Hi Folks,

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas !! I received my AXIOM 60's and my Yamaha V-2400 on Christmas Eve. Fed X attempted to drop off my HSU sub but went to my neighbors house instead of mine and delivery will be attempted on Monday (Darn-it, would have loved to have my sub also over the Christmas break...). Oh well..

Let me start off that the Axioms were packed like a freight train as they needed to be because the outer box was damaged by Fed X as others have stated. Once out of the boxes, the speakers are just beautiful. The Yamaha was also a pleasant surprise. It looks fantastic and loaded with features. The set-up appears to be very easy except for a couple of questions I have. This is my very first HT set-up.

Onto the questions...Did I over set-up cable wise ?? I tried to follow the Yamaha guide to a tee and am having a problem with the DVD player. Movies and the screen that says DVD which is usually blue is black and white ?

Here is how I set up the system:

1. I have Direct TV that was hooked up to my TV by Direct TV several years ago. I did not touch it. It has all the cabels that "screw" onto the TV etc. I also did not touch the VCR. I hardly ever use it. Only tape once in awhile if there is something of interest "auto related" on Autoweek.
Summary:Direct TV basic connection and VCR not touched and still working fine.

2. My hook-ups: Front speakers only-No explanation required and sub on Monday. No issues with speakers.

3. DVD player. This is where I am having a problem.
a. Optical out of the DVD player to the DVD optical slot on my Yamaha receiver (this is the cable lit red but you know that). What does this cable do ??
b. audio out cables from DVD player to DVD audio connections on receiver.
c. S-video cable from DVD player to S-video connection on receiver (connected to the correct S-video on receiver per diagram in manual).
d. Component Video cables from Monitor out on receiver to Video in on TV.

4. Direct TV.
a. Just two Audio out cables on Direct TV box to the CBL/SAT audio location on receiver for sound.

So the deal is does this sound all ok ?? If I plug my S-Video cable from my DVD player to receiver like manual states, picture is black and white. If I connect S-video directly to TV from DVD player pictures is living color ?? If I connect directly to TV, I lose my on screen features when using DVD player like volume adjustment, changing to different listening modes etc. I can still see them on the receiver but prefer on screen. Why is picture black and white when S-Video is connected to receiver ?? Sound is good from all hook-ups and is not an issue. All cables are Monster.

More questions to come I am sure !! But need help with this first. The speakers do sound great !! Need my sub and the rest of the system soon !! Oh, the receiver did shut off a couple of times when turned sort of loud but this surprised me ?

Sorry for the long post..
-Rick