I am setting up a new Samsung 650 flatscreen t.v. The components I have are:
Yamaha RX-V661 AV Receiver.
Comcast Digital Recorder cable box.
Samsung DVD-F1080.

Based upon reading the manual for the t.v, initially, my connection plan was:
Connect cable box to t.v. w/ hdmi cable.
Connect DVD to t.v. w/ hdmi cable.
Connect t.v. to Yamaha receiver w/ optical cable.

After reading the manual for the Yamaha receiver, I am confused, as it instructs to connect all of the components into the receiver (via hdmi cables).

Can anyone help w/ suggestions on best way to hook up my components. I'm getting ready to order some hdmi cables and an optical cable, so I want to make sure I purchase the correct quantities, etc.

Thanks. Jeff

think of the avr as the "controller" of your system...

connect cable box and dvd player to avr with hdmi cables...

connect avr to tv with hdmi cable...

no need for optical cable, unless your cable box is one that doesn't "play nice" with hdmi... in which case, connect cable box to avr with component cables (for video) and optical or coax (for audio)... most do now, but some people report occasional problems with cable boxes and hdmi...

very few tv's would switch the audio in the way you outlined it...

you would only need to connect the tv to the receiver if you plan on receiving over the air digital tv broadcasts--in your case with the cable box this will not be an issue--no need to connect the tv back to the avr at all--just use all hdmi connectors --all components to the avr then an hdmi cable to the tv and youll be good to go.

based off of the great advice on this form...this is what i am doing:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15110279#post15110279 (post #21)

i sometimes want to use only my tv and not have to turn on my receiver...however, the optical cable is only capable of 5.1 - not lossless sound...

to do this i am using a 4x2 matrix switch (monoprice.com)

hope this helps

erpa

Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

so going through the receiver first produces the same video quality as going directly to the tv?

so going through the receiver first produces the same video quality as going directly to the tv?Yes, that's certainly true for any HDMI connection, since it's digital (provided the cables are not so long that picture artifacts such as sparkles and dropouts occur).

thanks, i appreciate it