For a DVD player, you really only need a digital audio cable and a video cable. If the digital audio output is used, the analog outputs aren't required. (One exception to this -- a player that also supports DVD-Audio or SACD discs, in which case you will want to connect the digital audio output and the 5.1-channel analog output, since DVD-Audio and SACD signals must be output from the player in the analog domain.)



I'll take a stab at this. The list below is based on connecting everything (audio and video) through a receiver or pre/pro.

CD Player - either a digital audio cable or stereo analog cables (I recommend digital audio unless the player has a really good onboard DAC)
Progressive Scan DVD Player - digital audio cable (coax or optical, it doesn't really matter which), component video cable directly to the TV (or through the receiver if the receiver has component video switching that supports HD video) -- progressive scan video can only be delivered across the component video output
Digital Cable Box - stereo analog audio interconnects, composite or s-video (use s-video if possible) video cable; if the box has a digital audio output, you can connect it, but in most cases the digital output will not work for all stations (the stations below 100 or 200 are not digital, and on most of those stations the audio will only be available from the analog output)
VCR - stereo analog audio in and out, composite video in and out (if it's a Super-VHS VCR, you can go with S-Video instead of composite) -- you may want to skip the VCR input from the receiver and use that receiver output for the TiVo (assuming you only have 1 VCR loop on your receiver, as is the case with the Model 1050 and the Model 950 pre/pro), or you may daisy-chain the digital cable and TiVo as I describe below
TiVo - stereo analog in and out, composite or s-video in and out (s-video preferred); as another option, you may want to daisy-chain from digital cable (stereo analog audio and composite or s-video) to TiVo to receiver
Amp - assuming this is a separate power amp (paired with a pre/pro or a receiver that is acting as a pre/pro), you'll need an analog audio interconnect for each channel of amplification, plus speaker wire from amp to speaker
TV - composite and/or S-video video cable from the receiver's monitor out (for switching between cable, VCR, and TIVO), component video (from either DVD player or component monitor out on the receiver)

That's all sort of general -- it probably gets the number of connections right, but exactly how they are arranged depends on the specific pieces of equipment. I've got a guide to home theater on my site that you may be interested in -- particularly the Cable and Sample Wiring Diagram section.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review