What is the best way to hook up a HDTV, DVD Recorder and a Cable Box?
July 19th, 2009
cnov123 asked:
Here is what I have to work with:
Here is what I have to work with:
1. HDTV with one HDMI input
2. Cable box (DVR built in) with one HDMI out
3. Upconverting DVD player/recorder - with HDMI out
Each piece has additional standard inputs and outputs.
I want to ensure I have the best quality HD picture, along with the ability to record off my DVR to my DVD recorder.
What would be the best way to hook this up without having to invest in more equipment? I am willing to buy the cables needed, but not an AV receiver or some “other” type of gadget.
in order to record from DVR to DVD in HD,your DVD your player must have component (green, red, blue) video or hdmi inputs available. If you don’t already have that, you are not going to be able to record on your DVD with HD, although you would be able to record non-HD. Assuming you have that type of input, here’s what you need to do:
1) Go buy an HDMI switchbox (BestBuy or Frys or whatever store you like), they are around $100.
2) Connect your DVD and DVR to the switch’s inputs using the HDMI cables.
3) Connect the output from the switch to the back of your TV using HDMI. Connect the other output from the switch to the back of the DVD.
And you’re done. Sorry, but you are going to have to buy that one “gadget.”
You can’t record (or play) high-def DVDs on any existing DVD recorder. So you’re best off connecting the DVR to the TV with the HDMI connection.
Use component video to connect the DVR to the DVD recorder and the DVD recorder to the TV. You will still get excellent (but not HD) DVD recordings.
I would use the HDMI cable to connect your DVR to your TV, then I would use at least R,G,B (component cables) to connect the rest. Component cables are still a digital signal although not as good as HDMI. Its still hard to tell exactly not knowing what inputs you have on everything