well, we have not done the same homework so you need to narrow things down a little by telling us what the capabilities of these things are (to save us searching for it), what connection options they have as far as you can tell, and what you want to try to achieve.
I will show my ignorance though by saying that I have no idea what you mean by "transit"
Ok, that helps some but not as much as I hoped and you will probably need someone who knows these devices or with time to download and read the manuals.
There is not necessarily anything wrong with the default (transit) settings of the TV, they do take some time to settle in though (more so plasma than LCD) plus many of the settings are down to personal taste (film/cinema mode, normal, etc).
Clearly, the highest specification connection for watching DVDs is hdmi, you do not say which version of hdmi it is but let us assume that it also handles the audio.
I assume that you ant to use the DVD recorder to record freeview programs (although you have not said this). It is not clear what output options the TV has. It is NOT automatically the case that all connections are output as well as input channels. Similarly, it is not clear on the DVD recorder which connections are input channels.
There is little to no value in the optical connection as with freeview you get just the standard stereo audio (you would use this for DVD playback if you had an AV amp/receiver to get the 5.1 dolby/dts surround information).
Ideally then one hdmi cable between the TV and DVD recorder should do everything, but until you can confirm that the hdmi on the TV is output and that the hdmi out terminal on the DVD recorder is also input, you will not get far. I would guess the latter would be unlikely and that you will need two leads: one for input and one for output. Avoid using the composit and "standard" (i.e. composit on the pins) SCART connections. Use HDMI and RGB SCART only (sometimes there is a configuration setting for SCART to select RGB mode). Actually, why have you invested in a DVD recorder?
I have to say that pictures always look much much better with decent sound! Speakers builts into TVs (flatscreen or otherwise) are rarely good. You are never going to get decent sound using 2x10W output. Consider investing in a cheap (or buy a second-hand) AV amp/receiver and a set of speakers (even a pair of speakers, one each side of the tv, will be better than the build in speakers) - key an eye on clearance bargains at Richer Sounds for good deals.
hi again stuart,sorry for the delay,i was'nt near the computer last night,to much on my mind.
anyway a friend of mines son dropped in about an hour ago his dad had told him i was having some problems with setting up my new kit,the result is "It's Done"
I've taken on board your comments about a AV Amp/Receiver and i have a set of Denon SC-E313's in a cupboard,they are about 3yrs old,which will do till i can afford a surround
set up.
By the way you were right about the HDMI--simple really !!
Once again thanks for the comments and suggestions.
