Simplifying a home theater?

I'm gonna try to keep it short.

in general there is a few things i would try to do.

1- connect all components to the receiver with the shortest reasonable length cables.

2 - use hdmi or coax/optical where ever you can to cut down on the number of cables.

3 - connect the receiver to the TV and the DVD recorder, use a very long cable for the TV, it helps for pulling the system out, leave lots of room.

the receiver would then be the Central control center if you will and most have tons of inputs, that will accommodate all your equipment.

another method may be to use the front connections that many receivers have for the game equipment. plugging in only when your actually using the game system, when not in use, they could be tucked away in a drawer with no cables at all.

if your receiver is a bit older, you may find it is limited of good digital connections, i would recommend thinking of replacing it with a newer one that has the best input options for your equipment.

also i recommend investing some money in Velcro tie wraps or maybe split loom (can get at radio shack) to clean up the install.

The first question that I would have is whether or not your "surround sound system" (of which a name or model would help answer this otherwise) accepts video...which I can fairly assume does since you've hooked up the A/V Cables...but you kind of throw everything off since you reverted to the term "analog" in regards to the VCR when the red/yellow/white cables are transferring three analog signals (Red-Right Audio, -White-Left Audio, Yellow-Composite Video)...

At any rate, since you put me in a place where I have to assume everything, which is fine, and actually makes this whole ordeal a lot more fun, even if it isn't very helpful to you by the end (Which I believe it should be), then let's start with condensing the amount of connections that you'll need to the A/V receiver of the SSS (Surround Sound System, of course).

This appears to be what you're implying by "simplify this convoluted mess of cable"--cut down the amount of things that need to go to your receiver. This way, we can use the receiver for the purpose that it was intended: to control your surround sound system and all of the wonderful things that you have hooked up to it (I admire your equipment :-))

Hmmm...

I'd say, and you might not like to hear this, that you may have to spend money for a couple more things if you want to have the convenience that you're seeking.

1) A/V Switcher

You can find these little passive devices at any local retailer. Actually, I used to work at Best Buy, and the last time that I checked, they had an A/V switcher for around $100. This one isn't passive, but it handles about five components I believe. This will make you able to make use of just one of your receiver's auxilary ports, since it sounds like you may only have one on there.

If $100 is too steep, go to any gaming store or Radioshack--or Best Buy--and buy one of those smaller boxes that allow you to switch between video game consoles (they may even be called a "Videogame Switcher" or something to that matter, but as long as they have the proper jacks for basic connections (Red/White/Yellow) then it should be fine for now. It doesn't sound like you're very concerned with losing a dB or two through imperfect circuitry.

You just appear to want everything to work without the added hassle.

Try to get the biggest switcher that you can get.

Or....

You can get one three device switch specifically for the games (if you do have more than one input on that SSS of yours). Of course the three videogame consoles that you have could plug directly into that, and you could flick a switch to go between them as opposed to dismantling your system every time that you want to play Mario Bros. 3D right after playing Halo 2...

I would've originally recommended buying a modern audio receiver with four auxilary inputs and jacks for high definition and go to town, but it doesn't sound like you're having that type of party right now, nor having that type of problem...

...

On a final note...sidebar even...if you wanna make things look pretty, invest in some tubing from Home Depot and cover the wires to make them look oh-so-pretty...

Is that too much?

Hope that helps!!

P.S. - It feels so good to be back. You are the first person's question that I've answered in about a year... :-D

No - it won't artwork including your television. those el-crapo structures are glorified DVD gamers. It could have spare optical inputs for it to settle for sound from a television to decode 5.a million. generally: - you prefer a device with a large, black receiver with an excellent variety of spare inputs - you prefer a device with a separate, self-powered subwoofer - you prefer a device w/o self-linked wires to the audio device. the greater powerful $500+ structures are like this, permit you hook up an excellent variety of different issues and you may slowly improve the factors if interest or money enable. inspect the Onkyo structures - they provide the impression of being again out with a sparkling device a week with in-costly, yet good factors.

That's a tough one. The only thought I have is to convert to HDMI cables or other optical or digital cables wherever you can. If you don't have that option right now, you may have to upgrade some of your equipment before you can reduce the number of your cables.

Upgrade the receiver Denon has a models that will do this for you video conversion etc....