How to set up new HD-DVD player?

[funked up]

Ok, I just purchased a Toshiba HD-A3 and a 42" Panny Plasma. I already own a Sony STRDG-510. What is the best way to set this up. Should I just buy two HDMI cables(bluejeans). One to run to the reciever and one to run from the reciever to the tv. Is this going to give me the best possible picture and sound? Is there a different way to set this up that will give me better sound/picture?

 

[funked up]

Or should I buy a HDMI cable to go from the HD-DVD player to the tv and a optical cable to go from the HD-DVD player to the reciever? Basically will and HDMI cable support both sound and video. And if it does, does its suport high quality digital sound like an opitical cable will?

 

[aberkowitz]

Or should I buy a HDMI cable to go from the HD-DVD player to the tv and a optical cable to go from the HD-DVD player to the reciever? Basically will and HDMI cable support both sound and video. And if it does, does its suport high quality digital sound like an opitical cable will?

Short answer- an HDMI cable supports both high quality audio and video. You can set up the A3 in both of the ways that you described- some people prefer to run everything through the receiver, while others like to make the HDMI connection directly to the TV. Personally I run everything through my receiver, but that's b/c I have 3 HDMI inputs on my receiver so it makes it easy to route everything directly.

 

[funked up]

Short answer- an HDMI cable supports both high quality audio and video. You can set up the A3 in both of the ways that you described- some people prefer to run everything through the receiver, while others like to make the HDMI connection directly to the TV. Personally I run everything through my receiver, but that's b/c I have 3 HDMI inputs on my receiver so it makes it easy to route everything directly.

Thanks, most likely I'll run it through my reciever. I have a few other things that I want to run to my reciever too, so that will work out well.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Thanks, most likely I'll run it through my reciever. I have a few other things that I want to run to my reciever too, so that will work out well.

You may also want to consider cables from monoprice?

 

[funked up]

You may also want to consider cables from monoprice?

I've looked at both monoprice and bluejeans cables and have decided to go with monoprice. Couple of quick questions though, whats the difference between HDMI cables and HDMI 1.3a cables? Is there one that I should prefer over other?. And also do I want male to male cables to hook my HD-DVD player to my reciever and then my reciever to the Panny? Thanks for the help.

 

[aberkowitz]

I've looked at both monoprice and bluejeans cables and have decided to go with monoprice. Couple of quick questions though, whats the difference between HDMI cables and HDMI 1.3a cables? Is there one that I should prefer over other?. And also do I want male to male cables to hook my HD-DVD player to my reciever and then my reciever to the Panny? Thanks for the help.

That's a yes on the male-to-male cables... I don't think I've seen any other type of HDMI other than those.

As for the version differences.... here's the wikipedia link that explains what each version supports- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi. The biggest part of version 1.3 is that it can support the transfer of previously decoded DTS MA and Dolby THD... however since regular HDMI supports uncompressed lossless audio, this isn't that big of a deal. Monoprice is so cheap anyway, however, that there's really nothing to lose by buying the 1.3a compatible cable just in case you want to re-use it in the future. I'd recommend any of the 24 AWG cables- either 3 or 6 feet for you depending on the distance.

 

[Alamar]

I've looked at both monoprice and bluejeans cables and have decided to go with monoprice. Couple of quick questions though, whats the difference between HDMI cables and HDMI 1.3a cables? Is there one that I should prefer over other?. And also do I want male to male cables to hook my HD-DVD player to my reciever and then my reciever to the Panny? Thanks for the help.

There may not necessarily be any real difference between HDMI cables and HDMI 1.3a [compliant] cables. What an HDMI 1.3a compliant cable should tell you is that for a cable of that length and composition that it can carry HDMI 1.3a signals without much of a problem.

What a lot of companies might not tell you is that if you have a really short run [<7ft] anything half-way decent cable will be compatible with HDMI 1.3a.

In summary if you have a > 10 ft run of cable then pop for HDMI 1.3a cable that is certified for the distance you need. At runs of 3-6 ft just get any decent HDMI cable and you'll likely be fine.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I've looked at both monoprice and bluejeans cables and have decided to go with monoprice. Couple of quick questions though, whats the difference between HDMI cables and HDMI 1.3a cables? Is there one that I should prefer over other?. And also do I want male to male cables to hook my HD-DVD player to my reciever and then my reciever to the Panny? Thanks for the help.

If you haven't bought this yet, Amazon is selling 6ft HDMI for $0.16, yes, not a misprint

 

[funked up]

If you haven't bought this yet, Amazon is selling 6ft HDMI for $0.16, yes, not a misprint

Thanks but already bought from monoprice. Oh well, only spent 20 bucks all together.