Best Possible Setup??

[laxjester]

I have a KV32HS420 HDTV Monitor, STR-DE945 A/V Receiver, DVP-NC600 DVD/CD player, an HDTV Cable box (from Comcast), and a VCR. I have done different setups on paper and am trying to figure out what the best way to do this would be. I have read the simpler the setup the better, and to also use the highest possible connections as possible. First off my Rec'r does not have component I/O. It has composite in, S-Video I (O for monitor) and digital audio connections (optical and coaxial).

Would it work best if...
(1) I connected all of my video sources directly to the HDTV since that has 2 component inputs (for HD box & DVD) and use the Composite I/O for the VCR and then run the compisite audio out from the HDTV to the Rec'r?

Or (2) should I run all of the video to the HDTV and all of the Audio to the A/V rec'r? If I use setup (2) I could use the best video connections available for the DVD and HD box and then use the digital audio into the A/V rec'r?

Option (1) would be a much neater hookup but I'm trying to get the best possible hookup, not necassarily the neatest. Or some other option?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sparkchaser]

Best Setup

I would go with option 2. It doesn't make sense to spend the money on a HT system unless you are going to utilize it to the max. If you want to make things a little neater with the cord clutter, use some spiral wrap around the cords. Bread ties or garbage bag ties are also options.

 

[Leprkon]

First off my Rec'r does not have component I/O. It has composite in, S-Video I (O for monitor) and digital audio connections (optical and coaxial).

A component picture is much better than composite or S-video, if you have a progressive scan DVD player (even if the one you have isn't, you could pick one up that does for less than $ 30, which is much less than you'd pay for two sets of cables, one to receiver then one to TV).

Skip the receiver. It starts with a non-progressive picture and then only throws more junk and processing in the way.

Send the video to the TV and the sound to the receiver.

 

[Leprkon]

If you want to make things a little neater with the cord clutter, use some spiral wrap around the cords. Bread ties or garbage bag ties are also options.

this is a great idea, provided you keep all the power cables in one bunch and everything in a group (or groups) away from the power bunch.