I am having problems in hooking up my home theater I could use some advice I curently have these components A sony Str-db870 and a dvp-c660 cd dvd player and of cource a vcr also sonya Jvc tv model av-36d201. Could some one advise me on the best way to do this thanks

Lorne

Use your receiver as your main switcher...hook all your source gear into the receiver via the best possible video level you can, then use the monitor out of your receiver to run to your television.

Use your VCR as your tuner for watching TV.

By doing this, your TV will stay on input 1 or video 1
at all times and as Matt said all your switching will be done thru your reciever.
Kev

There are a couple flaws in the afore mentioned plans. First if you connect the s-video output on your DVD player to the receiver and use the s-vid monitor out that is all you will be able to display. (eg: you have to use all s-vid or all composite)So...if your VCR only has composite output (yellow RCA) you are out of luck because I'm pretty sure the Sony cannot upconvert the composite to s-video. You can buy add on adaptors that will do this but it complicates the wiring and will cost you more money. The other issue is that in order to watch any source the receiver has to be turned on - not a big deal until you have a bout of insomnia and want to watch a movie at 3am. Some receivers have compression "midnight mode" and I think yours is one of them but the dialog is difficult to hear at low volume levels...in this case a direct audio connection to the TV is a benefit- TV speakers sound fine at low volume levels. Anyway good luck - I hope I didn't further confuse the matter.

Simonsez
I have found that unless the cust has a universal remote, Pronto,2100,CHAD ect, and you hae discrete
codes available, that it is easier (for the cust and family) to not use s-video (unless,like yousaid it is available for all components) and not to use the TV vol,
mainly because someone will forget to turn down the TV
and the cust cant figure out why the sound doesnt "sound right".
Also, you and I know how to switch inputs on the TV
without using the REC, butmost cust are not as smart as us, thats why they come to us!
There are several "right" ways to hook up A/V equip
and I think mine is the right way and you think yours is the right way and so on, so for a novice trying to decipher "the right way" from us has got to be confusing as hell, so L.Booth good luck, just take mine,Matts, and Simonsez's answer and combine them and you will have the best sounding ,looking eaisest system around to use!!!!
Seriously though if you get confused reply back and you will eventually get the right answer.
Kev

My intention was not to offend, but to offer more options. I apologize if you took it as a criticism of your advice. You however have brought up a good point....we are at remote central, and a good learning remote can do wonders to simplify the sometimes complicated operation of an A/V system. If you continure to have trouble I would encourage you to buy a good remote and have the kind people here help you program it - or pay one of us to...better yet pay someone to come out to your home and set up everything -system, remote customized to the way you and your family use it

As you notice, I said highest level possible...meaning if you have one composite peice of gear, go with all composite even if you have s-vid capable gear.

But if you have component, you'll have more video inputs to switch too. And with good training, these systems aren't all that hard to operate.

I have to agree with Matt. Go all S video. If you have a composite piece you can add an inline adaptor. Parts Express has one for about $8.00, or you can go to Rat Shack and pick up the same piece for $30.00. I use them all the time and they work great. As far as movies at 3:00 am, just run an audio pair out of the receiver to the TV.
All said it would probably be easier in the long run to hire a pro. We deal with this daily and can explain how to watch what you want without confusing you with how everything is connected.

For night viewing turn of the speakers to the surround and get some wireless headphones... that's pretty much what they invented them for!!