hooking up new TV

[Boatwrench]

Connecting the cable box thru the surround sound to the TV using HDMI cables.

Is this HDMI the only connections needed?
The red/white/yellow cable bundle not needed?
What's the orange/green/blue terminals for?

I am a real techNO guy

 

[Johnnie Walker]

If youe box has hdmi then you do not need anything else.
HDMI caries both video and audio, unless you choose otherwise.

 

[96NYXJ]

It may be easier to connect the cable box to the TV with HDMI and then use the optical audio port for the audio to the surround sound.

Correct, HDMI will carry a digital signal of both sound and video. Which is the best, because of this quality of the cable (Monster overpriced) is not as necessary. I suggest getting the cheapest HDMI cable possible. www.monoprice.com has great prices and quality and i have gone there more then once with great results.

The orange/green/blue are composite cables which carry HD video but will not produce a true 1080p signal. Each cable has its own goal such as sound or video.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

As to not get confused.. The component cables are yellow/green/blue and "orange" colored rca terminal will be coax digital.