For whatever reason, I'm completely confused about this process:

Take for example that I run my Dreamcast (whose purchase is another question all by itself) into my receiver along with my DVD player, and then I run a video cable out to my TV from the receiver. Does the receiver magically change the signal so that my TV knows to take the video one or the other?

Also, what does a receiver's On-Screen Display do? Does it also magically show up on my TV screen? Why?

What about a Video Monitor Output?

Thanks, enjoy your evening.

Sorry to bring this back up, I'm just really curious as to how I'll be able to run all this video.

What brand/model is your receiver?

Sony HT-DDW8820.
Thanks.

First, hook all your video sources (cable box, DVD, VCR, game system, etc) to the video inputs on your receiver. Then take 1 single video cable and connect the monitor out from the receiver to the video in on your TV set. Then when you change from Video1 to TV to DVD on your receiver, it will output the audio from that device to your speakers and the video to your TV set. In this way, you never need to change TV settings again and you "magically" change from video source to video source.

As far as on screen programming goes, activating this will usually bring up a black screen with the menus, which you can only see if you connect the monitor output from the receiver to the TV.

Thanks for your help, DOC.
One more question though ... let's say I'm watching my DVD (with the setup you suggested) and start playing with my receiver remote, the screen will just go to black with my on-screen display?

Thanks again!

While I can't speak with certainty since I don't have a Sony receiver, it is likely that when you select the on-screen menu option the screen will go black and the menu will come up. You might still hear the audio of the DVD in the background, but I think most models will cut the video to black rather than have the menus show up over the top of the movie.

Sorry -- I just don't think my receiver has an on-screen display option on the remote. I know that its a feature, I just don't know how to access it.