DVD, receiver and TV connections

[beth]

I had some questions in regard to connecting DVD to Onkyo 601 receiver and JVC TV. DVD has audio digital fiber out, 5.1 audio out, and video component out. TV has component in and audio left and right in. My first question is:



Which DVD audio out should I use for optimal configuration (Optical, 5.1 channel output or both)?



According to the manual instruction my plan is as follows:



Connect video component from DVD to receiver.

Connect video component from receiver to TV.

Connect Audio optical from DVD to receiver.

Connect left and right audio out from DVD to TV.

Or should I

Connect left and right audio out from DVD to receiver and then connect analog left and right audio out from receiver to TV.



The reason for this is that sometimes I like to by pass the receiver and be able to watch DVD from TV and the sound comes from TV speaker (since TV does not have digital optical input)



Is this connection going to damage the system and is the way I described the connection correct?



Please provide detail information since I am new on this and DVD and receiver manuals were not clear to me.



Thanks

[Dudley]

Unless you have two component video inputs, I would just connect directly from DVD to TV. This will save one potential signal degrading connection, and will save the cost of a set of component video cables.

Neither connection should damage your system. I go L/R direct to TV, component direct to TV and digital Coax to reciever.

[beth]

Thanks Dudley that helped me to clear thing out.

What is the 5.1 channel connection? Should I connect that to reciver as well?

[Dudley]

The 5.1 is probably for SACD, DVD Audio, or for using with DD ready recievers that do not have a built in decoder. I would not use this as it may bypass the bass manangement of your reciever. The optical connection will be fine - it will also allow 6.1 (which the Onkyo supports) and higher if you so desire.

[DavidD]

I agree with Dudley regarding the using the optical connection from DVD to receiver. However, if your player supports SACD and/or DVD Audio, and you're interesting in playing those formats, you must hook up the 5.1 connection to your receiver in order to get full resolution from these disc formats. Otherwise, you definitely don't need to hook the 5.1 cables to your receiver.

The 5.1 is probably for SACD, DVD Audio, or for using with DD ready recievers that do not have a built in decoder. I would not use this as it may bypass the bass manangement of your reciever. The optical connection will be fine - it will also allow 6.1 (which the Onkyo supports) and higher if you so desire.

[Dudley]

I should have been more clear - I was strictly refering to movie playback. DavidD is right about the other formats.

Beth - if your DVD player is older it is probably not SACD or DVD Audio, and the 5.1 is for Dolby Digital. If it is newer it may support those formats, and you may want to consider hooking up the 5.1 if you have the required media.

What DVD player do you have?

[beth]

Thanks for all your help. I have APEX AD-800 prograssive scan that I bought about 2 years ago. Should I connect both digital optic and 5.1 chnnel from dvd to receiver?

If so how the out source from dvd get selected (5.1 or digital)?

Thanks

[beth]

In the manual it syas it will play following discs:

DVD video disc, HDCD, Video CD, AudioCD, MP3cd

It has 5 channel and optical out audio.

[Dudley]

I am not too familiar with HDCD (It seems to be a microsoft sponsored format that enhances a regular CD), but you do not have SACD or DVD audio so you should be fine with the optical connection.

As far as selecting the output on your DVD player - your player will either output both at once, or it will be selectable in the setup somewhere. Sometimes there is even a switch on the back of the unit.

[DavidD]

As Dudley said, given the capabilities of your player, you really don't need that 5.1 channel hookup. That would only be necessary if you didn't have a receiver that could handle the optical or coaxial digital input.