1st post!

I am in the process of setting up my new HT including Sharp Aquos LC-46SE94U LCD HDTV, Onkyo TX-DS707 receiver and Comcast cable HD cable box with DVR (I believe it will be the Motorola DCT-6412; hasn't arrived yet). I would like to run the cable box through the receiver to take advantage of using my HT 5.1 speaker system for movies, etc. I'd also, at my kids' request, like to run straight from the cable box to the HDTV, so that they don't have to mess with the receiver when they're simply watching cartoons, etc. (also will help keep the volume/distraction down when I'M not watching TV ;))

The cable box has only one HDMI output. I'd prefer not to add the hassle of an HDMI switching box because of the added complexity (trying to SIMPLIFY here). So my question is, which of the following choices is better?

A. to run HDMI from cable box straight to HDTV, and run component video + digital audio from cable box to receiver (with receiver connected to HDTV via HDMI)

OR

B. to run component + analog red/white audio from cable box straight to HDTV (no digital audio input on this model HDTV) and HDMI from cable box to receiver (with receiver connected to HDTV via HDMI).

If anyone could summarize any & all advantages / disadvantages of each approach I'd appreciate it much. If there are alternative (esp. better) approaches I'd be happy to receive those as well. With this Onkyo receiver, I'm not knowledgable enough about how the upconversion works to know how it impacts each choice (we'll have both HD and non-HD programming coming through the cable box; how and whether upconversion will occur via HDMI vs. component input is not very clear to me). I've never had DVR before and don't know how this affects the scenario either.

P.S. I do realize that with choice A the receiver to HDTV via HDMI is somewhat redundant since the cable box would already be connected directly via HDMI. However I still need that connection for the DVD (and eventually) Blu-ray player. Does running the video through the receiver offer advantages / disadvantages for the cable box in this regard?

I know that's a lot of questions. Thanks for any & all feedback.

I'd run HDMI direct to the TV and optical audio to the receiver. If you want audio through the TV speakers, you simply turn on the TV. If you want audio through the receiver, you turn it on too and mute the sound on the TV. Aside from switching preferences, there's no reason to route HDMI from a cable box through an AVR because the best audio you get is DD 5.1, which is supported over optical.

I'd also get a good remote like a Harmony, which allows you to cable your system for best video and audio performance and then do all the switching with a single push of a button. Harmony remotes are very family friendly.

I've hooked simultaneously my Comcast Motorola DCT-6412 via HDMI to my display and via optical cable to my audio system. Individually they work fine. But when both the volumes are hearable I've an echo due to some "delay" in the STB outputs.. (There was no delay when the audio to the display was via RCA cabling in a prior configuration)

Anyone else observe this?