HDMI vs component question

[fishie]

Have a (hopefully) simple question. Very new at this...I'm sitting here with a bunch of new equipment and not entirellly sure how to hook it all up!

My time warner HDTV box has HDMI and component output, my TV has component and HDMI input, my receiver only has component input and output. All have optical audio.

Is my best bet to:
1. connect the cable box direct to TV using HDMI, and just run the audio (via optical cable) through the receiver?
or
2. run component video through receiver and then into TV?

The receiver is a Yamaha rx-v 650 if that makes any difference.

Woudl appreciate any input or help. (I did search the forum and coudl not find an answer)

 

[s2pdname]

I remember reading some other questions (posts) on this same issue, possibly on another forum. But, it is primarily a personal choice on how you hook up your system. There are some people that like the convenience of having all audio and video going to the receiver and only one connection on the back of the TV. However, there are others that will swear that video degredation occurs when going through the receiver first. I would try both ways and see what you like best.