I'm setting up a single classroom with an Epson PowerLite 400W. It's for a small school on a small budget. There are no HDMI inputs, only two VGA ports which can also accept component video. I'm thinking the sources will be a DVD player, a VCR (maybe a combo player?), and a laptop.

I also plan to to incorporate a low end 5.1 receiver, both for the audio and possibly as an A/V switcher. But then I can't think of any receiver that accepts VGA (like from the laptop) and upconvert(?) to component, nor even upconverts composite or Svideo from a VCR to component. Should I just plan to run separate cables from each source up to the pj? Should I ask this in the receivers forum?

Are there any other considerations I should be addressing? While I was able to setup a home theater pj with HDMI, this is a new situation for me.

Strange hahaha. I'm having some what of the same troubles. Setting up a classroom projector. Still trying to figure out which one to use. Anyway, good luck!

Just run separate cables to the PJ. Keep the receiver out of the solution that way if the receiver has a problem you will still get your image.