This isn't a passive system ie you have a receiver with surround sound and you want to use this also.

Not compatible, to use both surround sound systems at once.

Go optical from your TV out to the sound bar

Hdmi from your receiver to your TV

It depends on your setup. I connected mine via Optical Cable, but there are other options for it to connect as well.

The sound bar is connected to your audio source by digital optical cable, digital coax cable or rca cables. For example my fios set top box and my xbox one are connected to my Samsung 55 hdtv via hdmi and I connected the digital optical output on my tv to the digital optical input on the sound bar and that was it, very quick and easy!

Using this sound bar basically replaces the need to have a stereo receiver in your entertainment center. So you're really just connecting your various components (satellite TV receiver, Apple TV or Roku box, DVD player, etc.) directly to the inputs on the sound bar.

There are 5 inputs on this sound bar. 2 for standard component connections, 1 digital optical, 1 digital component, and one aux jack (for say connecting a CD player or media player that doesn't have bluetooth).

Speaking of Bluetooth, you can pair your phone or other device to this sound bar via Bluetooth easily using the remote control.

Hope this helps.

If you purchase the VIZIO 5.1 sound bar it comes with an optical cable. Just plug it into your TV directly from the sound bar. That's all it takes. Works great!!!

Yes. There are many, many options on controlling the sound. It is easily catered to individual preferences. There are so many options that it will take just a little time and patience to find the right combination for you.

There is the ability to adjust the center volume, which would likely achieve the effect you are looking for.

Yes, through the remote and can adjust the center speaker volume as well as several other parameters.

You can adjust the level of the center speaker, but not specifically dialogue

You can adjust the volume of the various speakers via the remote control. If you want the center speaker volume louder than all of the others, this is simple to do. Just press the "Menu" button on the remote, and on the remote's LCD display, you can cycle through the various settings, adjusting speaker volumes, treble, bass, night mode, etc.

Speaking sounds are not supposed to come from surround speakers(unless the speaker is behind the camera), they mostly come from center channel of the sound bar. It's the way surround sound works. If someone is in front of you speaking to you, you wouldn't hear their voice coming from behind you. That would be weird.

As long as you have paired up the sound bar to the woofer what comes out of speakers in a 5.1 environment is dependent on the source. Try playing a few different BlueRay DVD's.

What comes out of the rear speakers is controlled by the sound design of whatever you are watching, and not by the system.

Maybe check in the TV menu to make sure of your audio preference-stereo/surround etc

Could it be that your service provider does not broadcast in 5.1 surround sound? just spitballing...

Most surround sound is recorded so that the main dialog comes from the front center speaker. Music, explosions, and sound effects should dominate the satellite speakers.

My Samsung tv remote doesn't control the volume. I purchased a universal remote which works fine but I find the sounbar's remote works best as it has a small function screen.

Tv volume will work on sound bar

In order to control the sound system, the system's remote must be utilized. It may work with a universal, but I have not experimented with that.

You have to use the supplied remote.

You might have gotten your answer by now but, no you don't then again I have a vizio smart TV and I can use the tv remote with anything connected via HDMI but if I want to change a settings I have to go back to the little remote but it has a screen built into the remote.

HDMI does not carry digital 5.1 audio. I was surprised to find that out too. Definitely go optical which is included. If you don't have optical go with the digital coaxial cable. The sound bar installation/instruction manual shows best hook ups (digital) down to basic hook ups (red and white rca cables)

HDMI carries video and audio. The soundbar requires audio only. The optical cable works great.

I think either is okay as they are both digital. However, to save an HDMI port on your TV, I would suggest using the optical. I use the optical and it sounds great!

The HDMI. The optical almost seemed pointless especially when hooking up to gaming consoles.

Optical cable. Most recent TV have the connection but you will still have a good sound using HDMI if you dont have optical. You would have to be a audiophile to hear the difference. I used the optical cable that was supplied with the sound bar and no complaints on the sound it produces. So basically, if your TV has optical port, use the optical cable.

I tried both and I like the optical wire... the hdmi had a start up lag and if you pause you would lose the first couple of seconds of audio.

Both are good quality.

Yes!

yes it does. the 2 side speakers plug i the sub if you don't plug them everything still works.

Yes it functions without the rear speakers.

You can turn the satellite speakers on and off to make it a 3.1 or a 5.1 your choice

Sure, don't plug in the rears if you don't want them.

It works without the satellite speakers. However, you will be missing out on good sound quality. It is like night and day without them. Not sure if it is 3.1 without them, but the 5.1 sound that this bar produces is très magnifique. Hope that helps.

About 8-10 feet

13 feet is each speaker wire length.

not sure about the exact length... but they plug into the sub which is wireless, so you can put that in the back of the room.i use about half the wire for each speaker, the length was not an issue for me.. but i would say they are about 10-12feet long.

I would say at least 8'

About 6 ft. from sub.