Video Asylum

Why should I use video inputs on my receiver?

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Tadlo

(A)

I don't really see the point of routing the video connections from my VCR and DVD player through the video inputs of my receiver and from the outputs to the TV. I can see a slight gain in convenience in not having to push the input selector button on the TV remote control to switch from VCR to DVD to cable, but it seems not worth the bother of all those extra connections. But someone said that the video connection of the VCR must go through the receiver in order for the receiver to process the surround sound properly. That seemed quite implausible to me, but I don't know everything. Am I missing some reason why the video connections to the receiver should be used?

Follow Ups:

Convenience - Kal Rubinson 10:35:58 12/08/05 (0)
I change components a lot, so I have done it both ways. I am currently using a Denon AVR. I have 4 different video sources which are selectable with their matching audio sources and fed via HDMI to the PDP. My alternative is to use an all-analog-audio controller and feed each video source to the PDP. This means that I have to select audio (with the controller's remote) and video (with the PDP's remote) separately. I can also use a programmable remote control to handle both simultaneously but it's too much bother.
In any case, it works fine either way.
Kal
The reason why I do it... - Doug Otte 07:57:21 12/08/05 (0)
...is because I have an old CRT that only has one S-video input (and not component inputs). I run my DVR and DVD through the receiver so that both can benefit from the S-video quality.
Doug
Shouldn't - Ben 07:51:29 12/08/05 (0)
Most convenient is to get a combo DVD/VCR and switch using that.
If you have a projector, or a TV that will allow it, use the video composite input for the VCR (lower quality anyway) and the S-video or component input for the DVD. Switch at the final monitor stage. If you use the receiver, you can access receiver menus through the video screen.
But I hate that about entertainment technology in general: Everything tries to interfere and control everything else, instead of just doing its job and working together.
Switching - jbmcb 13:54:04 12/07/05 (0)
> But someone said that the video connection of the VCR must go through the receiver in order for the receiver to process the surround sound properly.
That doesn't make any sense, unless the receiver does something stupid, like only let audio through if a video signal is present.
I run most of my lowish quality video sources through my preamp/processor, as the loss of quality isn't that bad, and I have a bunch of SVHS sources (VCR, PVR, Laserdisc, game console, front panel aux for video cameras or a laptop) The DVD is routed straight to the TV through component video, though.
It's also more convenient to switch through the receiver if you have a projector, instead of running a bunch of long video cable runs, you can save and invest in one high quality cable. I've got some Canare dedicated 5-channel video cable for the projector I'm going to install, and my line doubler will do all the switching and conversion.

/*Music is subjective. Sound is not.*/

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