Working out the wiring in my new system

I'm replacing my 950 with a 990, so I'm rewiring the whole works. The video is going to run through the 990 now instead of all going to the TV.

The only audio that will go to the TV will come from the HDMI of the cable box, that way we can just flip on the TV to watch some cable without cranking up the theater system.

Comments and suggestions are welcome!



-Joe

One potential problem: my cable box will not provide video output over component if the HDMI is connected. I think the audio output settings are also limited such that using both coaxial/optical digital and HDMI audio outputs is difficult or impossible. (I go back to my old recommendation for home theater setups in living rooms: don't try to bypass the surround processor for "convenience" of not turning it on for some sources - it invariably adds complexity.)

First off, I really like your wiring diagram! I've done many a sketch but nothing as pretty as your diagram and it really simplifies the process when you get behind your components with all the wires.

Second, there really isn't any video quality benefit of connecting the cable box to the TV via HDMI so I'd just use the component connection. As for sound I like the 5.1 on some TV programs so I keep my 990 in the loop when watching TV. If you don't use the Video 7 HDMI on your TV it will be available for a future BluRay player and you can use the 990's 7.1 analog inputs for audio.

Speaking of Blu Ray; if you get a player (you will need one with 7.1 output) get ready for making another diagram. I think I've connected almost every output on the back of my OPPO to the 990 or my TV. It is just as complex connecting a universal BD/DVD/CD player as it is wiring the rest of the system!

One question: Are you using a universal remote with all those components?

Have fun with your 990!

OK, a few more thoughts.

First, why not pick up a component video cable for the Wii?

Second, I agree with AvFan - I've used both DVI/HDMI and component outputs from my cable box and never found a preference. I've used Pace Micro and Scientific Atlanta boxes. You're already planning to run component to the 990 anyway, so this is probably more for your own peace of mind than anything else.

Third, when/if you get a Blu-ray player, I'd assume that it would replace the DVD-F84S. You'll want to use HDMI, though, and you'd have a few options at that point. One would be to move the Xbox to component and use its DVI for the Blu-ray player. Another would be to run straight to the TV. Or you could put an HDMI switch between your sources and the 990, thus expanding the 990's DVI switching. I did the latter for a while with my 990, first using a MonoPrice two-port switch and later with an OPPO Digital HM-31 . I'd probably lean toward doing the first (moving Xbox to component) because it's the simplest, but any of them would work.

Hey guys, thanks for the input. Let me try to address the questions in order:

gonk: I don't think I meant to have the component from the cable box connected. That's a vestigial connection from my current setup diagram that I forgot to delete. I believe I had planned to have HDMI going to the TV and the digital audio going to the 990. Although as you say, it will likely be simpler in the long run to stick with component to the 990 and skip the HDMI altogether.

AvFan: That's made using MS Visio. As for Blu-ray, the wife wants a PS3 so I may just be going that route. Yes, I'm using a Harmony One, which just replaced my venerable MX-700.

gonk: The Wii component cable is on my to-buy list. Just haven't gotten that round-toit I need.

Yes, any Blu-ray device would replace the DVD player. You say I'd want to go HDMI for that - Blu-ray players don't support component video?

My 990 was on my back porch when I got home this morning, so I'm ready to start tearing things apart

Thanks again guys,

-Joe

Well, until I get the DVD off the component, moving the Xbox to component and getting Wii component cables gives me one too many sets of components for the 990. So for now, I'll probably leave the Xbox as HDMI and connect things thusly:



Then when the Blu-ray player comes in, I can just HDMI it to Video7 on the TV or swap the Xbox back to component.

Thanks again for the advice!

-Joe

Sounds like a good plan. Enjoy the 990!

Working on it I just wired in all the audio connections, since I need some more video cabling anyway. I just told the Harmony about my new device and it's updating the remote now. Holy convenience, Batman!

-Joe

I agree with Gonk it looks like a good approach and you are set up for a Blu Ray in the future.

I'd like your opinion whether there is a big improvement using the component versus S cable on the Wii. I've got my Wii connected with a composite video cable and it looks OK, but I hesitated spending the money for a Wii component cable.

Take the plunge! I wanted to go component when I got my Wii, but was being stingy and didn't want to pay the regular price for component cables. I've got these or some just like them (don't recall right now - I found at least one other source that was priced similarly, but not everybody had them in stock at the time), and they've worked out nicely.

Cables are all ordered up, including the Wii component cable. I had found a site that showed some before and after pictures...let me look it up again. Google returns several, but here is a cute one with mouseovers:

Gamespot

Man, I didn't realize how flexible the 990's input selections are. Very, very cool.

-Joe

Thanks, Gonk! I don't recall Monoprice having that cable when I got my Wii but that price is ridiculously low. That link is pretty cool Nostalgia and shows the benefit of the component cable. The credit card is leaping out of my wallet to order a component cable!

Nastalgia, what program did you use to make the wiring diagram? That is pretty nifty!

ed: Microsoft Visio. I was thinking it'd be cool to write a web app to do that. I could keep a database of current processors and whatnot...

-Joe

Joe, thanks for the information. I was wondering (hoping) that it was an application that I could use. In any event, there might be a market (albeit small) interested in such a product that provides easy flexibility to move connections around if need be.