Component video/S-Video and HDTV

[cmaurin]

I have an HD-ready tv and have a Comcast digital cable box with the HD option and a progressive scan dvd player hooked into it via component video cables. The picture looks great. I am looking at adding an a/v receiver into the system. Here are my questions: Do I have to get a receiver that has component video in/out for the HD to work or can I use s-video in/outputs to the tv? Will the dvd picture look worse using s-video cables? I am looking at purchasing a particular receiver, but it only has composite and s-video in/outs. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

[JohnA]

What I would do

I have an HD-ready tv and have a Comcast digital cable box with the HD option and a progressive scan dvd player hooked into it via component video cables. The picture looks great. I am looking at adding an a/v receiver into the system. Here are my questions: Do I have to get a receiver that has component video in/out for the HD to work or can I use s-video in/outputs to the tv? Will the dvd picture look worse using s-video cables? I am looking at purchasing a particular receiver, but it only has composite and s-video in/outs. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Component is better then S-vid, and if you were to get a receiver with componet it would "keep you up to date" with technology. But you can always take the component video and send it to the TV avoiding the receiver, and just use the receiver for audio. I have an old kenwood receiver that only has composite video...I use it for my SAT signal but my DVD I run the video to the TV. I hope that helps....just remember you can never have "too many" inputs!

 

[Unregistered]

You can certainly use s-video to get a picture but to get HD you must use component video. Even low cost receivers (~$300) have component video switching nowadays and you should definitely look for one that has component inputs. As you go higher up the model line, receivers will also convert composite/s-video to component and that can be very convenient for hooking all devices to the receiver and using only one input on the tv.

 

[Karp]

I have an HD-ready tv and have a Comcast digital cable box with the HD option and a progressive scan dvd player hooked into it via component video cables. The picture looks great. I am looking at adding an a/v receiver into the system. Here are my questions: Do I have to get a receiver that has component video in/out for the HD to work or can I use s-video in/outputs to the tv? Will the dvd picture look worse using s-video cables? I am looking at purchasing a particular receiver, but it only has composite and s-video in/outs. Thanks for any help or suggestions.

How many component inputs does your TV have, and do you mind switching inputs on your TV as well as your receiver? Your receiver does not really need to have any video in/out, but having component switching on your receiver lets you switch both audio and video at the touch of one button on your remote.

Some of the better models also have composite/SVideo up conversion (such as my Dennon 2805), which lets you have only one set of cables (component) going to your TV. All you have to do to your TV is turn it on, and do all of the switching on your receiver.

Some mid-priced receivers have component switching, but do not really have adequate bandwith to send a full-bandwidth HD signal to your TV. I believe that 60MHz is the minimum for a HD broadcast (correct me if I'm wrong).

Many people do not notice much (if any) difference between SVideo and Component with a DVD (depending on the quality of the DAC's in either the DVD player or receiver), but you cannot receive HDTV signals from your cable box with an Svideo cable.

 

[cmaurin]

Thanks to all for the help. It looks like I will bite the bullet and get a receiver with component video switching and the component conversion, which really seems like a great feature (if I understand it correctly). Basically I do not want to do any switching with the TV. I want to do it all through the receiver if possible with one video feed to the TV (to please the wife and kids!). Which brings me to another question. The receiver I am really looking at it the Sony STR-DE997. But I have not owned a Sony receiver/amp in the past and I hear they have great features and controls but have only "satifactory sound." My next choice would be Denon (which I have owned in the past). Any suggestions....again thanks.

 

[Karp]

Thanks to all for the help. It looks like I will bite the bullet and get a receiver with component video switching and the component conversion, which really seems like a great feature (if I understand it correctly). Basically I do not want to do any switching with the TV. I want to do it all through the receiver if possible with one video feed to the TV (to please the wife and kids!). Which brings me to another question. The receiver I am really looking at it the Sony STR-DE997. But I have not owned a Sony receiver/amp in the past and I hear they have great features and controls but have only "satifactory sound." My next choice would be Denon (which I have owned in the past). Any suggestions....again thanks.

You didn't say what your budget was or what your priorities are, but since you are considering the STR-DE997, I'm guessing your budget is around $500 or $600. If so, I would recommend the Yamaha RX-V750. It retails around $650, although you may get it cheaper online. It is the only receiver in that price range that does upconversion. It also has auto setup, has lots of DSP modes, and (IMHO) sounds much better than the Sony.

Just my 2 bits.

 

[cmaurin]

Don't really have a budget, other than not enough $$$! But I am looking at the receiver first and building from there as funds become available. After a little research, I think i will be going with the Denon AVR-2105. It appears to have everything that I need, plus the features you and others mentioned.

 

[Karp]

Don't really have a budget, other than not enough $$$! But I am looking at the receiver first and building from there as funds become available. After a little research, I think i will be going with the Denon AVR-2105. It appears to have everything that I need, plus the features you and others mentioned.

You can't go wrong with the Dennon. I like them better for music than the Yamaha I suggested to you, athough I like the Yamaha better for Home Theater. I had quite a fit choosing between the Dennon AVR-2805 and the Yamaha RX-V1400. I thought the Dennon was a little warmer and had stronger bass than the Yamaha with music, although they sounded very similar with DVD's. The Yamaha has more bells and whistles and very good proprietary DSP's.

I ended up choosing the 2805, and am very happy with it. It has the same features as the 2105 you are considering, except it has a little more power and has auto setup/ room EQ.