Audio/HDDVD/HDTV Connection

[Nubile]

I purchased a Samsung LN32A450 yesterday. I bought a Toshiba A3 player and own an old Pioneer VSX 453 receiver with 6 speakers (2 fronts, 2 rear, 1 center and a subwoofer).

Naturally I want to connect the TV/DVD to my home stereo. The problem is the receiver does not have an HDMI connection point. Currently I have the receiver running through a cheap DVD player through the LD input (1 right, 1 left and 1 to the video out). All of the inputs on the receiver are of the RCA type.

Could I make a common connection between the three? Are there any kind of adapters? Thanks for any help.

[Krispy Kritter]

I don't follow how you have this connected. Typically, you connect hardware "through" the receiver, not vice versa. All of your hardware should have simple stereo RCA outputs which you can connect to your receiver, but you won't get true surround sound from ANY of them. For DD5.1/DTS surround, you need a receiver with digital optical or digital coax inputs. Stereo (red/white RCA cables) inputs only provide stereo output, if you are getting surround sound, it is because the Dolby logic in your receiver is "creating" the surround signals.

In order to enjoy the higher quality audio present on the A3, you will need a newer AVR with HDMI inputs.

[Nubile]

Thanks for your input. I was afraid I would have to buy another receiver. Unfortunately the $900 for the player and TV will keep me at bay for awhile. I should have said the player is running through the receiver.

Thanks again for your time KK.

[jagabo]

Run HDMI from the player to the TV. Run whatever audio you you can (the best connection that both support) from the player to the receiver. Configure the player to send video via HDMI, audio via whatever you use to connect to the receiver. You'll at least get the best picture possible. I have a DVD player hooked up this way. The audio connection is digital coax.

The other possibility is to run HDMI from the player to the HDTV. Configure the player to send both audio and video to the HDMI port. Then run audio from the TV to the receiver. Your HDTV has both optical digital audio out and analog stereo outputs. I use a digital optical cable from my Samsung HDTV to my receiver. Unfortunately, when connected like this, the audio is always downmixed to stereo because of HDMI/HDCP restrictions.

One last possibility is to run audio from the TV's headphone output to the receiver. This will only be stereo of course.

[Nubile]

I appreciate that jagabo. At least I have a few options until I can get an HDMI capable receiver.
Have a great weekend.

[yoda313]

You can get 5.1 audio without an hdmi receiver. As long as you have a receiver with a fiber optic, digital coax, or multi channel input jack. Those are significantly cheaper than HDMI receivers.

Of course those aren't state of the art any more. But you could find one of those for a steal to hold you over until you save up for a hdmi if you want to go that route. Then you can still enjoy digital surround sound and just wait for the high def audio until later.

That is what I am doing. I have a ps3 and a xbox 360/hddvd addon but only a 5.1 amp with fiber optic/coax/multi ch in. I won't be buying a hdmi receiver right away but will look forward to it when I have the opportunity

[Nubile]

Thanks yoda but all of my inputs are RCA. One for CD, LD, phono, VCR and Tape 2 monitor. I was looking on ebay and there are some HDMI receivers for $150 or so.

Thanks for the suggestion.