How can I make my surround sound system work with the TV on?

Remember also that you're only going to get 5:1 siund from TV that's broadcast in 5:1 sound. This is mostly HD channels and your Local network channels during prime time. You won't get any 5:1 for say Judge Judy or something. weeder

Yes. If your surround system have additional inputs (i.e. video-2 or tape or aux) and if your TV set have stereo output socket. If your TV set does not have any stereo line out you cannot connect it to any external amplifier. But if it does have and if you also have extra inputs on your receiver then you can easily connect them using a cable. That "a" cable highly depends on what type of inputs and outputs you have. In most system standard is stereo cinch sockets (or so called rca cable). You can find it any TV/audio dealer shop. If your TV have small single stereo socket, there is also a cable with one end is stereo single jack and other end with two cinch. If your TV has only SCART output, then you need to find a special SCART cable which one end has 3 or more chinc sockets (stereo audio, video, s-video etc)

RED5 is right... You need to come out of your TV, or SAT or Cable unit if you have that, and go directly to the DVD player... Depending on the input on your DVD player you may have to select a different input in order to get sound out.