Hooking HDTV to older Yamaha receiver

[AUinAustin]

OK - I am getting close to springing for a HDTV. I am wondering what I can use from my existing setup. I have a Yamaha RX 992 receiver from the late 90's that I use now. I know it doesn't support some of the newer formats but can I run HDTV from Time Warner thru it to the HDTV or do I have to spring for a new receiver in order to get the HDTV. Or am I just making this complicated? I haven't seen how Time Warner connects to an HDTV. Maybe all I need to do is run the audio to the Yamaha so I get surrround sound and have a higher quality connection to the HDTV outside of the receiver. Input is welcome...

 

[MulletHorn]

Unless that Yamaha has an internal Dolby 5.1 decoder, you will want a newer receiver that does.

 

[RiceHorn04]

For HDTV, you'd need the 5.1 Digital capability, and a digital input, either optical or coax. Run the audio cable from the HD box to your receiver and you're ready to rock.

If you don't have a digital input and 5.1 digital, I'd strongly encourage you to purchase a new one, preferably one that handles DTS decoding for DVDs. You can get a new Yamaha HTR-5730 500 watt 5.1 receiver for pretty cheap ($179 new from Best Buy I believe), and it should be able to handle anything you'd want to do. You could probably get it used off of EBay for well under $100.

Go see the master knowledge repository for all you'd ever want to know, and more:
The almighty end-all be-all source for home theater knowledge

 

[AUinAustin]

or was not very clear. I understand the limitation of a seven year old receiver for audio (Pro Logic but not 5.1 or above). However I was asking more about video capability than audio. The best I can figure out is that I need at least component level which I do not have. Therefore I would have to run HDMI from the cable box directly to the HDTV. I assume that I also would run audio out from the box to the Yamaha and get surround sound even if it is not 5.1. And yes I would be looking to upgrade the receiver at some point but I like some of the features it came with.

 

[RiceHorn04]

IMO receivers that handle video are over-priced for minimal convenience gain. Just run the HDMI/DVI/component/whatevers directly to your TV and save yourself the cash.

 

[Z06]

You want the "latest and greatest" to compliment your new HDTV if your existing receiver is 7 years old. I had an older model Pioneer and I thought I could get by with it when I bought my new Mit. HDTV, nothing doing. Second, do not run your video through your receiver, go straight from your (DVD/Box) to your TV.

 

[TheSheriffIsNEAR]

AU,

Rice is correct. If you run component video through your (or any) receiver when you could be using HDMI/DVI, you're just worsening an already compromised signal path. This is because of the digital to analog and back to digital conversions that take place using component video connections. Definitely run the video direct from your HD box and from your DVD player. Wait until HDMI switching comes to lower priced receivers to switch your video digitally.

But as others have said, you may want a newer receiver that has at least 5.1 decoding anyway, since you're really missing so much of the audio side as it is. Doesn't have to be anything too fancy. Look for a closeout or an open-box item at Circuit City, for example.

 

[Nacho]

agreed. don't use your receiver for video at all.

i say this primarily because i've never figured out how to do it. i can't even get the ******* s-video to work from the cable box to my tv. i'm wicked on the audio hookups though.