unfortunately the only way to get true (DTS-HD Master Audio),found on blu-ray players, and most newer electronics you have to bring the HDMI to the receiver first then to the T.V,as it only passes this signal on the HDMI cable.As for older stuff like a dvd player that is just your standard (DTS) or 5.1,you have the option of running for example:the fiber optic cable to the receiver,and your video cables to the TV.It is your choice really but like i said with most newer electronics to enjoy the full (DTS HD) sound you will have to pass it thru the receiver.If you choose to hook up all of your electronics straight to the TV with HDMI cables you will not get the (5.1),just stereo sound.

HDMI cables are the only way to go. You need to lay out how you want your system to work, there are really 2 things to consider;

Do you want all of your audio to go through the Stereo System, or through the TV?

One Way to lay it out is like this:

DVD Player ---HDMI---> Receiver
Direct TV ---HDMI---> Receiver
MISC ---HDMI---> Receiver

Receiver ---HDMI---> TV

That gets you Everything in HD, and your Receiver is the "splitter" for the HDMI, which has a 1:1 relationship with other devices.

Another way is this

DVD Player ---HDMI---> TV
Direc TV ---HDMI---> TV
MISC ---HDMI---> TV
DVD Player ---Digital Coax or Fiber Optic ---> Receiver
Direc TV ---Digital Coax or Fiber Optic ---> Receiver
MISC ---Digital Coax or Fiber Optic ---> Receiver

With this setup, the TV has to switch between the sources, and the Stereo can also use the source for audio when desired...