Very Lucky beginner...

[ChipLeader]

Hi Guys,

I've been lurking for a while, just trying to digest the enormous information available on this marvellous site.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, i have been very lucky to inherit the following equipment:-

SAMSUNG 26" LCD LE26R73BDX - 1xHDMI, 2xSCART, 1xRGB CONNECTION, COMPONENT VIDEO, COMPOSITE VIDEO, S VIDEO

SKY HD

ARCAM DV79

ARCAM AVR300

B&W MT30


I have speaker, HDMi, Digital coax and scart cable.

Can someone please tell me what cables i need to make it all work and what connects to what. I know, i must sound thick but i would really appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance

[Piers]

Nice kit to inherit.

Ideally you needed 2 HDMI inputs on the LCD (one for Sky HD, one for the DV79), but you only have one. You have to choose whether the Sky HD box or the DV79 is going to use the slightly inferior component connection - I would give the DV79 the best HDMI connection and relegate the Sky HD box to component.

Connect the DV79 by HDMI to the LCD (for pictures) and a coaxial digital cable to the AVR300 for sound.

Connect Sky HD with a component cable (3 leads - red, green and blue) to the component input of the LCD. Connect audio from the Sky HD box with an optical lead to the AVR300,(you also need to make sure that Dolby is selected in the audio menu of the Sky HD box).

Speakers and sub-woofer connect to the AVR300 - if you need help with that PM me.

[ChipLeader]

Thanks Piers,

So as i see it i need to purchase a component and optical lead.

I managed to connect the MT30 up to the AVR300 without a problem.

Really appreciate the swift reply mate.

[Piers]

Yes, you need a component and an optical lead. Cheap as chips optical but spend some decent money on the component lead (£25 not £200).

Consider getting the AVR300 and the LCD properly set-up, it makes a big difference and isn't easy to do without the professional test equipment. )

[DJBlade]

Originally Posted by Piers

Nice kit to inherit.

You have to choose whether the Sky HD box or the DV79 is going to use the slightly inferior component connection

Now now Piers, i and many others prefer the superior COMPONENT connection over HDMI

[Dankeech]

AVR300 = no HDMI, so no choice to be made on the HD connection. I personally use Mark Grant Component leads and am very happy with them.

They're located at
Component cable - Broadcast Reference Series – Belden 7710A
As far as I know, Mark is currently using Belden 1694A broadcast cable for the component cables (same construction, just slightly thinner as the standard MG component cable from before is quite bulky.

Also, Joe Ferdinand is supposed to make some great cables in the Cables Powerbuy forum too, but I've no experience of them.

Dan.

[ChipLeader]

Originally Posted by DJBlade

Now now Piers, i and many others prefer the superior COMPONENT connection over HDMI

Interesting DJ, i was under the impression it was a no-brainer.

[proux]

Originally Posted by ChipLeader

Interesting DJ, i was under the impression it was a no-brainer.

Well, you will need HDMI for one source and component for the other, so try each of your two sources with each cable in turn (changing the relevant settings on the source as you change cables)... and let us know what you think!

you could use HDMI for both and buy an external HDMI switcher, but I have never used one. If you plan to use component from sky, just make sure that their broadcasts are not copyright-protected to work via HDMI only (telewest HD movies only work via HDMi I think)

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Originally Posted by ChipLeader

Interesting DJ, i was under the impression it was a no-brainer.

So was I! I've seen them all and component has been known to have a couple colour errors that HDMI doesn't show. We're not talking massive difference, but certainly enough that HDMI is obviously the better connection.

For the OP since the Arcam is absolutely amazing on it's component output (I mean near perfect response) it would be tempting to shift about and have Arcam on component, Sky on HDMI. I guess it would be a case of do you watch enough Sky to merit it getting priority, or (like me) is it a case that Sky is knackered anyway might as well get the absolute best from DVD.

Just noticed we're talking a 26" screen. To be totally honest there probably won't be that much in it!