Optimizing my system

the_alien

Hey! I'm new here so I hope I am doing this correctly... I have a small system and I wish to optimize the cabling for the whole thing. Now, I have the following:

- Panasonic SA-HE70 Home Cinema Receiver
- Panasonic TH-42PX75U 42" Plasma Screen
- Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300 PVR (non-HD)
- Samsung DVD-HD870 DVD Player with upscaling feature
- Wii Game Console
- HD-20 HHD Player qith a 80go 2.5" hard drive

Now I have a lot of cables already and I wanna buy what misses int he whole thing. I want to be able to have the best way to control the whole thing... Presently, I control audio via my Amplifier BUT since it doesn't have any HDMI connectors, I wanted to know if it would be better to connect the whole shabang in my TV and use the optical output to go back to my receiver? I am obligated to connect my HDD and my Wii alternatively in the AUX input of my Explorer and I don't ike that at all, that's why I just ordered a component cable for the Wii. I just saw in the booklet of my HDD that it has a coaxial audio output, can it be used?

The other way would be using my tv as the "hub" of the whole thing and have the audio come in my amplifier on the "DVD" position via the optical input. Am I correct thinking that way???

I can't join any picture because 244kb is too low to see anything AND I haven't made 5 posts to put an external image so...

So what is the best way to go?!?

I hope the whole thing is clear enough for all to understand... :-)

Thanks a lot for helping me!

Dany, Quebec City, Canada

JMS

Hi, and welcome to the forum
As has been discussed before on this forum, the optical outputs on the latest displays vary in their capabilities. Furthermore, most owner's manuals are frustratingly vague on the subject. For example, on page 16 (assuming the US and Canadian editions are identical) your manual says regarding the optical output "[ATSC only]", implying that DD surround will be available only via over the air digital broadcasts you can receive on the TV's internal digital tuner with an antenna connected. But then on page 44, the instructions state you can enjoy DD 5.1 from the optical output provided the DVD player is compatible.

However, even if the TV's optical output operated in optimum fashion, you would still have a problem or two, due to the fact that the TV will not convert analogue audio into digital for its optical output. In other words, the only way you'll have any signal at all on optical is via the TV's tuner, or via either of the TV's HDMI inputs. This eliminates the cable box since it is "non-HD" as you say, and the Wii which does not support digital audio. So if the audio for those two components is fed into the TV, all you'll hear is the TV's speakers; there will not be a signal on the TV's optical output into the receiver.

I could detail what I would do with the hookup on this system, but I think you're doing most everything right as is. The Wii component cable will eliminate a major inconvenience. And then a properly programmed universal remote can be used to execute complicated switching on this system with the push of one button.

Hope this helps.

the_alien

Well it does in a way... :-)

So if I understand correctly, I still use my (outdated) amplifier as the "hub" for the whole thing? Here's another question though: should I connect the component video cables of the Wii in the Plasma and the sound pair into the Amp, in the "tape in" connectors for example? That's the twists I have to do eveytime... Of course the ideal way would be changing the amp I assume? Would the Onkyo TX-SR507 do the job for the whole thing? I need a GOOD and afordable amp below the 400$ CAN mark, does it exist?!? I am thinking of Yamaha or Onkyo actually...

Thansk again!

JMS

No. You can use it as an audio hub, but because it doesn't support HDMI and component video, the TV must serve as the video hub.
Yes.
Almost any current model A/V receiver would be a vast improvement over this old Panasonic. The Onk 507 is a killer value. The only hesitation I have with it is its lack of analogue to HDMI upconversion. (The 607 does do this.) This means that if you connect composite, S-video, or component video into this receiver, you'll have to connect the same type of connection into the TV. This eliminates the possibility of a single HDMI cable running to the TV. Personally, I don't trust the analogue to digital video conversion in units at the mid-price level, so I would put up with the inconvenience of having to occasionally change inputs on the TV.

the_alien

Well then... Looks like I will go that way but for now I can't do better than I do actually except for the Wii so I will live with it for the time being. When my budget permits it, it will be a go for an Onkyo or Yam amp... I've sent you via pm my diagram, if you are willing to take a minute or two, I would appreciate it...

Thanks again for your great availability!