[Carlman]

I am connecting a new receiver into my Bro-in-law's system next weekend and I'm trying to figure out what cables to use.  This is not a super high-end system but, I'd like to use the features of the receiver.

The receiver is a Marantz SR6300.  It appears to have RCA and optical digital inputs for just about everything.  And, I have optical digital outputs on some of the components.  However, I'm not 100% sure what I can do yet... Here's a picture of the back of the receiver.

The components I will be attaching are:
Sony DVD player (I think a 360 model)
Sony 300-disk player (non-ES)
Hitachi satellite receiver
Sony Wega TV

If I connect the DVD player or satellite digital output, can I assume that only carries an audio signal?  So, I'd need to connect S-vid out from the component to the receiver if that adds any benefit.  (like on-screen menus which I don't think this has)... however, I don't see any video inputs on the rear panel, just outputs.  I may have to call the store on this one.

I was hoping to connect all 3 with digital cables, and then run the S-Video out to the TV for the final stage of video.  I'm not sure if that can happen.  

Any advice on this simple setup would be appreciated.  I'm setting this up for someone that is not technically savvy.  So, simple operation is more important than a simple setup.[/url]

[nature boy]

Carlman,

The use of three digital coax cables from sources to the receiver and an s-video out to the tv as you have suggested everything should work fine for the HT set up using the receiver for audio.

You should also run a 75 ohm cable from the satellite receiver directly to the tv as well, in case your brother-in-law just wants to watch tv w/out using the HT set up.

I have always found the sound from CD's in my Denon DVD player (has nice Burr-Brown chips) really benefits from running in analog mode with separate interconnects.  Not sure if this would be the case with a 300 disc
Sony player, but if you have a spare pair of IC's you might A-B the analog mode with IC's vs. the digital output mode with digital cable.  This is not necessary, just sounds better in my case.

BTW, I hope he has a programmable remote w/ macros.  If not steer him to remotecontrol.com for the latest toys.

NB

[byteme]

Carl,

You'll want to run svideo from each the DVD player and the sat box to the ins on the reciever (just underneath the s-video outs on the reciever.  You'll also want to run component video out from DVD to TV if it's progressive and the WEGA accepts that signal.  Other than that, nature boy was on the right track, connect everything digitally and also do analog from the changer to the reciever just in case it sounds better and/or the reciever has a zone two it can run outputs for that only accept analog inputs (like my Denon 3802).  Lastly, check to make sure that the Sat box doesn't also need an analog connection to the reciever.  I ran into a case with an HD Cable box that was connected to the reciever optically but would only pass digital signal (i.e. 5.1 surround) to the reciever so for "normal" stereo broadcasts I also had to run interconnects.

Good luck!

[Carlman]

Thanks for the tips and advice!
I believe I've got it.  Originally, I thought the receiver's DAC would process video in addition to audio... but, that doesn't happen.  In fact, I don't even know if the DVD player outputs a video image digitally.

I did some checking and only the DVD and CD players have digital outs so, this should be fairly straight forward. (as suggested by NB)  I also found out the interconnects used are the black plastic ones that came with it 8 years ago.

The receiver has A and B speaker outs, but not 2 zones.  The remote is programmable, but I don't know to what degree.  

I found out the receiver has onscreen menus... oooooo... ahhhhh  I can't wait.   This surround sound stuff is fun when it's for others.  I couldn't see myself getting to heavy into it but, it's interesting.  I just hope he hears a difference from the old cheap Sony to the nice new Marantz.

Thanks again,
Carl

[bubba966]

I don't even know if the DVD player outputs a video image digitally.

No, that particular model Sony does not output a Digital Video Signal. There are no US model Sony's that do so.

byteme already mentioned running the Component out on the DVD player to the Wega. That's the only video connection you really need on the DVDP. No need to run an S-Video to the receiver. Unless the Wega doesn't have Component in, then you'll have to run S out of the DVDP.