I am going to wire my small setup as follows:

1. cable box TO tv via hdmi
2. dvd TO tv via hdmi
3. tv TO av-receiver via optical cable

Is this a good practice? Should I instead direct both cable box and dvd to avr, then just do hdmi from avr to tv?

Thanks for helping.

If your AVR can do HDMI switching and also process HDMI audio and you don't mind turning on the AVR whenever you want to watch TV, you can route both source devices to the AVR then pass it on to the TV.

If your AVR can do HDMI switching and also process HDMI audio and you don't mind turning on the AVR whenever you want to watch TV, you can route both source devices to the AVR then pass it on to the TV.

I was hoping that not having to switch on AVR every time I watch TV. therefore switching by TV.

Any disadvantage to Letting the TV do the switching (other than limited HDMI) and export the sound to AVR from TV to AVR via optical cable?

"Any disadvantage to Letting the TV do the switching (other than limited HDMI) and export the sound to AVR from TV to AVR via optical cable?"

Assuming you have a standard DVD player (and not a Blu-Ray player) no it won't make a difference other then you need to switch two devices (TV and AVR) when you want to switch sources.

I was hoping that not having to switch on AVR every time I watch TV. therefore switching by TV.

Any disadvantage to Letting the TV do the switching (other than limited HDMI) and export the sound to AVR from TV to AVR via optical cable?

Some TV's limit the Dolby Digital output from the TV to 2.0. Check with your manufacturer. I'd rather see you connect the cable box optical or coaxial output to the receiver.

Do your cable box and dvd player have digital outputs? If so, you can run hdmi to the tv and digital audio to your receiver. Then you will have a choice of how to listen.

Doh I missed that part, you'd need to hook both devices directly to the AVR via optical/coax , not through the TV as noted.

I couldn't imagine NOT turning the receiver on when I watch TV. I've been doing it since 1991 when I had a surround sound receiver, and it's only evolved to better and better solutions.

I am going to wire my small setup as follows:

1. cable box TO tv via hdmi
2. dvd TO tv via hdmi
3. tv TO av-receiver via optical cable

Is this a good practice? Should I instead direct both cable box and dvd to avr, then just do hdmi from avr to tv?

Thanks for helping.
Is this a good practice? NO

Should I instead direct both cable box and dvd to avr, then just do hdmi from avr to tv? Yes, because most TVs will not output 5.1 sound from any device other than their own tuner. You can still watch TV without the avr because HDMI will carry both audio and video. However as aaronwt said I would use the avr. I use it for all of my viewing.

Is this a good practice? NO

Should I instead direct both cable box and dvd to avr, then just do hdmi from avr to tv? Yes, because most TVs will not output 5.1 sound from any device other than their own tuner. You can still watch TV without the avr because HDMI will carry both audio and video. However as aaronwt said I would use the avr. I use it for all of my viewing.

Well, I agree with you. BUT, I have gadget challenged members in the family. I am trying to arrange a "one simple remote" for them that cover not all but most of their viewing needs.

With your advice, I think this is what I will do:

1. Cable, dvd to AVR via hdmi.
2. AVR to TV via hdmi.

Under this scenario,
1. if the AVR is not on, will TV still get signal?
2. if the AVR is not on, one can't watch dvd? LOL, are there dvd players with TWO hdmi outputs?

Again, thanks for helping.

Belly up to the bar and purchase a Logitech Harmony remote. It will do all the switching for you. It is activity based and thus easy for the family to use. Run all the video to the TV inputs and all of the audio to the AVR. The Harmony will switch it all with one button push, providing your TV has discrete inputs.