Onkyo receiver set up

[samcam]

I was attempting to hook up a panasonic DMR-E75V DVD/VHS Recorder to an Onkyo TX-SR502 receiver and have a problem. On the dvd/vhs player there are two sets of outputs, one for the dvd player only with s-video and optical which works fine and then another set of outputs for the dvd/vhs common but does not have an s-video output?? From what I understand the inputs on the receiver must all be either composit, s-video, or component. The cable box is hooked up via s-vid and the monitor out is s-video, so everything works fine but the vhs... basically I'm screwed right? any thoughts on this? thanks

 

[Nomo]

The inputs on the back of the reciever do not all need to be the same. It would be best to use the best connections possible, in this case the S-video/optical, but the reciever should detect composite connection just fine.

 

[MDS]

If you want to be able to use the receiver to switch between sources, with only 1 connection to the tv, then Yes the input format must match the output format (the 502 does not transcode from composite to s-video).

You can either connect the video from the vhs directly to tv (and switch inputs on the tv to view it) or you could downgrade all video connections to composite. I would do the former.

 

[hopjohn]

No you are not screwed really, you just won't have an all s-video arrangement. More than likely your receiver just doesn't convert composite signals to s-video, but can use both types of connections, your manual just doesn't cover this. Make the exact same connections you made before to the same inputs and outputs, but now use a composite connection. IMPORATANT ! Keep the s-video connection as it is, you will be using both.

RCVR composite Monitor out > TV composite input as used before
DVD/VHS Rec. common out > RCVR composite input as used before

When you play a DVD, it is possible that both the composite and s-video connection will be output simultaneously, if their is a switch to turn off composite output for the DVD player side, use it. If not, you'll need to test that the receiver and tv are defaulting to the s-video connection.

To do this simply start up a dvd with all the connections made and pull the composite video connection from the dvd player while in operation. If you lose video signal then you know you are going to have to unplug the composite cables everytime you want to watch a dvd using s-video. If not, you know you are good to go.

Keep in mind all VHS operation requires the composite connection.

Why they don't make all of these units S-VHS capable I'll never know, it's not like the technology doesn't exist. I guess it would raise the cost.

 

[MDS]

You cannot connect both the composite monitor out and s-video monitor out at the same time. Most tvs also do not allow both composite and s-video connected at the same time if they are for the same input; ie if 'input1' on the tv has both composite and s-video, only one can be connected.

You can connect all sources (cable box, dvd, vhs) to the receiver using composite video and use one composite cable from the monitor out to the composite in on the tv

OR

You can leave the s-video connections as you have them now and run the vhs composite video to the tv, but you lose the ability to have the receiver switch audio and video at the same time - you will have to switch the video input on the tv.

Hopjohn has a nice theory but it is not how this receiver or any receiver in its class works.

 

[hopjohn]

You cannot connect both the composite monitor out and s-video monitor out at the same time. Most tvs also do not allow both composite and s-video connected at the same time if they are for the same input; ie if 'input1' on the tv has both composite and s-video, only one can be connected.

You can connect all sources (cable box, dvd, vhs) to the receiver using composite video and use one composite cable from the monitor out to the composite in on the tv

OR

You can leave the s-video connections as you have them now and run the vhs composite video to the tv, but you lose the ability to have the receiver switch audio and video at the same time - you will have to switch the video input on the tv.

Hopjohn has a nice theory but it is not how this receiver or any receiver in its class works.

My apologies.

I forgot about the tv and receiver defaulting to the s-video
when using both connections on the same input. When you do this it disables the composite in of the same input. However, when using a different input, it WILL work, but then you have to switch the receiver and the tv individually, which kind of defeats the purpose. So I guess I screwed the pooch on this one.

Your best solution might be this, which is on sale right now for $4.99.

http://www.grandtec.com/grandvision.htm

 

[MDS]

My apologies to you, Hopjohn. I just read the 502 manual and it doesn't say specifically that you cannot connect both monitor outs at the same time. I suspect you are correct now that you've said that both sources will not be active at the same time.

The manual does say that composite inputs will only be output to composite monitor out and composite video1 out and s-video inputs will only be output to s-video monitor out and s-video video1 out.


However, there are a few different scenarios that dictate how it should be hooked up:
1. If you want to use a single cable to the tv, then all inputs must be the same because the receiver does not convert between composite and s-video.
2. If the vcr is connected to the receiver using composite and the composite monitor out is connected to the tv, then you will not be able to record to the vcr (thru the receiver) from any of the inputs that are connected via s-video. My tv, and most others I've seen, share composite and s-video inputs on input 1 and you cannot connect both at the same time, so you will have to use a different tv input for the composite signal than the one used for the s-video monitor out which will require switching tv inputs to view the vcr.

 

[hopjohn]

yep, we are in total agreement....I edited my post above, so you might take a look at it again.

I think the best solution is the little converter I sent a link to. This really eliminates all the problems.

Thanks for your collaboration on this.

 

[samcam]

Hopjohn, thanks so much for the info.!! The converter worked and saved me alot of grief. I was checking online for one and found them anywhere from 99 cents on up. I went to ratshack and bought one for $21.99 to see if it would work and then ordered one off ebay which I will return the other one to ratshack. I could't believe this but I called a "high end" stereo store here and asked them if they had them/how much? $89.95 for "monster" which is probably the same as the 99 cent special, I LMAO in his ear and hung up.....just thought I would share this, Thanks again!!