Newbie needs connection help for new home theater

[geob]

First post, so here goes. I'm trying to put together my own home theater. Here's what I have:

1) Panasonic 42" plasma (DVI input)
2) DirecTV HD Tivo (HDMI input)
3) Denon AVR 2805
4) old Sony DVD player (component, S-Video, optical out)
5) old Sony CD player
6) Polk Audio subwoofer
7) 5 speaker surround already wired

So I need cables. I'm planning on running an HDMI/DVD cable from HD Tivo to plasma. My DVD player is old, so which connection would you use? Let's say I purchased a new DVD player with upconversion (and a DVI or HDMI input), wouldn't I still want to use the plasma's DVI connection for the Tivo since I use that way more often? If I don't use the DVI/HDMI input on a new DVD player am I losing some of its capabilities?

Suggestions for audio cables for CD player and subwoofer would be appreciated as well. Lastly, can a subwoofer be placed in an enclosed cabinet (in the corner of the room) or does that completely render it useless? Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[BMXTRIX]

1. Connect DirecTV/Tivo to TV using HDMI/DVI connection
2. Connect digital audio AND analog audio up to your 2805 from DirecTV/Tivo
3. If you ever want to dump onto VCR, also connect composite video from DirecTV/Tivo unit to 2805
4. Connect component from DVD player to 2805
5. Connect S/PDIF digital audio from DVD player to 2805
6. Also connect analog audio from DVD player to 2805
7. With CD player - connect both digital and analog audio to 2805

The analog audio allows for zone 2 (if you ever decide to use it) to work without problems and you can just use generic blister pack (cheap!) cables.

I would never put a subwoofer inside a cabinet, but if I did, it would not be in the corner of the room, and I would have to own a forward facing subwoofer. There is a pretty good article on installing speakers in cabinets.

HERE: http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/loudspeakers/subwooferplacement01.php

Yep, fun days ahead!

 

[geob]

Thanks for your reply BMX. In regards to your recommendation (#5 - connect S/PDIF digital audio from DVD to 2805), is this the preferred method versus using the optical digital out (Toslink)? As for the HDMI/DVI cable, I'll need about a 20-25' foot cable. They can be very expensive (many are priced over $100). However, there is one on ebay for $25 with shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73387&item=5770291422&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Any thoughts?

 

[geob]

Or an even cheaper HDMI/DVI cable. Can I get away with this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=32837&item=5770473819&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would think it would be fine, but I am not using any digital connections for video. In theory, it should work fine.

Toslink or S/PDIF - doens't matter in my opinion. Pick one that you are comfortable with.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

1. Connect DirecTV/Tivo to TV using HDMI/DVI connection
2. Connect digital audio AND analog audio up to your 2805 from DirecTV/Tivo
3. If you ever want to dump onto VCR, also connect composite video from DirecTV/Tivo unit to 2805
4. Connect component from DVD player to 2805
5. Connect S/PDIF digital audio from DVD player to 2805
6. Also connect analog audio from DVD player to 2805
7. With CD player - connect both digital and analog audio to 2805

The analog audio allows for zone 2 (if you ever decide to use it) to work without problems and you can just use generic blister pack (cheap!) cables.

I would never put a subwoofer inside a cabinet, but if I did, it would not be in the corner of the room, and I would have to own a forward facing subwoofer. There is a pretty good article on installing speakers in cabinets.

HERE: http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/loudspeakers/subwooferplacement01.php

Yep, fun days ahead!

Why the digital and analog together for cd/dvd? Does the Denon pick the better signal?

 

[warpdrive]

For HDMI and DVI, use the SHORTEST length you can get away with. Running lengths longer than 15 feet with DVI is iffy and you start running into problems with HDMI lengths longer than, say, 25 ft. Digital Video connections are notoriously finicky, and you may not even get a signal above a certain length.

I'd say go with Component Video for your DVD player if it's not your primary source. It should be quite comparable to DVI in most cases. I'm running a Panasonic S97 (which is one of the better upsampling HDMI DVD players, and the difference between the upsampled digital video and component video is only really noticeable on my very large 92" screen front projector running at native resolution, on a smaller screen it's very subtle and I wouldn't bother unless it was my primary souce.) Of course, it also depends on your particular display, some displays that do resampling do a better job than others with different inputs.

 

[claudermilk]

Why the digital and analog together for cd/dvd? Does the Denon pick the better signal?

I'm not sure what the "old Sony DVD" and "old Sony CD" players can read, but if there is any SACD capability, you HAVE to use the analog connects while with CD and DVD, you have to use the digital connects.

For example, my Denon 2200 has both the 6-channel analog AND the 75-ohm Digital audio connected for that very reason. SACD outputs through the analog, everything else outputs through the digital.

 

[geob]

1. Connect DirecTV/Tivo to TV using HDMI/DVI connection
2. Connect digital audio AND analog audio up to your 2805 from DirecTV/Tivo
3. If you ever want to dump onto VCR, also connect composite video from DirecTV/Tivo unit to 2805
4. Connect component from DVD player to 2805
5. Connect S/PDIF digital audio from DVD player to 2805
6. Also connect analog audio from DVD player to 2805
7. With CD player - connect both digital and analog audio to 2805

The analog audio allows for zone 2 (if you ever decide to use it) to work without problems and you can just use generic blister pack (cheap!) cables.

I would never put a subwoofer inside a cabinet, but if I did, it would not be in the corner of the room, and I would have to own a forward facing subwoofer. There is a pretty good article on installing speakers in cabinets.

HERE: http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/loudspeakers/subwooferplacement01.php

Yep, fun days ahead!

BMX -

So some are telling me that connecting the DVD player directly to the TV (vs DVD to 2805) enhances picture quality. True or false? Also, can you please elaborate on hooking up both digital and analog connections for CD/DVD player for the purposes of zone 2? Being a novice, I'm not really sure what you're referring to. As for the subwoofer, it will be placed "outside" in the corner of the room. Thanks.