In reply to:

I have been told somewhere along the line that component video was the first choice for video


In descending order - (DVI), Component, S-vid, Composite

In reply to:

for audio, use analog.


Without starting a huge battle here, I'd suggest you use the digital connectors where possible.

In reply to:

I was also told that if the DVD was better quality I should go direct to the TV, bipassing the receiver with video and route the audio directed through the receiver.


Depends on all the available connections for each (TV, AVR and DVD-P)... and remember, there may be problems with "lip flap" under some DSPs - where the video is ahead of the audio.

Bren R.