Three Denon 4310 Set-Up Questions

[DBooger]

Picked it up Wednesday, and I think I love it so far.

I know these are NooB questions, but hey ... I'm a NooB. And before I'm asked: "Yes", I (attempted to) read the owners manual, several different times.

Q1: There are three component video inputs, and five or six composite video inputs. The RCA audio L/R inputs are located just below the composite video "ins." Are the first three component video inputs mutually exclusive to the first three composite video inputs? That is, if you're running a cable box to composite video one, does that "block off" component video one?

Q2: My DVD / SACD disc changer has 5.1 audio out. Does this connect to the "Ext In"?

Q3: I used HDMI cable to connect my digital cable box. While I received a "handshake", I then received a blue bar through the picture with some message about HDCP / copy protection. Any ideas on how to wire around this?

Many, MANY thanks in advance

 

[Adam]

Congrats on the new receiver! That's a nice one.

Q1: There are three component video inputs, and five or six composite video inputs. The RCA audio L/R inputs are located just below the composite video "ins." Are the first three component video inputs mutually exclusive to the first three composite video inputs? That is, if you're running a cable box to composite video one, does that "block off" component video one?

Nope. The component video inputs are assignable, so there isn't any conflict like that.

Q2: My DVD / SACD disc changer has 5.1 audio out. Does this connect to the "Ext In"?

That is one option, yes. If you're DVD/SACD player has an HDMI output and supports DSD transfer over HDMI, then you could use HDMI instead.

Q3: I used HDMI cable to connect my digital cable box. While I received a "handshake", I then received a blue bar through the picture with some message about HDCP / copy protection. Any ideas on how to wire around this?

Check and see if the cable box supports HDCP. If it does not, then two things come to mind: (1) get the cable company to supply one that does support HDCP, or (2) connect the cable box directly to the TV for video, and connect the cable box to the Denon for audio. If the cable box does support HDCP, let us know, and I'll think about it some more.

 

[DBooger]

Thanks, Adam.

I'm using a legacy DVD / SACD changer, so I'm limited to non-HDMI out.

I probably just need to spend even MORE time w/ the cable set up. My problem seems too elementary, even for a brain-dead cable provider.

 

[Adam]

Which cable box do you have?

 

[DBooger]

Ummm ...

Time Warner? It's approx. 2" tall by 8" wide by 10" deep. It has NO buttons / switches on the front.

Maybe you're looking for a model number?

 

[Adam]

Maybe you're looking for a model number?

Yep.

I just thought that we could better help you with the HDCP issue if we knew which box you had.

 

[DBooger]

OK, here's the current status:

1) Cable box HDMI "out" via HDMI cable to HDMI3 "in" on back of AVR? "Check"
2) Cable source "in" selected as HDMI3 thru GUI? "Check"
3) Various ancillary input tweaks adjusted accordingly? "Ummm...think so..."

Getting audio and flashes of video, then solid green screen, no more copy protect messages.

Help?

 

[AVRat]

What model TV are you using?

 

[DBooger]

Success, of a sort.

Several threads in this forum suggested ignoring the HDMI out, and using component video and RCA audio out of my hi-def cable box. I did, and now I have cable!

PROS:
I now have a legacy DVD / SACD changer, a PS3, and a cable box connected and working with my 4310. Picture is provided through a 65" Sharp Aquos.

CONS:

I can't help but wonder if I'm leaving some video resolution / audio quality behind.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

This may help.
http://www.batpigworld.com/setup.html#manual_setup

 

[AVRat]

Cable box - component video and audio via digital coax/optical to receive DD 5.1

DVD/SACD - component video and audio via MC analog and digital coax/optical

PS3 - HDMI or component video and audio via digital coax/optical

 

[DBooger]

Well, I just posted in the "Connections" forum, but my cable box is a Motorola DCX 3200.

Works wonderfully with component video / digital coax audio, but I still get the blue message bar, "Not compliant with HDCP."

 

[AVRat]

Do you receive the message if you directly connect the HDMI between the TV and cable box?

 

[DBooger]

Rat -

First, thanks.

I haven't tried HDMI straight to TV, but I think (?) I'd rather deal with the component video (720p, right?) than try to sort out non-AVR video links. I like the convenience of AV switching without a multi-step process.

Perhaps my answer further reveals my technical ineptness.