Can someone explain the different inputs in an AV setup? (Home Theatre help w/Xbox and HDTV)

[Mister T]

Component Video inputs
S-Video inputs
Composite inputs
RF inputs

Reason I asking is because I have an XBR450 tv and its has all of these. My VCR, DVD go through my reciever, then to my TV. I also have an Xbox which I oiginally put into the VCR with the standard set of cables that came with the Xbox. I bought the HDTV cables for the xbox and I connected it directly to my TV. Problem is that it no longer goes through the receiver so I can't use my home theatre speakers while playing Xbox.

My thinking is that I am screwed because my reciever can't accept the HDTV cables. Do I need to get a receiver that can pass through HDTV cables?

Or, can I send the 3 video HDTV cables directly to the TV and reroute the 2 audio ones to the VCR so they go through the receiver....

What is the best way to address this issue?

 

[Mister T]

bump

 

[Soybomb]

Yes you can reroute the audio cables through the amp while putting the video directly to the tv. You'll just need to select the proper input on 2 devices instead of one.

As far as teh different inputs go, the difference is quality, you have them listed from best quality to worst in your list.

 

[Ameesh]

use the compnent on your tv and the optical in on your reciever, , next time you buy a reciever make sure it can switch on compnent input.

 

[Mister T]

Soybomb,

thanks for clearing things up a bit.

Ameesh,

what is the "optical in", is that a different type of input?

 

[Muadib]

what is the "optical in", is that a different type of input?
It might be called digital input on your receiver. It's for the audio.

 

[Mister T]

alright, so if I understand things right,

optical
composite
RCA's

all refer to the same type of connection/cable? 1 video, 2 audio cables

 

[Muadib]

Sort of, the connectors are the same, but make sure you use a 75-ohm cable for your optical connection.

 

[HydroStream6]

No, the optical cable is a special fiber optic cable and has it's own special connector. This is the best audio connection for you to use.

But yes, RCA's and composite connectors are the same thing. Composite video is the lowest quality you listed. The component is the best quality, it uses 3 cables for the connection. S-video is the middle of the road and uses a connector that is similiar to a PS2 connector on a computer, only a little bigger and different pin configurations.

 

[HydroStream6]

Oh also you probably will have a coaxial digital audio connector on your amplifier. This looks like a RCA connector but it's a special cable.