so right now i have a 5.1 receiver and a comcast DVR. The dvr is hooked up via Component cable to my HD tv and then i have a digital optical cord from the DVR to the reciever. Now here is my question, there is an HDMI port on both my TV and my DVR. What would be the best way to set this up. Should i go DVR to Tv via HDMI then TV to reciever via digital optical? Or should i do DVR to TV HDMI then DVR to Receiver digital optical. sorry if this is all confusing. i just wanted to free up a component slot and use the hdmi since i was under the impression its the best picture.

Some receivers do not relay or switch HDMI. But if your manual says that it does it is worth a try.

Many TVs do not relay digital audio. If yours does not the work around is to use a digital (coax or optical ) connection from the set top box or DVD player to the receiver in addition to the HDMI to connection.

So the two work arounds are-

HDMI from the set top box to the TV and a digital audio from the set top box to the receiver, or

HDMI from the DVD player to the TV and a digital audio connection from the DVD player to the receiver.

Some feel that HDMI gives a superior picture and some do not. With my hardware I believe that there is a slight, very slight improvement with HDMI. I can see it if I am looking for it it in some scenes, but most of the time and with most material no.