Connection questions for dummies

Hey guys,

First of all let me say that I am just learning about connections, so
if I ask stupid questions please forgive me. I have a Dish PVR,
DVD/VCR combo and a I purchased a new large screen rear projection HD
ready television this year. I want to get the best picture possible.
The connections I now have are coaxial cable. The picture isn't that
great, it looks somewhat faded with 'lines' across the picture. Not
terrible, but I think it should be better.

I tried S-video and red/yellow/white connections (composite?) but I
didn't get a picture. Are these used along with the coax? I thought
they were supposed to be stand-alone.

A friend told me that component video connections and digital audio
connections provided the best quality, however, he knew nothing about
hooking them up or what to buy. Can anyone explain which is the best
connection to use for each piece of equipment?

My main connection coming into my house from the Dish is coaxial
cable. Isn't this the lowest quality connection? How can I change
it? Can I change it? (Like I said dummy)


Thanks in advance

On Fri, 28 Nov 2003 19:04:31 -0800, kica wrote:

I tried S-video and red/yellow/white connections (composite?) but I
didn't get a picture. Are these used along with the coax? I thought
they were supposed to be stand-alone.

You probably would need to switch to the appropriate input on the TV. On
my TV, the S-Video input is "Video 2", and the Composite
(Yellow/Red/White) is "Video 1".

A friend told me that component video connections and digital audio
connections provided the best quality, however, he knew nothing about
hooking them up or what to buy. Can anyone explain which is the best
connection to use for each piece of equipment?

You have the right order. Best (that you're likely to run in to) is
Component (R,G,B), then S-Video, then Composite, then RF (coax). Use the
best that is shared between your boxes and your TV.

My main connection coming into my house from the Dish is coaxial
cable. Isn't this the lowest quality connection? How can I change
it? Can I change it? (Like I said dummy)

The coax cable coming in from the outside carries the dish signal (and
voltage to the dish), and must be decoded by the Dish receiver before it
can go anywhere else. There are no other options for the Dish--Receiver
connection. That part is ok!

--
Lenroc

On Fri, 28 Nov 2003 19:04:31 -0800, kica wrote:

I tried S-video and red/yellow/white connections (composite?) but I
didn't get a picture. Are these used along with the coax? I thought
they were supposed to be stand-alone.

You probably would need to switch to the appropriate input on the TV. On
my TV, the S-Video input is "Video 2", and the Composite
(Yellow/Red/White) is "Video 1".

A friend told me that component video connections and digital audio
connections provided the best quality, however, he knew nothing about
hooking them up or what to buy. Can anyone explain which is the best
connection to use for each piece of equipment?

You have the right order. Best (that you're likely to run in to) is
Component (R,G,B), then S-Video, then Composite, then RF (coax). Use the
best that is shared between your boxes and your TV.

My main connection coming into my house from the Dish is coaxial
cable. Isn't this the lowest quality connection? How can I change
it? Can I change it? (Like I said dummy)

The coax cable coming in from the outside carries the dish signal (and
voltage to the dish), and must be decoded by the Dish receiver before it
can go anywhere else. There are no other options for the Dish--Receiver
connection. That part is ok!

--
Lenroc

Hook up your DVD player using Component Video and get a progressive
scan DVD player if you don't already have one. If you have a 5.1
channel surround sound system at home, hook up the DVD audio to your
home theater receiver using either the Optical or Coaxial digital
out. this will be the only way to get digital sound (DD 5.1, DTS,
etc).

hook up your pvr using Svideo

Hook up your DVD player using Component Video and get a progressive
scan DVD player if you don't already have one. If you have a 5.1
channel surround sound system at home, hook up the DVD audio to your
home theater receiver using either the Optical or Coaxial digital
out. this will be the only way to get digital sound (DD 5.1, DTS,
etc).

hook up your pvr using Svideo