What is the best way to wire a home theater with a hdmi reciever?

Answer 1

Good Question!

FIRST: There's no point in using an HDMI cable unless your TV has an HDMI input. If your receiver has HDMI inputs, it just means that you'll be able to put (a minimum of) two devices with HDMI outputs through the receiver, only requiring one on the TV. But many TVs today have two HDMI inputs so this becomes redundant.

(Note: if your run HDMI directly into the TV, you'll have to get audio from the source device to the receiver anyway, either directly, or via the TV's digital audio output - and even then, there's no guarantee that that signal path will be available! It varies greatly from brand-to-brand and model-to-model.)

ONe advantage to using HDMI is that it minimizes the number of interconnects that have to run between the DVD or Cable/Sat box and the receiver, since HDMI ususally passes picture AND sound along the SAME cable. There is one caveat here: Not all HDMI outputs do both picture and sound - some do just picture, and sound not so great.

Personally, I still like using component (red/green/blue) cables between my DVD, Cable/Sat boxes and my receiver. Then I run optical audio cables to the receiver, too. This way I know I'm getting the best possible picture and sound into my receiver. Then I run a component video cable from the receiver to my TV (more TVs out there have component video inputs than HDMI right now...HDMI is still a premium input.)

Lastly, BUT NOT "leastly", the HDMI cable is prone to becoming disconnected more easily, much more so than a component video cable, which still uses the more snug-fitting RCA connector - HDMIs can slip out without notice. Therefore, if you're shopping for a TV with HDMI, make sure the HDMI port on the back is not in a "down-facing" position on the jack panel - as is sometimes the case.

Good luck! And if you have any more question, you know who to ask.

Answer 2

You didn't specify the number of inputs on your receiver, but basically, wire everything possible directly to the receiver... Xbox, DVD, cable box, VCR and etc directly to your receiver. Assuming you have a HDMI input on your TV, hook up the HDMI cable from your receiver VIDEO OUT to the TV VIDEO IN. No need to fuss with audio cables, HDMI also transmit the audio.

Also... if your devices don't have HDMI or if you run out of HDMI inputs to your receiver, then the next best is component (red, green, blue). Don't forget to hook up the audio cables (red, white) since component does not transmit audio.

Good luck and enjoy!

Answer 3

Could you please elaborate? You're question is vague.

With my home theater, I run a 47" Vizio 1080p with dual HDMI inputs.

I have my Dish Network HD Receiver connected to HDMI port 1 and my Xbox 360 Elite connected to HDMI port 2.

I have yet to upgrade my audio receiver to a unit that supports HDMI connectivity since I don't need to.

My Dish reciver optical output connects to my receiver as does the 360's.

Answer 4

Hi. Here is a link to connecting up a Home Theater.

http://www.hometheaternetwork.com/