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Resolved Question

How do I run my DVD/surround sound and cable DVR box

by Sep 18, 2011 4:40AM PDT

I have a Samsung television with HDMI connections. I also have a DVD/surround sound with one HDMI connection. I have a Dish network DVR with one HDMI connection. I would like to run my DVR and Surround sound at the same time to my tv so that regular TV programs have surround sound. Right now I have the DVR connected to the Surround sound via A/V and the tv directly connected to the DVR for regular television. i pull the hdmi cord from the back of the DVR and plug it into the Surround sound for DVD's and only then do I have surround sound. I know it may be possible to do with a switch or a splitter...but which one --and which device do i plug into in or out.(Please be specific--I am new!) I guess the real question is -- IS it possible to run two devices at the same time with a switch or splitter. Any help is appreciated.

Discussion is locked

vlborde has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
7 Posts
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Best Answer

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I think this is what you are asking.
by Forum moderator Sep 19, 2011 5:34AM PDT

I have a DirecTV DVR, a surround sound system, DVD player, AppleTV and a TV.

The audio output of the DVR is connected to an open port on the sound system
The audio output of the DVD player is connected to another open port on the sound system
The audio output of the AppleTV is connected to yet another open port on the sound system.
The audio output of the TV is connected in the same way
Video output of all the above, except the TV, go to an HDMI switch.

I do not use HDMI to carry the audio, just regular audio cables

Result, Surround Sound from all the devices by simply changing to the required input on the Surround Sound system.

is that what you are trying to do?

P

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Thanks..
by vlborde Sep 19, 2011 9:07AM PDT

That is what I needed..I guess I wasn't being clear...limited...like I said. Blush

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Answer
No.
by Forum moderator Sep 18, 2011 4:55AM PDT

Since you want these to work at the same time we would need two surround systems or a decoder and mixer and wow are you sure you meant you wanted these to work at the "same time"?

I think a HDMI switch would work but not at the SAME TIME.
Bob

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Thanks for answering
by vlborde Sep 18, 2011 5:06AM PDT

Well, the goal is to have regular dish television with surround sound. So, I am not sure what that would take. I am pretty sure that my Dish reciever and my surround sound would have to be somehow connected...to get the desired result.

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The problem is that "same time" requirement.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 18, 2011 5:13AM PDT

I can't imagine why I would need to listen to both DVD and DVR at the same time. It seems to me that a HDMI switch could solve this but as presented, with the "same time" in force, I'd need two sound systems.
Bob

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Clarity
by vlborde Sep 18, 2011 5:29AM PDT

My television can either connect to the DVR/Cable Box OR the DVD/Surround sounds each not both since the latter two only have one HDMI connection. When my television is connected to the DVR/Cable box and I am watching cable tv-- I would like to here surround sound. Therefore I --in my admittedly very limited knowledge-- think that the DVR/Cable box and the DVD/ (which provides surround sound)must be married. The only programming I can hear in surround is the DVD --and ony when I disconnect the HDMI cabl from the tv going to the DVR and plug it into the DVD/surround. the only way the DVR and DVD (surround sound) is married now is by A/V-- that is wh I don't get HDMI sound while watching DISH. I would love to marry them with an HDMI

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Maybe it can be solved
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 18, 2011 6:09AM PDT

I think someone with the make and model numbers of the devices might have an idea but those details are missing.
Bob

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