Home Theater Help

[wcc]

I just picked up a Sony LCD TV and upgraded the cable. I ordered the TV so I don't have it yet. It should be here on the 15th of Feb. So in the meantime I've revisited my home theater set up. Which is pretty old, but everything is still good. But I'd like to get some new cables and have everything all set so when it shows up it'll be easy to set up and useable instead of running back out for stuff.

The hook up of the TV will be easy enough. HDMI to HDMI connection from the cable box to the TV.

My question is how to hook up the DVD player to get the best picture and sound? My A/V Receiver doesn't have any component hook ups on the back. But it does have Svideo, 2-Optic, 1-Digital Coaxial.

So I was thinking I could run the component wires from the DVD player to the back of the TV and run a Digital Optic to the Receiver.

Or should I run the S video from the DVD to the receiver then a S cable from the Receiver to the TV.

Or run a Digital Coaxial cable from the DVD player to the Receiver and Scable from the Receiver to TV.

I'm a novice when it comes to this stuff....

[wludavid]

Originally posted by wcc
So I was thinking I could run the component wires from the DVD player to the back of the TV and run a Digital Optic to the Receiver.

That's your best option, picture-wise. But it's compromise in simplicity and spousal satisfaction. (ie, more things to switch and remember)

Or should I run the S video from the DVD to the receiver then a S cable from the Receiver to the TV.

Simpler, but still a good picture. Remember that DVDs don't run at full HD resolution, so any way you do this, you're not going to be maxing out the TV's capability.

Or run a Digital Coaxial cable from the DVD player to the Receiver and Scable from the Receiver to TV.

The picture quality in this case is going depend on if your receiver has a better digital-analog converter than your DVD player.

[wcc]

Using Component wires (Option 1):
I'm not worried about the spouse thing. Cause she never watches movies without me anyways. But wouldn't the DVD player work through the TV alone? Then if I wanted surround all I'd have to do it turn on the receiver and turn off the TV speakers?

Using S-Video (Option 2):
It was hooked up using the S-video cables before and the picture was still very nice, but with the new LCD I would think it would be way better if I stayed with the S-video cables. Wouldn't it?

Digital Coaxial cable:
I doubt the receiver is better then the DVD player cause it's much older, so I'll skip this last option.

On a side note, I would like to watch a DVD with the TV or the surround sound. Sometimes it's kids movies and they don't care about surround yet.

Thanks!!!!

[wludavid]

Originally posted by wcc
Using Component wires (Option 1):
I'm not worried about the spouse thing. Cause she never watches movies without me anyways. But wouldn't the DVD player work through the TV alone? Then if I wanted surround all I'd have to do it turn on the receiver and turn off the TV speakers?

If I understand what you're asking, yes. The video would be routed directly from the DVD player to something like the "Component 1" input. You'd have to switch the TV input from HDMI to the Component input. The Receiver do only the sound.

Using S-Video (Option 2):
It was hooked up using the S-video cables before and the picture was still very nice, but with the new LCD I would think it would be way better if I stayed with the S-video cables. Wouldn't it?

Not sure what you're asking here... Component cables are going to result in a better picture.

It's important to remember that the fewer connections and components you have in a loop, the better the quality. Video-switching in receivers is purely for convenience. Looping the video signal through a receiver does nothing but degrade the signal. If you're using a digital signal, this matters less.

On a side note, I would like to watch a DVD with the TV or the surround sound. Sometimes it's kids movies and they don't care about surround yet.

Thanks!!!!

Then you're going to have to split the signal somewhere.
You can either get y-cables from Radio Shack, or run cables directly from the DVD player to the TV. If the TV has a "line out", you can run cables from there into the receiver for surround sound.

I hope this helps. And doesn't confuse you further.

[wcc]

Option 1:
This sounds like the best option for me cause then I wouldn't need the splitters as you mentioned and would have the best picture and sound. The TV has a Digital Optical out and a line out that I could run to the receiver for sound. I'd use the Optical for better sound.

Option 2:
I guess I was asking if the picture quality would be better on the LCD then it was on my last TV using the same S-cables. I think I'm going to skip this one too then cause it sounds like my original idea (Option 1) is the best way to go for me.

