I just got a Denon AVR-588 7.1 Channel reciever w/ no video

I settled on using the optical to the amp. I have some older components on my system(vintage turn table)

This WEB site will make it a little easier.
Everything You Need to Know About ARC Audio Return Channel

If the DENON has an HDMI output, and your TV has an HDMI input, then use a HDMI cable. Then, use the TV's remote-control to select "source" (or "input") as 'HDMI 2' or 'HDMI 3' (assuming that you have been using 'HDMI 1' to watch TV).

Depending on your TV inputs, you are better off to run video componenets through TV first then, connect TV to reciever via digital optical. Recievers have video pass through but, noyt the best route. You can use TV's menu to choose what you watch and, only have the one output from TV to reciever. Make sure you scan through TV and reciever menus to make sure you are selecting the right channel.

If you don't have one, the manual is available online: http://static.highspeedbackbone.net/pdf/AVR-488-OM-E_101.pdf

Suggestions:

1. Reset to default values. Per page 36 of manual: 1. Turn off Power. 2. Press Power while simultaneously pressing Speaker A and Speaker B. 3. Once the display starts flashing at intervals of about 1 second, release the two buttons.

2. Make sure you have AM or FM radio reception. This makes sure your speakers, amps, etc are connected and working correctly.

3. Connect DVD player to HDMI 1 in and TV to HDMI Monitor Out.
Play a known good DVD that works when you connected the DVD directly to the TV via HDMI.

Select the DVD/HDP input on the receiver and play the DVD. You should not have to perform any input assignments, etc. It should just work, as HDMI1 is the default system setting for DVD.

4. If possible, obtain a STB with HDMI out & repeat step 3 using the HDMI2 TV/CBL input. Keeping the signal path all digital (HDMI) will give you a better picture quality than forcing several analog to digital conversions (component video is analog).

4A. To use the component connection, first test by connecting the STB directly to the TV via component video/audio if possible. This tests that the component video output of the STB is working correctly.

Next, remove direct connection and connect via receiver. Connect STB to receiver as shown on page 13 in manual. Connect component video output from STB to component video input #2 (tv/cbl) on receiver. Connect the STB audio output to the corresponding tv/cbl audio inputs.

Make sure nothing is connected to the HDMI2 input or to any other TV/CBL inputs (composite video, s-video, digital coax audio).

Now select the TV/CBL input and turn on the STB. You should have both audio & video.

For this situation you will have to take audio output from the TV to an input on the Denon

The Denon does not down scale you can not plug a DVD or other device in to the Denon using HDMI and have it come out Component, if your projector only has Component video inputs you must use Component video connections from the DVD and Cable box to the Denon

It cant up-convert component to hdmi. Input and output has to be the same. However, you wont lose anything cuz hdmi and component are comparable

It may may the the AT+T box is really not compatible with the AVR or the Pioneer.

Check the specs on those input/outputs for the Ubox and the receiver.
See if they agree. If so, try another hookup method like HDMI ( which carries the audio too)

the avr-588 apparently cannot carry sound via hdmi - don't know why; just what i found out from the geek squad at best buy; solved the problem by connecting optical cable from cable box to receiver; be sure to change the input on the receiver for opt-2 (system setup >2 inputs) to correlate with tv

Make sure you have receiver switched to proper input as coax rather than digital