Connections between TV, amp & DVD

[marco79]

Can I connect my DVD to my AV reciever via component and connect my AV reciever to my plazma tv via HDMI?

 

[tookme]

you can if your AV receiver does up-converting. that is converting component or composite to HDMI within the amp.

 

[sn3rd]

It depends on the receiver. But generally, yes; that's one of the main reasons to have an AV receiver in the first place.

 

[Dolby]

Many cheaper amps don't ... what model?

 

[marco79]

I have a Sony HT-DDW5000 and a Samsung PS42B430 plasma tv. The DVD player that came free with the Sony AV receiver is an old DVD player with very little features. It doesn't even play divX and only has component out.

I am on the lookout for a better DVD player with HD upscaling abilities, maybe with pvr function. But for now this DVD player will have to do.

 

[marco79]

The PS42B430 only has 2 HDMI inputs and 2 Component inputs (1 which could be used as composite in). I plan on connecting my Xbox 360 directly to the plasma via HDMI. SD DSTV via composite. Logic DivX DVD player via component. Sony DVD player via component to Sony AV receiver and from receiver via HDMI to plasma.

Will this work? I will only buy 1 HDMI cable for now and check whether the Sony DVD player can play through the receiver from component to HDMI.

Reason for not connecting Xbox 360 and Logic DivX DVD to receiver is so that it is not needed for my 7 year old son to switch on the av receiver when he wants to watch a movie or play games.

 

[Quantum Theory]

That receiver definitely does not have upscaling to HDMI. You can also not play sound from an HDMI source through the amp AFAIK. It's only a switcher...

 

[Dolby]

Through that amp, maybe? There are amps that can do it - albeit slightly more expensive

 

[marco79]

I know the amp won't upscale the signal. I want to know if the video and audio could be carried from a component or composite feed through a hdmi cable between the amp and the tv.

 

[Quantum Theory]

No.

 

[I am Penguin]

I know the amp won't upscale the signal. I want to know if the video and audio could be carried from a component or composite feed through a hdmi cable between the amp and the tv.

If all fails read the manual?

If your input is component and the receiver have the ability to transfer (by encoding) it to a HDMI output then yes. I doubt it tho as the HDMI output are usually either a switcher or repeater only function where a HDMI input will be decoded by the receiver and output via the analog Audio/Video channels of the amplifier or/and the HDMI input are either swithed or repeated onto the HDMI output that will then be send via HDMI cable to the TV for self decoding of sound/Video. Normally if it is a switcher the sound is not transfered (switched) to the HDMI output (for the TV) but internally decoded for reproduction by the amp/receiver and only the Video signal send to the TV via HDMI output where with a repeater the Audio and Video are repeated as raw signal to the TV via HDMI.

 

[Quantum Theory]

With the low end Sony's, like the one I have, the HDMI is not decoded by the receiver at all. The HDMI is only a straight through switcher, sending the selected HDMI to the screen. To get the sound from the source playing on your receiver speakers, you would have to connect the sound from the source via optical or digital co-ax too.

So marco79, the only way that you could have only one HDMI cable between receiver and screen, is if all your sources were connected to the receiver via HDMI. To get the surround playing on the speakers, you would need a optical or digital co-ax between each source and the receiver too.

That is why I am upgrading our crappy Sony receiver as soon as I can.

 

[marco79]

I can't get rid off my Sony receiver, I just got it recently. I will have to make do with the equipment I have.

So it will be: Xbox 360 to tv via HDMI, Logic DivX DVD player via component to tv, Sony DVD player back into its box and into storage, AV receiver only connected to tv via audio out on tv.

Next on my list is to find either a HD DVD player that plays DivX and has a mic input, or a HD DVD PVR or a HD DSTV PVR decoder. Any recommendations?