First Post - Using an old receiver with HDTV

[chuckirons]

My wife and I have decided to get a HDTV and were wondering what requirements our receiver should have.

I had been looking at new models in the lower price ranges, but today I found out about a great deal on a Pioneer VSX-D906S. I'm just not sure how it's going to work with the High Def. signal.

Any opinions? We were also looking at the recommended Pioneer VSX-815-K but this one has a phono input which is imporant to us.

Thanks a lot, this site is great.

 

[zumbo]

You may not need to run your video signal through your receiver. Cab/Sat video to tv. Cab/Sat audio to tv or receiver. DVD video to tv. DVD audio to tv or receiver. TV audio out to receiver. Select audio out (fixed) on tv menu if you run the audio through your tv. If you plan on using your receiver for the sound every time you watch, there is no need to send an audio signal to the tv.

I run my video signal through my receiver, but only because my old tv doesn't have enough connections to support all of my equipment. Your new HDTV should have plenty.

 

[chuckirons]

Thanks, I hadn't considered that.

Looking at the back panel of the older Pioneer, it looks like there are several S-video outs and at least two digital ins - as well as an optical in.

How do these compare to a HDMI in or out?

 

[zumbo]

HDMI is superior to S-Video. (video) connections.

Digital and optical are (audio) connections.

I am using (digital-out) from my cable box to (digital-in) on my receiver.

I am using (optical-out) from my dvd player to (optical-in) on my receiver.

It all depends on what is to be connected as to which option has the highest quality.

 

[zumbo]

Uh oh. It looks as though I am in the dark on HDMI. I didn't know it carried the audio signal as well. My system doesn't have this. I thought it was a video signal only. Sorry if I have confused you.

I am pretty sure you could still step down your audio-out from the tv to get the audio signal to your current receiver. Just read your tv manual to see the options for this. There has to be one.

 

[chuckirons]

Thanks a lot - I'm going to be sorting this all out but right now it looks like I might be fine with this older receiver.