How do I connect Samsung smart TV to a Yamaha receiver and get sound to come out of surround sound speakers?

Other answers did not mention the use of HDMI connection. This connection, is on the back of the samsung TV and is labeled ARC for Audio Return Channel. You need to connect this to the HDMI ARC channel on your Yamaha receiver. You will also need to use an HDMI cable version 1.4 in order for this to work. This connection will allow you to have sources connected to the receiver which will then be played on the TV with the audio routed to the amplifier in the receiver. You will need to use the Samsung Menu to turn off the internal speakers in the TV and also turn on Anynet which will allow digital control signals to be passed between the TV and the receiver. You will initially use your samsung remote to set the source (HDMI) you just connected and let Anynet open the connection. From there you can set up the surround sound provided you are using your TV tuner which can provide surround sound. Alternatively, if you are using a cable box, you should be able to use Toslink optical or coax digital for the audio into your receiver to capture the surround sound directly from the cable box. To do this, you will need to modify the audio output settings of the cable box from SPDIF out to Dolby Digital AC3, etc.

I hope this helps you to fully enjoy your system.

Generally you will connect the Digital audio or optical audio cable from TV to the input of Receiver. Then using the remote control of Receiver you will program the source for digital audio or optical audio as TV. I am assuming the speakers on the receiver are already connected and working. All you do is then turn on TV and turn on Receiver and select TV on Receiver. The TV audio will play through the receiver. Make sure the TV sound is in Mute.