New to the Home Theatre (Looking for Help) - Blu-ray Forum

Rusted · 07-16-2007, 02:39 PM

Well, the title kinda' says the basics. While I am versed in the mechanics and components of home theatre, I am a little uncertain which types of connections I should be making to achieve the best performance.

Gear:
42" Philips LCD 1080p (42PFL7422D)
Harman/Kardon AVR-247
Harman/Kardon DVD-38
HDTV/DVR cable box (not yet delivered, but will have an HDMI output)

I am planning on running HDMI cable from both the dvd player and cable box to the receiver, then from the receiver to the TV.

By doing this, does the receiver have to be on in order to get picture? Or will power always be running out of the receiver (standby) to where the Simplay-HD of the Harman will still pass the signal to the monitor? I guess what I'm getting at is that I want to have the option of using the receiver for sound, but always want the HD connection.

If this is not an option, what are my other alternatives? HDMI to TV, Coaxial Digital Out, Optical?

Also, I am new to HDMI and am unsure how to find what type of HDMI my receiver is. I've checked the manual and nothing. Are cables downwards compatible? Or might someone already know?

Please help.

BStecke · 07-16-2007, 02:53 PM

Yes, the receiver has to be on to get picture. You could use HDMI to the TV and optical/coax to the cable box, but if you do this you won't be able to use any of the lossless audio formats (PCM, DD TrueHD, DTS HD) although, none of your equipment listed will do this anyway, unless you have a Blu-ray player you didn't list.

If I'm not mistaken, the HK 247 uses HDMI 1.1. Despite what places like Best Buy will tell you, there is no HDMI 1.1, or 1.3 cable . . . the equipment is what is 1.1 or 1.3. Just get a good HDMI cable (Monoprice.com, Bluejeanscable.com) and it'll do anything you throw at it.

Dadds · 07-16-2007, 03:24 PM

A HDMi 1.3 wire will work with 1.2 and 1.1. You just wont get everything out of it.

Rusted · 07-16-2007, 03:24 PM

So here is what I come up with then....

Cable Box to TV -- HDMI
Cable Box to Receiver -- Optical
DVD to Receiver (in) -- HDMI
Receiver (out) to TV -- HDMI

This will give me HDMI video/audio DVD through the receiver to the TV. TV at HDMI for casual watching with surround available by option with the receiver.

That sound about right?

BStecke · 07-16-2007, 04:54 PM

Just wondering, why do you want the option of using the receiver for sound? Why not just run everything to the receiver with one output to the tv?

Rusted · 07-16-2007, 08:44 PM

It's a convience thing. When I get home from work, I don't wanna dick around to make sure everything is on. I know it's not that much to do, but I just wanna' grab a beer and watch TV. The only time where I will need surround is when I watch a program with surround (which is many, I know). But for my wife, ease and comfort makes a happy wife, which makes a happy home.

Dadds · 07-16-2007, 08:47 PM

Can you put both the cable box and the dvd player HDMi tight to the receiver and then one HDMi to the tv??

07-16-2007, 02:39 PM	#1
Rusted Junior Member Member since:Jul 2007	New to the Home Theatre (Looking for Help) Well, the title kinda' says the basics. While I am versed in the mechanics and components of home theatre, I am a little uncertain which types of connections I should be making to achieve the best performance. Gear: 42" Philips LCD 1080p (42PFL7422D) Harman/Kardon AVR-247 Harman/Kardon DVD-38 HDTV/DVR cable box (not yet delivered, but will have an HDMI output) I am planning on running HDMI cable from both the dvd player and cable box to the receiver, then from the receiver to the TV. By doing this, does the receiver have to be on in order to get picture? Or will power always be running out of the receiver (standby) to where the Simplay-HD of the Harman will still pass the signal to the monitor? I guess what I'm getting at is that I want to have the option of using the receiver for sound, but always want the HD connection. If this is not an option, what are my other alternatives? HDMI to TV, Coaxial Digital Out, Optical? Also, I am new to HDMI and am unsure how to find what type of HDMI my receiver is. I've checked the manual and nothing. Are cables downwards compatible? Or might someone already know? Please help. Last edited by Rusted; 07-16-2007 at 02:43 PM.

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07-16-2007, 02:53 PM	#2
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	Yes, the receiver has to be on to get picture. You could use HDMI to the TV and optical/coax to the cable box, but if you do this you won't be able to use any of the lossless audio formats (PCM, DD TrueHD, DTS HD) although, none of your equipment listed will do this anyway, unless you have a Blu-ray player you didn't list. If I'm not mistaken, the HK 247 uses HDMI 1.1. Despite what places like Best Buy will tell you, there is no HDMI 1.1, or 1.3 cable . . . the equipment is what is 1.1 or 1.3. Just get a good HDMI cable (Monoprice.com, Bluejeanscable.com) and it'll do anything you throw at it.

07-16-2007, 03:24 PM	#3
Dadds Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:South NJ Blu-ray reviews:3	A HDMi 1.3 wire will work with 1.2 and 1.1. You just wont get everything out of it.

07-16-2007, 04:54 PM	#5
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	Just wondering, why do you want the option of using the receiver for sound? Why not just run everything to the receiver with one output to the tv?

07-16-2007, 08:44 PM	#6
Rusted Junior Member Member since:Jul 2007	It's a convience thing. When I get home from work, I don't wanna dick around to make sure everything is on. I know it's not that much to do, but I just wanna' grab a beer and watch TV. The only time where I will need surround is when I watch a program with surround (which is many, I know). But for my wife, ease and comfort makes a happy wife, which makes a happy home.

07-16-2007, 08:47 PM	#7
Dadds Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:South NJ Blu-ray reviews:3	Can you put both the cable box and the dvd player HDMi tight to the receiver and then one HDMi to the tv??

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