Receivers and Audio Components

I currently use a sony str av receiver as video (component) and audio switch for digital cable box and dvd player. I believe the AV has an optical in/out. I use a harmony 880 remote to control it all. with ease.

I installed my RCA RTD 206 Home Theatre System last night, and I have several questions:

 1.  Which wire is the ground wire for the AM antenna?  The black (gray) or white?

2.  When I hook-up my VCR to the unit, it only plays on the center speaker.  How can I change this?

3.  In the set-up menu, what do I measure the speaker distances from?  I must not have it set-up correctly because my rear speakers sound wavy

I just ordered an Onkyo TX-SR503 7.1 ch. A/V receiver, and as I wait for it's arrival, I'm wondering how to hook up my temporary speaker set-up (2 small Bose satellites and a passive, unpowered Bose sub) to get the best perfomance out of them until I go out and buy a good 5.1 or 7.1 speaker package.