As a complete newbie I'm quite confused about the preferred method of connection between various components. I have a Sony Bravia KDL52W3000, Harmon Kardon AVR347 and Pace 551 STB (provided by Rogers). I tried to connect the STB to my AVR by HDMI but found that changing channels on the STB constantly results in the AVR losing the signal (or handshaking?), causing the TV to go blank while the AVR attempts to figure out what's going on. After a short period (typically 5 to 10 seconds) the AVR sorts itself out and the display reappears on the TV, but it is extremely frustrating to "channel surf". During this process the audio is sometimes lost.

I now have the STB connected directly to the TV via HDMI, with the audio from the STB going to the AVR via coax. Is this the preferred method of connection, or would connecting both the STB to the AVR, and then the AVR to the TV via component video be preferable? At least this way I would be able to use the AVR to switch between video sources, rather than have to switch the AVR for audio and the TV for video.

As a newbie I'm just learning about the up-converting capabilities of AVRs such as the AVR347, but would imagine that passing the signal thru the AVR would result in better PQ for SD than a direct connection from the STB to the TV.

Can anyone suggest what they would consider to be the best way to connect this setup? Any help regarding configuration settings for the components would also be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Have a look at the following:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17719

There is often no "best way" there are only "different ways" each with its advantages, disadvantages.

Going "through" the AVR allows for switching, but if the components have different picture qualities, then it's often better to go directly to the TV and calibrate each TV input (for video). This often provides the best PQ, but that also depends on what does the better upconversion - the TV or the AVR. The STB should have the appropriate formats enabled (480i, 720P, 1080i and should be set for Auto-HDMI under Set Picture Format.

You can consider a Harmony remote to do all the switching automatically.

For audio, you have the correct setup, but make sure you set the audio settings in the STB to DD and not HDMI, otherwise you may not get DD5.1 audio. You may also lose the audio to the TV with this option and you'll have to use the AVR.

You may wish to consider upgrading to the SA8300HD PVR, since then you can watch what you want, when you want, instead of wasting time surfing channels.