Mixing new TV with old Receiver...Help!

[nremondelli]

So, I just bought a new Plasma with all the normal newer connections. I am getting DirectTV installed today and also picked up a Blueray Player. I have a really old Phillips receiver (2001) that does not have HDMI ports. I am a complete newb and don't know the best setup here. I'm assuming an HDMI cable goes from the TV to the DirectTV box. I would also assume that a HDMI cable goes from the Blueray Player to the TV.

But what is the best way to get them to the receiver so that I am using it for the audio instead of the TV's speakers?

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I was in that same situation earlier this summer. I agree that connecting the video directly from the sources (Directv receiver and blu-ray player) to the TV using HDMI is the best plan. As for audio, that will depend on your available connections. If possible, you'll want to connect the digital audio (either coax or optical) from both the Directv receiver and blu-ray player to your Philips receiver.

 

[JerryLove]

I'll make a slight change to Adam's suggestion. If your Blu-ray has a 5-channel out, and your receiver has a 5-channel in (or 7-and-7, though if the BR is 7-out and the receiver is 5 in I'm unsure): it's possible that your Blu-ray's decoders are better than your receivers, and that you should use those connectors rather than the optical.

But yes, I've been in that boat too.

 

[Adam]

That's a very good point, Jerry! I had completely forgotten about that. On my previous receiver, the multi-channel inputs didn't use any of the equalizer or bass management settings from the receiver, so they sounded pretty bad. So, it tends not to enter my mind.

 

[nremondelli]

Here is a picture of my receiver:

and here is a picture of my BluRay Player:

I don't have the DirectTV box yet, but it probably has a digital audio out too.

So if I understand correctly, HDMI cables from DVR to TV and from DVD to TV.

This is where I am fuzzy...optical cable from DirectTV Box to the Receiver's. DVD player gets the Red, White cables?

I am so lost! Thanks for your expertise though!

 

[Adam]

Based on the connections on the back of the blu-ray player, you'll want to use the optical digital audio output and connect that to your receiver.

Jerry mentioned using multi-channel analog connections if you have them (that would connect to the "6 CHANNEL / DVD INPUT" jacks on the back of the receiver), but your blu-ray player doesn't have those (neither does mine). So, go with the optical connection. It will sound immensely better than the red/white analog connections.

Which blu-ray player do you have? I could look up if you need to set anything in the set-up menu to get the best sound from that optical connection.

 

[nremondelli]

Okay, I think I'm getting it. My only question is that if the receiver only has one digital optical connection and I am using that for the dvd player, how do I hook the tv up to the receiver to get optimal sound, and where does the directtv DVR HD box come into play.

By the way, can you tell I am clueless!

The Bluray player is the Samsung BD P-1600.

Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[Adam]

By the way, can you tell I am clueless!

That's not a clueless question at all! I was dealing with the same thing this summer because my receiver didn't have enough optical inputs.

You probably won't need to worry about connecting the audio output from the TV to the receiver. Unless you will be watching over-the-air broadcasts or cable directly connected to the TV, then all of the sound will be coming from other sources (Directv receiver or blu-ray player). So, you might be okay.

If the Directv receiver only has an optical digital audio output and not a coax digital audio output, then you have some options. I say that we cross that bridge if/when we get to it.

 

[Warpdrv]

So do have a 5 speaker setup here, or just 2....

BTW can you post what Philips receiver model you have.

If your only trying to drive 2 speakers your in fine position, if your trying to run a 5.1 surround type scenario then you may want to start taking a look at newer recievers, all your components are capable of 5.1 surround output either by HDMI or optical... and you only have 1 5.1 type input (optical)

There are no other orange type RCA inputs on that unit...?

Oh and one other thing.... Most Bluray Players I know of play DVD's which eliminates the need to have a DVD player at all, so that eliminates the need for 3 units instaed of just 2, BluRay - and Direct TV.

 

[Adam]

There are no other orange type RCA inputs on that unit...?

There are two coax digital audio inputs. They just aren't orange - the receiver pre-dates that color coding.

I figure if the Directv receiver has a coax digital audio output, then there probably won't be any issues. If it only has an optical output, then there are some options (with getting a new receiver being the most expensive).

 

[Warpdrv]

There are two coax digital audio inputs. They just aren't orange - the receiver pre-dates that color coding.

I figure if the Directv receiver has a coax digital audio output, then there probably won't be any issues. If it only has an optical output, then there are some options (with getting a new receiver being the most expensive).

Ahhh yes you are right...
Lets hope that each input has its own button to select it, and he would be good to go either way...

 

[nremondelli]

It looks like the DirectTV receiver an HDMI, a component hook-up an optical hook-up and a coaxial.

Thoughts?

 

[Adam]

Do you have the model number of the Directv receiver, or can you give us pictures of the back panel? I'd like to see it before throwing up suggestions.

 

[nremondelli]

It is the HR22-100

Here is the back:

 

[Adam]

Awesome! I wasn't sure if the "coaxial" that you mentioned was a coax digital audio output or simply the coax cable connection.

You are all set for audio, from what I can tell:

• Optical digital audio connection from blu-ray player to Philips receiver
• Coax digital audio connection from Directv receiver to Philips receiver

Did I miss any other connections that you want to make?

 

[nremondelli]

Awesome. Does anything go to the tv to the receiver?

 

[Adam]

Awesome. Does anything go to the tv to the receiver?

If you mean from the TV to the receiver, you'd only need that if you have audio running through the TV other than from the Directv receiver and blu-ray player HDMI connections. An example would be if you were watching over-the-air broadcasts.

 

[zumbo]

Off topic.

Adam, I have seen you help more people than any other member on this site. I pop-in from time-to-time, and I am always amazed to see you are online helping. What a great guy.

 

[Adam]

Off topic.

Adam, I have seen you help more people than any other member on this site. I pop-in from time-to-time, and I am always amazed to see you are online helping. What a great guy.

Thanks, Zumbo! Very nice of you to say. I do what I can, but I'm just one among the many great people here. I just post so much that you're more likely to see me.