Ok, lets start from the top. I have an Insignia 37" LCD TV. It has 2 composite/s-vid inputs, 2 component inputs, 2 hdmi inputs, 1 spdif input, 1 vga with mini input. On the output side, it has composite output (yellow video, left and right channel). For the system, I have a PS2 hooked up component, a Pioneer DVD player hooked up component, and a Gamecube and Tivo hooked up composite. At some point soon, I will probably buy a DVD player of some kind with HDMI out.

Now, here's my question. I am in the market for a receiver. Now, I am thinking I would probably hook up the video to the TV and the audio to the receiver so that everything is nice and separated out (I am not worried about the input switching). My concern is with HDMI.

How would I be able to use this if I were to buy a receiver without HDMI inputs on it? If I had a DVD player with HDMI output on it and spdif or coax audio, would I be able to use those to pipe audio to the receiver?

Also, since the audio would be run directly from each component to the receiver, I would also need to run an audio cable from the TV for OTA channels, right? Would I be able to get the audio from the digital channels to go to the receiver or would I be stuck with the audio on the TV only (I am this way now with digital channels when outputting to my small stereo because the output is analog, I assume)?

How would I be able to use this if I were to buy a receiver without HDMI inputs on it? If I had a DVD player with HDMI output on it and spdif or coax audio, would I be able to use those to pipe audio to the receiver?

That's how mine works. Onkyo DV-CP704, HDMI to TV, optical to receiver (coax would also work, I just happened to use optical.)

Also, since the audio would be run directly from each component to the receiver, I would also need to run an audio cable from the TV for OTA channels, right? Would I be able to get the audio from the digital channels to go to the receiver or would I be stuck with the audio on the TV only (I am this way now with digital channels when outputting to my small stereo because the output is analog, I assume)?

If the TV has a digital output, it would send the sound to the receiver. However, some only do stereo over that, so you have to see what your particular TV does. But you should get audio to go to the receiver.

The TV does not have digital output, just the spdif input on it. Does this mean the OTA HD channels will only give audio through the TV?

You said you had a composite out, right? You should be able to use the red/white analog out to get audio to the receiver. It won't be optimal, but it should work, assuming that also mutes the TV speakers in some way.

I am currently using that method to get audio out to a small stereo that is hooked up to the TV (the TV is doing all of the input and audio switching). When I view over the air digital channels from my antenna (to watch local sports in HD), I lose audio to the stereo\, and using the audio out still keeps the TV speakers working. Is this normal?

Ok, apparently I am incorrect. The spdif on the TV (which is located by the HDMI and VGA inputs) is a digital output, not an input. This would solve my issue with getting sound from the digital OTA channels to the receiver.

Is it usually recommended to connect everything to the receiver and then one cable to the TV, or connect the video to the TV and audio to the receiver separately?

Is it usually recommended to connect everything to the receiver and then one cable to the TV, or connect the video to the TV and audio to the receiver separately?This is a personal decision. If you want to use the receiver for the switching convenience, then obviously, you'd use the receiver's video inputs and one cable (or set of cables, if component) out to the TV. Many people prefer the direct route for their devices' video though, as this, theoretically, should provide the highest fidelity. The audio would obviously be routed individually and directly from the input devices to the receiver.

And it depends upon which devices you have and how you wish to connect them. I know you don't have any HDMI sources, now, but you said you may in the future.

It also depends upon your receiver's capabilities. Does it have HDMI pass-through. Can it accept audio via HDMI or does it simply pass it through. Can it do video "upconversion" to HDMI. Can it do component video upconversion and switching (most do, nowadays). Etc..

Yeah, I know some is personal preference. I haven't decided on a certain receiver yet. I am looking at the sub-$300 market (saw a few on Crutchfield, and they do HDMI switching, but no upconverting). I may be able to go higher at some point, but it depends on how soon I decided to buy.

FWIW, I run everything direct (video to TV, audio to receiver) and I get by just fine. I don't mind the extra couple of button presses to get everything switched.

But if your receiver can do it and switch everything optimally, why not?