How to connect a home theater to a computer

The computer has become such an integral part of our daily life that it has replaced many other technologies. However, highly specialized devices have great advantages, and still remain in demand. For example, a home theater is ideal for watching movies. At the same time, the capabilities of both types of technology can be expanded by switching. To do this, you just need to know how to connect a home theater to a computer, and do it right.

Connection options

Connecting a home theater to a computer or laptop is not too complicated. This can be done in several ways. The connection option is selected based on the configuration, as well as what the equipment is mainly planned to be used for.

Most often, the computer plays a role image and sound source. In this case, the speakers themselves and the TV are connected to it.

The second way to use is sync computer with home theater. Both methods have slight differences in connection.

How to make a TV output connection

In order for the sound to be connected through the cinema speaker system, an amplifier is required. Usually other types of electronics can be used in this capacity — for example, a DVD player that comes with most models. Often the player can be installed directly into a theater speaker or subwoofer. In this case, the connection procedure will look like this.

1. If the DVD player has RCA connectors, then pairing is done through «tulips». However, computers and laptops only have 3.5mm jacks, so you’ll also need adapters.
2. A 3.5 mm plug (miniJack) is connected to the output on the computer’s motherboard or sound card.
3. Tulips are inserted into the audio inputs of a DVD player or amplifier that is being used instead. Most often they are denoted by the words audio in, aux in. It depends on the device model. Accordingly, the home theater is connected to the amplifier through the same connectors.
4. After that, the video signal is configured — it must be transmitted from the computer to the TV screen. It is best to use an HDMI cable for this. Of course, you can try other options, but this will keep the image quality as close to the original as possible. Other connection methods are recommended if your computer and TV do not have HDMI ports. In this case, you can use VGA, DVI.
5. Often a situation occurs when the ports on the paired devices do not match. In this case, you will have to additionally purchase adapters for the cable. It is very simple to do this — they are sold in all specialized stores. The main thing is to decide in advance which adapters will be required, and how many pieces they need.
6. When all cables fit, you can start the synchronization process. To do this, simply connect the TV and the computer with a wire. After that, you can turn on the devices and check the signal quality.

How to connect to a sound card with surround sound output

For such a connection, the user will need equipment.

1. Home theater (audio system version 5.1 or higher). It consists of a subwoofer, two side speakers, two rear speakers and one main speaker.
2. Sound card (the model must have 5.1 support).
3. Three tulip cables, red and white (3.5 mm).
4. Computer or laptop with Windows operating system.

Now that everything is in place, the connection process can begin. It consists in pairing the following channels: front, rear, center and subwoofer. They are connected to the sound card connectors as follows.

1. Connect the front speaker cables to the green jack.
2. The tulips coming from the rear speakers are inserted into the black sound card inputs.
3. From the subwoofer and center speaker cables go to the orange jack.

When connecting, remember an important detail. Paired tulips must be connected exactly to the section called Audio Input. The fact is that Output is needed only for single wires that connect the speakers themselves to the TV. If everything is done correctly, the user will be able to hear full surround sound.

After that, you need to go to the control panel on your computer. There you need to go to the tabs in the «Equipment», then — «Sound» — «Speakers». Now you can click on «5.1 Surround Sound» and choose to agree to the connection.

Each user should be aware that the multi-channel sound when watching movies or clips should be redistributed to all speakers only if the video itself is designed for this. Otherwise, the sound will be in stereo.

As a rule, new home theater speakers are equipped with all the necessary cables, however, in some cases, you will need to purchase them additionally.

LAN connection

Modern home theater models very often have the ability to connect to a home local network. In this case, there is a great option for their collaboration: the media center will work for its intended purpose — to watch movies. On a computer, you can open general access to a folder with movies, series and music and play them through your home theater.

The connection can be both wired and wireless, the functionality does not change from this.

It is more convenient, of course, to use the network WiFi. The connection settings will depend on the settings of your router. It is enough to set the correct parameters, enter a password if necessary and enjoy your favorite movies. If desired, you can make a home mini-server, which will store all multimedia content in the public domain. It will be possible to watch and listen to it from a home theater, from all home computers, mobile devices.

This connection option has many advantages:

1. Home theater is used for its intended purpose.
2. You can watch movies downloaded from the Internet to your computer and stored in your home movie library.
3. You can use the unique features of the cinema, such as karaoke, connecting a microphone.

Of the minuses, one can only single out the inability to watch videos directly on a computer using the capabilities of a home theater.

Combining all options

Many home theaters allow you to connect a computer in more than one way, and sometimes all at once. This allows you not to think about choosing a connection option: feel free to use all possible ones. Nuance: the meaning of the connection will only be if the PC and the TV are in the same room and preferably nearby, then the location of the speakers will be correct. However, if your video system allows you to connect to a local network, then there will simply be no need to connect it as an amplifier.