connecting my new babies

[jadaway]

I have just completed my investment into my AV paradise. It's not top of the line but it is good stuff. My question is how do I connect this stuff to get the max performance?

Cable box: Scientific Atlanta 8300HD
Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR505
Speakers: PolkAudio
TV: Panasonic HD TH-50PX80U
DVD: Sony Blu-Ray

My receiver has 2 HDMI pass through connections where I can hook up the cable box and blu-ray player. Do I use that pass through?

Right now I have cable box and blu ray hooked via HDMI directly to the TV. Then I have RCA audio plugs from cable box and blu ray directly to the receiver.

I'm inclined to use the HDMI pass through on the receiver to hook up the cable box and blu ray player. I just don't know what the pro's and con's are to that connection.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Jonathan

 

[jcPanny]

Video connections

The HDMI pass through does just that, provides a 2x1 HDMI switch with out HDMI audio processing. The only benefit to this is that when you change the input on the receiver it will change the audio and video source.

Otherwise save a few bucks and connect HDMI video directly to the display, you will only need 2 cables, vs. 3.
Check out monoprice or bluejeanscable if you need more AV cables.

 

[jamie2112]

www.monoprice.com and www.bestdealcables.com

 

[PSWii60]

Pass through would be more convenient, you wouldn't have to switch your tv between HDMI 1 and HDMI 2. Just run one line to your TV and let your receiver do the switching when you change sources. Cables are pretty cheap so I would go this route for easability