I recently purchased a Home Entertainment System includes a Pioneer 5050HD 50" plasma, Harmon Kardon AVR 135 receiver, Panasonic combo DVD/VCR, digital HD cable box, and Bose speakers. The surround sound works great with DVD's. I can't get it to work with TV. Is it possible?
Surround sound is dependent on audio source. The DVD is in surround because it is sending out surround sound signals.
If your cable company is transmitting in surround format, then you will have surround coming from your TV. But this audio signal has to be fed directly in to the reciever.
Have you read the manual for this set up of yours?
Most non dvd product either doesn't have the bandwidth, the technology (needs to be broadcast with adequate bandwidth in digital, or have the broadcaster or broadcasting service (satellite/cable) send the digital data in surround. Of course, using your AV receiver you should be able to get a creditable 5.1 or better synthesized surround performance. Afterall, we can play stereo cd's and play them back in surround--and many sound very good in that surround format.