Basic AV Receiver/FIOS Questions
barbshop
Enthusiast - Level 3

OK, I know this is basic stuff for most of you, but bear with me as I'm not the tech wizard I always hoped I would be.

I currently have FIOS, A Blu-Ray Player, and a game system connected to my HDTV with individual HDMI Cables going through an automatic switch (whatever device I power on is the what shows up on the TV) - the output of the switch goes to the TVs HDMI input (older tv only has 1 HDMI In connection (don't laugh))

I am upgrading my AV receiver to one that offers 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output as well as the usual connections. 

Here are the questions:

1.  If I connect FIOS to one of the HDMI inputs on the receiver and then the HDMI out from the receiver to the TV - does this mean I must turn on the AV Receiver in order to watch TV?  Also, can I use the TV speakers in those instances when surround sound is not needed.

2.  If I connect the other components to HDMI inputs on the receiver, I assume I would have to rever to manually switching between sources thourgh the receiver as opposed to the automatic switching I now get from the 3 way switch.

3.  If I connect the FIOS box directly to the TV, how can I then take advantage of the surround capabilities of the receiver?

I'm sure I'm overlooking some other questions, but I would appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks

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Correct answers
Re: Basic AV Receiver/FIOS Questions
Carl
Specialist - Level 1

@barbshop wrote:

OK, I know this is basic stuff for most of you, but bear with me as I'm not the tech wizard I always hoped I would be.

I currently have FIOS, A Blu-Ray Player, and a game system connected to my HDTV with individual HDMI Cables going through an automatic switch (whatever device I power on is the what shows up on the TV) - the output of the switch goes to the TVs HDMI input (older tv only has 1 HDMI In connection (don't laugh))

I am upgrading my AV receiver to one that offers 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output as well as the usual connections. 

Here are the questions:

1.  If I connect FIOS to one of the HDMI inputs on the receiver and then the HDMI out from the receiver to the TV - does this mean I must turn on the AV Receiver in order to watch TV?  Also, can I use the TV speakers in those instances when surround sound is not needed.

2.  If I connect the other components to HDMI inputs on the receiver, I assume I would have to rever to manually switching between sources thourgh the receiver as opposed to the automatic switching I now get from the 3 way switch.

3.  If I connect the FIOS box directly to the TV, how can I then take advantage of the surround capabilities of the receiver?

I'm sure I'm overlooking some other questions, but I would appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks


1a - Yes, you receiver would have to be on to watch TV.

1b - Depends on your AVR. You may have to switch the audio from the AVR to the TV.

2. Yes. To alleviate this, you may want to look at universal remote, which would set the inputs for you. Logitech's Harmony remotes would work, series 500 and higher.

3- If you TV has an optical out, you could run a digital cable from the Audio Out of the TV to the AVR. This should allow you to take advantage of Dolby Digital 5.1.

When I had the Verizon STB's, I connected the component cables out to the TV and the HDMI to my AVR. That way, I was able to watch TV w/o surround as needed, and gave me the ability to use the Surround Sound when I wanted. The only issue for me was that the STB's would lose their SD Override setting, and cause SD programming to stretch. 

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Re: Basic AV Receiver/FIOS Questions
Carl
Specialist - Level 1

@barbshop wrote:

OK, I know this is basic stuff for most of you, but bear with me as I'm not the tech wizard I always hoped I would be.

I currently have FIOS, A Blu-Ray Player, and a game system connected to my HDTV with individual HDMI Cables going through an automatic switch (whatever device I power on is the what shows up on the TV) - the output of the switch goes to the TVs HDMI input (older tv only has 1 HDMI In connection (don't laugh))

I am upgrading my AV receiver to one that offers 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output as well as the usual connections. 

Here are the questions:

1.  If I connect FIOS to one of the HDMI inputs on the receiver and then the HDMI out from the receiver to the TV - does this mean I must turn on the AV Receiver in order to watch TV?  Also, can I use the TV speakers in those instances when surround sound is not needed.

2.  If I connect the other components to HDMI inputs on the receiver, I assume I would have to rever to manually switching between sources thourgh the receiver as opposed to the automatic switching I now get from the 3 way switch.

3.  If I connect the FIOS box directly to the TV, how can I then take advantage of the surround capabilities of the receiver?

I'm sure I'm overlooking some other questions, but I would appreciate any advice I can get.

Thanks


1a - Yes, you receiver would have to be on to watch TV.

1b - Depends on your AVR. You may have to switch the audio from the AVR to the TV.

2. Yes. To alleviate this, you may want to look at universal remote, which would set the inputs for you. Logitech's Harmony remotes would work, series 500 and higher.

3- If you TV has an optical out, you could run a digital cable from the Audio Out of the TV to the AVR. This should allow you to take advantage of Dolby Digital 5.1.

When I had the Verizon STB's, I connected the component cables out to the TV and the HDMI to my AVR. That way, I was able to watch TV w/o surround as needed, and gave me the ability to use the Surround Sound when I wanted. The only issue for me was that the STB's would lose their SD Override setting, and cause SD programming to stretch. 

Re: Basic AV Receiver/FIOS Questions
barbshop
Enthusiast - Level 3

Carl,thanks for the quick reply.  I can always count on the forums to provide quick support.  I think you answered my questions, although I'm now debating whether or not it's worth it to upgrade the receiver to get the direct HDMI inputs.

Thanks again.

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