Confused about different audio/video sources (1 Viewer)

[matt bee]

Okay, bear with my ignorance for a bit.

Tell me if I am correct here:

When running various video sources through a reciever, you have to keep them all the same connection type, correct? (i.e. My tv only has S Video so my DVD player and satellite connections need to be S Video as well, I cannot use component Video to connect the DVD to the reciever.) Since my VCR has only a composite connection, I'll need to run it directly to the TV, right?

What about the audio connections? I have no idea how these work. My DVD player has an optical out, my DirecTV reciever has an optical out. The reciever only has 2 optical in ports. If I were to get another component with digital outs, could I use a coaxial connection?

I'm sure all this will make much more sense once I get all my equipment home and can look things over, but I'm having a har time visualizing the connections in my mind. Of course since my first leap into Home Theater (the audio portion anyway) is only a couple short weeks away, this is ALL I can think about.

I dunno how you folks can control yourselves. Of course looking over some of your HT setups and DVD collections, obviously many of you can't.

Thanks,

~Matt

 

[Michael Reuben]

Quote:

Sure, if the receiver has coax inputs.
M.

 

[matt bee]

Michael,
Thanks for the response.
Yes, the TV does have S video as well as composite video outputs. I should have thought out my wording more carefully. In my head I was saying, S Video, but no Component video. Sorry for the mixup.
I think I have it straight now. Thanks again.
~Matt

 

[John Kotches]

Matt,
A suggestion, if you'd like to make life a little easier?
You can pick up Composite / S-Video adapters that allow you to mix/match as necessary between the two. This would allow you to run a single connection to your TV set, and take all S-Video into the receiver, even for composite video only sources.
Here is a link to one such product:
Composite out to S-Video in Adapter
They run about US$30/each, and remember that convenience (a single cable type from receiver to monitor) comes at a slight price
Regards,

 

[matt bee]

Excellent, thatnks for the tip!