OatleyLad Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Hi all, I would really appreciate if all the experts here could assist this newbie when it comes to my first ever home theatre system. I'm keen to get the best possible picture and sound. It could also be good to reduce the odd remote! HARDWARE This is the list of what I have (buying additional cables I will do if necessary). * Hitachi LCD 37 inch (2 x HDMI slots, 2 x Component, etc) [37LD8800TA] * Hitachi HDD/DVR recorder (1 x HDMI, 1 x Optical audio, component) [DV-DS253A] * Sony multi channel AV Receiver (HDMI switching, 3 x optical, component, etc) [sTR-DG700] * Foxtel STB [PACE 420] And of course speakers/subwoofer (5.1 config at the moment, will eventually go to 6.1) CABLES In terms of cables - I currently have: * 2 x HDMI * 1 x Foxtel branded optical (3.5 mm jack on end) * 1 x standard optical cable * 2 x component cable (better than average quality cable) * 2 x foxtel branded SCART to component cable (also has composite capability) CURRENT SETUP Currently I am using the amp only for sound with: * A direct HDMI connection between TV and DVDR * Optical cable from DVDR to amp * FOXTEL TV SCART to component to TV (AV1) * FOXTEL VCR SCART to component to DVDR * FOXTEL Optical to Amp (but this isn't working at the moment - see post http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=45590) Any suggestions will definitely be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheresbaz Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Hi Oatleylad, Its not that hard really. IMO I would use hdmi to the amp from anything that has hdmi. If the unit i.e dvd player, set top box or whatever doesn't have hdmi then use component cables for video and optical or coax what ever you have for digital audio. If the unit doesn't have component then Svideo and optical or coax for audio. Foxtel has scart to component and optical audio so thats your best choice there. Your avr has hdmi out and your display has hdmi in so as long as they talk to each other no problem there. As far as remotes go a lot of the guys here have harmony remotes 880 or similar. I have an 880 but haven't used it enough yet to give any advice re : ease of use etc. Hope this helps if I given you a bum steer I am sure someone will point it out pretty quickly. Cheers Bill Oops I was taking for granted that your AVR will up convert from component or svideo to hdmi out. That is something you need to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OatleyLad Posted February 1, 2007 Author Share Posted February 1, 2007 Thanks wheresbaz, I had a quick look at the sony site for this HTS Sony CINE700S but I don't think it provides HDMI upscaling. Looks like it only upscales to component (the HDMI slots just allow 'pass through' or something?) Now the only signal that I am using that isn't HDMI (or component) is from the Foxtel STB for recording FOX (VCR scart). The PACE 420 will only give a composite (or max s-video) signal. Is there someway I could improve the recording of fox to run the FOX VCR scart to the amp, and then from the amp to the DVDR via a component cable (with the respective AMP setting?) Sorry .. probably stupid question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheresbaz Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Thanks wheresbaz, "I had a quick look at the sony site (http://www.sony.com.au/homecinema/homecinema/catalog/product.jsp?id=CINE700S§ion=prod&term=STRDG700) but I don't think it provides HDMI upscaling. Looks like it only upscales to component (the HDMI slots just allow 'pass through' or something?)" Upconvert doesn't scale just converts from component in to hdmi out. Your display would take it from there. Quick way to find out just see if you get a picture or not. If not you would then have to run component as well to display. "Now the only signal that I am using that isn't HDMI (or component) is from the Foxtel STB for recording FOX (VCR scart). The PACE 420 will only give a composite (or max s-video) signal. Is there someway I could improve the recording of fox to run the FOX VCR scart to the amp, and then from the amp to the DVDR via a component cable (with the respective AMP setting?)" Not that I know of. Think you just have to go to the DVDR from the Foxtel unit with composite because you only have one digital out of the Pace box and if you use component of svideo to dvdr you will have no audio. Not sure if you could split the audio though. Like an rca splitter except for Optical. Found one here http://www.impactacoustics.com/product.asp...3&sku=27027 If that worked you could then use component to the tv and dvdr and split the digital audio. "Sorry .. probably stupid question?" [/quote Does that make sense. Hmm I think it does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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