Thanks for your help!

[wludavid]

No prob. Post back here if you get stuck on something.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Not to burst your bubble, but don't get too excited about picture quality on your new TV. I just finished installing my new Mitsubishi 46" LCD last night and it has its pros and cons.

Pros - When something is on in Widescreen HD the picture is absolutely stunning. Best examples I have seen thus far are the NFL Championships, American Idol and the Buick Invitational. You can definitely tell when they break out the 'good' cameras.

Cons - most shows in standard HD have a good picture - not a stunning picture. Get ready for black bars on the sides of the screen. You can make them go away but picture quality suffers.

Standard definition programming is like watching a show using rabbit ears from the 70's. Much better quality on your old TV.

Most DVD's will look better on your old TV, HD DVD or BluRay is what you will want soon.

[wludavid]

Originally posted by gr8fl4porsche
Standard definition programming is like watching a show using rabbit ears from the 70's. Much better quality on your old TV.

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement.

Most DVD's will look better on your old TV, HD DVD or BluRay is what you will want soon.

I think that depends on the old TV. Normal DVDs still look great on HDTVs. Especially when you've got all the settings right, and the DVD is 16:9 aspect ratio disc.

[wcc]

The new TV is a Sony 52" LCD and most of the time I'm watching television instead of movies. I really hope it turns out it has a better picture then what I have now.

The old TV isn't really that old. ~5yrs. But it's a 56" Sony Rear Projection Analog TV and I thought the picture was pretty good and I'm hoping that this new TV is better.

I do not want those black bars on the side all the time for regular TV. I even stressed this point when talking with the numerous (non-commission) sales people before purchase. It has a zoom in type feature but it still looked good on their Digital Cable TV.

If this doesn't work out like I'm thinking I'll be bummed. So I hope it's something we can live with.

[steve911]

Bill--
Another option is to buy a new A/V receiver for $200-$300 that will likely have all the connections you need. (I did this several months ago myself - bought a new Sony A/V from Best Buy to replace the 10+ year old Sony w/o component connections.)

The back of your new Sony LCD will have lots of connections (I have a 40" Bravia). For the DVD, I connected component cable direct from the DVD to the back of the TV (for video), and then composite cables from the DVD to the A/V receiver (for audio).

On Sony TVs, there are also a multitude of choices as to what the input signal is. IIRC, Video 6 is the cable box signal. I chose to hook up the DVD to Video 4. It'll make more sense when you have the unit out of the box. The Sony website also has copies of the manuals available for download. You might want to read it to familiarize yourself with the options.

Whatever you do, suggest, labeling ALL the connections AT BOTH ENDS. This way, you won't have to trace all the cables at a later date if you have a problem.

[wcc]

Originally posted by steve911
Bill--
Another option is to buy a new A/V receiver for $200-$300 that will likely have all the connections you need. (I did this several months ago myself - bought a new Sony A/V from Best Buy to replace the 10+ year old Sony w/o component connections.)

The back of your new Sony LCD will have lots of connections (I have a 40" Bravia). For the DVD, I connected component cable direct from the DVD to the back of the TV (for video), and then composite cables from the DVD to the A/V receiver (for audio).

On Sony TVs, there are also a multitude of choices as to what the input signal is. IIRC, Video 6 is the cable box signal. I chose to hook up the DVD to Video 4. It'll make more sense when you have the unit out of the box. The Sony website also has copies of the manuals available for download. You might want to read it to familiarize yourself with the options.

Whatever you do, suggest, labeling ALL the connections AT BOTH ENDS. This way, you won't have to trace all the cables at a later date if you have a problem.

I thought about picking up a new Receiver, but even though mine is older it has the Optical and Digital Coaxial. I think it will still be nice if I hook up the DVD using Component cables to the TV and the Digital Optical to the Receiver.

Don't Composite cables make your audio analog?

Labeling is a great idea. There is going to be a ton of wires all over the place.

[steve911]

Yes, composite cables do make the audio analog, but it doesn't matter to these (mine) tin ears.

BTW, I added a center channel speaker to my set up and it made all the difference in the world when watching DVDs. Apparently most of the dialog on a DVD goes thru the center channel; if you don't have one, the sound can seem muddled.

And yes, there will be a TON of wires. I also used cable ties to neaten up the package.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by wcc
So I was thinking I could run the component wires from the DVD player to the back of the TV and run a Digital Optic to the Receiver.

Yes, I'd go that route. Or you can run component + optical from the cable box (if supported) to the TV, and use the HDMI for DVD-to-TV.

Originally posted by gr8fl4porsche
Most DVD's will look better on your old TV, HD DVD or BluRay is what you will want soon.

Eventually maybe. But if you want to avoid the wait and $$$ of an HD-DVD/Blu-Ray player (and the risk of ending up with the wrong format ala Betamax), all you need for now is a decent upscaling DVD player. I have been enjoying DVDs in 1080i for over a year now, and I paid under $250. These days you can get up-scaling DVD players with HDMI connectivity for under $100.

This is the one I picked up, and have been very pleased:
http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h.html

I see know they have a new flagship model that up-converts to 1080p and has more connectivity options for not much more:
http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html

[gr8fl4porsche]

Thanks for the tip on the upconverting DVD players.

[Neilk]

or at the VERY least get a cheap (under $50) progressive scan DVD player.

[wcc]

I have a really cheap progressive DVD player because the kids like to push the buttons, push the loading tray, etc. One of those upconverting DVD players is on the list for the near future. The new TV has a few HDMI inputs so I'd run that connection to the new DVD player when I get it.

But that brings me to another question if you guys are up for it. Right now in Progressive mode the screen never looks right. It's split down the middle and the colors are way off and the picture is shaky. If I put it in the "I" (analog?) it works fine. Which I think is ok since it's hooked up to an analog TV. But when I get the new TV will it look right in the progressive mode?

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by wcc
But when I get the new TV will it look right in the progressive mode?

Yes, as long as the new TV supports 480p (which I'm sure it does).

[wcc]

The TV came in yesterday. I hooked it up last night and regular TV isn't so great, but it something I think I can live with. But I do have another question for you guys.

I tried a bunch of DVD's last night too just to see how it looked, and the picture is VERY nice. But lots of my Widescreen DVDs would show a black bar on the top and bottom. There were only a couple that would fill the entire screen. I could get them to fill the screen if I changed the screen format from normal to a zoom. I wouldn't think I would have to zoom for a widescreen movie on a widescreen TV.

I set the DVD player to Progressive mode and set the screen to 16X9 in the DVD menu. So that isn't it, is it? The other thing I noticed was most of my DVDs were something like 2.40:1 (Aspect Ratio) that weren't filling the screen, but the ones that looked the best said they were reformatted to 16x9. So is it just the movie causing the problem?

Or is this just all normal?

[TerryH]

Completely normal. It sounds like you've got it set up correctly. The problem, not really a problem, is there are several wide screen formats. This is usually up to the directors discretion and if you see black bars, you are viewing the film as the director intended.

More about different aspect ratios here.... http://www.hometheaterforum.com/home/wsfaq.html

1.33:1 A standard television set; roughly equivalent to 4:3.
1.37:1 Referred to as the academy aspect ratio. The standard for films shot before the mid-1950s.
1.66:1 A bit wider than a standard TV, but not by much.
1.78:1 The dimensions of a wide screen television set; roughly equivalent to 16:9.
1.85:1 Popular aspect ratio for many movies.
2.35:1 Another popular aspect ratio for movies. <--- this is the one that put black bars above and below on wide screen tvs.

When the dvd says it was reformatted to 16x9, you are losing content. IMHO, it is always best to view a movie as it was intended. The black bars don't bother me in the least. If you darken your room a little, the bars should almost disappear anyway.

Zoom should never used except maybe occasionally for porn!

[wcc]

TerryH - Thanks for the link. I guess I was naive cause I thought all Widescreen movies would fill the screen of a widescreen TV. Apparently not. I still have lots to learn about all this. At least I have it hooked up correctly. I'm just waiting for a couple of cables to come in, then I can see how the surround sound is going to be. Can't wait, they may come in today.