Quick Add
How to Set Up Surround Sound with HDMI
If you're building a dream home theatre setup, you're aiming for the closest cinema experience possible. From the vibrating sub-bass to the tension-building high frequencies, it's crucial that your sound system is creating the best experience possible.
This is where HDMI comes into it. There are plenty of available options to create the full home theatre experience, but where do you start when it comes to HDMI?
What are speaker channels?
The left and right channels provide directional left and right sound. This includes dialogue, stereo music tracks and on-screen action. The channel tweeters should be about ear-level for the ultimate effect.
The centre channel bridges the gap between the left and right channels. Approximately 60% of a movie's soundtrack comes through the centre channel. It’s also where most of the dialogue comes through and again, is optimum at ear level.
As dialogue is usually delivered at the centre of the frame. Again for the best effect, the tweeter from the centre channel should be about ear-level.
The surround channels are placed to the side of the rear of the audience and complete the near 360º effect. You’ll usually hear action that you cannot see in the frame, such as background noise, these monitor audio surround channels are usually called FX.
HDMI cables
An HDMI direct cable is the simplest way to send HDMI signals over a relatively short distance. The quality of these cables can vary so, sending your HD signal over distances of 5-10m will require a high-quality cable.
For example, if you're looking to deliver 4K/ UHD signals a cable that can carry a greater velocity of data such as HDMI 2.1, will be required.
HDMI repeater amplifier
If you’re using very long HDMI cables between your device and your TV, you may experience pixelation on-screen or lower resolution.
To solve this, you need an HDMI repeater amplifier. This is installed at the end of the HDMI cable that connects at the TV end, the amplifier will boost the signal to help overcome signal attenuation and voltage drop.
Passive HDMI amplifiers do not require a separate power supply, whereas active amplifiers do. Active versions will offer a more reliable connection, while repeater amplifiers can also be used to daisy-chain HDMI cables allowing for an overall cable length.
HDMI distribution amplifier
An HDMI distribution amplifier is used to re-transmit an input from a single device to multiple devices. For instance, once your sound system has been set you can connect 1 device to 2 screens (2-way amp) or one device to four screens.