Installation Basics *HELP* Needed (1 Viewer)

[LawrenceJ]

Is there an area for basic installation help that I can read up on? I am getting confused as to what cables to hook up when? For example,
Here is my setup
60" sony lcd wega
marantz 7500 receiver
sony 5 disc dvd
sony 300disc cd changer
sony laserdisc player
voom satellite box

most items i hooked up the red&white audio rca jacks and optical or digital coax where available. Other items I hooked up the component video cables. Now when I hook up the hdmi/dvi cable, should I leave the component video cables connected still? also, there are some instances where the s-video cable hookup doesn't look as clear as the standard rca video out? That is specifically with the laserdisc player. Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[SimiA]

You pretty much have a good grasp of how to set your system up.
You may want to upgrade your audio cables to see if you can hear a difference. I like to use the toslink connection when I can. I ave to use a toslink switcher 'cause I don't have enough connections in my system
If your Voom box has a DVI/HDMI cable, hook that up and leave the component connection empty. You never know when you might need them for other video sources such as an x-box.
Sometimes, a good coax video cable is better than using s-video, as you've discoverd with your laser disc.
If you can use your Marantz as a switcher between video sources, that would might help switching between audio & video sources.
You have a really nice system by the way.
Vb
Vb

 

[John Garcia]

Here's what I would do:

VIDEO
DVD -> TV - use HDMI/DVI or component
VOOM -> TV - use HDMI/DVI whichever is unused from the DVD.
LD -> TV - S-video. You may need to calibrate for the source or try a better cable. Image quality should be similar, but color should be a bit better with S-vid.

With only 2 sources, there is no real need to switch video via the receiver.

AUDIO
DVD -> receiver - coax or optical digital
CD -> receiver - coax or optical digital
LD -> receiver - can't tell you without knowing what model, but if it is stereo analog only, well...

How do you like the 7500? I just recommended it to a friend of mine.

 

[LawrenceJ]

Thank you guys for the help! I like the 7500 alot, its a huge step up from the sony str-de935 receiver i've had for the last 4 years. I have one more question. Ever since hooking up my satellite dish, i have lost pip functionality.

 

[John Garcia]

For PIP, you will probably need to ask in the Sources forum, but AFAIK, it is normal to lose PIP when using a cable or satellite box (at least I always have) because the box is always sending the same signal.