General hook-up question for a newbie

[Mike274]

I just got a Marantz SR5003 to build my home theater around and have some hook-up questions. I would like to know the best way to hook this up to my Dish box (VIP222 HDTV / DVR) and Panny TH-50PX6U plasma t.v. for Surround sound capability.

Just some history - this Dish box (VIP222) is famous for the HDMI ports going out. When this happens the box needs to be replaced, which in turn loses all of our saved info i.e. recorded shows and stuff. As a result I would like to connect to and from the Dish box using composite cables to eliminate the future frustation. According to my research the quality is good with component as well?

Are some component cables better that others?

I have existing 16 guage speaker wire in place that I was going to use. Is it better to use banana plugs or can I just go bare wire between the receiver and speakers? The guy at the store said bare wire is best unless you are changing things up a lot.

Speakers if it matters = Def Tech Mythos 3 fronts and timber matched center.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Mike

 

[Adam]

Hey, Mike.

I would like to know the best way to hook this up to my Dish box (VIP222 HDTV / DVR) and Panny TH-50PX6U plasma t.v. for Surround sound capability.

If you don't want to use HDMI, then I suggest connecting the optical digital audio output on the VIP222 to the Marantz for surround sound.

According to my research the quality is good with component as well?

I'm still uncertain if component video connections can transfer 1080p or not. Some sources say yes, some say no. There's really no better test than for you to hook it up using the component video connections and decide if you think that the quality is acceptable.

Are some component cables better that others?

Sure, but I think buying the ones from Monoprice.com for about $5-$10 would be just fine (or something equivalent). You certainly don't need to buy the $80 ones from Best Buy.

I have existing 16 guage speaker wire in place that I was going to use. Is it better to use banana plugs or can I just go bare wire between the receiver and speakers? The guy at the store said bare wire is best unless you are changing things up a lot.

Banana plugs are mostly for convenience. The plugs will add an additional resistance, but if you put on the plugs correctly, that resistance will be negligible. I use banana plugs because it makes connecting and disconnecting a lot easier, especially if the receiver is in an entertainment center. Bare wire is perfectly fine - just be sure that you don't have any stray copper strands making a connection between the two binding posts because that will cause a short circuit.

As for the 16-gauge wire, I suggest checking out the webpage linked here to check out the table for speaker gauge selection. With your speakers, you're set unless you're running over 48 feet of wire (and you want to keep your wire effects at the level specified on that linked site). I put up the link for future reference, mostly.

 

[AVRat]

Component video/digital audio (coax/optical) will work just fine. I don't believe 1080p is sent via cable/sat systems where you would need HDMI.

 

[lsiberian]

I just got a Marantz SR5003 to build my home theater around and have some hook-up questions. I would like to know the best way to hook this up to my Dish box (VIP222 HDTV / DVR) and Panny TH-50PX6U plasma t.v. for Surround sound capability.

Just some history - this Dish box (VIP222) is famous for the HDMI ports going out. When this happens the box needs to be replaced, which in turn loses all of our saved info i.e. recorded shows and stuff. As a result I would like to connect to and from the Dish box using composite cables to eliminate the future frustation. According to my research the quality is good with component as well?

Are some component cables better that others?

I have existing 16 guage speaker wire in place that I was going to use. Is it better to use banana plugs or can I just go bare wire between the receiver and speakers? The guy at the store said bare wire is best unless you are changing things up a lot.

Speakers if it matters = Def Tech Mythos 3 fronts and timber matched center.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Mike

I suggest you just use the hdmi. If it goes out you can always switch to the component.

Banana plugs make life a lot easier IMO. I got the monoprice screw on type and love them. I won't go back to bare wire. The plugs are very convenient. Also make sure to label you wires. You'll be glad you did if you ever switch receivers.

Use monoprice.com for all your cables(except toslink) There terminations don't always lock in place on their toslink cable. They ship frighteningly fast.