Receiver Career Guide and Counseling

Question: How do I connect my new receiver to my old one to power my passive subwoofer? I bought a new Sony STR-DG720 receiver. I already have a HTIB, the Sony DAV-HDX275. The new receiver has an RCA out for a powered sub. The sub I have is passive. How do I wire up my new receiver to the old one to power my passive sub?

Answer: you could try this: Connect DG720 "subwoofer out" to DAV system via "TV/Video Audio In". Left or right input - doesn't matter. Set the DAV to the TV/Video input to hear the subwoofer signal. **NOTE the following issues: > The DAV system speakers are designed to work with the DAV amp and each other specifically. Chances are good that the subwoofer will underperform with other speakers connected to the DG720 (... oh please tell me you are not connecting the DAV speakers to the STRDG720... sigh..) > Don't forget to disconnect all other speakers from the DAV (except the subwoofer) > Use the DAV volume control to try and balance the subwoofer level with the other speakers (DG720) The STRDG720 is a great receiver. Please consider investing in a separate speaker system (5.1) for the STR. The DAV HTIB components work really well together, as they are designed to

Question: I need to connect a wireless receiver to my computer monitor to view video from my front door. How? I have a cheap camera and wireless receiver. I want to be able to see who is at my front door from my office so I don't have to keep running up and down all the time! The camera and receiver are battery run. What I need to know is how do I hook the receiver to my monitor and switch back and forth to view it? Thanks!

Answer: Does the receiver have a video in/out on the back? If so, GOOGLE it!

Question: How do I get my xm receiver and radio on the same frequency? I just bought a '99 Saturn SL2 with Pioneer XM receiver from a friend. I did something, and now the radio and receiver are not on the same frequency. I can't ask my friend (who's in Europe for a month), and I'd like to be able to use the radio. The XM tech person couldn't help since there is no "menu" button on the receiver. He said to ask my friend. Anyone have any ideas?

Answer: start from 88.5 and move up using the seek up until you hear the xm also put the xm radio in channel o good luck

Question: How do I access my stereo receiver inputs through my computer? I want to upload my personal VHS and DVD recordings to my computer. I have all necessary audio and video cables plugged into my computer from my stereo receiver via Dazzle. I do not know what computer program to use to access my stereo receiver. Is there anyone out there who might know? Thank you...

Answer: you probably need a better sound card to play that stuff

Question: What is a good home stereo receiver to get at a decent price? I am looking for a new receiver for my living room. I have a pretty basic sony str-de685 receiver now and looking for something a little better. I want some hdmi inputs, preferably 2 and have some decent sound. My front speakers are the JBL ND310 II, a JBL PB12 subwoofer, I have a bose center speaker and bose rear speakers. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Oh, my budget is something under $400. Thanks.

Answer: You don't just want HDMI inputs, you need to make sure the receiver is an HDMI switcher too. If it's pass-through all it will do is forward on your video. It won't process any audio sent via HDMI and you can't send decoded audio (PCM) any other way without reducing it to two channels. In my opinion the best HDMI-switching a/v receiver is the Onkyo TX-SR606. It's about $397 on Amazon (free shipping). That's what I've had for over a year now and I wouldn't want anything else. Yamaha makes a good HDMI switcher too if you're looking for other options, but I don't know the model number. http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR606-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B0015S8PGW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239818137&sr=8-1

Question: why did my receiver catch fire when i plugged my cable audio line in? plugged cable box audio lines into my receiver and the R channel caught fire at the connection point. have two power strips with surge protectors, at separate outlets, supporting various equipment. both strips were turned off at the time.

Answer: Without knowing your exact setup, my guess is that you must have shorted the R channel and the high current produced a lot of heat, hence the fire. Either the cable is faulty, or your receiver has a short. If you use a multimeter and do a continuity test, you should be able to tell who the culprit is (depending on how badly the receiver and cable have burned, of course.)

Question: Can you buy a wireless mouse receiver without having to buy a new wireless mouse? I have a Logitech wireless mouse and the receiver (USB plug in) is broken. Can I obtain a new receiver without having to buy a new wireless mouse? Thankyou.

Answer: I Have The Same Problem... I Plugged The Receiver Into The Front Of My Pc And I Dropped My Keyboard On The Receiver And Now I Have To Hold The Reviever Up AT Like 45°

Question: What is the best receiver for the os3 mirage floorstanding speakers? I am interested in buying the Mirage Os3 floorstanding speakers, Mirage Os3 center channel speaker and a pair of Mirage Os3 Satellites and the Mirage omni 10" 800 watt subwoofer. So i need help choosing the right receiver and if anybody can help i will surely appreciate it.

Answer: Here's 2 receiver for you to look at. 1. Onkyo TX-SR806 $999 it's a 7.1 with plenty of power for your needs, carried by Fry's electronic. 2. Pioneer Elite VSX-01TXH $849 7.1 at Best Buy. Home Theater Magazine has reviews for both system. I also have the Onkyo 806 and an older pioneer elite model 74 (due to be replaced by the SC-07). Most of my other gear are also pioneer elite (DVD, Blue Ray Disc, Laser Disc player, CD player/recorder). Pioneer also has good service support when you need it.

