hdmi cables all around/??

[pcefrog]

i want to have hdmi from all sources , lets assume they all have hdmi capabilities. i have a HDPVR, HDtv, dvd, and amp with four hdmi in puts and one output. also 6.1 surround.
now my problem is .....not sure of the order to hook everything up ...what goes into the reciever and what goes to tv. i want to have the option of watching tv with or without the amp/spkrs on..eg. the news doesnt need to be surround sound.
reading the instruction manuals -four to choose from...i get confused cause one will say hdmi and component or show hdmi and other cables connected .
do i need to have hdmi and other cables like component or coaxial? at the same time.
i have looked in the archive, but nothing i could find explains exactly the steps i need to hook up all components.
once again ill thank everyone in advance.....as this site has been incredibe in helping me build my HT. thanxx

 

[mr-ben]

I've never seen a receiver with 4 HDMI inputs, is there one you are looking at?

Assuming the TV has 2 HDMI inputs, if it were me:
PVR--HDMI-->TV
PVR--Optical/coax audio-->Receiver
DVD--HDMI-->TV
DVD--Optical/coax audio-->Receiver

If the TV has only one HDMI input:
PVR--HDMI-->Receiver--HDMI-->TV
PVR--Component+Analog Audio-->TV
DVD--HDMI-->Receiver--HDMI-->TV
DVD--Component+Analog Audio-->TV

Either way gives you the ability to watch with or without surround sound (you'll need to mute the TV if you use the receiver). More cables to buy with the second option though.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Not to be contrary, but why not just use your A/V receiver all the time? It has a volume knob?

Realistically, you have a lot more cabling necessary for the setup you want to do. While HDMI will use certain devices as repeaters, you must have an HDMI input and output to do such a thing which, on a receiver, is only going to work when it is on.

So, instead just run everything HDMI to the receiver, then run the single connection to the TV, then get a decent universal remote. You press one button on the remote and you are watching whatever you want, nice and easy for EVERYONE in the family to use.

We have been using our remote with a receiver for about 4 years now. My wife asked me, about 2 years into it... "Do we have to do something to switch from the TV speakers to the receiver speakers or is it automatic?" My response was that we ALWAYS use the receiver speakers...

She just never turned it up and didn't realize it.

So, you can expect a 10+ year life out of well built audio gear in conjuction with your video setup and the evening news runs just as easily on the surround setup as it does on the cheap internal speakers... Plus, you will actually understand what they say.

Otherwise, you will need to shop for the TV with all the inputs you need and hope that your A/V gear will output over composite/s-video/component at the same time that it outputs HDMI.

 

[stratman]

Yeah, why not just use your receiver? Like B. said it has a volume knob and vocals sound much better.

 

[nasd90]

I've never seen a receiver with 4 HDMI inputs, is there one you are looking at?

There are several. I've got the Marantz SR8001 which has 4 HDMI inputs and 2 HDMI out... The Marantz SR7001 & Pioneer 84 have 4 HDMI in and 1 out.

HDMI is tricky and maybe the reason he wants to have all HDMI is because is wants full on 1080p... like me.

Nick

 

[superstar]

If you still want to use HDMI connections through out the system and the receiver can only accomodate 2 HDMI inputs, monoprice has an HDMI port swticher with remote for a decent price.

 

[BMXTRIX]

If you still want to use HDMI connections through out the system and the receiver can only accomodate 2 HDMI inputs, monoprice has an HDMI port swticher with remote for a decent price.

I'm not sure what this accomplishes. It does 2x1 HDMI switching, but this wouldn't solve the issue for 4 HDMI devices unless the display has enough HDMI inputs to accomodate everything.

I would start with the assumption that he has a 4+ HDMI port A/V receiver... Because just accomplishing what he is after is not going to be straightforward. To do it all with HDMI and NO use of the receiver he would need multiple HDMI 1x2 splitters (4 of them) then take half of them to a 4x1 or 5x1 HDMI switcher, and the other half to the A/V receiver. If the display only has one HDMI input, then the HDMI output from the receiver would go into the HDMI 5x1 switcher on input 5.

Very convoluted, very expensive, and much easier to deal with by using a good universal remote control.

 

[Frugal]

i want to have hdmi from all sources , lets assume they all have hdmi capabilities. i have a HDPVR, HDtv, dvd, and amp with four hdmi in puts and one output. also 6.1 surround.
now my problem is .....not sure of the order to hook everything up ...what goes into the reciever and what goes to tv. i want to have the option of watching tv with or without the amp/spkrs on..eg. the news doesnt need to be surround sound.
reading the instruction manuals -four to choose from...i get confused cause one will say hdmi and component or show hdmi and other cables connected .
do i need to have hdmi and other cables like component or coaxial? at the same time.
i have looked in the archive, but nothing i could find explains exactly the steps i need to hook up all components.
once again ill thank everyone in advance.....as this site has been incredibe in helping me build my HT. thanxx

A receiver with 4 HDMI inputs will cost you. The Marantz mentioned above or I've had experience with the Pioneer VSX 84. Some receivers will require that you pass through the HDMI audio to the TV. In that case you'll need need to run coax or optical audio cables to the receiver as well.