View Full Version : connecting it all together.
feedb4ck
06-10-2004, 10:58 AM
okay, so i'm trying to figure out how to connect my system (er, future system) all together.
so... bear with me on this...
the STB will be from Rogers Cable (Mississauga, Ontario)
might invest in a new DVD player other than what's listed below (perhaps a home theater in a box setup... )
no idea what receiver i'll get... but one that accepts multiple optical inputs, and has at least 5.1 output (possibly 7.1 though)
cable outlet to HDTV STB - what cable do i use?
STB to TV - video - DVI (if available) else component
STB to Receiver - audio - Optical
DVD to TV - video - component
DVD to Receiver - audio - optical
PS2 to TV - video - component
PS2 to Receiver - optical
Receiver to Speakers - good speaker cable (any reccomendations)
now the TV i have only has 2 component inputs in the back... so how do i hook up the STB, DVD, and PS2 to it?
or does the STB have a component video input that i could run the DVD player through thus eliminating the DVD to TV connection?
just wondering if my thinking is way off base or if i'm on the right track...
thanks for any and all assistance.
You could buy a receiver with component video switching, and plug everything into that. Then run the receiver in to the TV and you are up and running.
MAX,
1. Receiver to Speakers - good speaker cable (any reccomendations)
2. now the TV i have only has 2 component inputs in the back... so how do i hook up the STB, DVD, and PS2 to it?
3. or does the STB have a component video input that i could run the DVD player through thus eliminating the DVD to TV connection?1. Many people use two conductor electrical wire of guage 12 (or perhaps 10) to connect to their speakers. You can buy this for about $25-35 from a hardware store for 100'.
2. See the following thread for alternatives - switches/Y-connectors, etc.
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=7517
3. No, it doesn't have this feature.
Johnner
06-10-2004, 01:34 PM
1. Many people use two conductor electrical wire of guage 12 (or perhaps 10) to connect to their speakers. You can buy this for about $25-35 from a hardware store for 100'.
57U, does 10 or 12 gauge really make a noticable difference in sound quality compared to say 18 gauge standard speaker wire?
I would say that depends on how long the speaker run is. but it is easier for the signal to travel if it has more space to...
MAX,
spaceman_spiff
06-10-2004, 02:10 PM
or does the STB have a component video input that i could run the DVD player through thus eliminating the DVD to TV connection?
I dont know if Rogers gives you a choice of STBs. If they have Pace STB, it has component inputs for connecting a DVD player or similar. It works when output from component on the STB is off. This eliminates the need for an extra input or a component switcher.
http://www.pacemicro.com/products/manuals/DC550_spec.pdf
Rogers Ontario only uses SA. They use Motorola in Eastern Canada.
The minimum speaker wire you should utilize is probably 14 gauge. Throw away any 16 or 18 stuff you're using. It costs next to nothing anyway.
DrewB
06-15-2004, 03:42 PM
I think you're TOTALLY on the right track... let the A/V receiver be the heart of the system. A DVI connection to the TV is great (and easy), but truthfully, you'd have a damn hard time discerning between it and component video. So... if you buy a receiver that can do component video switching, you're all set. That way, you'll have the holy grail of quality AND convenience. These days, it's hard to NOT find receivers that don't have gobs of digital inputs, so you'll be all set there. My personal preference is coax, just because the cables aren't as prone to problems as the optical ones are. The bitstream of data is identical, so let convenience or personal preference be your guide.
On speaker wire: 18-gauge or heavier is going to be just fine and audibly identical to anything thicker. If you have runs over 100 feet or plan on very high volume levels for extended periods of time, you might want to go with 14- or 12-gauge. Decent wire is important, but don't go overboard--it's one of the most overhyped things in audio.
Note that 18 and 16 gauge wire starts to "crap out" long before you reach 100' lengths. See the table in the link below: Remember that speakers have varying impedence depending, on frequency, so an 8 ohm speaker is not really 8 ohms.
Since the cost of 12 gauge wire is so cheap (about 25 cents a foot), if you're buying new, that's what I recommend. If you've already got some 14, look at the table for 4 ohms and see if the length is OK. If you've got 16 or 18, you should consider discarding it.
http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm
As many of you know, I'm just about as frugal as they come, but when it comes to spending a few $ for some speaker wire, I don't question whether it should be 12, 14, 16. Note that I don't recommend that you spend $100 for each wire, as some people with a lot of money do.
Great link! I do have an accurate digital VOM and will do some measurements this week. I'm 12ga for all the speakers in my system.
Lee
