Running video through receiver

[Petrus]

I'm looking at getting a home theater setup, but I am confused about video inputs on the receivers. Sorry if this sounds stupid, but why would you want to run the STB/DVD component video feeds through the receiver? Thanks!

[57U]

1. So that you don't need to switch inputs on the TV. I have everything going through the receiver, so I switch the receiver and it takes care of sound and video. I never touch the TV, leaving it on the Component video input full time.

2. Additionally, if your components are not close to the TV, it can make for easier connections - short to receiver, one long one to TV - see my setup in the signature.

3. If, however, you have s-video and composite video connections, and you purchase a receiver that doesn't "convert" these signals to component video, you'll still need that connection and change your inputs on the TV.

Also, DVI and HDMI now come into play and are available only on more expensive receivers.

There is therefore no one correct answer. See the FAQ on "If only I'd have known". Part way down is a section on A/V Receivers.

[Blaster]

Petrus

people run thru receiver for a couple reasons;

-auto switching (whatever 'function' you choose,audio & video turn on together)
or
-if you need the inputs (eg: 3 inputs to receiver---> 1 input to TV)

I prefer not to run video thru receiver and just run audio (fiber/coax/red-wht)
then choose funtion on receiver manually...

hope this helps :)

[Petrus]

Thanks, fellas. Those are the reasons I thought, but I wanted to make sure there wasn't something I didn't know.

[wifeB8]

That’s what I get for typing so slow. I’ll just add this to the posts.

It’s referred to as Video switching. Basically, important when there are a limited number of component inputs (Composite, component, S-video and even DVI) connectors on your TV. The next question you might ask yourself is can this receiver/video switching degrade your signal. Any time you introduce a black box to a system you have the potential for insertion loss or signal degradation. This comes back to the type of audio video receiver that you buy. Even the lowest quality receivers on the market do a great job at minimizing these losses. The convenience of having a video switcher takes precedence over the amount of signal degradation that you can actually detect. I’ve never been able to notice any differences between a signal going thru a quality AVR and a direct connection to a TV.