Comments on: Poll: What's hooked up to your AV receiver?

Has connectivity gone wild? Today's AV receivers' rear-ends present a bewildering array of jacks, is it too much? Take the poll and express yourself!

[Lifeshifter]

Currently:

HDMI from Receiver to TV
HD-DVD Player - HDMI in Receiver
Xbox 360 Elite - HDMI in Receiver
Playstation 3 - HDMI in Receiver
Wii - Component in TV
Cable Box - HDMI in TV

Used mainly HDMI to simplify connections and less wiring and so forth but thats my setup

[i_gilbert]

1. Apple TV via HDMI
2. TiVo Series 3 via HDMI
3. Sonos ZP80 via TOSLINK
4. Oppo DVD via HDMI

All connected to my Sony DA4300ES AVR and out by HDMI to my Samsung DLP TV

[jim.schwarz]

I have Two DirecTv receivers (HD-21 hdmi, older Tivo with SVideo. Phono, preamp built into recvr, 2 VCRs, Cassette Tape Deck, DVD Player and my PC from another room (Wired). I also use the second room output to send audio back to my PC,. I have a separate switch box tied to one input on the rcvr from my kids game systems.

[gerbache]

My connections:
Tivo HD via component
SACD/DVD player via HDMI and Denon Link (for the SACD)
Xbox 360 via HDMI
Wii via component
Turntable via analog
PS2 via analog

I then run everything to the TV through HDMI. I did partially choose this receiver because it had enough connections to handle all of that easily, and now that I've gone with a couple of HDMI connections, I don't think I want to go to anything else besides a single cord of digital for my future boxes.

I haven't used any of my multi-channel analog inputs, but that's mostly because I went with an all-Denon audio setup so that I could take advantage of their great connections for SACD and DVD-A. I've been considering getting an HDMI switcher to hook up the Tivo, partly because I really hate having all those wires going back there, but I also don't want to add yet another box just for that when it already works now. If I make that jump to Blu-Ray, things might change for me.

[fazalmajid]

I don't have a receiver - I have a NuForce IA7v2 integrated stereo amplifier with 2 sources (Marantz SACD player and Benchmark DAC1), and a Yamaha YSP-1000 sound projector with a Panasonic BD30, and an AppleTV connected directly to the TV using HDMI.

Analog for the stereo, digital for AV

No turntable. I don't buy the whole vinyl retro chic. Pop music CDs sound like crap because of the loudness wars, but classical CDs are mastered correctly.

No iPod dock - I play directly from iTunes. I do have a B&W Zeppelin in my bedroom, however.

No CD player per se.

I have 2 SACD players. All my redbook CDs are ripped to Apple lossless and I play threm through iTunes.

No Sirius or XM. I have HD radio in my car.

I play PC games on a dedicated Windows box, and listen to them through headphones.

My Yamaha YSP-1000 does not do HDMI switching. If I were to buy a new one, I would definitely make 3 a minimum of 3 HDMI a requirement.

I have 3 HDMI sources: Panasonic DMP-BD30, Oppo 973H, AppleTV. Also, my camcorder has HDMI, but I use it mostly connected to my computer, not my TV.

No Laserdisc

No tape

No CD recorder or DAT. I have a field recorder, but use it with my computer.

No USB sources in my living room. I have a portable USB DAC/headphone amp for the road, however, and another one at work.

The number of inputs led me to upgrade my stereo receiver.

I never use front panel inputs.

[jakebala]

i recently moved out of college n into an apartment so i decked it out (for what i have/could buy at least)
big hdtv that is hooked up through hdmi only

onkyo tx-sr606 (that thing is amazing n for only 400 bucks has 4 hdmi's!!!!!)

1.) cable box (hdmi)
2.) ps3 (hdmi)
3.) xbox 360 (component + digital audio) don't have newer hdmi version
4,) wii (component + analog audio) no digital audio for wii
5.) archos 605 wifi (s-video) b/c it's better than composite
6.) ipod (through analog audio)

no cd player
no sacd or dvd-a
no turntable (no phono input either on receiver)
none of the older stuff (vhs, laserdisc, 8-track, cassette, etc.) b/c i'm only 22 yrs old - although i did own a car that had cassette.

i did want hdmi's, at least 3 for videogames and cable box, but i got 4
pretty much every port is being used, i can only fit in maybe 1 or 2 more sources and one would have to be audio only.

