Very new, few questions.

[KyPeN]

Ok, here is my very very modest setup:

Toshiba 20" non-HDTV w/ Component (1), S-video (1), AV (2)

Reciever/Amp - Onkyo TX-SR501 w/ Component in (2), Component out (1), S-video (enough), AV(enough), Optical-in (2), Optical out (1), Coaxial-in (1)

Speakers:

Front - Polk R20 (soon to be RTi6)

Center - Polk CSI30 (May jump to CSI3, but havn't decided)

Rear - Polk R15 (I may jump to FXI series, but not sure)

Sub - Velodyne CHT-12



DVD-Player: X-box for now, may get new one for x-mas or soon there-after



I'm 16, work w/ me people :( :D~:-D~:grin:



Ok, here are the questions:



I am using up all of my component as well as digital audio ports. The coax is being used by my PC, opticals by PS2 and Xbox, and components by PS2 and X-box as well.



Notice, a DVD player is not in the mix.



What would be the best solution for hooking one up?

I really wanna use component for DVD, but I can settle for S-video on the PS2.

I'm really stumped on this one. I know I can get a switchbox, but won't I lose the whole point of going component in the first place? My receiver also has Component Analogue Audio-in, but I'm not sure how that would compare to Coax/Optical.

I need some real help here.

Thanks!

[KyPeN]

Oh yeah, what would be some decently priced (American $ if possible) cables to work w/ the proposed solutions?

Like I said, I am new. I've been using Monster Cables for much of my stuff, but I refuse to pay retail, so I e-bay the mofos. I havn't been duped like many people are being duped w/ Bose have I?

[RobScreene]

Hi KyPeN,

Welcome to the forums.



Are you sure you mean Component, and not Composite? I assume you're right and you are talking about 3-phonos, usually red/green/blue and might also be marked YPrPb?



It's just never heard of a 20-inch tv with anything other than single Composite inputs (usually yellow) and the usual S-Video and 21-pin Euro-AV SCART sockets?



It looks to me like you've got two sources, X-box and Playstation2.



If your tv takes Component, I'd feed both of those via Component video leads to the receiver.

- There is an official Sony component cable available which will plug straight in to your amp, plus analog audio. You might want to add an optical digital audio cable to go from the PS2's optical output straight in to your amp, although because it's only a Pro-Logic signal, the normal audio leads will arry it fine.



- For the X-box there's a 'Hi-Def' kit which gives component video and optical and analog outputs. The official one includes a cheap component lead, but you'd need an extra optical digital audio cable to connect to your receiver. This is needed to get the 5.1 Dolby Digital sound for games and DVD's to the receiver. Be wary of some of the non-official x-box component video leads as I don't think they all include the digital audio output.



You'll also need to have a component cable to link from the receiver Component out to your telly component in.



You'll probably want an analog audio feed back from the telly to an AUX/TV input on your amp to allow you to listen to off-air tv programs.



As a next step upgrade, you might want to order a second higher-quality Component video cable to replace the one that comes in the X-box kit, although I'm still using the bundled one.



I'd buy the two Component video cables and analog audio cable from http://www.scorpioncables.com/, see the Powerbuy form for discounts. These are made with the very highest quality Belden video cables and Canare audio cables and crimp terminated with the Canare rca plugs, again well regarded as the very best available. Plus they are very, very reasonably priced (well they are in the UK compared to anything similar) and you'll never, ever have to replace them for something better. I now have 4 cables off them myself.



I don't know scorpion ship to the US and how their prices work out after £ to $ currency conversion and shipping compared to local high quality cables. From what I've read the monster cable ones have quite a markup on them and aren't a true reference cable. Still if you've got some for a good price off ebay it might be as well sticking with themn until you get used to the system and decide to upgrade in future.



As another future upgrade step you might like to get a good $100+ DVD player with component outputs. It's quite agreed that the X-box DVD performance is not as good as a good value player. Plus you could re-use the component video cable.



Sounds like you are going to have a lot of fun with what you have there.



regards,

Rob.