Connecting DVD player directly to TV

[Pam]

I have seen mentioned several times that some people connect the DVD player directly to the TV. It appears that this is related to component switching. Could someone please explain this to me? If you go directly to the TV aren't you limited to the TV's internal speakers versus the ones connect to the receiver? What are the pros and cons of this type setup?

[AW]

You can connect the video and analog audio directly to the TV and the digital audio to the reveiver. You may get marginally better performance connecting directly to the TV versus running through the receiver's switching (but with some loss of convenience).

[jumbojp]

The only reason to connect the audio to the TV is if you don't have a receiver. If you have a receiver then connect to it.

Video switching can be done through the receiver or the tv. If you have enough inputs on the tv go directly there, but if you only have a few inputs hook all the video to the receiver and use the main video output on the receiver to connect the TV. You can then switch video source using the receiver with this method.

[audrey]

jumbojp, actually there are several reasons why someone might want to bypass a receiver's video switching by connecting a video source to the TV directly.

*) Not all receivers, even those with component switching, have enough bandwith to pass HDTV. Not really a problem with DVD, but it could be a limiting factor with some satellite receivers or set-top boxes.

*) If you use component in/out you can save some money by going directly from the DVD player to the TV (1 cable set instead of 2).

*) Not all receivers, for example Denon, pass the on-screen menus through the component out; in this case, using the receiver's internal switching gains you little.

[jumbojp]

You are correct http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif I was assuming she doesn't have a Component Video or HDTV setup and trying to keep it as simple as possible for her situation.