Cables and Devices for my Denon AVR687

[crux]

Hello,
I recently picked up a Denon AVR687 for the Zone 2 feature and to compliment my miniature home entertainment center. I have attached a simple diagram showing my main devices and the current connections types. My main room has two front speakers and a center channel. Upstairs on the deck, I have one outdoor speaker set up as well. Just had a few quick questions:

1. I have regular digital cable (no high def). My Motorola cable box has outputs for component, s video and coax (currently connected directly to the TV). I was wondering if there was really an advantage to running the coax through the receiver instead of directly to the TV? If so, is there really a noticeable difference by using component or s video to the receiver from the cable box instead of just using the coax cable?

2. I think I have most of the video connections set up correctly. I just changed out some composite video for component. I don't have any HD inputs so no need for HDMI connections. I am wondering about audio. If I do go the route of component from the cable box to the receiver, I'm guessing I should get the coaxial (orange) audio? Obviously I should go coaxial from the DVD player to the recevier instead of stereo analog, right?

3. I also plan to buy a new laptop soon. I currently use s video to connect my laptop directly to the TV to watch movies. Do newer laptops have a better method to connect to TVs these days? I haven't heard of any componenet connection outputs on laptops, but could be missing something. Also, is the best audio still to go through the headphone jack on the laptop or is there a digital output as well?

Thanks!

 

[MDS]

1. I have regular digital cable (no high def). My Motorola cable box has outputs for component, s video and coax (currently connected directly to the TV). I was wondering if there was really an advantage to running the coax through the receiver instead of directly to the TV? If so, is there really a noticeable difference by using component or s video to the receiver from the cable box instead of just using the coax cable?

Yes, there will be a noticeable difference between the coax straight to the TV vs sending the video from the cable box over component video to the receiver and then on to the TV.

Besides the PQ advantage, you gain the flexibility of having the receiver switch between cable and dvd without having to change the input on the TV.

You could leave the coax cable connected from the cable box to the TV and switch to the antenna input if you ever want to watch/listen to cable thru the TV speakers instead of the receiver and speakers.

2. I am wondering about audio. If I do go the route of component from the cable box to the receiver, I'm guessing I should get the coaxial (orange) audio? Obviously I should go coaxial from the DVD player to the recevier instead of stereo analog, right?

Yes, you should use a digital audio connection - either coax or optical. Just keep in mind that you may also have to have analog connections from the cable box to the receiver as not all channels on digital cable have digital audio.

 

[jcPanny]

Laptop connections

FYI, my 2 year old dell laptop has a digital audio output and VGA and composite video outputs. You can get a cable to go from VGA to component video. Newer laptops should also have a DVI video output, but it sounds like your TV doesn't have DVI or HDMI inputs.

 

[crux]

Thanks to both of you. I plan to buy a new LCD today. It will have all of the latest connection options. Is it recommended to connect the laptop to the receiver (and if so, how?) for video or just directly to the TV?

Thanks!

 

[Nick250]

I know you are asking about a laptop. Since you are also getting new LCD, my brain accidental went into general AV setup topics and I forgot about the laptop, for which I have no specific answer. I hope there is something else helpful in my post.

I hook up the display using a DVI (think HDMI without audio) connection directly from the Motorola STB to the TV and I also use an optical connection from the STB to my receiver. That takes care of 5.1 sound if I want to use it while watching TV. Also I hook RCA stereo cables from the STB to the TV so I don't have to fire up the whole system just to watch the evening news. My personal opinion is to send the video signals directly to the TV when its possible to do so, A Harmony remote (there are others as well) provides one button video switching. I rarely use the whole audio system to watch the evening news.

Others like to have the whole system up and running any time they are watching TV. There is no right or wrong choice, just what works best you and your requirements.

Nick

 

[jcPanny]

DVD source

I hooked up my laptop to the HT stereo system for a little while for DVD playback and it was a chore. You have to get out the computer, boot it up, connect the cables and adapters, start the movie, receiver, TV, etc.

Since you will have an LCD TV and a receiver, I would recomend a good upscaling DVD player as the source. I have the Oppo Digital DV970HD ($150) and recommend it. It will also do a slide show of pics from a memory card and playback DVD-A and SACD audio formats.