[griz_fan]

3 HDMI sources for my, PS3, Toshiba HD-A2, Dish ViP 622. One other item, Wii connected with component cables, my Onkyo 605 upscales that and outputs over HDMI.

My AVR only has 2 HDMI inputs, so I use a cheap HDMI switch from Monoprice.com to swap back/forth between the PS3 and HD-A2. Having more HDMI inputs would be nice, but when I can solve the problem with a $20 HDMI switch, I'm not that worried about it. In fact, I'd like to see a receiver with less legacy connections. Seriously, who still uses a VCR? why waste the back panel space? Analog connections will quickly go the way of the floppy drive, and the VCR connections are like the old 5.25" floppy drives.

The PS3 pulls triple duty; game system, Blu-Ray player and media extender.

I tie it all together with a Harmony 670 remote.

[replica]

I have the following hooked up and use digital where possible:
VCR
Tivo Series3 HD
Playstation 3
Cassette Tape
DVD Player
CD Player

The number of inputs played a roll in choosing a receiver. I am using all of them except phono, and am sharing the cassette one for that and the PS3. Cassette using analog, PS3 using digital and running HDMI to the TV. I use the front jacks for the iPod and Laptop when needed. I don't currently have HDMI in the receiver but would like to. For now I am running it to the TV and using the digital audio jacks to the receiver.

[mattwardfh]

1) Uverse DVR (optical output adapted to coax output)
2) Oppo DVD player (coax for DVDs/CDs, analog for DVD-A and SACD)
3) Numark turntable (built-in pre-amp, no phono section on receiver)
4) Mac mini used as HTPC (optical)
5) Wii (analog)
6) Airport Express for playing music from other computers (optical)

No HDMI on the receiver (NAD T753), but the DVR, computer, and DVD player are all hooked up to the TV via DVI or HDMI. Next receiver will have HDMI but I'm not in a hurry to upgrade.

Large number of digital audio inputs was definitely a draw for the receiver but mainly chose for audio quality.

No USB inputs, but that would be a nice feature.

[v1m]

Until a couple years ago, I had at most two or three sources hooked up to my A/V receiver at a time. Pretty much as you say, Steve.

Then I ditched the stupid thing and bought a two-channel amp and a pair of Magnepans. At the same time, I canceled cable TV.

Happier than a clam, now. Goodbye, A/V; goodbye craptastic cable. Hello, music. Wish I'd done this years ago.

[hyghwayman]

How many sources do you have hooked up to your receiver?
4

Do you use mostly analog or digital inputs?
balanced

Yes, I'm sure, some of you have a turntable--did you buy a receiver with a built-in phono section, or did you buy an add-on phono preamp?
add-on phono preamp

iPod or iPod dock?
never

Anybody still using a CD player at home?
play thru 360

SACD or DVD-Audio player?
nope

Sirius, XM or Internet radio?
not yet

Do you have more than one game? How did you hook them up?
Currently just one 360, HDMI to TV

Did the number of HDMI inputs sway you?
nope

How many HDMI sources do you have now?
0

A Laserdisc player?
nope

Cassette, reel-to-reel, or 8-track tape machine?
been a long time

Digital audio recorders? CD recorder or DAT machine?
nope

What about USB or Bluetooth sources?
USB thru 360

Did the total number of inputs and input types play a role in your buying decision?
yes, optical and coax audio

Do you ever use your receiver's front panel inputs?
Yes, headphones

[lemmyville]

1 - dvd player
1 - dvd recorder
1 - cable dvr
1 - laserdisc player
1 - turntable
1 - 5 disc cd player
1 - tape deck
1 - vhs
1 - wii
2 - ps2s

i have definitely maxed out my current receiver. the front av inputs are not working so well anymore. probably from the various gaming machines over the years. also, i do have enough optical digital inputs anymore. maybe time for a new one? i would love to be able to plug everything into it!!
no hdmi as my tv in a flat tube hd ready samsung.

[John72953]

I bought my Yamaha HTR-6190B (only available in Canada) for power (130w/p/c x7), 4 HDMI inputs/ 1 HDMI output (obviously) and Phono input.

I'm only using 2 HDMI inputs.....one for my PS3, the other for my Philips Upscaling DVD.
My HD Cable box is connected via Componant (video) and Optical (audio).
My turntable is connected via the Phono input.

I can foresee using the remaining 2 HDMI inputs sooner than later.

