HDTV Questions

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brantmacga said:
take it in the attic.
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Can't, there is no access to the tiny space above the room.

I did however get my most important questions answered by Larry and Quoque by telephone and I am very gratefull to both.

What I have learned is the following:

There are way too many configurations and technology choices in these A/V systems for someone to provide answers without asking fifty questions first.

I learned the systems are built to match up with several types of technologies and you only have to wire for the components you are installing and for the known future upgrades.

There is no practical way to run all the cables that ever could be needed in the future.

When I look at the jack panel on the back of a TV I can feel more confident about what to connect and what to ignore.

BTW, that old fashion TV picture that was posted was exactly what I had for a very long time. Maybe that's why I'm a little slow on A/V wiring.
 
la2151 said:
HI>> just a comment>> one of my customers has a hdtv & his system is wireless between the tv & all other boxes. I had heard of before but never knew it really was available. It requires power to the tv only then the rest is wireless..soooo???the age of technology!!! many thanks & work safe.
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There is a new product out for wireless HD. I was reading about it in widescreen review then my stepdad told me about it today(he is at the CEDIA conference in CO)
 
walkerj said:
There is a new product out for wireless HD. I was reading about it in widescreen review then my stepdad told me about it today(he is at the CEDIA conference in CO)
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"Blu-tooth-ray?" :grin:
 
so many questions and so few cables required..the newer the technology the fewer the cables..HDMI even transports the sound over the same cable..I am glad to here that Larry and and gouge were able to answer your questions..so HDMI from receiver to high def DVD to high def TV..stero jacks to amplifier from receiver and DVD and wallah system is complete..
 
Juat to add a bit more info, Mike:

The main idea is to use the highest-quality video and audio connection available for each source component. Component video or HDMI (or DVI) is the best video format, followed by S-video, composite video, and RF.

For audio, digital-audio, either coax or optical (or as part of HDMI), is the best (and required for discrete multi-channel surround sound), followed by stereo audio (Pro-logic surround), followed by mono audio, followed by RF.

Ideally, you would have an AV preamp/processor or receiver that not only provides both audio- and video-signal switching, which not only simplifiies hook-up a bit, but simplifies operation of the system a great deal.

Simpler systems can get by with using the TV inputs to do the AV switching, but as you're learning, this requires many cables to the TV, and at least one of each type, depending on your source components.

For example, an antenna requires RG-6, a VCR composite video and stereo audio, a laser-disc player or a standard cable or satellite box S-video and stereo audio, a DVD player or a hi-def box either HDMI/DVI or component video, and coax or optical for digital audio, etc.

A pre/pro or receiver that converts various video signal formats to a single one allows you to run only a single cable to the display device. I personally prefer component video (analog hi-def) over HDMI or DVI (digital hi-def).

My pre/pro switches component video as well as up-converting other formats, so I only need a single cable bundle to my projector. Since it's a CRT unit, I convert component video to RGB-HV and use five RG-59's.

The point is that one can slowly build an AV setup, one piece at a time, and end up with a system that is much more complicated to connect and operate than one designed and built complete from the ground up.
 
To take some of the mystery out of it HDMI stands for High Definition Multiple Input.
Which means in english both audio and video over the same cable.
Rather than run a million cables you could run one hdmi through a media switch where all components go to the switch with one cable with audio and video to the set.
Sets with pip may require multiple cables and inputs.
Componant is very good and no screen freeze associated with it like hdmi.
About 1/5th the cost of hdmi cables. I provide 1 cable with my installs hdmi is extra.
 
quogueelectric said:
To take some of the mystery out of it HDMI stands for High Definition Multiple Input.
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I've always thought it was High Definition Multimedia Interface.
 
Just make sure your TV comes with multiple HDMI inputs. Mine has a whooping 1. However, I was watching fooball in HD for a few years before others I know. Sadly, I will have to swap cables or buy an excessively priced HDMI splitter/input selector from Circuit City when I break down for the Blue Ray DVD unit.

