HTS56: How To Connect Home Theater System With TV Using Optical

Introduction

Setting up your Rockville HDS56 5.1 Home Theater System (or any home theater system with an optical input) with your TV via optical connection is straightforward, but you may need to adjust some settings for it to work properly. This guide will cover connecting your system, adjusting TV settings, and troubleshooting if there’s no sound.

What You Need

• A home theater system with an optical input (e.g., Rockville HDS56)
• A TV with an optical output (from 2008 or newer)
• An optical cable
• The home theater system remote (if applicable)

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. Check Your TV’s Optical Output Compatibility

Before setting up, confirm that your TV supports optical audio output:

• If your TV is from 2007 or earlier, the optical port may not support audio output.
• If your TV is from 2008 or newer, it likely supports optical audio out, but you need to check the TV’s settings.

How to check: Look at your TV’s specifications or settings menu under Audio Output Options.

2. Connect the Optical Cable

1. Locate the Optical Output on Your TV.
   • Look for a port labeled "Optical Audio Out" or "Digital Audio Out (Optical)".
2. Plug one end of the optical cable into the TV's optical output.
   • When correctly plugged in, you should see a red light at the opposite end of the cable.
3. Plug the other end of the optical cable into the optical input of your home theater system.
   • On the Rockville HDS56, this is labeled "Optical Audio Input."
4. Ensure the connection is firm—optical cables click into place.

Important: Some TVs have optical input for receiving audio instead of outputting it. Make sure you're using the Optical Out port.

3. Set Your Home Theater System to Optical Mode

1. Turn on the home theater system.
2. Switch the input to Optical Mode:
   • Using the remote: Press the Input button until you see "OPT".
   • Using the control panel: Press the center jog wheel until you select Optical Mode.

4. Change Your TV’s Audio Settings

Most TVs require manual changes to ensure they send audio through the optical output instead of the built-in speakers.

1. Go to your TV’s Menu.
2. Navigate to "Audio" or "Sound Settings."
3. Find "Audio Output" and change it from "TV Speakers" to "Optical Audio Out" or "External Speakers."
4. Select PCM or Bitstream Output Mode:
   • PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) – Outputs a stereo signal (2.0) to your home theater system.
   • Bitstream – Outputs Dolby Digital or 5.1 surround sound, depending on the content.

5. Choosing PCM vs. Bitstream for Best Audio Quality

• PCM Mode (Recommended for most content)
  • Best for stereo audio.
  • Used when content is mixed in stereo (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, etc.).
• Bitstream Mode (For surround sound formats like Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Required for 5.1 surround sound formats.
  • Used for Dolby Atmos, Blu-ray movies, and some TV shows.

Tip: If you're not hearing sound, switch between PCM and Bitstream in your TV’s settings.

Troubleshooting: No Sound from the Home Theater System

If you’ve connected everything but no sound is coming from your speakers, try these fixes:

1. Check the Optical Connection

Ensure the optical cable is securely plugged into both the TV and home theater system. Check if you see a red light at the end of the optical cable (this means the signal is transmitting).

2. Verify TV Audio Settings

Make sure "TV Speakers" are turned OFF in the Audio Output Settings. Ensure the audio output is set to "Optical Audio Out" or "External Speakers."Try switching between PCM and Bitstream settings.

3. Set Home Theater System to Optical Mode

Check if the home theater system is in "OPT" (Optical Mode).

4. Restart Your Devices

Turn off and unplug both the TV and the home theater system for 1 minute, then restart.

Conclusion

Setting up your Rockville HDS56 5.1 Home Theater System (or any home theater system with an optical input) is simple when following these steps:

1. Connect the optical cable from TV to Home Theater System.
2. Switch the home theater system to Optical Mode ("OPT").
3. Adjust the TV’s Audio Output Settings (set to Optical Out, PCM, or Bitstream).

Troubleshoot if necessary (check cables, restart devices, or change settings).