I think I screwed up!

[MikeC]

Yes I am certainly new. I probably should have posted here before I actually purchased everything. But, as I continue to mess around with my set up, I'm learning I may have not got everything I wanted - or even knew was available.

I have a TV - Sony WEGA 43 inch, with only one HDMI input. Problem is, I have a DirecTV HD receiver with a HDMI output and I purchased a new DVD player so I could use the HDMI on it for clearer picture. Now I find that I can't hook both up to my TV using HDMI cables. I moved the HDMI from the DVD player to the HD DTV box because I watch more TV than DVD's and I put the Composites on the DVD player. But I want both!! Is there a way that I can use a Y connector or something so I can use HDMI cables from both the Dish Receiver and the DVD player.

Thanks all -- yes I'm very new to this!

Mike.

 

[jonnythan]

The DVD player probably only upconverts via HDMI, so you should definitely use HDMI for the DVD player.

However, with the DirecTV receiver, you will probably not notice a lick of difference between using the HDMI and component (red, green, blue) inputs. Easiest thing to do is buy this cable and be done with it.

Of course, if you really want to have both on HDMI, you can buy an HDMI switcher.

Here is an HDMI switcher that's a lot cheaper but must be manually operated.. which may not be a big deal if you have to get up to put a DVD in the player anyway.

BTW, I recommend Monoprice for HDMI cables as well.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Buy an HDMI switching AVR? Sony has one for under $400.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Buy an HDMI switching AVR? Sony has one for under $400.

www.monoprice.com has 5x1 remote controlled HDMI switchers for under $150.00 and manually operated push-button ones for under 30 bucks. I would never recommend someone switch their entire receiver just to add a bit of basic switching. That's me though.

 

[MikeC]

www.monoprice.com has 5x1 remote controlled HDMI switchers for under $150.00 and manually operated push-button ones for under 30 bucks. I would never recommend someone switch their entire receiver just to add a bit of basic switching. That's me though.

Thanks, but I'm not sure I know what you mean by this. Does that switch create problems?

 

[jonnythan]

I think he was saying that you shouldn't buy or replace an entire receiver just to obtain HDMI switching capability. The "more correct" answer is to add an HDMI switcher to an existing system instead of replacing the core component.

 

[darien87]

Thanks, but I'm not sure I know what you mean by this. Does that switch create problems?

Hey Mike. I was in the same predicament you're in, and I agree with the earlier comment; that you should use HDMI for your DVD player and component for your cable box. I switched back and forth between component and HDMI on my cable box, and I didn't notice any difference. Plus my cable box had this weird quirk, that whenever I turned the TV on for the first time with the HDMI cable, I would only get like half the picture, (everything would go back to normal once I changed the channel). Not that big of a deal, but kind of annoying.

So unless you have a REALLY kick-*** TV, I wouldn't bother with HDMI on the cable.

Good luck.

 

[JVC]

Do you also have a DVI input on your tv?
I went to Sony's site, and couldn't find a 43" Wega, so I'm asking.
If so, you can use an HDMI to DVI cable, and get just as good a picture also.

 

[FierceTIMbo17]

Buy an HDMI switching AVR? Sony has one for under $400.

wow thats crazy that is by far the cheapest one ive seen, however i dont like sony audio products but good to know prices on hdmi recievers are coming down.

Myself and alot of people i know/read about have not seen a difference between HDMI and component for HD cable, sat. ect. HDMI is not necessarly a better cable than component just convienent that it carries digital audio/sound in one cable and also since its nearly impossible to find an upconverting dvd player that will upconvert over component.

You didnt screw up many people dont have enought inputs for all the things they want, my advice get some component cables and run that and hdmi to your tv, switched between sources to see if you can tell a difference, if not run the component cable and hdmi dvd. If you notice a diference then get a switch it wont harm quality or anything, i wouldnt recomend a reciever at this moment with HDMI 1.3 hopefully just around the corner.