Going to hook my system up.

Plasma tv, Elite receiver, NAD amp, speakers, DVD player, Satelite reciever.

Question... do I run a hdmi cable from the tv to the receiver?

Question... can you recommend a DVD player that plays CD clear? Or should I go with a dedicated CD player? have CD players advanced in the last few years? I have a sony that is about 10 years old. Should I upgrade?

Question... how hard it is to make speaker cables myself? Ie.. just not having bare wire on heach end sticking into the treminals? Do plugs or y hooks work better?