ok im new to the audio side. i got all my video stuff set: philips 47" 1080p lcd, ps3, xbox 360, wii and, time warner digital cable. i just bought a yamaha rx-v463 (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567576&CTID=5000300&ATRID=1020&DETYP=ATTRIBUTE) receiver with a set of klipsch speakers. should i use hdmi or optical wire or maybe some combo. also my surround speakers will probably run over 50 feet of wire should i stick with 12 awg wire?

HDMI if the equipment has the capability and ...12 or 14AWG should be just fine.

HDMI if the equipment has the capability and ...12 or 14AWG should be just fine.

So running hdmi to the receiver is more preferrable than optical (for sound quality)?

Yes

So running hdmi to the receiver is more preferrable than optical (for sound quality)?

You can transfer all of the codecs available with HDMI (DD true HD, DTS HD, MPCM, DD, DTS) ...if the receiver handles them, versus optical...which can handle DD and DTS as a maximum.

Thanks. I'll be running everything (Blu-Ray, X-Box 360, & Direct TV) via HDMI then. Someone had told me to run the HDMI straight to the TV and use optical to run from the component to the receiver.

Thanks. I'll be running everything (Blu-Ray, X-Box 360, & Direct TV) via HDMI then. Someone had told me to run the HDMI straight to the TV and use optical to run from the component to the receiver.

You can't even get DD/DTS if you do that unless you are watching OTA broadcasts.

Edit: At least for Bluray...

Thanks. I'll be running everything (Blu-Ray, X-Box 360, & Direct TV) via HDMI then. Someone had told me to run the HDMI straight to the TV and use optical to run from the component to the receiver.

Depends on the receiver.

Good (ie. newer/more expensive) receivers can process or pass-thru video and audio over HDMI. They will probably also do HDMI switching without a problem, and will likely support the HD audio formats. If this describes your receiver, then there is no reason to run an optical cable to the TV separately from the other cables. Your receiver is more than capable to handle the load itself.

Not so good (ie. older/cheaper) recievers may not have all of the above functionality. If not, it might be better to run the optical straight to the TV as you were told.

What receiver do you have?

ok im new to the audio side. i got all my video stuff set: philips 47" 1080p lcd, ps3, xbox 360, wii and, time warner digital cable. i just bought a yamaha rx-v463 (http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=567576&CTID=5000300&ATRID=1020&DETYP=ATTRIBUTE) receiver with a set of klipsch speakers. should i use hdmi or optical wire or maybe some combo. also my surround speakers will probably run over 50 feet of wire should i stick with 12 awg wire?

Hi:

I took a look at your specs for the receiver you have. It does accept both audio and video via HDMI so that is how you would want to connect all your devices that have HDMI such as your PS3. No other cable would be needed. Simply run HDMI where you can directly into the receiver. And then one HDMI cable out from the receiver into the display. For the devices that don't have HDMI use component cables and optical into the receiver. Your receiver does not decode any of the newer codecs so in order to enjoy the newer audio formats you will need to set your PS3 (that supports Blu-Ray) to output PCM. Then your PS3 will decode the audio and your receiver will simply pass through the decoded signal. Fairly simple. Just remember not to set your PS3 to output via bitstream or the only thing you will get is either DD, DTS, or Prologic, which is all your receiver will decode. Good luck.

Depends on the receiver.

Good (ie. newer/more expensive) receivers can process or pass-thru video and audio over HDMI. They will probably also do HDMI switching without a problem, and will likely support the HD audio formats. If this describes your receiver, then there is no reason to run an optical cable to the TV separately from the other cables. Your receiver is more than capable to handle the load itself.

Not so good (ie. older/cheaper) recievers may not have all of the above functionality. If not, it might be better to run the optical straight to the TV as you were told.

What receiver do you have?


I have a Yamaha rx-v663

that's HDMI audio capable, so use HDMI or you'll be missing out on lossless soundtracks on blu ray.

I have a Yamaha rx-v663

Your receiver not only supports HDMI v1.3 which can pass both audio and video, it also supports all current audio codecs as well. Every source you have should be connected via HDMI only, directly to the receiver, and then run one HDMI cable from your receiver to your display. Your good to go.