Hooking up Video through a receiver

[5.1 DTS guy]

Be kind, I'm new to this thing . I was wondering what the purpose of the video inputs are on my receiver. I just connect the video directly from my dvd player to my tv, but why would I want to connect it via my receiver? Thanks for any help.

 

[blacksquid]

Be kind, I'm new to this thing . I was wondering what the purpose of the video inputs are on my receiver. I just connect the video directly from my dvd player to my tv, but why would I want to connect it via my receiver? Thanks for any help.

Many AV receivers have multiple video inputs and output to support composite, component, and S-video connections. This allows you to connect multiple sources (e.g. DVD, VCR, video camera, etc.) to your receiver. You can then send the video output signal from your receiver (from one of many sources) to a video processor/scaler to drive your TV or projector. In addition, many receivers will convert from one format to another for you (my receiver will convert from S-video and composite to component).

 

[JVC]

The biggest advantage is that it makes it easier to switch between the sources. If you're watching tv, and decide to watch a dvd, you just hit the dvd button on the remote or receiver. You don't have to change the input on the tv, to watch the dvd, then change input on tv again, to watch tv again, when finished with movie.

 

[WalrusIsPaul]

What does the Video input do on the receiver anyway,,audio i can see but video?

 

[Jedi2016]

What does the Video input do on the receiver anyway,,audio i can see but video?

Exactly what was described earlier.. it allows you to switch inputs on the fly.

For example, I have everything running through my reciever. If I'm watching TV, then the reciever is set to "VCR", and I'm watching whatever. If I feel like watching a movie, I just push the "DVD" button on my reciever's remote, and bam.. everything's switched over. All I have to do is turn on the DVD player, and there's the movie. Then, if I want to play a video game, I just hit "Video 2", and bam.. there's my PS2.

If you don't have it set up that way, it just adds extra steps.. you have to switch not only the reciever, but also your television. Why switch two devices when you can switch one?

Incidentally, that's how recievers are supposed to be used.. they're designed to control anything and everything in your home entertainment system. One central control for everything. My reciever is quite literally the core of my entertainment center. Everything is connected to it.

 

[zumbo]

And if you have an out-of-date tv like mine with only one s-video input(highest quality available on my tv), you can connect all other equipment as mentioned earlier through the receiver so it is able to use the one lone s-video connection on the tv for the highest picture quality(in my case) available.

 

[5.1 DTS guy]

Yeah but then you have to buy more cords since you're not going through a direct connection right?

 

[zumbo]

Yeah but then you have to buy more cords since you're not going through a direct connection right?

Just one.

 

[Jedi2016]

Just one.

Pretty much, yeah.. the only thing you'll really need is the video cable from the reciever to the TV. You already have all the other cables you'll need.

In fact, most everything I've got hooked up simply uses whatever cables were included with it. The only cables I've bought were the optical cable for my PS2, and a higher-quality coax cable for my DVD player. The rest is just stuff that was either included with the components, or that I had laying around.

 

[zumbo]

Pretty much, yeah.. the only thing you'll really need is the video cable from the reciever to the TV. You already have all the other cables you'll need.

In fact, most everything I've got hooked up simply uses whatever cables were included with it. The only cables I've bought were the optical cable for my PS2, and a higher-quality coax cable for my DVD player. The rest is just stuff that was either included with the components, or that I had laying around.

The only issue is those cables are composite. That is the lowest quality. In my experience, equipment never includes s-video, component, optical(toslink), or digital coax. Not sure if the HDMI products are including the HDMI cable. I doubt it.

But, technically, you only have to buy one extra. The one from the receiver to the tv. The others are needed anyway.

 

[5.1 DTS guy]

So if you're saying I just have to use one video cable to connect my receiver to my tv then that cable would have to be composite. Doesn't that mean I'd lose any picture quality advantages from when connecting component video into the receiver?

 

[zumbo]

So if you're saying I just have to use one video cable to connect my receiver to my tv then that cable would have to be composite. Doesn't that mean I'd lose any picture quality advantages from when connecting component video into the receiver?

Does your tv have a component input? If so, then three cables in your case. That is why I made sure to refer to (my case) while posting. I am using s-video.(only one cable)

 

[zumbo]

Make sure equipment is not plugged in while changing out connections.

 

[5.1 DTS guy]

Make sure equipment is not plugged in while changing out connections.

When I do simple things like connect things to my tv I don't unplug my tv. When I mess with my receiver I unplug it. I know electric shock is a risk but does connecting .. say component video from my dvd player to my tv call for an unplugging? Is there any equipment damage risk?

 

[zumbo]

When I do simple things like connect things to my tv I don't unplug my tv. When I mess with my receiver I unplug it. I know electric shock is a risk but does connecting .. say component video from my dvd player to my tv call for an unplugging? Is there any equipment damage risk?

You bet. It's better to be safe than sorry. Can you list your exact models? OOPS. That was pretty stupid of me. I see them now.

 

[5.1 DTS guy]

You bet. It's better to be safe than sorry. Can you list your exact models? OOPS. That was pretty stupid of me. I see them now.

lol, so if theres nothing noticable now (ie. short-circuiting, blown fuse, etc) then is there merit to worry about equipment damage I can't see?

 

[zumbo]

If your dvd player is the only equipment using component cables, and you have enough connections on your tv, it doesn't HAVE to be ran through your receiver. It can be done either way. It just makes life easier with it all going through the receiver.

 

[zumbo]

lol, so if theres nothing noticable now (ie. short-circuiting, blown fuse, etc) then is there merit to worry about equipment damage I can't see?

As long as it's working fine, you should be o.k. Just disconnect the power to every component in the future.

 

[5.1 DTS guy]

If your dvd player is the only equipment using component cables, and you have enough connections on your tv, it doesn't HAVE to be ran through your receiver. It can be done either way. It just makes life easier with it all going through the receiver.

Ok, just wondering, what would component video be used for besides running a dvd player to a tv?

 

[Sheep]

Ok, just wondering, what would component video be used for besides running a dvd player to a tv?

PS2. Computer (if you lack DVI).

Instead of unplugging every component, you can just power off the powerbar.

SheepStar