How to Set Up Your HDMI Receiver with Your Video Game Consoles

An HDMI receiver can allow you to play your video game system while you are immersed in the sights and sounds of the game. Most of the new video game systems are capable of playback in HD quality. In order to benefit from this new technology you have to have an HDTV. Once your television is HD ready, you can hook up your HDMI receiver and route your game’s audio and video throughout the entire room. You won’t have to depend on the speakers from your TV any longer - you can now game in surround sound.

Step 1—Connect the Audio Input

Before you begin, you must turn off the power to the receiver, the video game console, and the television.

In order to get sound from the receiver you have to connect the receiver to the video game console. Each console is going to be set up differently, however, you need to insert an HDMI cable in the video game console’s HDMI output port. This cable will run from the video game console to the HDMI receiver. You will plug the HDMI cable into the HDMI receiver’s HDMI input port. This connection will take care of the HD quality sound.

Step 2—Connect the Video Output

To receive HD quality video, you have to connect the HDMI receiver to the television. You are going to need another HDMI cable for this connection. You will run the new HDMI cable from the HDMI receiver’s HDMI output port to the television. Every television and video game console is different.  The ports are going to be in different places. They may be in the back of the television or game console or they could be hidden behind a small door. Locate the ports and connect the wires.

Step 3—Select the Proper Settings

Turn on the television, the HDMI receiver, and the video game console. Once the video game is viewable on the television, you will have to scroll through the options until you are able to access the settings. Once in the settings menu, you will individually select the settings for both audio and video. In each category, you will select HDMI. Each gaming system is different. In order for the settings to take, you may have to save them. Some systems may save your changes automatically. If you find that the new setting have reverted to a default entry, it may be because you haven’t saved your changes.

Step 4—Set Up Speakers

Your HDMI receiver probably came with a number of speakers. If so, you will want to set those up now and test the configuration. You should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to set up your speakers. Once they are connected, you can test the sound and video system. 

If you find that either the audio or video isn’t working properly, make sure you have the cables connected properly and check the settings inside the video game system.