
  1. Home
  2. Around The Home
  3. Entertainment
  4. How to Hook Up a Receiver to My DirecTV

How to Hook Up a Receiver to My DirecTV

March 31, 2015
By: Techwalla Editor
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

In order to watch DirecTV programming in stereo or surround sound, you'll want to connect to your stereo or home theater receiver. The connection is simple, but you'll need to decide what type of system (surround or stereo) that you intend to have before you connect any components.

Video of the Day

...

Step

Check the DirecTV receiver. This is where it pays to know what type of sound that you're looking for. If you intend to use a surround sound system, with true surround sound, you'll need a digital connection. More advanced DirecTV receivers and HD models will have either a coaxial digital connection, an HDMI connection, an optical connection or a combination of these. All these connections will support surround sound. If you only have an analog connection (red and white jacks), you will not be able to get true surround sound. You can still use surround speakers, but you won't get five distinct channels of sound, but rather a blending of two channels.

Step

Check your stereo receiver. Make sure that the input connection on your stereo matches the output of the DirecTV receiver. All stereo receivers will have analog inputs, but you might not have an available digital input or you might have an input that differs from your DirecTV output. Ensure that you have a matching connection and buy the appropriate cable. Note that optical/coaxial converters are available to match separate connections.

Step

Connect the components. With the correct cable (RCA, coaxial, optical, HDMI) connect the audio output on your DirecTV receiver to the audio input on your receiver. Use input terminals labeled "Cable" or "Video" when available to keep it simple. HDMI carries both audio and video, so if you connect using HDMI, you'll need to connect the video on your television using a seperate HDMI cable from your stereo receiver HDMI output. Otherwise, you don't need to run video through your receiver and can connect directly to your TV using component video, S-video or composite video connection.

Step

Turn your DirecTV, stereo receiver and TV on. Switch the receiver to the input that you used to connect the DirecTV and you should now get audio from your DirecTV on your stereo or home theater system.

Show Comments

Related Articles

17 Things Parents Should Know About Roblox, Your Kid's New Obsession

17 Things Parents Should Know About Roblox, Your Kid's New Obsession

Family
Toys
By: Jason Cipriani
The Best Wireless Gaming Headphones (So You Can Game Quietly)

The Best Wireless Gaming Headphones (So You Can Game Quietly)

Family
Toys
By: David Isaac
How to Set Up a Yamaha Surround Sound System

How to Set Up a Yamaha Surround Sound System

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: David Lipscomb
How to Transfer DVR Recordings Onto a Computer

How to Transfer DVR Recordings Onto a Computer

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: Scott Shpak
How to Convert a Home Theatre to Wireless

How to Convert a Home Theatre to Wireless

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: Joshua Smyth
Difference Between a Crop, Pillarbox & Stretch on an HD DirecTV

Difference Between a Crop, Pillarbox & Stretch on an HD DirecTV

Around The Home
Entertainment
By: William Pippin
  • HOW WE SCORE
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COPYRIGHT POLICY
  • Advertise

An error occurred. Try again later.

Thanks for signing up!
© 2018 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get great tech advice delivered to your inbox.

Keep your family productive, connected, entertained, and safe.

Please enter a valid email.