I am sort of new but have been doing my homework about A/V connections but need a simple question answered. Would it be ok to connect my components with component video cables and then connect the receiver to my TV with an S-Video line (it's the highest it can accept). The reason for doing this is that we are going to upgrade the TV within the year which will probably accept component (unsure about HD). Also will there be a negative affect on any of the components or the TV in mixing the Video connections.

Component connections are video connections.

Are you planning to connect a set top box, DVR, PC video card, or game console to you receiver via component for the video and use the receiver to switch the video to the TV via S-vid? That will work.

You will also need connections for the audio: Red/white RCA cables for stereo, or digital cable or Toslink for digital audio.

that's pretty much what i needed to hear. Some guy at radioshack was trying to tell me i couldn't downgrade a signal on my receiver so i starting questioning myself. I am connecting dvd, and sat box with component and toslink, other misc. devices will use mostly audio jacks only. So i should be ok.

Also, another question, somebody told me to completely avoid using the receiver for video sources. That i should just directly connect the device to the tv and not be "lazy" and just switch it on the receiver. I am guessing that this really wouldn't be much of a case considering i am using S-video to the tv. However, say i upgrade to HD and i use HDMI cables. Should I really bypass the receiver for video purposes and hook directly to the tv, and, if yes then why are some people so concerned with having HDMI links on receivers then.

Thanks

SOME receivers will transcode input signals to lower bandwidth signals. Others can't transcode at all. Component inputs can only be provided via component outputs. Check your manual.

Running your signal through your RX most likely does cause some minor degradation. I tested this on my Yamaha receivers and noticed no issue. I suggest you test it if that's a concern of yours. Only reason to run video through your RX is for switching purposes. And I personally love the convenience of having my RX switch video. Some people are paranoid or picky and use a universal remote to provide for simple switching of both audio and video while not using their receiver for video switching.

As for HDMI, once video is in the digital domain, analog distortion is no longer an issue.

One case where your RX could effect the image would be running component into your RX and HDMI out. In this case your RX would convert from analog component to HDMI; probably 720p or 1080i. If you have a plasma display at 1024x780, additional conversion needs to occur. And your RX might do a crappy job of converting 480i component analog to 720p or 1080i HDMI. Once again, its something for you to compare with your own eyes.