[pughjl]

CD Player--RCA
cable box/dvr--HDMI
DVD--optical/s-video
Xbox 360 w/HDDVD :(, original xbox--component through a switch, optical off the 360
iPod doc
Mac Powerbook--RCA/DVI
turntable--RCA

I'd like to hook up all HDMI, but by receiver only has two HDMI portas and most of my equipment doesn't have HDMI out.

I look at the number of inputs when I bought the receiver. I need options of different inputs right now.

Most of the connections are analog.

I don't use the front panel inputs on the receiver.

[Brolix]

How many sources do you have hooked up to your receiver?
I have 6 sources connected to my main receiver:
PS3
Xbox360 w/HD-DVD player
A DVD player that i use to play CDs
a Sonos Digital Music System Zone Player
Dish Network HD receiver
iPod Dock

Do you use mostly analog or digital inputs?
Mostly Digital - HDMI where possible, Analog for the ipod dock and dvd/cd player

Yes, I'm sure, some of you have a turntable--did you buy a receiver with a built-in phono section, or did you buy an add-on phono preamp?
No Turntable

iPod or iPod dock?
Yes

Anybody still using a CD player at home?
I use a DVD player as my Cd Player

SACD or DVD-Audio player?
Nope

Sirius, XM or Internet radio?
Having the Sonos systems eliminates the need for these

Do you have more than one game? How did you hook them up?
Xbox360 and PS3 are connected via HDMI

Did the number of HDMI inputs sway you?
Absolutely

How many HDMI sources do you have now?
3

A Laserdisc player?
Negative

Cassette, reel-to-reel, or 8-track tape machine?
Negative

Digital audio recorders? CD recorder or DAT machine?
No

What about USB or Bluetooth sources?
None

Did the total number of inputs and input types play a role in your buying decision?
No, all i needed were 4 HDMI inputs and a couple analog--the extra inputs just take up space on the receiver

Do you ever use your receiver's front panel inputs?
NEVER!

[rtbfw]

I don't have an "AV Receiver." I use a Macintosh stereo preamp feeding several power amplifiers. Added inputs through a little Fostex mixer. Speakers in three rooms.

Sources:

Shortwave radio
AM Tuner
FM tuners (2 -- one with DX antenna in the attic, one for local stations)
CD player
Cassette player
Turntable for LPs -- direct to the Macintosh preamp
Turntables for 78s and 16-inch broadcast transcriptions (2) -- through a Scott tube preamp
Computer for streaming Intenet radio
Open reel tape recorder

So that's 9 analog and 2 digital inputs.

No video, no DVD, no iPod, no HDMI, no games. No USB inputs, no cable or satellite. There's a DAT machine connected to the computer for archival transfers.

[Earth16]

AVR: Denon 4306

1) HDTV (HDMI Output)
2) DirecTV DVR (HDMI input)
3) DVD (Component Video, Fiber Optic audio input)
4) CD Juke (Fiber Optic input)
5) VCR
6) iPod (once)
Coming soon/eventually
6) BluRay (HDMI)
7) Media PC (replace the CD box)
8) Sirius/XM
9) Network

[jdzions]

Although my amp has some video switching capabilities, they're insufficient for my needs. My plasma panel, though, has enough inputs, and it has a pretty high-quality scaler, so I run everything there. I just feed autio to the amp.

1) Media Center PC (optical) HDMI
2) HD-DVD player (optical) HDMI
3) CD player jukebox (2-ch analog) n/a
4) DVD/VCR combo player (coax digital) Component analog video

I'll be adding an Xbox 360 in the next month or two. No clue yet how I'm gonna hook that up; I'm out of digital audio inputs on the amp. :-(

[mjd420nova]

The Pioneer AV amplifier I use for home theater is hooked to every source imaginable. I have a reel to reel deck, dual cassette player, DVD/CD player, and phono. Video/audio sources are from the digital cable box, VCR and the TV itself. The PC's (two) are also hooked up for enhanced gaming. The unit itself is a true surround unit that does not require a subwoofer to get the chest pounding bass that usually requires a seperate subwoofer unit. The effects are superb and lifelike that make big screen(50 inch) TV and movie veiwing a real experience, especially for sports.

[dgharrison1]

3 HDMI inputs and one up convert to Sony LCD to1080i
1- fios digital cable box
1- HP F3400S PC\media center. DVI to HDMI + component cable for 5.1 sourond sound.
Pc is loaded with all my MP3 and ripped CDs and has Blueray player .