Reduce the risk of electric shock by unplugging any currently powered items. In particular, make sure your TV and speakers are off. Using an HDMI cable or an HDMI-to-DisplayPort adapter cable, plug an HDMI end into an "HDMI Out" port on the back of the receiver, then plug the other end of the cable into the appropriate input on the back of your TV. All HDMI cables are built identically, so do not be fooled into buying a $50 cable when a $5 HDMI will work exactly the same way. Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the back of your video component (e.g., a Blu-Ray player), then plug the other end of the cable into an "HDMI In" port on the back of the receiver. Virtually all modern video components will connect to your receiver via an HDMI cable. At this point, you should have everything you need to test the video. Turn on the TV, receiver, and media player and switch to the correct input number on your TV by pressing the "Video" or "Input" button until you arrive at the correct HDMI input. You should see a picture from your DVD player or smart component. For troubleshooting: Check all of the inputs for loose connections. Attach the media player (output) directly to the TV (input), skipping the receiver, to make sure that the media player works. Check that you have the right signal flow. Things should go "out" from the media player and "in" to the TV. . This is often the most complex part of any home-theater installation because every room has different needs and challenges. While the basic wiring is easy, hiding the wires professionally takes time and forethought. Speaker wire is actually two attached wires, a red and a black. The wire runs from the back of the speaker to the receiver's "Audio Output" ports. Connect one wire to the red "input" on your speaker and the red "output" on the receiver and do the same with the black end to connect your speaker. Some modern speakers have plugs instead of speaker wiring. In this case, the wires are color coded for easy access. Most speaker wire is covered in a wax sheath to protect it. You must use scissors or wire cutters to trim this sheath and pull it off, exposing the bright copper wire inside. This wire makes the connection, not the sheath, so you must remove the wax to get your speakers working. Connect your two front speakers first, then test them out by playing a movie. Once you can get them to work, move on to the rest of the speakers. If you're using a soundbar, you'll most likely use an optical cable to connect your speaker to your receiver. This will conclude your home theater's speaker setup. Surround sound works because the DVD tells the receiver where to send the information. If there is a stalker creeping up in the movie, you want your rear speakers to sound like leaves are crunching behind you, not the front ones. Make sure you attach each speaker to its appropriate channel, which is usually labeled ("rear audio," "front speaker," etc.). Some pre-packaged systems have label ports while high-end systems can automatically detect which speaker goes where, allowing you to plug them all in anywhere. If there are no labels on the back of the receiver, simply plug them all into the "audio output." The subwoofer is usually labeled as a "sub out" or "sub pre-out," and may need a specific subwoofer cable. . In addition to looking professional, it also prevents people from tripping and ripping cables or pulling down speakers accidentally. Run cables under rugs, staple them to the baseboards along the sides of the walls, or run them through the walls if you are comfortable with carpentry. There are a variety of services, including teams at Best Buy or Geek Squad, that will run your wires for you for a fee. Speakers are generally easy to attach, but that doesn't mean problems won't arise: Check the channel on your receiver. When you plug in your speakers to the receiver, you'll often see them categorized as "audio output, channel 1." This means your receiver can handle multiple speaker formats. Make sure the channel on the front of the receiver matches the channel you plugged yours speakers into. Check the inputs. They should be firmly attached. Make sure that the same wire connects the red end of the speaker to the red end of the receiver or they won't work. Test your speaker by plugging in an iPod or music player and testing that before trying a DVD.

Summary: Turn off and unplug everything. Connect your receiver to your TV. Connect your video input to your receiver. Test and troubleshoot your video connection before moving on to the speakers. Connect your speakers to the receiver Test your first two speakers. Connect the right speakers to the right inputs on the receiver. Hide your wires Troubleshoot your speaker system if you can't hear any sound.

Consider what your parents like or would like to be done around the house. Maybe your dad dreads cleaning the house on the weekends, or your mom cleans out the cat's litter box every other day. Offer to do something they do often around the house for a month or two. If you do a satisfactory job after the first month, your parents have to get you what you want. Many parents want their kids to succeed in school. If there is a subject you are bad at, offer to improve your grades. Getting an after school tutor will show your parents your dedication. Most likely, your parents will appreciate that you offered to pay for a portion of it. This will also show your parents how dedicated you are to getting this item. If your parents ask you to pay for half of it, do not back out of your offer. Stick to your word and pay the share you promised. Ask for what you want as a gift such as an early birthday or holiday gift. Parents are more likely to help you get what you want for one of these reasons. Choose whatever event is closest. Consider what your parents usually get you for holidays, and do not ask too much for the circumstance. Your parents might find it insulting if you ask for an Xbox for Valentine's Day.

Summary: Make a deal. Consider paying for part of it yourself. Present the request as a gift.

A cat will not always growl or hiss at you when it is mad or scared. An angry cat will have dilated pupils and stare at whatever it's angry at. The fur on it's body will usually also stand on end. The tail may also flick from side to side as it holds it in an upside down U. In addition, an angry or scared cat may have its ears flattened back. In contrast, a friendly cat will approach you with its tail up, erect ears, and rub against your legs. It may give a friendly meow or series of meows and may even be purring. Cats are affectionate and responsive creatures. To get your attention, cats will often sit close to you or brush up against your legs while meowing. This solicitation for attention is normal cat behavior. It places the cat's scent on the recipient, helps them bond with you, and probably, although we can't know for certain, has other significant meanings. When a cat rubs up on a human it's an important bonding ritual. If your cat is rubbing up against you, don't shoo it away. Let it give you a little love and attention so that This action, rubbing up against another animal to transfer scents and affection, is called allorubbing when done with another cat. This is one particular behavior that leaves some owners scratching their heads. Some cats will "paddle" or "knead" their humans. This behavior is a holdover from when the cat was a kitten. Kittens knead their mother's mammary glands as they are nursing to get the milk flowing. It is thought to be comforting for a cat to do so on a beloved human being. Kneading can get aggressive if your cat engages its claws while doing it. Be sure to protect yourself if you know that your cat goes overboard when kneading. Try wearing a long sleeved shirt or other protective clothing or have your cat stop when they start injuring you.
Summary: Learn to identify when your cat is angry or afraid by paying attention to its body language. Understand why a cat rubs up against humans. Understand why your cat kneads.