My apologies in advance if this has been addressed before, but I just got a new 52" Vizio LCD and I am trying to decide the simplest, easiest, and least complicated way to hook it up to my Panasonic XR-55 surround sound receiver, a DVD player and an HD cable box.

Some people here advocate running their video components to the receiver first, then out to the TV.

Others run their cable boxes and DVDs to the TV first, then just run an audio signal out from the TV to the receiver.

I have always done the former. But I am slowly coming to the conclusion that running video components through the receiver is a lot of work for not much payoff. It seems to me that the best video signals are achieved via the shortest and fewest connection from the source, i.e., DVD-to-TV, antenna-to-TV, STB-to-TV. It also seems that a direct set up would significantly cut down on cable clutter and make operating the system much easier. The receiver would be left on a single input - "TV/STB" - and all input switching would be done via the TV remote.

Am I missing something? Can someone please explain exactly what the disadvantages are, if any, of running video components directly to the TV and taking an audio signal out from the TV to the receiver? Will it limit or interfere with the receiver's ability to process surround sound?

Thanks.

then just run an audio signal out from the TV to the receiver. There’s no good reason to do that. Just connect the cable box and DVD’s audio outs to the receiver directly.

I have always done the former. But I am slowly coming to the conclusion that running video components through the receiver is a lot of work for not much payoff. It also seems that a direct set up would significantly cut down on cable clutter and make operating the system much easier. How so? You only save a single video cable – the one that would go from the receiver’s output to the TV.

And this doesn’t make the system simpler to operate. It makes it more difficult because for any source you want to watch, you have to switch audio and video inputs separately. With everything connected through to the receiver, you get both with a single button from the receiver’s remote (this is less of in issue if your remote can run macros, however). Plus, sometimes the TV’s input selection is limited in connectivity options or number of inputs.

It seems to me that the best video signals are achieved via the shortest and fewest connection from the source, i.e., DVD-to-TV, antenna-to-TV, STB-to-TV.Well, now you’ve switched gears from “striving for simplicity” to “best possible picture.” Which one are you really after? There’s a lot of ballyhoo about connecting directly to the TV being the best way to go, but personally I haven’t been able to tell one way or the other. If you can see a visible difference between direct vs. through the receiver, then go direct.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

(Edit: Sorry, Wayne, if I step on yor toes in this reply. It took me a while to compose it and you posted before I did.)


Well, you didn't say exactly what type connection each component is capable of video-wise and how you wanted to connect each component's video (HDMI, component video, S-video, etc.). You also didn't say exactly what type connection each component is capable of audio-wise and how you wanted to connect each component's audio (digital coax, toslink, analog, etc.). I'm going to assume all your input devices have digital audio connection capability and (at least) component video connection capability.

Let's get the audio out of the way, first. I'm going to assume, based upon your post, that your TV has a digital audio output; probably toslink (optical). But it is very unlikely that your TV will "pass-through" any audio connections made to it via this audio output. Usually the digital audio output on a TV is for outputting the audio from OTA (over the air) reception. I'm going to assume this is so, however, from your post, you seem to be indicating that the TV WILL pass-through any audio that's connected to it. You can try and confirm this. If it WILL pass-through ALL audio, then everything I'm about to say, although true, goes straight out the window.

But if the TV will NOT pass-through audio, each of your device's audio is going to have to be connected to the receiver. Since your receiver has no HDMI input/output, and I'm almost certain all your devices have digital audio output capability, each device's audio will have to be connected to the receiver via either a digital coax connection or a toslink (optical) connection. Your receiver has plenty of both coax and optical inputs, so connecting all the devices' audio shouldn't be a problem.

Now, the video. Theoretically, there shouldn't be any loss in quality from passing the video through the receiver, but many still prefer the direct connection to the TV and connect all their video directly to their TV instead of routing it through the receiver. If you DO connect each device with a separate video connection to the TV, you end up having to use the TV's remote to switch the TV input being used for each device and since your devices' audio will be connected to the receiver, you'll have to use the receiver's remote to switch between the receiver's audio inputs.

If you plan to connect any of your devices via HDMI for the video, you'll have to connect them directly to your TV, as your receiver has no HDMI capability. I'm assuming your TV has at least one HDMI input. And if you do connect any devices via HDMI, you might as well connect all the other devices' video connections directly to the TV. So, for devices that have no HDMI outputs, you would most likely use component video connections (provided all your devices are capable of that) to either the TV or receiver. If your TV has enough component video inputs, and you want to connect all your components' video directly to the TV, you will be able to, but again, you will have to use the TV's remote to switch between TV inputs and the receiver's remote to switch between audio inputs.

Assuming that you DO have to connect all the devices' audio directly to the receiver, and you DO want to simplify things remote-wise, then you would also want to use the receiver for video switching. If your TV doesn't have enough component video inputs for all your devices, you would obviously want to do this, anyway. Then you would only need to use the receiver's remote to switch between input devices. Your receiver does have enough component video inputs (3) to do this.

Cable-wise, either connection method is going to involve about the same number of cables; they will just be connected differently. If you use the receiver for all the video switching, then all the devices' component video connections will go to the receiver, and there will only be a single component video connection going from the receiver into the TV. But, if you use the receiver for all your video switching you will not be able to utilize any HDMI connections to the TV, as the receiver has no HDMI inputs/outputs. Quality-wise, this should not be an issue; the component video will provide the same quality video as would be provided via HDMI.

