How to Install a Receiver-Based Home Theater System

Before you can enjoy your home theater, you need to install it. Installations are tricky because there are a wealth of options on how to do it. This article will give you some ideas and insights into how to correctly install your receiver-based home theater system.

Things You'll Need

• home theater system
• receiver

Instructions

1. Analyze the room where your home theater will be located. Plan out where the wires will lay, which way the television will face, and how much space you actually have. Be sure electric outlets are nearby.

2. Remove all components from the box. Save the packing materials in case you have to return anything.

3. Lay out the RCA wires and speaker wires before you start setting up, and purchase more if necessary. There is nothing worse than starting installation on your home theater and finding out you don't have enough wires to get the job done.

4. Connect the VCR or DVD player to your receiver. Make sure to plug the color-corresponding wires into the "in" slots on the receiver, and the "out" slots from the VCR or DVD player.

5. Now connect your CD player or other audio components into the receiver. It will have labels on the rear, corresponding to the audio components.

6. Connect your television or projector to the receiver. Once again, you will need to use the red, white and yellow RCA cables to complete this step. Connect your TV's "audio out" to the home theatre receiver's "TV" or "Aux" input. The RCA cables will redirect your television's sound output through the receiver.

7. Set up all of your speakers. The center speaker should be right above your television, the left and right speakers to the side, the subwoofer below, and the surround speakers installed on the back wall.

8. Test your home theater using a new movie. Adjust settings and placement to meet your needs.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead. Thinking about where things need to go now will save you a lot of time later.

• Make sure your circuits can handle the increased power usage. A blackout every time you turn on your receiver isn't worth it.

• Don't face your TV toward a window. Excess light will greatly hinder your viewing experience.

• The amplifier will connect directly to the subwoofer using positive and negative polarity speaker wires.

• Read the manual before installation.

• Do not plug components into a receiver that is powered on. You could get shocked.