Scott, I've just been testing Bettercables Silver Serpent component cables against the 7712 set from Blue Jeans and, while they are both very nice, I happen to think the Bettercables produce a slightly beter picture (and sound, if that matters) in my system. Marantz DV9500 driving a Sony XBR.
Need HT cable advice.
I've recently done some upgrades to my HT setup and it's time for some upgraded cables. I'll need the following:
DVD:
-1 digital (coax or toslink) 3' cable for DVD changer to AVR (for 5.1 sound)
-1 component 6' AV cable for DVD to TV (mainly just the video part since the digital will cover the sound through the AVR)
DVR:
-1 10' HDMI to HDMI cable for DVR to TV
-1 10' digital (coax or Toslink) cable for DVR to AVR (for 5.1 sound)
Xbox:
-1 10' Xbox HDTV component cable to TV
-1 10' digital (coax or Toslink) cable for Xbox to AVR (for 5.1 sound on games and DVDs)
DVD/VCR:
-1 10' component AV cable for DVD/VCR to TV
-1 10' digital (coax or Toslink) cable for DVD/VCR to AVR (for 5.1 sound)
I don't want to spend a lot on my cables but don't want crap either. I was thinking along the lines of Blue Jeans or lower Audioquest cables. The reason I am setting it up the way I am is to be able to view TV/DVR, Xbox and the DVD/VCR combo through the TV without having to fire up the AVR. The Sony 60XS has great speakers BTW. I can still go full 5.1 just by turning on the AVR and appropriate input with the additional digital cables I'm including. I can use either coax or toslink digital cables all around. I remember that coax was the preferred way since toslink yielded a bad connection at times. Has technology improved on the toslink and is it a toss up which way I go on the digital cables? Also, on the Xbox, I'll probably just get the Microsoft HDTV pack and use whatever brand component and digital cables I choose on the other components with it. The Xbox and DVD/VCR combo are for the kids abuse for old leftover VHS movies, games and single disc CD/DVDs so they don't have to be fiddling with the changer any (OK, I admit it, I like the Xbox too).
Thanks for any input,
Scott
DVD:
-1 digital (coax or toslink) 3' cable for DVD changer to AVR (for 5.1 sound)
-1 component 6' AV cable for DVD to TV (mainly just the video part since the digital will cover the sound through the AVR)
DVR:
-1 10' HDMI to HDMI cable for DVR to TV
-1 10' digital (coax or Toslink) cable for DVR to AVR (for 5.1 sound)
Xbox:
-1 10' Xbox HDTV component cable to TV
-1 10' digital (coax or Toslink) cable for Xbox to AVR (for 5.1 sound on games and DVDs)
DVD/VCR:
-1 10' component AV cable for DVD/VCR to TV
-1 10' digital (coax or Toslink) cable for DVD/VCR to AVR (for 5.1 sound)
I don't want to spend a lot on my cables but don't want crap either. I was thinking along the lines of Blue Jeans or lower Audioquest cables. The reason I am setting it up the way I am is to be able to view TV/DVR, Xbox and the DVD/VCR combo through the TV without having to fire up the AVR. The Sony 60XS has great speakers BTW. I can still go full 5.1 just by turning on the AVR and appropriate input with the additional digital cables I'm including. I can use either coax or toslink digital cables all around. I remember that coax was the preferred way since toslink yielded a bad connection at times. Has technology improved on the toslink and is it a toss up which way I go on the digital cables? Also, on the Xbox, I'll probably just get the Microsoft HDTV pack and use whatever brand component and digital cables I choose on the other components with it. The Xbox and DVD/VCR combo are for the kids abuse for old leftover VHS movies, games and single disc CD/DVDs so they don't have to be fiddling with the changer any (OK, I admit it, I like the Xbox too).
Thanks for any input,
Scott