Need some system advice

Ken1222
Ken1222 Posts: 17
edited August 2003 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
Hi again everyone. Can someone advise me on hookups?

Here is what I have:

- Digital cable box (digital audio, RCA a/v, s-video outputs)
- Toshiba 32 inch TV (1996 model, one s-video input)
- Onkyo TX-SR600 receiver
- JVC XS502 DVD player (optical audio, s-video outputs)
- Panasonic VCR (RCA a/v outputs)
- Polk RM6700 speakers
- Polk PSW404 subwoofer

Cable is split upon entering house, to cable box and TV ant-1. Cable out from box goes to VCR. RCA video output to from VCR to TV ant-2. DVD optical audio to receiver, s-video to TV.

1. Will I enhance my picture & sound by utilizing the s-video, digital audio, or RCA outputs on my cable box?

2. If I connect audio out from TV to receiver, can I then watch TV with sound thru the Onkyo receiver?

3. Should I use the Excalibur composite to s-video translator on my VCR? Then I could disconnect my RCA a/v outputs from VCR to the TV.

4. How well would an “s-video switch” work? I would plug my VCR Excalibur output, DVD s-video output, and cable s-video output into the switch, and then into the TV.

5. Are there any other suggestions for hookups?
Post edited by Ken1222 on
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Comments

  • Loud & Clear
    Loud & Clear Posts: 1,538
    edited August 2003
    For Christ's sake! Won't someone help this man?! He's been standing around for the last seven hours, holding every interconnect that he owns, waiting for someone to tell him what to do with them! Ken is a h-u-m-a-n ... b-e-i-n-g!

    Two Channel Setup:

    Speakers: Wharfedale Opus 2-3
    Integrated Amp: Krell S-300i
    DAC: Arcam irDac
    Source: iMac
    Remote Control: iPad Mini

    3.2 Home Theater Setup:

    Fronts: Klipsch RP-160M
    Center: Klipsch RP-160M
    Subwoofer: SVS PB12NSD (X 2)
    AVR: Yamaha Aventage RX-A2030
    Blu Ray: Sony BDP-S790
    TV Source: DirecTV Genie
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  • Fastmerc
    Fastmerc Posts: 99
    edited August 2003
    Not familiar with Onkyo does that model not have a video switching system built in?

    Question 1- You should use the Digital audio out and the S-video out.

    Question 2-Yes...but it would be more ideal to run the cable box, vcr, dvd, etc...all straight to the reciever for audio.

    Question 3- Not sure what an excaliber translator does...but if the sigal originates with composite it wont get any better...i believe the translator might just allow you to use older equipment with models that may only have s video in.

    Question 4-depends on that Onkyo...Most recievers I have seen lately should be able to do your video switching for you. If it doesnt you could certainly use and external video switching device....just make sure to get a quality one to avoid signal degredation.

    Hope that helps.
    Brett
    Mains: RT20Ps
    Center: CS350LS
    R. Surround: RT16s
    R. Center: CS350LS
    F. Effects: LS/FX
    Sub: Titanic 15
    Reciever: Yamaha RX-Z1
    TV: 55 LED LCD
    Interconnects:AR, RSF, MC
    Speaker Cable:MC
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  • Ken1222
    Ken1222 Posts: 17
    edited August 2003
    Thanks!
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    edited August 2003
    If S video is what your running everything in then I suggest instead of buying the converter,buy a S video VCR.there so cheap now and worth it.There video performance is better then the standard models on the market.Mitsubishi makes S video VCRS.So does many others like JVC and Panasonic.

    I think you might need to get a hookup guide and understand why running wires here and there.It will help you understand what your doing.

    Just for some tips here.Use the highest quality cables money can buy(yours I mean).Use the best connections.If your source can output in digital VIA coax or fiber,use it(don't forget to setup your source for the best possible digital out,like in your dvd player to pass DTS and Dolby Digital).Allow the receiver to do all the processing.Video as well whatever your TV can accept,use that.In your case S video for everything.Your receiver should be able to switch all your sources.Then you can leave the TV on one video input and change the inputs of the receiver to switch your sources........simple and very easy.

    Once you get a good solid basic understanding,then you can grow on this Idea, but untill then.....
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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