DVD player and HD cable both need component input

[chris11]

I have an RCA 52 inch HDTV monitor with one component input. The Time Warner HD cable box (with which I get 2 HD channels) is already using the input but I need it to hook up my new JVC progressive scan DVD player.

I heard I should get an RF Modulator? Will that act like an A/B switch and allow both to use the one input?

Also, I hooked up an older 2 channel receiver to get better audio. It works for the DVD player but not for cable TV. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks for your help

[ZeroDegreeK]

A relatively cheap way to get an additional component input would be to buy 5 RCA Y patch cables. 2 females to 1 male. However, there are Component Audio/Video selector switches out there, both would work fine.

As for your receiver, how do you have the cable tv hooked up to it?

[chris11]

Thanks. I just have the audio from the DVD connected to the reciever. I'm not sure what receiver output I should use to plug into the HDTV, and where.

[kevinw]

You could buy a new Audio system with comp. video switching capabilities. See Onkyo, Kenwood and Outlaw for ideas. 5.1 would be MUCH better than 2 channel stereo.

[57U]

Also, most new receivers have 2 or 3 component video inputs (DVD, Cable, etc). You can then make one Component video connection from the receiver to the TV - no need for the box, y-connectors, etc.

You should get yourself a new receiver and get it with as many inputs and outputs as possible - you'll never know when you'll need them. I'm biased, but I also recommend Yamaha.

I have a large room with my TV at one end, 12-15 feet away and all my audio/video equipment right beside me. I run the usual speaker wires to the various speakers and only one video wire from the receiver to the TV (actually I lie, I run 3 component video cables that I "got with the TV" and one composite or "S-video" cable the 25 feet from the "equpment rack" to the TV).

All the other connections are then short, sweet, easy to make and I don't even have to get up to change the DVD or VHS tape... People are always amazed when they see the simplicity of this setup where you don't have everything on top of, or beside, the TV.

[chris11]

Thanks, I think that's the way to go.

I hooked up the RF Modulator last night , plugged in the DVD and hardly got a picture - just a black and white image with no vertical hold.

So I buy the new receiver, hook that up to the component input on the HDTV and then plug the cable and DVD into the receiver?

[57U]

Yes, but you'll probably also have to connect the composite and/or S-video connectors from the DVD & set-top box to the receiver and from the receiver to the HDTV.

Why?

1. Because a lot of the setup menus from DVD players, do not go through the component cables - only through composite and/or S-video. Read your manual about this and other necessary setup items.

2. HDTV set-top boxes will give you a great image via component cables when watching HD material, but often, they fall down when viewing non-HD material - that's when you switch the TV to the composite or S-video cables for a better picture.

3. The receiver also may have "menu displays" that you may want to show on the TV and you'll need composite or S-video for those too...

(some receivers may have an "internal crossover" to permit signals from one source-type to "cross over" to another output, but most top-end receivers do not, so you need all the cables - it's better than crossing over anyway.)

"Regular" RCA cables usually work, especially for short runs of composite cables. You'll probably have to buy the S-video cables, but you also may be satisfied with using only composite and component....

If you have a long run from your receiver to the TV, you'll need good quality cables, as the losses from really cheap cables can actually cancel out the image - how do I know, well guess.

Good luck.

[chris11]

Wow, all great points - thanks.

I think I will take the cheaper route, hold off buying a receiver for now, and just get an A/B switch for the component input to share my progressive scan DVD and the HD cable box.

Can't wait to try the composite or S-video hookup to see if I get better cable reception.