A/V Config Setup Questions

[Semio1es]

What is the best way to hook up my a/v devices for the best quality picture and sound?

Is HDMI audio better than Optical Audio?

I want to be able to play my MP3 from the AppleTV thru my receiver. I also want to be able to play my movies from AppleTV thru my receiver.

Here are my A/V components:

Yamaha Receiver - Optical Audio (1)
Bose Speakers - Traditional Speaker Wire
Panasonic Plasma - HDMI (2) and Optical Audio (1)
Verizon FIOS DVR - HDMI and
Apple TV - Optical Audio (1) and HDMI

Seems the only way it will work is:

Receiver --> AppleTV via Optical Audio
AppleTV --> Plasma via HDMI
DVR --> Plamsa via HDMI

Thoughts?

 

[Darwin]

Sounds about right, the only real difference between optical and HDMI is the fact that HDMI is sending video as well.

Depending on which media source you use the most (ie. Apple TV or Plasma TV) it should be that device that is hooked to the receiver via optical.

Edit: Of course you have mentioned that it is the Apple TV that you wish to use hence you are correct in your setup above.

 

[ab2650]

Here are my A/V components:

Yamaha Receiver - Optical Audio (1)
Bose Speakers - Traditional Speaker Wire
Panasonic Plasma - HDMI (2) and Optical Audio (1)
Verizon FIOS DVR - HDMI and
Apple TV - Optical Audio (1) and HDMI

On the plasma, is the an optical (Toslink) INput or OUTput? On my Sharp Aquos I have a toslink out I tested by connecting it to the receiver; it sends "whatever the tv is doing" to my receiver so if I switch inputs (cable box, ATV, DVD player) the audio changes too... I don't use it with the ATV however, because I want to play audio on the ATV with the TV off, which would kill the signal and drop audio to the receiver.

With that said, I think your setup is exactly how I would have done it.