Trying to connect a sony home theatre system so that the akai television plays through the home teatre speakers. I used an hdmi cable, but the tv still only plays threough the tv.

The HDMI jacks on the TV are HDMI in. Thus to get the theater system to play the sound, you use the HDMI out from your set top box to the HDMI in of the Sony theater system and then the HDMI out of the theater system to the TV. (Connecting the HDMI in of the TV to the HDMI in of the home theater system will not work.)

If you are watching OTA TV or a direct coax cable connection, you need to hook up the TV audio out to the home theater system audio in to use these speakers with the TV. Then you probably need to set the TV to use the external speakers. This will probably be in the Menu under Audio. (Toggle external speakers on/off)

The Akai LCT2785TA has RCA audio out (1/4" red and white jacks). If your home theater system has RCA audio in, just get a patch cable (MM ends on each side of the cable). If your home theater system only has digital audio inputs, you will need a converter. http://www.ramelectronics.net/audio-video/audio-converters-extenders/analog-to-digital-digital-to-analog/1t-ap-216/prod1TAP216.html is a link to one appropriate converter.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells