DISH & Surround Sound

szerlip@bellsouth.net · 02-24-2007, 04:09 PM

I inherited an older system (i.e., the former owner of the house left it behind), built around a Yamaha Rx-V1200 AV. DISH Network tells me I have to connect the DISH receiver to the AV using an optical cable. Unfortunately, the AV doesn't have an optical port for satellite, only an RCA plug, so I connected the DISH via optical cable to the D-TV optical port, but I don't think I'm getting surround sound. Any suggestions?

Second issue: Try as I might with various wiring configurations, I can't get the on-screen display to work. The system consists of the DISH receiver, the AV, a CD player and a DVD player, all wired to their appropriate ports pursuant to the AV manual.

BillZee

szerlip@bellsouth.net · 02-24-2007, 07:19 PM

Issue One is resolved. Issue Two regarding on-screen display is still a problem.

Ed Moxley · 02-24-2007, 09:41 PM

OSD (on screen display) will usually only work with s-video or composite (yellow rca cable). Especially with older setups. What cable hookups are you using? You may also have to turn on OSD in the receiver's setup menus. Not sure about that though. Won't hurt to look.........
Good luck!

szerlip@bellsouth.net · 02-24-2007, 10:09 PM

Thanks. I tried all that in every combination I could think of. When I first moved into the house I hired someone to set everything up and OSD worked. He then changed some connection and I can't figure out what it was. Guess I'll just keep experimenting.

Ed Moxley · 02-24-2007, 10:15 PM

Do you have any video cables going from receiver to the tv? Maybe component? If so, you may need to disconnect them, when connecting s-video or yellow rca, in case they are overriding what you're trying to do?

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Bob McElfresh · 02-24-2007, 11:35 PM

Keep in mind that most standard TV stations might give you stereo signals which is not even ProLogic and wont make a peep from your rear speakers. Make sure you use a HBO or premium station to test with.

OSD Problem: You need to identify which video cable type you are running into and out-of the receiver. I believe that receiver has a menu setting or a switch in the back to make the OSD come out the composite or SVideo port.

A 'composite' cable is a single RCA cable, usually colored yellow.

A 'svideo' cable is a single cable (with 2 wires inside) and a 'keyboard' type mini connector.

Hopefully - all your devices are using SVideo cables because they give a 20% better picture.

Once you know what video connection type you have, then start hunting in the receiver menu system (or go to www.yamaha.com for a manual), and find where the OSD settings are. I suspect you are using 1 cable type and it is set to the other.

Hope this helps.

Bob McElfresh · 02-24-2007, 11:43 PM

Note: I just looked up the specs on that receiver. The RX-v1200 has 4 SVideo outputs. I suspect your TV is hooked to the wrong output. Look at the back and find one labeled "monitor".

szerlip@bellsouth.net · 03-04-2007, 01:52 PM

Bob and Ed,

Thanks for your input and sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. The TV, equipment and entertainment unit weight a ton so I'm always reluctant to move it to get to the wiring.

In reading the manual, I couldn't tell if each kind of jack should be used exclusively or in tandem. In other words, if I'm using S-Video should I also be using Video? The "expert" installer used both.

After trying every combination I could in accordance with the manual, I found that I had to go back to using a direct coaxial connection from the sat box to the TV in order to get a picture. Strangely, the manual for the AV indicates, on p. 15, that there is a coax connection for sat on the lower left, but what's actually there is an RCA plug. I also have S-Video going from the TV to the receiver.

After experimenting even further, I found that if I switched the TV mode from TV to Video, OSD worked, although I lost the TV picture. OSD will not work when the TV is in TV mode.

Any further input would be appreciated.

Bill Szerlip

Ed Moxley · 03-04-2007, 09:00 PM

It should actually be better, to not have the tv picture on, when using the OSD. With the picture on behind it, it will be much harder to read the menus, and make your settings.

Wayne A. Pflughaupt · 03-04-2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

In reading the manual, I couldn't tell if each kind of jack should be used exclusively or in tandem. In other words, if I'm using S-Video should I also be using Video? The "expert" installer used both.

Which manual? You’ve mentioned several components that you have.

You don’t have to use both – no reason to. With a receiver that old, you’ll have to use the video connection that is common to all your equipment. If your DVD player, DISH receiver, TV, etc. all have S-video, go with that. If even one component does not have S-video, you’ll have to use the composite video connections (yellow jacks) for the entire system.

Quote:

After trying every combination I could in accordance with the manual, I found that I had to go back to using a direct coaxial connection from the sat box to the TV in order to get a picture.

That won’t get you any picture from the DVD. Sounds like your TV doesn’t have any video inputs (S-video or yellow composite jack), or maybe they aren’t working.

Quote:

Strangely, the manual for the AV indicates, on p. 15, that there is a coax connection for sat on the lower left, but what's actually there is an RCA plug.

That would be a digital audio connection, has nothing to do with getting a picture on the TV. I know, it has the same name as the traditional screw-on antenna connection. Gotta love home theater...

Quote:

I also have S-Video going from the TV to the receiver.

You won’t get a picture to the TV via the S-video unless you switch the TV to “AUX,” “Video,” etc.

According to P. 21 of the manual, the OSD is put out through the “Monitor out” composite and S-video terminals that go between the receiver and TV.

Maybe this picture from Monster’s web site will help. Other video components besides “DVD” will all connect the same way.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt