Vetteluver,
To diagnose the s-video black and white issue, try alternating cables alternately and connecting directly to the TV. If both cables work fine and give you a color picture, then you'll know the receiver isn't working correctly and you should get it serviced.
Alternatively, have you tried using the s-video monitor out on your receiver? You don't seem to have any component video devices other than your TV, and although your receiver does do component video upconversion from s-video, you won't see a large gain in video quality.
