Newb Questions - Wii, Cable, DVD, to a Receiver

[CountryMud]

Alright, I am sure some might bash me for starting out with the following system.

Currently own a Samsung 32" 720p LCD hooked up to digital cable, Phillips dvd player (connected via HDMI), and also a Wii (connected by component cables). Will also be getting a TiVo next week. Purchased one of the Klipsch Quintet III series, with a 10" Synergy Sub, and Yamaha 5.1 RX-V461 from BestBuy. I intend on buying a Logitech Harmony 880 as well.

I am needing guidance on what cables to purchase on how to hook the system up.

Yes, I purchased the system alone without doing this. I wanted to go ahead and get the system this week because I am moving next week right before Thanksgiving and would like to set it up as I am moving in, and not mess with items and the combo offer being sold out after Black Friday. Speaker cable/connector wise, that is pretty straight forward. I am needing help with connecting the Cable box, dvd player, and Wii to the receiver as well as the TV.

I have been trying to research and read posts through here, but nothing that I have found was specifically clear. I am sure I didn't search thorough though- I just hope this will not irritate with having questions.

From what I can tell, I will need a fiber-optic cable running from the cable box to the receiver, and a digital coaxial cable from the dvd player to the receiver, while still using HDMI to the TV. I assume the TiVo will just connect via the coaxial cable to the TV and not have anything to do with the receiver.
However, how will I connect my Wii? As I stated, it is using component cables, so do I connect all of that directly into the receiver- but then how do I connect the receiver to the TV? Just a set of component video cables?

List of cables so far I can account for needing:
Digital Fiber-Optic (cable box to receiver)
Banana Connectors for speaker wire to receiver as well as speakers
Subwoofer Cable for sub to receiver
Digital Coaxial (dvd to receiver) - No the dvd player does not have fiber-optic.
Component Video?

Really sorry its such newb questions. But will appreciate any help offered. Thanks

Charlie K

 

[Haoleb]

I would reccomend you use coaxial digital vs optical for audio if the component has it. Also, If the reciever has upconverting you can go Component video from a source to the reciever then HDMI from the reciever to the tv. I personally am not very fond of HDMI in a setup where recievers are involved. Mainly because sometimes it doesnt work. And the stupid HDCP. Personally I would run component from all of your sources, And coaxial digital all into the reciever then a single component to the tv. In my opinion HDMI has zero advantages that make it worth using vs component besides the fact you carry video and audio in one cable.

The tivo you can connect up a couple of ways. Since you have digital cable you will want to hook it up to the cable box, which will run to the tivo and then you would take the output of the tivo into the reciever. Or you could run the cable box directly to the reciever via component or HDMI and then run the cable box into the tivo via composite if its not an HD version.

 

[CountryMud]

Why do you prefer coaxial digital as opposed to optical?
I planned on digital coaxial cable for the DVD player because thats the only other output form it supports.

The receiver does not support HDMI, nor have the cable coaxial connections. Still curious as to your preference why digital coaxial though for audio. The TiVo only has composite in and out, as you stated, so I might as well connect the cable box to the receiver, then composite from the box into the TiVo. However, will I still have audio when using the TV this way?

 

[Haoleb]

I prefer coaxial because you can use practically any rca cable for it. secondly its a more secure connection and you dont have to worry about dirt etc.

If your reciever does not support HDMI that could be a problem because some components will not let you use the HDMI connection and the digital audio connection at the same time. Again, I really hate HDMI

I cant tell you exactly how things should be hooked up without being there hooking it up myself so I probably havent been much help. But the tivo, the last time i hooked one up it was setup so that you run the cable box through the tivo. Then they give you some stupid IR eyes for it too. Yuck. But anyway the tivo comes with a manual that can probably explain better than I can how to hook it up.

 

[CountryMud]

Alright.... I think I have everything understood properly...
And am understanding that this will be a little bit of $$$ for all these cables.
Do you feel I absolutely must invest in Monster Cables, or would
the Rocketfish or similar brands (for half the price) from locals like BestBuy
be sufficient?

Wall Jack to Cable Box:

Standard Coaxial Cable​

Cable Box to TiVo:

Video: S-Video
Audio: Composite​

TiVo to Receiver:

Video: S-Video
Audio: Composite​

DVD Player to Receiver:

Video: Component
Audio: Digital Coaxial​

Wii to Receiver:

A/V: Component​

Receiver to LCD TV:

Video: Component​

 

[Haoleb]

Seems ok, By composite I imagine you mean just left and right audio for the tivo. Composite is the yellow video connection. If you have an HD cable box run component from the cable box to the reciever along with a digital audio. And then seperatly run svideo and analog left and right audio from the cable box to the tivo, and then from the tivo svideo and left and right audio to the reciever. Whatever you record on the tivo wont be in surround sound or HD but at least you can still watch the HD live with surround sound.

Also, No you dont need to spend all the extra money for monster cable. Their stuff is overpriced unless you can find it on clearance. Alot of people like this company for quality cables at a decent price. Ive even seen some decent looking cables at ace hardware which had solder connections and a nice quality cable and connectors.

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

 

[CountryMud]

Yes, that was what I meant (red/white). Sorry.
So the only way to watch TiVo in Surround is getting the HD Tuner? Ugh, I can get the 80hr Series2 Dual Tuner for $75 from BestBuy right now. Meanwhile the HD is $300.
Also, if I run cables directly from the cable box to the receiver, then when not watching TiVo, I would have to switch inputs on the receiver correct? As opposed to just having the cable box go through the TiVo and watch everything through it. And the cable box our apt complex provides is only Component. So would I really be gaining that much by doing that?

 

[Haoleb]

As far as i know the only channels that offer a true surround sound mix are high definition. I could be wrong though. And yes you would have to switch inputs on the reciever to watch the live feed and recorded stuff. Im getting confused now, When you say the cable box you have only has component output (red green and blue) do you mean thats the ONLY output it has? If you have any of the scientific atlanta boxes they have all kinds of outputs. If you cable box only has composite (the yellow video) then you wont get any benefits from running the video straight to the reciever vs going to the tivo first.

 

[jcPanny]

Budget cables

I have also had good results with the A/V cables from monoprice.

As long as you DO NOT go out and buy the $90 Monster HDMI cables like my friend just did! Check out prices for the Harmony remote and other electronics online so you don't have to pay retail at BB or CC.

 

[CountryMud]

The cable is through our apartment complex (because they have in the lease, that if you want to sign up with any of the major companies, you are required a $300,000 renters insurance-just because they do not want dishes attached to the buildings in any way). However, all the cable box provides is a fiber optic audio, with component video.
BestBuy is selling the Harmony 880 for $150 tomorrow. My friend called all excited, asking if I would pick it up for him since he has to work retail. I pointed out the fact that Amazon sells it for $156 every day of the week. That kind of shut him up. And prevented myself from messing with the crowds..