HTS820: How To Set Up Rockville 5.1 Channel Home Theater System

Introduction

The Rockville HTS 820 is a 5.1-channel home theater system designed for immersive sound experiences. This guide will walk you through everything included in the package, speaker placement, wiring connections, input sources, and additional features like Bluetooth pairing, gaming setup, and karaoke functionality.

What’s Included in the Box?

• Subwoofer (Main Hub) – Controls all inputs, outputs, and volume.
• Center Speaker – For clear dialogue and front sound placement.
• Front Left & Front Right Speakers – Primary stereo sound sources.
• Surround Left & Surround Right Speakers – For immersive surround sound.
• Speaker Mounting Hardware – For wall mounting speakers.
• RCA Cable & RCA to 3.5mm Adapter – For auxiliary audio connections.
• FM Antenna Wire – Enables FM radio reception.
• Wireless Remote Control – Adjust settings from a distance.

Step 1: Speaker Placement and Mounting

Proper speaker placement ensures the best audio experience. Here’s how to arrange your speakers:

Front Setup

• Center Speaker: Place directly in front of your TV (either on a stand, shelf, or wall-mounted).
• Front Left & Right Speakers: Place on either side of the TV at ear level, angled slightly towards the seating area.

Surround Speakers Setup

• Surround Left & Right Speakers: Position behind or to the sides of your seating area, 1-2 feet above ear level for optimal surround sound.

Subwoofer Placement

• Can be placed near the TV, on either side.
• For enhanced bass, place next to your couch to feel the low-end frequencies more effectively.

Wall Mounting Speakers (Optional)

• Use the included mounting plates and screws.
• The center speaker requires two mounting plates, while all other speakers require one each.
• Attach the plates to the back of each speaker, then mount them onto screws inserted into the wall.

Step 2: Connecting the Speakers to the Subwoofer

Each speaker has labeling (CEN, FL, FR, SR, SL) that matches the Audio Output Section on the back of the subwoofer.

1. Match each speaker label to its corresponding output port on the subwoofer.
2. Plug the speaker wires into their respective ports:
   • Center Speaker → CEN output
   • Front Right Speaker → FR output
   • Front Left Speaker → FL output
   • Surround Right Speaker → SR output
   • Surround Left Speaker → SL output
3. Ensure all connections are secure before proceeding.

Step 3: Connecting External Devices

Connecting a TV (HDMI ARC or Optical Cable)

• HDMI ARC Setup (Recommended for Best Audio Quality)
  1. Locate the HDMI ARC output on your TV.
  2. Connect an HDMI cable from your TV’s HDMI ARC output to the HTS 820’s HDMI input.
  3. Go to TV sound settings → Select HDMI ARC as the audio output.
  4. Set the audio format to PCM for the best sound quality.
  5. Press the Master Volume knob on the HTS 820 until the display reads "ARC".
• Optical Cable Setup (Alternative Connection)
  1. Connect an optical cable from your TV’s optical output to the HTS 820’s optical input.
  2. Go to TV sound settings → Select Optical Audio Output.
  3. Set the audio format to PCM.
  4. Press the Master Volume knob on the HTS 820 until the display reads "Optical".

Connecting a Gaming Console

1. Connect HDMI cable from your gaming console to your TV for video.
2. Connect an Optical cable from your gaming console to the HTS 820 for high-quality audio.
3. Change your gaming console’s audio settings:
   • Set audio output to Optical.
   • Change the audio format to PCM.
4. Select "Optical" as the input source on the HTS 820.

Playing Music via Bluetooth

1. Press the Master Volume knob until the display reads "Bluetooth".
2. Enable Bluetooth on your phone or tablet and search for "HTS 820".
3. Select the device to pair.
4. Use the HTS 820 volume knob, remote, or phone controls to adjust the volume.

Step 4: Sound Mode Settings (5.1 vs. 2.1 Mode)

• 5.1 Mode (Surround Sound): Best for movies, gaming, and immersive audio.
• 2.1 Mode (Stereo Mode): Best for regular TV watching or music playback.

To switch modes, use the 5.1/2.1 switch on the back of the subwoofer or the remote control.

Step 5: Using the Karaoke Feature

The HTS 820 includes two 1/4-inch microphone inputs for a karaoke setup.

1. Use a Female XLR-to-1/4-inch cable to connect a microphone to Mic 1 or Mic 2 input on the subwoofer.
2. Adjust microphone volume using the remote (Mic+/- buttons).
3. Add Echo Effect for vocals using the Echo+/- buttons.
4. If using a Smart TV, search for karaoke songs on YouTube for lyrics display.

Step 6: Using the Remote Control

The included remote control allows you to:

• Turn system on/off (Standby mode).
• Switch between input sources (HDMI ARC, Optical, Bluetooth, etc.).
• Adjust master volume and individual speaker levels.
• Control music playback (Play/Pause, Skip, Repeat).
• Tune FM Radio and save stations.
• Enable sleep timer for automatic shutdown.

Conclusion

The Rockville HTS 820 is easy to set up and offers a rich, immersive audio experience whether you’re watching movies, gaming, playing music, or hosting a karaoke night. Follow these steps to optimize your home theater setup and enjoy the best sound quality possible.