Can I use my receiver?

[Kumar]

Hi I am new to this A/V stuff and I'm thinking of buying the Optoma HD-70 for my first media room set up. I have a Harman/Kardon AVR 210 receiver and it has s-video, optical and digital inputs. Can run high def signals through this or do I need to upgrade?

 

[Seth=L]

How many HD sources do you have.

If S-Video is the best it has it will not switch hi-def, component video is the minimum for that.

 

[Kumar]

I just have my sat. box for HD

 

[Seth=L]

There is no need to sent HD through an intermediary, just send it directly to the projector.

 

[jhammer22]

I agree. Direct hookup is your best bet. I don't understand when people run video through a receiver when they are only hooking up a couple of sources. Just more potential problems.

 

[gmichael]

Ditto. Go direct. Why add more potential problems?

 

[Kumar]

If I go direct with video to the projector,then what do I then use to hook up the audio to the receiver. Optical or digital cable for best sound?

 

[gmichael]

About the same.
Digi-coax is more rugged. and your receiver won't have to convert the signal to light to send it. But your receiver should have no trouble with the conversion. Also, optical will have no interference from other electromagnetic fields around it. Again, this really doesn't affect it enough to hear a difference IMHO.
So, either should be fine. (I went with optical cause it sounds cool to say, "I have fiber optic cables in my stereo system." Not the greatest reason, but what the heck.)