Projector...best hook-up options? help!

[mnnc]

Just purchased an Infocus 4805 for secondary system. Viewed a friends and was very satisfied with what I saw. Saved a bunch of money that I did not have to spend in the first place. Nevertheless, I will use it for dvd's mainly. I will also use it for playing xbox/ps2 from time to time and maybe some tv but not much tv. Mainly dvd movies/concerts. My recv'r has s-vid monitor out. No component monitor out. I would like to run dvd player through recv'r as I am currently doing so as to simplify switching and connections. My concern is can I get 480 progressive with s-video cable run to the projector or must I use the 3rca/component out straight from dvd player(to projector) to get the best results from my dvd's?. I will of course continue to run audio from player to recv'r for sound purposes but I want the best vid performance I can get with an older Denon 2800 which only has s-vid monitor out as mentioned previously. Perhaps I should run component straight from dvd player to 4805(for movies, etc) and s-vid from recv'r to 4805 for xbox, tv? Dvd player is not dvi or hdmi fitted. Thanks in advance.

 

[majorloser]

If I were you, I'd run a composite video and S-video from the receiver to the projector and a separate component video hookup from the DVD player to the projector. More hookups give you more options for the future. The S-video cable is the most expensive and has the problems with losses over long length. RG-6 cable with RCA ends can be used for the component cables.

Component video would give you the best picture for Xbox and PS but that's not an option for now. Your receiver can handle digital audio so that's a plus for the games and DVD. Receiver can be a future option, but not needed.

Another future option would be a cheap upconverting DVD player, like the OPPO or the NeuNeo will give you DVI/HDMI output direct the projector.

 

[mnnc]

So can I get progressive scan via the s-vid cable or is svid not progressive enabled? Or do I refer to projectors specs? I believe the only progressive/hd capabilities are through the component and or vga?(multi-pin connection on projector)/with hdmi or dvi adaptor. But again, I don't have a component w/ hdmi/dvi outs.

 

[majorloser]

Which is why I said run separate component cable from your DVD player to the projector. S-video will only give you 480i.

S-video will be fine for now for the Xbox and PS2 since having the switching through the receiver for these is available. With only one device using the component video input to the projector all you have to do is select that input on the projector when you want to watch a movie.

Another cheap alternative is a component video switcher. Here's an example:
http://www.inday.com/rgb4x/rgb4x.htm

(If you already spent the money for the HD adapter for the Xbox. They always charge more for these damn adapters!)

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would definitely consider that outboard component switcher. There are even models at Wal-Mart for about 20 bucks that can switch component video for you and do a good job at it.

You always want to try to use the best connection you possibly can. Cable in HD if possible over component or HDMI/DVI. X-Box over component. DVD over component. Heck, I think I only have one or two devices anymore that aren't component.

You can't send anything better than 480i resolution over composite or s-video, and even with 480i, component may still give you a bit better quality in the long run - so use it!

If running wires to the projector is difficult make sure you run, at the very least, composite, component, and HDMI wiring.

 

[mnnc]

Which is why I said run separate component cable from your DVD player to the projector. S-video will only give you 480i.

S-video will be fine for now for the Xbox and PS2 since having the switching through the receiver for these is available. With only one device using the component video input to the projector all you have to do is select that input on the projector when you want to watch a movie.

Another cheap alternative is a component video switcher. Here's an example:
http://www.inday.com/rgb4x/rgb4x.htm

(If you already spent the money for the HD adapter for the Xbox. They always charge more for these damn adapters!)

I have a trick little hd box for the xbox which gives me total choice for connectivity concerning the game console. I can use component, s, or composite and optical or coax digi. I'm using svid for video and a fiber optic for audio for the xbox and all this fed to tv via svid monitor out. Think I will keep this the same going to projector and get a 20ft component for the dvd duties. Problem solved? Don't have any use for worrying about single composite vid cable as I don't use anything with that hookup.