Question: How can an HD Receiver be connected to the sattelite by coaxial cables and still be HD? I am buying a Directv receiver and it is connected to the sattelite via coax. How does it produce a HD picture when it is connected to the sattelite through a coaxial cable?

Answer: The connection from your satellite to your set top box carries a digital signal. Coaxial cable is capable of carrying digital signals as well as analog video. The satellite sends out a stream of 1's and 0's. The satellite simply receives these digital signals and the coaxial cable carries them to your set top. Your set top converts the signal to video and then passes the HD signal to your television via a HDMI cable or RGB cable.

Question: How do I connect stereo speakers to receiver for TV audio? How can I connect basic stereo speakers to my receiver for TV audio? I have an older mitsubishi receiver. I have connected the speakers to the receiver and I've connected the TV to the receiver using input/output jacks using the video component jacks on the back of the receiver. I have the right component selected (Video/AUX) but I'm not getting sound from the speakers. What could be wrong? How do I fix it?

Answer: Alright ,Tom let's get down to it. An older Mitsubishi is always a great unit. It should always work for you, so it must be a cable, or switch setting problem on the "M". OK, first the speaker setting on the "M". Which speaker terminals did you go into with your speaker wires, "A" or "B"? Make sure the speaker terminals you went into in the back matches the speaker selection switch setting on front (A, B, Both, etc). OK, now, your older "M" will not have "video" inputs on the back, and you don't bring audio into video inputs. (read your question again) Look at your TV. You must come out of the "Audio Out" RCA terminals of your TV, and, in an older stereo, you go into "audio in", or into "tape in" or "tape monitor input". Then, if you go into the "tape in", or "tape monitor in" inputs from your TV, you must have the selector swich on your "M" set on "Tape", because your stereo will think your TV is a tape player. OK, something is wrong, but it's simple. Check out what I told you, re-plug your wires/cables, and if it still doesn't work, click on my avatar, go to my profile page, email me, and we will fix it, or else something else is broken (not likely). I'll be watching the question, it always "ticks me off" if a box of electronics tries to "kick my butt". Holler if you need me, Magyver.

Question: I already have a Receiver, how do I know my speakers will be compatible? I have a Sony STR-DG910 7.1 receiver and a Philips DVD player. I want to do a 5.1 speaker configuration in my apartment room with a subwoofer. I don't want to buy some speakers that will not hook into my receiver. How can I be sure that my speakers will hook in properly with the receiver I already have?

Answer: Make sure to use the proper impedance for speakers

Question: Can I somehow connect a computer to an a/v receiver via a composite or digital audio cable? My receiver doesn't have a USB connection, and I want to play music from my computer through my surround sound speakers, which are all connected to the receiver. Receiver has both composite and digital audio input jacks. Any advice? Thank you.

Answer: Yes you can follow the above or you can also upgrade your sound card to one with a digital output or 5.1 - 7.1 outputs and use that instead. As long as you have some sort of audio output you can connect it to an external stereo system. If I were doing it I would opt for the new sound card with digital output

Question: Why is my Yamaha receiver only playing sound through the center channel? I have an older Yamaha home theater receiver, model # HTR-5760, and the only sound that it is producing is from the center channel. I have moved other channel inputs into the center channel output, and they worked fine, meaning my connection to my amp is fine, and on the amp I have connected other speakers to the center channel hookup, showing that the amp & speaker connections are fine. But when I use the test tone on the receiver, only the center channel is heard. What can I do to fix my receiver?

Answer: It is likely that the speakers are turned off on the receiver. If your front channel speakers are connected to speaker A with the receiver in the surround mode, and the speaker A selection is set to "OFF" you would only hear sound out of the center speaker. Refer to your manual to see how to turn the speakers back on to verify if this is the problem.

Question: Upgrading a standard DirecTv receiver to a HD receiver using existing line? Our house has 3 receivers: 1 HD, and 2 standard receivers. We have the upgraded HD satellite dish, but the line going to the standard receivers is still from the standard Directv service. Will a HD receiver receive HD signals over the additional line? I know I have to activate the new receiver and all that, but was wondering if they need to run different line from the dish to the new HD receiver.

Answer: from what i remember.. you dont need new lines..

Question: How to get a hd quality picture other than upgrade my receiver? I just bought a HDTV, but I realize that my DirecTV receiver does not support hd. Is there any way I can get a HD quality picture other than upgrade my standard receiver to a hd receiver?

Answer: Using a Blu Ray or HD DVD player, or hook it up to a computer or laptop with HD output. For cable or satellite TV though, you will need an HD box

Question: How do I connect a receiver with a white and yellow connector to my IPOD? I have a receiver that was purchased for about a grand to connect our home's 32 built in speakers. It has a white and yellow connectors used now to connect to our cd player. I've purchased IPOD cords that are supposed to connect IPODS to stereo systems, but they don't work. Any suggestions?

Answer: Yellow is typically used for video although the cables are the same as stereo line level cables. I think if you unplugged that cable you will see that the receiver has a red and a white jack. White is for left audio and Red is for right audio. The cord you need goes from a headphone plug which is an 1/8" stereo male plug to two male RCA's, one white and one red. This should plug into the input on your receiver just like the CD player does. Adjust the volume on your iPod to about 1/3 the way up and it should work just fine.