DVD player hookup question

[Bort04]

I have my DVD player hooked up to my television (S-video, two audio cables), and have the audio output from the TV going into my stereo system. Is it better to connect the DVD audio cables directly to the stereo, or is it even an option? Thanks.

[louthewiz]

The analog cables is usually for tv hook ups and the optical/coaxial digitalcable is used to hook up to your reciever to provide digital sound for 5.1 playback. Now if your stereo doesnt have a digital input the use a Y connector for left and right signal so you can feed both the tv and stereo.

[Bort04]

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm confused. Are you saying that if my stereo has digital hookup capability, then connect it directly to the DVD player? If it doesn't have that capability, I just connect the DVD player to the TV?

Also, how can I tell if my stereo has digital capability? The cables I use are just regular Monster cables -- red, white, and yellow (or s-video). Thanks

[arrived03]

you hook the red & white audio cables from the left/right uotput on the dvd player to the red & white audio inputs on your amp that are not being used , usually AUXILLARY or unused CD

[Bort04]

Ok, so you DO connect the DVD player directly to the stereo. What about all that digital/analog stuff?

[louthewiz]

Yes you can hookup both the analog rca and the digital optical or coaxial digital both at the same time with no problems so if you want to listen to the sound with your amp you can do it and also without and your tv will always get an audio feed from the dvd player. I have 2 dvd players hooked up to my tv and the digital hook up to my 7.1 amp/processor setup with no problems. Remember your dvd player has 2 audio outputs one which is analog which are the red and white left and right cables plus a digital audio output as well ,read the manual that came with the dvd player and check the features it has.

[Bort04]

Great, thanks Lou.

[c_hernandez32]

OK, first what type of reciever do you have? Is it a stereo reciever (2 or 4 hookups for speakers) or a digital surround sound reciever (5 or more speaker hookups). Then look what type of connections it has, nothing but red and white RCA jacks, or a combination of Stereo Jacks, Orange (or Black) Digital Coaxial Jacks or Optical ports. If you reciever is an older Stereo only reciever, just plug the DVD player's audio directly into the reciever. Its a little better, because if you hook up the DVD player to the TV and reciever you get an echo from the TV. If you still have questions just list your connections or walk into your neighborhood Best Buy or Circuit City for more help. If you have more problems, just chuck your old reciever and DVD player into a closet and buy a 5.1 home theater in a box for less than $500 or even $100 from most anywhere.

[Bort04]

The stereo I have is an Aiwa shelf system, nothing special. It has left/right plug connections for the main speakers, and two more plug connections for small surround speakers. It doesn't have any digital stereo options.