Actually,
If you are really going to get into a home theater the Avia and Digital Video Essetials DVD's are good resources to get started. Not only do they have good info, they can be used for calibrating a system. Go to Amazon.com (or any other big name resource seller) and do a search for those DVD's - they're not that expensive.
If you only wanted only one DVD, the Avia seems more geared for teaching beginners. Though I personally use both for calibration.
The AVS Forum (avsforum.com) is also a good forum to just read, read, read, read, read and learn. Even the BIG debates (on whatever subject) you can learn A LOT, you just have to weed through the personal attacks
(and you think I'm kidding).
Here's a little basic:
1) Read ALL your owners manuals
2) The goes "Out" from one component will goes "In" to a seperate component
3) Always connect cables Right to Right and Left to Left
4) 5.1 Channels means a Front Left, Center, Front Right, Surround Left, Surround Right -and- the .1 Channel is the subwoofer
EXAMPLE:
1) DVD player will have have a digital coaxial "Output"
2) Use a simple RCA cable to connect to the Receivers "Input"
3) The Reveiver will use the Speaker "Output" connections -and- Speaker cables -to- Speaker "Inputs"
4) the speakers will be as mentioned #4 above
And there you have basic simple 5.1 Hometheater system
