OK, I just got my Pre/Pro and still waiting for the amp and sub so in the meantime, am checking out what I need to do to hook-up my system. My goal is to run the DVD player video directly to my TV (old Sony Stereo Trinitron for now) and use my 970 for all audio processing. I checked the back of my Motorola Digital Cable box to see what connections are there. There are RCA jacks for the following: Red/White Audio Out, Red/White Aux audio in, Yellow Video out. If I want to listen to cable broadcasts in Stereo or 5.1, what do I run to the Pre/Pro from the cable box? I'd like to avoid having Comcast come to set it up if possible. Does the cable box need to be programmed in some way? Any help is appreciated!

Hi sacandagdave, is there a opitical out or coaxial out on the cable box? I think that's the only way you will get 5.1, you can hook up the red and white rca and you will get pro logic II.sorry if I couldn't be of more help.

If you have no connections beyond the red/white (left/right) analog audio output, then that's what you want to use. You can run that and the composite video (the yellow connector) to a video input on the 970 and then set up that input of the 970 for analog audio and composite video. As loopy mentions, you can use Dolby Pro Logic II to get surround sound. Since you have digital cable, though, you might think about asking about swapping the box for one that offers a digital audio output. You should be able to simply stop by a Comcast office and trade with them, no service call required.

Thanks guys, the cable box is a few years old so I figured it might be outdated. I'll see if I can get them to give me one on exchange.

BTW Gonk - I ended up ordering the 970 combo but am fully prepared to return it for the 990 if I am not happy with the sound. Not sure how Outlaw would work the trade-in since I bought it as part of the special deal.

Back again! I checked out another one of our cable boxes in the house and it has the following connections:
R/W "to TV", R/W to "VCR", Yellow Video, and "Orange Digital Audio Coax." Since I don't have a VCR (only DVD/CD player) should I ignore those connections? Also, where does the Orange Digital Audio Coax connect to on the 970? Is it a standard RCA cable? Thanks!

Since you have the 970, you probably want to try using the digital coaxial audio cable to connect the cable box to the 970 (use any one of the three coaxial digital inputs). You'll also use the yellow video output (composite video). Both of these need to use a cable rated for 75ohms (a few examples include Outlaw's PSC and Blue Jeans Cable's identically-made but differently color-coded composite and coaxial digital cables) - a typical analog audio cable is not recommended. Ignore the connection for the VCR, and since you have the digital audio output you can ignore the red/white TV output as well.

Thanks Gonk! The 7075 and LFM-2 came today so we're getting closer to sound.
Did you ever consider starting your own audiophile consulting business? You could call it the "Gonk Squad!" Now for the DVD/CD player connections....

Hi sacandagadave, congrats on you new stuff, enjoy my friend.

Thanks Loopy, I still need a lot of help on getting all set up so look for more posts in the next few weeks.