How to get Surround sound working with tv?

I can't speak for certain on these cheaper sound in a box ones, but an a/v receiver should have a connection on the back labeled either TV monitor or monitor in or something along those lines. you'd simply hook up the tv's rca output to the monitor input on the stereo, then turn it to tv setting to listen to the tv. Atleast that's how all my onkyo's & harmon kardon's have worked throughout my lifetime.