Entertainment Center Help Needed...

gvandale

Okay, so I haven't been the biggest A/V nerd in quite some time and now I need to shake the dust off. I could really use some help here.

Simplest way to ask the question...

Is it better to hook up all my components (dvd / xbox360 / satelite / etc) to the receiver, then just put audiot cables / component cables from the receiver to the TV?

If I do this, would I have to have the receiver on to use EVERY component???

Improvolone

The benefits of a receiver is that not only will it help route all of your audio and video to TV and speakers, but it will help in the decoding of everything as well.
Hook everything up to the receiver. Video out from the receiver (of the best quality available) to the TV video in. You shouldn't need to run audio into the TV, as you should have speakers hooked up to your receiver.
Get a universal remote to help reduce remote clutter. I suggest anything frmo the Harmony line.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-3514198-4541407?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=logitech+harmony&x=0&y=0
It really is worth the investment.

Buy any cables you need from www.monoprice.com. If you are not in NA, then you may need to use www.bluejeancables.com

Yes, you should have the receiver on anytime you use anything. If anything is plugged into the receiver, the receiver will need to be on for it to function properly.

1ddqd

Improvolone speaketh the truth!

The easiest thing to do is plug everything IN first; all devices go to their respective inputs. Once that's done, hook up your speakers, then hook up video out to the TV.

If you have a friend who works at Best Buy or some similar retailer, have them buy you the cables; pay them twice what their cost is because that's STILL 25% of the price you'd pay