If you make direct video connections to the TV, then all the devices' video connections will obviously go directly to the TV and the audio connections will still have to go to the receiver. Then you would have to use both yoru TV's remote and your receiver's remote to switch between input devices. You will still have to run some sort of video connection between the receiver and the TV in order to utilize your receiver's OSD (on-screen display) when setting it up. Some receivers will not pass the OSD via a component video connection and can only do this via either an S-video connection or, more likely, only via a composite video connection. This varies from receiver to receiver, so you will have to make this connection accordingly.

Since it seems you are interested in simplifying and unifying things, remote-wise, you should connect your devices' video and audio connections to your receiver and use the receiver for video (and obviously audio) switching. But, if your TV is capable of passing-through audio, and you have enough video and audio connections on the TV, your idea of using the TV to unify everything will work. However, I doubt your TV can really pass-through audio.

A sincere and heartfelt thanks to both of you for the prompt and thoughtful replies.

sivadselim, I especially appreciate the clarity and thoroughness of your response. You make abundant sense. The short and obvious answer is that I simply need to find out whether my Vizio GV52L is capable of passing a Dolby 5.1 signal through one or more of its inputs. Unfortunately the customer service tech I spoke with didn't know the answer. She could only tell me that if I used the analog out port on the TV and made sure that the speakers were turned to the “off” position, I would indeed be able to route audio from my DVD and STB to my receiver.

She could only tell me that if I used the analog out port on the TV and made sure that the speakers were turned to the “off” position, I would indeed be able to route audio from my DVD and STB to my receiver.What is the TV's audio output, exactly? If it's an "analog out port" (R/L analog RCA connections) then it definitely won't pass DD/DTS 5.1; it will only pass material as 2-channel. If that's the only audio output your TV has, then using the TV to "unify" the audio inputs is out of the question.

This is all the owner's manual says:

"13. OPTICAL DIGITAL AUDIO OUT – When the DTV input is selected for viewing, the digital audio associated with digital programming will be available on this SPDIF Optical connector for connection to your home theatre system. The white color band on the rear of the TV indicates this connection."

If one takes it to be explicitly correct, then the optical out jack on the set only works when the TV is using the internal tuner on a digital channel.

Most sets, afaik, downconvert audio from the other inputs (except internal tuner) to stereo before sending it to the digital audio output jack(s).

I'd try it anyway just to be sure.

Thanks gentlemen. I suppose the only way to be sure is to give it a try as whoaru99 suggests. I will route the DVD player through the TV via an HDMI port, take audio out through the 5.1 SPDIF optical connection, and let you know what happens.

THIS (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=896279) thread may be somewhat pertinent. I didn't read through it, though.

Simplest is to switch video through the receiver. Any degradation in video otherwise = defective receiver.

Thanks, I read it earlier. He basically had the same question and needed advice about an AV receiver. I even chimed in with a recommendation. I don't think the switching question was ever definitively answered.

I really doubt your TV will pass any of the audio that comes into it. Simple enough to test, though.

Well you are right, no pass through of digital audio.

One of the reasons I wanted to unify everything through the TV was because switching multiple inputs is too complicated and frustrating for my wife and kids. No matter how many times I explain, they just don't seem to understand the function of the receiver. They want to point the remote at the TV and watch tv, point the remote at the DVD and watch a DVD, etc. A unified remote is probably the answer; I will go pick one up today. It's a shame because the remote that came with the Vizio is quite nice.

One of the reasons I wanted to unify everything through the TV was because switching multiple inputs is too complicated and frustrating for my wife and kids.Well then you’re going about it totally backwards. Connecting everything through the receiver is what simplifies things, not to the TV. This was discussed in my previous post.

No matter how many times I explain, they just don't seem to understand the function of the receiver. They want to point the remote at the TV and watch tv, point the remote at the DVD and watch a DVD, etc It sounds like you don’t have your gear up front where the TV is. If that’s the case, what you need is an IR repeater. Then you can point the remote at the TV for any and all functions.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Get a nice universal remote that will run "macros" (or whatever they call 'em). You'll be able to assign multiple functions to one single button push. And they can usually be aimed jsut about anywhere. I don't use one, but many here do, so maybe someone will recommend one to you. I think the Logitech Harmony remotes are well-liked.

I have the Harmony remote and this is exactly what is was designed for. Its simple to set it up....just connect your remote to a usb port on your computer and you can set everything up on their website.

Once it is setup it will save the config to your desktop and your remote in case your remote goes haywire and forgets the macros. My wife and kids just press one button to "watch tv" or "watch a dvd" or "play xbox 360". The receivers, tv - inputs change automatically with one press of a button.

Well you are right, no pass through of digital audio.

One of the reasons I wanted to unify everything through the TV was because switching multiple inputs is too complicated and frustrating for my wife and kids. No matter how many times I explain, they just don't seem to understand the function of the receiver. They want to point the remote at the TV and watch tv, point the remote at the DVD and watch a DVD, etc. A unified remote is probably the answer; I will go pick one up today. It's a shame because the remote that came with the Vizio is quite nice.

Related question to this -- is there a way to set it all up this way but also to have the TV for "just plain tv"--i.e., you don't have to turn on the receiver and listen through the surround sound? Sure, I know hte sound is much better than the crappy tv speakers. But sometimes that's enough, and hearing Al Roker in 7.1 surround simply isn't necessary. Is there an easy way to set this up without flipping switches, or does it just create too much complexity?