Connecting TV, DVD, receiver; what cables?

[hrl pirate]

I just recently purchased a new LCD TV and want to make a better connection with better cables. Previously, I just used old RCA cables to connect the video source from the TV to the DVD (single cable), and the audio from the DVD to the receiver (left and right cable). It worked, but I'm sure it wasn't nearly the best connection I could get.

My receiver is an older Sony 5.1 system that is about 10 years old and I want to keep it. How should I make the connections, and what cables should I use?

 

[TLS Guy]

I just recently purchased a new LCD TV and want to make a better connection with better cables. Previously, I just used old RCA cables to connect the video source from the TV to the DVD (single cable), and the audio from the DVD to the receiver (left and right cable). It worked, but I'm sure it wasn't nearly the best connection I could get.

My receiver is an older Sony 5.1 system that is about 10 years old and I want to keep it. How should I make the connections, and what cables should I use?

With a receiver that old it won't have an HDMI connection. Does it have component video outputs? If it does that will be your best connection. The audio will have to be analog RCA plugs.

Is your TV an HDTV? If it is, and your Sony receiver does not have component video out, then it is time to upgrade.

If your TV is not HD, then use an S-video connection if you don't have component. Composite video is the lowest grade connection.

Connect your peripherals like the DVD player to the Sony with the highest grade connections you have. Does your Sony have any audio digital inputs such as optical or Coax SPDIF? If it does use them.

If you still have your Sony instruction manual it should help. If you have it study it closely.

I think more likely than not, it is going to be time for an upgrade.

Your other option if your TV and peripherals have HDMI connectors, is to use an HDMI switch, such as Reliant or Gefen. Make sure you get one that has fully compliant HDCP repeater architecture. Then you would have to switch the video separately from the audio, but that would not be a big deal.

 

[hrl pirate]

With a receiver that old it won't have an HDMI connection. Does it have component video outputs? If it does that will be your best connection. The audio will have to be analog RCA plugs.[.quote]
It does have component video outputs, so that's what I'll be leaning towards.

Is your TV an HDTV? If it is, and your Sony receiver does not have component video out, then it is time to upgrade.

Yes, the TV is an HDTV

I'm guessing, that I would hook the component cables (audio left and right, and video) to the receiver, then use an S cable from the HDTV to the DVD player. Is this correct? Why does the receiver have a connector for video?

 

[TLS Guy]

With a receiver that old it won't have an HDMI connection. Does it have component video outputs? If it does that will be your best connection. The audio will have to be analog RCA plugs.[.quote]
It does have component video outputs, so that's what I'll be leaning towards.

Yes, the TV is an HDTV

I'm guessing, that I would hook the component cables (audio left and right, and video) to the receiver, then use an S cable from the HDTV to the DVD player. Is this correct? Why does the receiver have a connector for video?

The receiver has video inputs so the video and audio switch together. So you need to connect everything to the receiver if you can. You can only get the benefit of HD with component or HDMI connections.

If you must keep that receiver, then I would recommend using HDMI for those devices that output HDMI and using an HDMI switcher as I explained earlier.

You need to connect your DVD player with the highest level output it has to the receiver. If it has HDMI, then send that to the switcher and then on to the TV.