I am getting started with home theatre, using a 480p projector.  I
have a DVD player, a digital TV tuner, and an audio receiver with
speakers.  The audio receiver has many many inputs, but only one
digital coaxial input and one digital optical input.

Right now, I have one digital coaxial audio cable, and I leave one end
connected to the receiver all the time.  However, I have to keep
unplugging the other end to move it between the DVD player and the
digital TV tuner, depending on which one I am using.  This is awkward
and I want a better solution, but preferably not an expensive one :-)

So I want to know the advantages and disadvantages of these two options:

- buy a digital optical audio cable and use that to connect (say) the
DVD player to the receiver, and use the coaxial cable for the TV
tuner.  I know that optical cable is expensive, and I don't have a
particularly high-end setup so would rather not have to do this if
possible.

- buy some sort of Y adapter/splitter cable so that both the DVD
player and the digital TV tuner can be connected to the receiver via
the digital coaxial cable.  I don't know exactly what kind of adapter
I should get, and what the resultant loss in audio quality would be
(if any).

- or is there a better option that I haven't thought of?

So basically I am looking for an informed opinion on what is a
reasonable solution to this problem.  Ideally, it would include a
recommendation of a particular cable or adapter to buy.

(I have the same problem with video inputs to the projector, and
whether I should split a component video cable between the DVD player
and TV tuner, or just use S-video for one of them.  I don't expect an
answer to that here, but if you happen to know, I would appreciate the
information and will add a tip!).

Hello. It seems to me that most of your problem stems from using an
out-of-date receiver. Home theater is very much a "you get what you
pay for" type of thing. That being said, there are some rather
inexpensive (relatively speaking) solutions to your problem. My best
suggestion is to bite the bullet and replace your surround receiver.
Some of the newer receivers are VERY reasonably priced (sub $500) for
what they do, and would solve all your issues. Just off the top of my
head try a DENON AVR-2105. It's at the end of it's model year so you
can find them for around $500. It has plenty of digital audio inputs,
so you can use any combination of digital coax or fiber optic, AND it
does component video switching. Just hook your DVD player, your HD
cable or sat box, your playstation, whatever to it, and run one
component video line to your projector. It will automatically switch
the video signal when you switch the audio using the receivers remote.
Just a thought...

Thanks, but getting another receiver isn't an option for me as I
bought it only a month ago (for about $300 as part of a HTIB system,
to give you an idea of my budget).  It was well reviewed, and at the
time I didn't realize what sort of inputs I would need.  Next time
I'll know what to look for :-}

In my experience, you can not run two separate co-ax digital signals
into a splitter and then into a receiver (it may be possible, I just
have never heard of anything like that before).  Your best option is
to go buy a 3 foot optical cable at a discount merchandiser such as
K-mart or Target for about $20 to $25 or so.  Then you can use one
type of digital input for each of your two digital sources (DVD and
DTV tuner) and then your receiver can do the switching for you so you
don;t have to keep messing with wires.  This would be the simplest and
least costly option (in my opinion).

Okay, thanks.  I'll try that.