Connecting to digital cable - picture quality vs ease of use

[richjac]

As a new HDTV owner (Sony KP-46WT500) I am definitely in the learning mode, and this site has been a great help!  I'd like to get some advice regarding optimum connections to Time Warner HD box.  Here's how I have set it up at this point:

·Cable to TV, out to Converter box (3100HD), then from converter back to TV's Aux antenna input.  This way I can use the PIP features of the TV and get the best picture quality on non-digital channels (<100). – these channels look worse coming out of the cable box regardless of the inputs used (S-video or coax)
·For the non-HD digital channels, I'm using the Aux input from the cable box to the TV.  This avoids the black bars from the component video inputs.
·HD broadcasts look great through component inputs.  Unfortunately, I still can't watch most of the local stations 'HD' content because of the black bars on the upconverted 4:3 image.  Otherwise, they do have better image quality than the analog channel equivalent.

The problem is, it's a bit confusing to navigate through three sets of inputs on the TV depending on the channel and program content.  (I told my family I will hold a training class next week).    So my question: is there any way to improve the picture quality of analog channels from the converter box?  I've seen s-video suggested frequently, but this does not appear to make a difference, and I'd have to split the audio signal to two different inputs on the TV.  

I'm in the market for an AV receiver, so will this simplify my task, or merely complicate my life with yet another remote?

I've learned a lot through this and other forums and through trial and error, but I'd really appreciate any advice people could offer!

[Tom Snyder]

I can't address the Cable box issue as I'm not a cable owner...however,  once you start getting past the realm of plug and play cable into your TV, and start adding other toys (AV, DVD, etc.) a multi function remote control with macros is a must.  

I can speak from experience that there's nothing cooler than the look of approval on your spouse's face when she says: "So all we need is this one remote, and I just hit this ONE button, and it turns it ALL on, and then all I have to do is pick the channel I want to watch?

[novice]

I recently got TWC I have the same problem. HD broadcast is beautiful but the non HD broadcast channel (< 100) have grains all over it. I too tried Coax and S-Video no difference. I am thinking to call TWC technician.

My connections are little bit different I have connected Cable input using splitter to Converter box (3100HD) and other one to VCR.  Converter box is connected to TV using Coax and VCR is connected to TV using RCA cable.

I have noticed the exception when I watch regular channels through VCR that is not using the Converter the picture is better then coming through the Digital converter box. I am not sure what they mean by better picture quality for Digital package.  Update if you find something.

[Mrtanner]

I find using the composite (single RCA) cable for TWC standard cable gives me the best picture.  I need to use the component cables for HD.

If your TV is like my projector it can de-interlace the composite signal but assumes the component signal is already de-interlaced.  That is why it looks grainy when watching SD video through the component input.

[gparris]

What I did with my Mits was to run all the cables to my Pioneer A/V  receiver/amp as a switcher. I hit the HDcable panel on my Pronto and the HDcable picture and sound occur. Same thing for DVD and HDSAT. As for the TWC box with SD digital (above 99), you still get a picture and the same sound if you leave the receiver/amp on the same input as the HDCable setup, only the 3100HD box will show a narrow picture on your 16X9 screen. To eliminate this narrow picture, run a second cable from your TWC 3100HD box using a S-Video for the full-screen effect directly from your box to  your set and switch inputs on your HDTV. For the less than 100 channels, use good composite cables for all three - stereo and video outputs from the box to your receiver/amp. Since there  is  NO digital sound at all on these lower channels - setup an input on the receiver/amp called CABLE sound and it works for these lower channels. Keep the S-video or composite picture inputs active when switching the video on your HDTV set.
If this is at all confusing-ask.
All I know-it works and everyone is happy here.