[ekabna]

I recently was given a Roku player and the only sound I get is through the TV speakers. I have Audio Out on the back of my home theater system that are red, green, and blue. (Unit is approx 5 years old) The audio on the Roku player is Red, yellow, and white. I have a 52" HD LCD TV that the Roku is hooked up to, along with a Dish network box.
Questions-Do I need to run everything through the Dish box? I tried running a red, white and yellow cable from the Roku directly to the Sony HTS and got nothing.
Thanks for any help.

[FadedMaster]

The Red, Green, Blue is component video, not audio.

Look for audio in on the back of the Sony HT system. You want audio to go OUT from the Roku... IN to the Sony system.

Give me some model numbers and I can tell you what cables you'll need, and the best way to connect everything together.

[ekabna]

I don't have any other choices on the HT system. I think I need to route it through the Dish box the way the TV is. There are available slots on the back of it. The red, white, and yellow on the Sony box are going to the Dish box. Red, green and blue are the only other choices. The Sony is a DAV BC150.

[FadedMaster]

How about a model on your TV please? A model on your Dish box would be appreciated also.

EDIT: So far, depending on your TV and Dish box, you will most likely need the following cables:

- 1x Fiber optic cable: Goes from your Dish box to the back of the Sony head unit.
- 1x Component cable: Goes from your Sony head unit to your TV.
- 1x HDMI cable: Goes from the Dish box to the TV.
- 1x Composite cables for the Roku: Red and White goes to the back of the Sony head unit, the yellow goes to the TV if you want video on-screen from the Roku.

Without the fiber optic cable connecting the Dish box and Sony head unit, you will not get discrete surround sound when available on select channels/shows.

[ekabna]

Dish is VIP722K, supposed to be the latest model HD DVR. TV is Sharp Aquos LC 52D62U
I was wrong about running through the Dish directly to the Roku-the available audio is for the second TV, I think? I have HDMI running from the TV to the Dish box. I also have HDMI running from Roku to TV. Optical audio on back of Roku player is plugged into TV's digital audio output (rectangular shaped plug-only place it goes), red, white and yellow on Sony HTS are running to Dish box.

[FadedMaster]

So the only thing you need to change with my above post is instead of the Yellow video cable going to the TV it's HDMI for video. Don't connect things through your Dish box.

Each of your components is a source for video. Video lines should run OUT from your video sources to your video display. Each of your components are also sources for sound. Audio lines should run OUT from your sound sources to your surround sound unit.

So without upgrading cables, here's how things should be connected:

HDMI out of Dish box, in to TV.
Fiber optic out of Dish box, in to Sony unit.
HDMI out of Roku, in to TV.
Red/White audio out of Roku, in to Sony unit.
Yellow (or upgrade to component [red,blue,green video]) out of Sony unit, in to TV.

You will then switch video inputs on your TV, and I think the Sony unit's use a "Function" button to switch inputs on the Sony unit.

[ekabna]

I cannot do the fiber optic out of the Dish and into the Sony, there isn't a hole in the Sony for digital audio.

[FadedMaster]

Oops, sorry about that, I misread the specs on that unit.

Here you go, a revised version of what you need:

2x HDMI
1x Component
1x Analog Audio

HDMI out of Roku, into TV.
HDMI out of Dish, into TV.
Component* (red, green, blue) out of Sony unit, into TV.
Analog audio (red, white) out of TV, into Sony unit.


* With this cable, as listed in above posts, you can also do the yellow video.

Now, keep in mind that you will only get true discrete surround sound from watching DVDs. Otherwise you will be required to upgrade your system to something newer (one with digital connections).

Please remember that there is a difference between inputs and outputs. You currently have an output going to an output:

... Optical audio on back of Roku player is plugged into TV's digital audio output (rectangular shaped plug-only place it goes)...

[ekabna]

It worked! A thousand thank-yous for your help! I SO appreciate it! Thank you!!

[FadedMaster]

It worked! A thousand thank-yous for your help! I SO appreciate it! Thank you!!!!!!!

Not a problem. Keep the TV volume turned down though, otherwise you might hear a strange echo when using the surround sound at the same time.

EDIT: If you could, please rate my answer. :)

[tonihay]

I have the same problem with an older Sony Home Theater. Is it possible to use a split RCA cable with one split (red and white) on the Dish and the other on the Roku and then into the Sony?