Need Advice: General Setup for HDTV, cable box, Home Theatre all in one

J

jtc27

Audiophyte
I am trying to figure out the best way to set this all up to take advantage of the best audio and video using the hookups provided.
Here are my components:
Maxent 26" LCD HDTV: 1 x DVI-HDCP (24 pin digital DVI) -Rear, 2 x Component video input (RCA phono x 3) - Rear, 1 x Serial (9 pin D-Sub) - Rear, 1 x VGA input (15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)) - Rear, 1 x VGA output (15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)) - Rear, 6 x Audio line-in (RCA phono x 2) - Rear, 2 x Composite video input (RCA phono) - Rear, 2 x S-Video input (4 pin mini-DIN) - Rear, 1 x Fixed/variable audio output (RCA phono x 2) - Rear, 1 x Subwoofer output (RCA phono)

Motorola Comcast Cable box (not sure which number)
It appears to have:
an hdmi output
component video output
s video outputs
optical or coaxial spdif
basic audio connections

Toshiba SD-43HT Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System
No Digital outputs; Digital inputs: 1 (Toslink optical)
Audio digital-to-analog converter: 24-bit, 96 kHz
HDCD decoding: No
Audio outputs: 5 speaker-level outputs (clip-type), 1 line-level subwoofer output (monaural RCA)
Audio inputs: 1 optical digital-audio, 2 stereo analog (left/right) RCA Composite video inputs: 2 · Composite video outputs: 1
S-video inputs: 0 · S-video outputs: 1
Component video inputs: 0 · Component video outputs: 1 (ColorStream Pro)

Please provide feedback on the best way to connect all three. The Toshiba is a DVD and a receiver so that is throwing me off on the connection instructions.

Thank you,
Jessie
 
J

jtc27

Audiophyte
Please help. . .Cable choices?

Please help with my question above.

My thoughts are to connect comcast motorola box to TV via HDMI to DVI cable. (Comcast only had HDMI for digital output and TV only has DVI input)

Connect DVD player to TV via component cables.

Not sure how to connect audio since DVD player is also receiver (all in one type).


Does anyone know if this will work before I buy all the cables? I have seen conflicting information in my research online. What is the best bet for audio?

Thanks for any help you can provide!
 
M

MDS

Audioholic Spartan
Will you have speakers connected to the Toshiba receiver/dvd combo? I don't see any audio outs from the receiver so you will not be able to get sound to the TV to use the TV speakers when you play a DVD.

The HDMI->DVI adapter should work for the video from the cable box to the TV but you will also have to connect 2 analog audio cables from the cable box to the TV. You won't be able to get Dolby Digital or DTS that way (the cable box will have to decode and downmix DD/DTS to 2 channel stereo).

If you do purchase speakers, there is nothing to connect for the DVD player because it is built into the reciever unit. You could then do as you said and run the HDMI->DVI cable from the cable box to the TV and run an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver to get the audio.
 
J

jtc27

Audiophyte
Surround sound for TV?

Thanks for responding.

I do have speakers connected to the dvd player/receiver. Currently, I can hear DVDs through the speakers connected to the dvd player and also through the speakers on the tv.

I am interested to know if I can set it up so I can watch TV in surround sound through the dvd/receiver speakers? Do you think that is possible? How does the input work when you are watching TV but also have the dvd/receiver on and active?

Sorry if this is a little convoluted. We do not have the manual to the dvd player and I have not found it online yet.

Also do you agree with the component cables running dvd to tv?

Thanks,
J
 
B

broberts

Enthusiast
I'll split this into video and audio connections. Some of this reiterates what MDS already stated.

Video:
Use an HDMI to DVI cable to connect your cable box to the TV. Use a component video cable to connect you receiver/dvd player to the TV. That should take care of your video.

Audio:
Use RCA stereo cable to connect your cable box to the TV. This will allow you to watch cable on the TV without using the receiver and speakers. Also connect an optical audio cable from the cable box to the optical input on the reciever. This will allow you to watch cable TV through the receiver and speakers.

This combination of cables and connections should do everything you want to do in the best way possible. Also, don't use any really expensive cables (i.e. Monster Cable). Its a waste of your money. Stick to Acoustic Research, Impact Acoustics, Blue Jeans Cable, Radio Shack, etc., etc...
 
Last edited:
J

jtc27

Audiophyte
Thanks

Thank you both for your feedback. Also, thanks for answering my next question about cable brands. :D
 
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