Initially posted this in the receivers section (didn't see this section)
Maybe someone here can help?

HTR-6130 - I don't get any audio unless the video source is also plugged in

To test it out I did the following:
DVD -> Digital CoAx -> Receiver
DVD -> RCA -> TV

I know it's not ideal, but I just wanted to make sure everything works and this is how I had it with my old receiver.

Video signal shows on TV but I get no Audio

I tried speaker test and all 5 speakers & sub test ok (I get sound)

So I hooked up CD -> RCA -> Receiver and I get sound as expected.

Finally I tried
DVD -> Digital CoAx -> Receiver
DVD -> RCA -> Receiver

Now I get sound. BUT as soon as I pull the Video (ie just the yellow RCA cable) and don't touch the Digital CoAx the sound stops. Plug the video cable back in and I get sound again.

It seems like the receiver is forcing me to run Video through it and maybe keying off the video to determine what audio input to use?

I would prefer to run Video direct to the TV without going through the receiver.

Any help out there?

How is "video" run to the TV? (DVI, HDMI, Component)
Why not run the proper video through the AVR?

All video is on RCA cable right now. I will get better cables eventually.
I guess my real question is why does the receiver not produce any audio from the Digital coax until there is also a video feed coming in?
Doesn't seem normal to me, shouldn't I be able to put audio to receiver and video directly to TV?

I agree... should work as anticipated. Check the setup options of the DVD player. What make/model is the DVD player?

Why not just run video through the AVR?