Also, I read somewhere that HDMI cables that are short...5-6 foot...are no better from Monster as the less expensive ones.

c2500
 
c2500 said:
Just make sure your TV comes with multiple HDMI inputs. Mine has a whooping 1. However, I was watching fooball in HD for a few years before others I know. Sadly, I will have to swap cables or buy an excessively priced HDMI splitter/input selector from Circuit City when I break down for the Blue Ray DVD unit.

Also, I read somewhere that HDMI cables that are short...5-6 foot...are no better from Monster as the less expensive ones.

c2500
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Anything from monster is a rip off for most people.
 
I buy GE component cables off of ebay from 15-25 bucks and I will bet no one could tell the difference from a monster hdmi and a 1/8th price GE component 5 conductor cable. At the next big trade show set it up. I have hdmi in my living room only because a tennant beat feet from a rental and left it in the wall. So I put it in my livingroom out of convenience.
 
I agree monster cable is a rip off. You are paying a premium just for the name. That said you don't want to cheep-out on your hdmi cables if you have a fast response tv (eg 120hz) or your picture may look choppy. It comes down to running the cables that you need for the components you plan to use. I prefer to run a raceway in the wall and leave a pull string for when you need to add another cable in the wall. On a side note; I wonder how many people hanging a flat screen actually use cables listed for concealed locations?
 
c2500 said:
Just make sure your TV comes with multiple HDMI inputs. Mine has a whooping 1. However, I was watching fooball in HD for a few years before others I know. Sadly, I will have to swap cables or buy an excessively priced HDMI splitter/input selector from Circuit City when I break down for the Blue Ray DVD unit.

Also, I read somewhere that HDMI cables that are short...5-6 foot...are no better from Monster as the less expensive ones.

c2500
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go ahead and get a surround receiver with hmdi inputs; then you only need 1 at the TV. i'd get that before the blu-ray; surround sound is awesome. i have the TV speakers disabled and use the harman kardon receiver for all my audio. i'm still debating the blu-ray, but i'm going to hold out until the price comes down.
 
c2500 said:
Just make sure your TV comes with multiple HDMI inputs. Mine has a whooping 1. However, I was watching fooball in HD for a few years before others I know. Sadly, I will have to swap cables or buy an excessively priced HDMI splitter/input selector from Circuit City when I break down for the Blue Ray DVD unit.
c2500
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Couldn't you run your cable into the DVD player, then into the TV? Sort of making the DVD player a receiver, like the old VCRs.
 
DanZ said:
Couldn't you run your cable into the DVD player, then into the TV? Sort of making the DVD player a receiver, like the old VCRs.
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Nope. Players have no inputs.

Now, a recorder does, but will the pass-through supply hi-def to the output?


I should draw out a diagram of my system's connections.

"But, that would take years, cost millions of lives..." ~ Otter in Animal House
 
The recorders I have had experience with do not have HDMI feed through part of the copy protection system that is built into Hi Def..I am still out on the digital analog back to digital being better (composite video or analog HD) but the signal does seem better on the older HD systems and the first HDMI systems..but the last upgrades seem to be really nice video with pure digital cabling..
 
brantmacga said:
go ahead and get a surround receiver with hmdi inputs; then you only need 1 at the TV. i'd get that before the blu-ray; surround sound is awesome. i have the TV speakers disabled and use the harman kardon receiver for all my audio. i'm still debating the blu-ray, but i'm going to hold out until the price comes down.
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Now you tell me!......sadly, right after I got my TV my receiver died. I bought a Sony with 2 amplifiers so I can watch tv and play music on the deck, etc etc. My wife would KILL me if I bought a new receiver.

c2500
 
quogueelectric said:
I buy GE component cables off of ebay from 15-25 bucks and I will bet no one could tell the difference from a monster hdmi and a 1/8th price GE component 5 conductor cable. At the next big trade show set it up. I have hdmi in my living room only because a tennant beat feet from a rental and left it in the wall. So I put it in my livingroom out of convenience.
Click to expand...


I wish I had tenants like you!:grin:

c2500
 
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