System setup with DIRECT TV cable box without HDMI

[dsrdsr1]

I am trying to hookup the following componets:
> Panasonic TC-P55UT50 TV (NO ARC)
> Yamaha YSP-2200BL sound bar
> Direct TV cable box with only RCA/S-video, NO HDMI ( I live in the woods incapable of reaching HD signal, $10 a month for HD box for the rest of my life to rent)
> PS3
> Blu-Ray DVD Player

I desire all components to play audio properly thru the soundbar. The RCA problem suggests an AV Receiver but I can't figure how to get soundbar hooked in. I understand paying the $10 a month solves the problem but I really don't want to do that.
Thanks!

 

[markw]

It looks like your Blu-ray player with HDMI will be no problem. Dunno too much about PS3. I have no experience with them.

As for your Direct TV box, not knowing what outputs you have on it leaves me at a bit of a disadvantage. The specifications for your unit do say that it has audio inputs so you should be able to use either coaxial or optical digital outputs, assuming you have them or, at worst, red/white analog inputs which will provide an analog two-channel stereo signal.

Your best bet is to feed the DTV boxs video out directly to the TV and it's audio to the sound bar. It ain't pretty, but it'll work.

I will say that with only a yellow composite or S-video outputs, you're not gonna be too happy with that fine TV.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Your nice TV doesn't accept S-Video which unfortunate since it's better than composite.
Box like this one might help the situation, however don't expect anything close to true HD from it
S Video Composite RCA to HDMI Converter AV Adapter R L Audio 1080p Scaler | eBay

 

[markw]

Your nice TV doesn't accept S-Video which unfortunate since it's better than composite.
Box like this one might help the situation, however don't expect anything close to true HD from it
S Video Composite RCA to HDMI Converter AV Adapter R L Audio 1080p Scaler | eBay

Won't his TV do the same thing, albiet using the composite?, In this case, the end difference between composite and S-video will be negligible.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Won't his TV do the same thing, albiet using the composite?, In this case, the end difference between composite and S-video will be negligible.

it's a close call and s-video might have a small edge
Now regarding HD signal, it's not about the your location per se, its' about clear sight of sky (the right portion at least) if you don't have sufficient clearing then
I can imagine lots of trees in the woods where you live would be blocking that light of sight, unless you could cut down a few

 

[markw]

it's a close call and s-video might have a small edge

True, but in the grand scheme of things, it;s like the difference between being shot in the head with three bullets instead of four.

As for his HD signal, the way I read it is the Direct TV can provide HDTV but he doesn't want to blow an extra $10/month for it and free OTA isn't too reliable.

 

[dsrdsr1]

Appreciate everyone's help! I live in the woods and HD has no clear line of sight. Question? If I ran everything, except soundbar, to an AV receiver ( they do have RCA inputs) and used an HDMI splitter on the AV HDMI out routing 1 to TV and the other to sound bar would the audio work correctly for all sources?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Mark I always appreciate your no boolshit suggestions, but bottom line is s-video is an improvement over simple composite, however marginal it can be - I would take anything to improve the sd signal.

Dear OP,
You don't have to use AV receiver
You could connect your equipment this way:
BD Player -> HDMI -> Soundbar
PS3 -> HDMI -> Soundbar
Soundbar -> HDMI -> TV
inDirectTV Sat - > Red/White RCA cables for audio AND Yellow composite cable to TV for video
The problem is to switch from tv to bd player or ps3 you'd need to change 2 inputs or get a programmable universal remote to do a macro command for you.


With this receiver:
DENON AVR-990 7.1ch Networking A/V Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less
It would take all your sources (inclusing S-Video DirectTV) and output audio ether thru hdmi (or more likely one of Digital Audio outputs)

Switching inputs will be easier (also no need for additional hdmi boxes)

 

[markw]

Mark I always appreciate your no boolshit suggestions, but bottom line is s-video is an improvement over simple composite, however marginal it can be - I would take anything to improve the sd signal.

]That's a great philosophy but here it'slike putting hi-test in a Hyundai Accent.

Dear OP,
You don't have to use AV receiver
You could connect your equipment this way:
BD Player -> HDMI -> Soundbar
PS3 -> HDMI -> Soundbar
Soundbar -> HDMI -> TV

Sofar, I agree 100%

inDirectTV Sat - > Red/White RCA cables for audio AND Yellow composite cable to TV for video
The problem is to switch from tv to bd player or ps3 you'd need to change 2 inputs or get a programmable universal remote to do a macro command for you.

Or, he could run just the yellow composite to the TV and select that via the TV. As for sound, he could run that directly to the sound bar and select the audio there. I'm assuming the sound bar has volume adjustments.

Unless, of course, the TV has analog audio outputs.

But, the simplest way would to buy that converter you suggested.

Either scenario could be done with interconnects from a well stocked dollar store.

Then again there's this possibility.

With this receiver:
DENON AVR-990 7.1ch Networking A/V Theater Surround Receiver | Accessories4less
It would take all your sources (inclusing S-Video DirectTV) and output audio ether thru hdmi (or more likely one of Digital Audio outputs)

Switching inputs will be easier (also no need for additional hdmi boxes)

Of course, this would be the most elegant solution but the soundbar would negate all the Denon's nifty built-in amplifiers.

I still find it strange that Direct TV can beam SD transmissions from their satellite but cannot beam HD to the same location.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

]
I still find it strange that Direct TV can beam SD transmissions from their satellite but cannot beam HD to the same location.

That's exactly the issue, the HD signal is beam from 3 sats in same time to negate a single sat bandwidth limitation. To tune into this much more complicated signal it requires 3 LNBs to be tuned precisely and much higher quality of reception -> more clear line of sight of the sats - which sadly OP's house lacks.

(This is to best of my knowledge but I could be wrong)

 

[dsrdsr1]

Thanks to everyone that responded! I am going to attempt the following:
Use an Etekcity® Composite RCA video AV S-video to HDMI Converter Full HD 1080P Upscaler W/Cable to output using the s-video of my cable box to the Yamaha 2200 sound bar HDMI input port. I'll use the optical digital audio output connection from the cable box to an input audio port of the same on the sound bar. I'll use the sound bar's HDMI output port to go to the TV.The sound bar has three HDMI inputs which should allow the PS3, DVD, etc. to also use the sound bar and reach the TV. I'll let you know (in a few weeks) how it actually went. Thanks again for the help!