Connecting HD-DVR Through Optical?

ShawnMR · 09-12-2009, 08:21 PM

Alright, I'm a newbie to the forum so if I'm in the wrong place for this particular subject then I do apologize.

Here's the basic rundown:

I've just purchased my first HDTV (Panasonic 42" Plasma TC-P42X1) and will be installing it this week. I will be hooking it up to the Panasonic SC-PT670 HTIB as well as the HD-DVR box provided to me by my cable provider (Comcast; and I do have HD channels to take advantage of) and a PS2.

Given that the TV only has one HDMI port, I'll be hooking it up to the HTIB receiver. But, the receiver itself only has one HDMI port so I am wondering what the best option is for me to do in order to also have the surround sound option when watching the cable box and playing PS2. Should I just use an optical cable to hook up from the box to the receiver or does that simply cover the audio? If so, how would I get the video signal since there is only one HDMI port on the receiver?

Sorry that these are probably very basic questions...this is my foray into the actual setup of an HD system on my own so I'm still learning the specifics of all the different cables and their functions.

HiDefRev · 09-12-2009, 09:05 PM

Actually, your Panny has 3 HDMI inputs. However, it is better to hook your components into your receiver via HDMI, and then run the HDMI out of your receiver and into your HDTV. But, unfortunately, your receiver has NO HDMI inputs, only an output. Yes, you can run an optical cable ( yes, AUDIO only ) from one of your components to the receiver for audio, but you would have to manually switch components each time since there is only the one input. DO NOT use the optical output from your Panny, as it is only going to ouput 2.0 stereo audio. Face it. You are going to have to upgrade your receiver if you want true HD audio. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with switching cables every time you change components.

ShawnMR · 09-13-2009, 10:14 AM

Interesting... could I not just use an HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV (for video) and an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver for surround audio? Wouldn't that prevent any need to switch cables when I'm watching a DVD or regular tv?

HiDefRev · 09-13-2009, 11:50 PM

Yes, that would work fine for your cable box, but where would you plug in your PS2 ? There is only the one optical input on your receiver, and no HDMI inputs, only an HDMI output that would be used to send the DVD's video signal to your TV. Yes, you CAN plug the PS2 directly into your TV via HDMI, component or composite cables for video, and into the receiver from the PS2 for audio via standard left/right red/white audio connections, but you are not going to be sending anything other than plain stereo signals to the receiver. If that is OK with you, go ahead and do it this way.

09-12-2009, 08:21 PM	#1
ShawnMR How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 21	Connecting HD-DVR Through Optical? Alright, I'm a newbie to the forum so if I'm in the wrong place for this particular subject then I do apologize. Here's the basic rundown: I've just purchased my first HDTV (Panasonic 42" Plasma TC-P42X1) and will be installing it this week. I will be hooking it up to the Panasonic SC-PT670 HTIB as well as the HD-DVR box provided to me by my cable provider (Comcast; and I do have HD channels to take advantage of) and a PS2. Given that the TV only has one HDMI port, I'll be hooking it up to the HTIB receiver. But, the receiver itself only has one HDMI port so I am wondering what the best option is for me to do in order to also have the surround sound option when watching the cable box and playing PS2. Should I just use an optical cable to hook up from the box to the receiver or does that simply cover the audio? If so, how would I get the video signal since there is only one HDMI port on the receiver? Sorry that these are probably very basic questions...this is my foray into the actual setup of an HD system on my own so I'm still learning the specifics of all the different cables and their functions.

09-12-2009, 09:05 PM	#2
HiDefRev Is there HDTV in Heaven ? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Georgia Age: 55 Posts: 512	Opitcal Actually, your Panny has 3 HDMI inputs. However, it is better to hook your components into your receiver via HDMI, and then run the HDMI out of your receiver and into your HDTV. But, unfortunately, your receiver has NO HDMI inputs, only an output. Yes, you can run an optical cable ( yes, AUDIO only ) from one of your components to the receiver for audio, but you would have to manually switch components each time since there is only the one input. DO NOT use the optical output from your Panny, as it is only going to ouput 2.0 stereo audio. Face it. You are going to have to upgrade your receiver if you want true HD audio. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with switching cables every time you change components. __________________ Living Room Panasonic PT-50LCZ70 50" 1080p HDTV, Sony Playstation3 80 Gig, Onkyo HT-R667 7.1 AV Receiver, ESS HD-308 Main, Side and Surround Speakers on Bell'O Stands, Cadence C-17 Center Speaker, Acoustic Audio HD-SUB15 Subwoofer, DISH ViP 722 HD DVR, Panasonic DVD Recorder/VCR, Den Viewsonic NX2232W LCD HDTV, RCA RT-2500 5.1 AV Receiver, Yamaha Main, Center and Surround Speakers, Onkyo SKW-750X 10" Subwoofer, DISH ViP 211 HD Receiver, Magnavox Blu-Ray Player, Nintendo 64 & Wii

09-13-2009, 11:50 PM	#4
HiDefRev Is there HDTV in Heaven ? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Georgia Age: 55 Posts: 512	Surround sound Yes, that would work fine for your cable box, but where would you plug in your PS2 ? There is only the one optical input on your receiver, and no HDMI inputs, only an HDMI output that would be used to send the DVD's video signal to your TV. Yes, you CAN plug the PS2 directly into your TV via HDMI, component or composite cables for video, and into the receiver from the PS2 for audio via standard left/right red/white audio connections, but you are not going to be sending anything other than plain stereo signals to the receiver. If that is OK with you, go ahead and do it this way. __________________ Living Room Panasonic PT-50LCZ70 50" 1080p HDTV, Sony Playstation3 80 Gig, Onkyo HT-R667 7.1 AV Receiver, ESS HD-308 Main, Side and Surround Speakers on Bell'O Stands, Cadence C-17 Center Speaker, Acoustic Audio HD-SUB15 Subwoofer, DISH ViP 722 HD DVR, Panasonic DVD Recorder/VCR, Den Viewsonic NX2232W LCD HDTV, RCA RT-2500 5.1 AV Receiver, Yamaha Main, Center and Surround Speakers, Onkyo SKW-750X 10" Subwoofer, DISH ViP 211 HD Receiver, Magnavox Blu-Ray Player, Nintendo 64 & Wii

Similar Threads to Connecting HD-DVR Through Optical?
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Houston U-verse HD lineup	rbinck	AT&T U-verse	13	11-15-2009 09:03 PM
Directv Channel Lineup	rbinck	DirecTV Forum	220	08-10-2009 07:06 AM
Who is your Provider and what HD channel do you have?	wndrrd	Cable Providers	46	04-10-2009 10:52 AM
More HD Channels!	ynk1121	Verizon FiOS	4	08-03-2008 08:03 PM
So, $9.99 for HD is now an "access fee."	WhoZit	DirecTV Forum	38	11-30-2007 09:11 AM

09-13-2009, 10:14 AM	#3
ShawnMR How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 21	Interesting... could I not just use an HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV (for video) and an optical cable from the cable box to the receiver for surround audio? Wouldn't that prevent any need to switch cables when I'm watching a DVD or regular tv?