Help with DVD > receiver wiring

Post by **Psyche911** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:22 am

So awhile ago I got a receiver and just this past weekend got around to hooking it up. The receiver is the Yamaha RX-V550 and I've got questions. (Info here: http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/receivers/RXV550.htm )

Being as this is the first receiver I've ever owned, I don't know anything about any of the digital connections, and very little about the "older" connections (yellow/white/red connections & component video)

So when I was at the store, they recommended I use a digital coaxial cable to hook my DVD player up to the receiver. Being that it wasn't really any more expensive than the optical cables they sold, I figured I'd get it.

But now that I've set it up, I find out it seems to only carry the audio signal, not video. Is this correct? Right now, I'm just using the composite video yellow wire for video...a bit of old & new it seems to me.

Also, I still haven't figured out how to get the DVD input selection on the receiver to use the digital coaxial cable for input, but I've read there is a way to do this. Right now I just have it set up for CD for the audio and have the DVD player plugged directly into one of the composite video ports on the TV.

But my main question is:
1. Would an optical cable carry the video too?
1a. If so, should I go with that over how I have it set up for now?

TIA :icon26:

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:33 am

yes, digital coax/optical are for audio only. depending on the television set you have, you should use at the VERY least s-video. but i recommend component video, DVI, or HDMI.

Post by **Psyche911** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:35 am

I have component video on my TV, but that's about as high-tech as it gets.

Are component video cables any different than composite, as they do look the same (other than color). I'm guessing they're higher quality, but it would technically work with a composite?

I'm asking because I tried that with a composite cable, and couldn't find the input channel on my TV (no video/audio when I hooked the DVD player to the component video inputs on the TV)

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:36 am

psyche, without looking at your manual, Yamaha used to have an "auto detect" feature that would automatically select the digital audio signal.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:37 am

Psyche911 wrote:I have component video on my TV, but that's about as high-tech as it gets.

Are component video cables any different than composite, as they do look the same (other than color). I'm guessing they're higher quality, but it would technically work with a composite?

I'm asking because I tried that with a composite cable, and couldn't find the input channel on my TV (no video/audio when I hooked the DVD player to the component video inputs on the TV)

component are definitely better than composite. worth the money spent. if you're strapped for money composite will work for now, but do yourself a favor and get component cables.

Post by **Psyche911** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:42 am

Okay, now the only problem is finding out how to select the "channel" on the TV for component video.

And I can't find anything about an auto detect feature. I know there is a way to select that port as the audio input for DVDs, but I don't know how. The manual doesn't seem to say.

Post by **Psyche911** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:45 am

One last thing:
Are optical cables different? There seems to be 3 different lines of optical cables at BestBuy of the same brand. I can't tell what the differences are.

Hell, is there some kind of digital cable primer I can read about this? I don't know anything about this shit.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:48 am

Psyche911 wrote:Okay, now the only problem is finding out how to select the "channel" on the TV for component video.

And I can't find anything about an auto detect feature. I know there is a way to select that port as the audio input for DVDs, but I don't know how. The manual doesn't seem to say.

not sure about your tv, you'll have to try different video inputs until you see it.

you might want to make sure that digital audio is enabled within your dvd player first. alot still are set for pcm output.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:52 am

Psyche911 wrote:One last thing:
Are optical cables different? There seems to be 3 different lines of optical cables at BestBuy of the same brand. I can't tell what the differences are.

Hell, is there some kind of digital cable primer I can read about this? I don't know anything about this shit.

you're talking 1's and 0's man. you're at Best Buy so look for Acoustic Research optical cables. no need for Monster Cable.

Post by **Psyche911** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:58 am

I just found my TV on Philips' website, answered some questions about it there. I'll pick up a component video cable tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks Juggs.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:00 am

here's some good basics for you to check out.

np, Psyche.

Post by **Psyche911** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 5:37 am

Well, Friday I made it to BestBuy and got one set of component video cables. Being that the Acoutic Research (cheapest ones they sell) were still $30, I'm just running it strait from the DVD player to the TV right now, instead of through the receiver so I only had to buy one set ATM.

It really does look better. And the TV we have aint much. Still, well worth the price of the better cables.

Now I'm tempted to get the XBox component video cables too. They're only $20. . .

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:05 am

glad you like them. sounds like your set just has one set of component inputs?

Post by **Psyche911** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:10 am

TV has 1 set.
Receiver has 2 input, 1 output.
But being that each set of cables is $30, I just got 1 for now. Eventually I'll get a second set and the XBox component video. Another $50 blown right there though.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:14 am

what model Philips is it?

Post by **Psyche911** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:22 am

27ps55s

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consume ... e=CONSUMER

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:26 am

ah, i thought you might have an HDTV set. next set will be a proper 16:9 teli.

Post by **Psyche911** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 1:56 pm

I wish.
Maybe in a couple years I'll have the money for it.

Though it might be interesting to see what's out by then. They probably wont even be selling CRTs in 5 years or so...