If my television or monitor will accept direct Component Video connections, what are the reasons for or advantages of running the video signal from the cable box or DVD player through an A/V receiver or PrePro? I understand that the AUDIO signal may require processing for multi-channel distribution, but why video? Thanks for helping a "newbie".
If you have 2 sources which require component input, and your TV has only 1, you can plug both into the receiver and select which input from the receiver. It basically simplifies the number of cables running into your television.
It is also nice running everything through one box using one remote. The receiver does all the work for you when switching between sources. Equals less confusion.
also by running through a receiver or pre amp , you may have on screen displays for your levels and other controlls if your equiptment has that option...ron
Remember that (unless your receiver allows you flexibility in this regard) if you run all your video sources to your receiver, it may not be possible to watch TV and listen to CDs...I ended up running a separate s-video cable from my DirecTV box to my television for this exact reason...
Many receivers won't allow you to have multiple sources active. If you pipe everything through your receiver, you won't be able to listen to a CD while watching TV because you'll have to choose either CD mode or TV mode.
I may be missing something, but does your receiver have component video inputs (and outputs)? If so, then you ought to try them and compare with running the component hookups straight to the tv, as everyone suggests, and let your eyes be the judge. See if you can tell a difference, and if not, then there's the decision - convenience will win.
Then again, you may be in the same boat as me. My 4-year-old receiver does not have component video inputs and outputs, so I run the component outputs straight from the DVD to the TV (as many people do) and toggle the tv/video switch when I want to watch a DVD or switch back to vcr/tv. I don't have to do this -- I could route the DVD through the receiver via S-Video. But by doing this, a) I would not be getting the best possible quality DVD image, which only the component outputs deliver, and b) I'd be relying on my receiver to do some video conversion from the vcr and cable to S-Video, and that doesn't seem optimal (though I've never tried it). So, depending on your situation, you may want to consider this.
Birdman
I follow now. I guess my newness to the HT aspect is showing, eh? My last system was for stereo only and that was about 15 years old.
On to what Birdman is saying...........Has anyone noticed any difference when running video sources through the receiver vs not? And assuming using component video cables either way.
I recently started running video through my Yamaha receiver (all component connections). I can't see any degradation at all on either progressive-scan DVDs or 1080i HDTV.
I was hoping to hear that. I really didn't feel like switching cables around just to MAYBE see a difference. I must say "cable management" has got to be the worst! I dread having to move a single thing "back there"!!!