Hook-up Guide: Number 10 - Cable, Satellite, VCR, DVDr, Game Box

[Jonathan Kramer]

Hooking up a cable converter, satellite receiver, VCR, DVDr, and a game box can be done using without using any A/B or A/B/C switch to connect to the RF input on your TV set.

This connection method is a bit more useful than Hook-up Guide Number 9 if you have Video/Line inputs to your TV set in addition to the traditional RF connection.

[jaffem]

For many installations that use a converter box, skip the RF input to the TV and use your best signal level input such as S-video or component video. You can even use some of the other signal outputs available on your converter for other devices.

Instead of an A/B/C switch, use an A/V surround sound receiver that passes through the video signal. That way, you can control your audio and video signals with a single input/output select switch/dial and greatly improve the audio portion of your system.

[Jonathan Kramer]

Originally Posted by jaffem

For many installations that use a converter box, skip the RF input to the TV and use your best signal level input such as S-video or component video. You can even use some of the other signal outputs available on your converter for other devices.

Instead of an A/B/C switch, use an A/V surround sound receiver that passes through the video signal. That way, you can control your audio and video signals with a single input/output select switch/dial and greatly improve the audio portion of your system.

Exactly right, Marc!

When available, always use the highest quality component signals, as well as coponents!

jlk

[azulkan]

I hate to sound like an idiot, but is it really that easy to hook the satellite receiver to the vcr to the tv? If that's the case...why didn't the installer do that for me? I should mention that I have a 2 room system. I don't know if that makes any difference or not.
Thanks again for any and all help.

[Jonathan Kramer]

Originally Posted by azulkan

I hate to sound like an idiot, but is it really that easy to hook the satellite receiver to the vcr to the tv? If that's the case...why didn't the installer do that for me? I should mention that I have a 2 room system. I don't know if that makes any difference or not.
Thanks again for any and all help.

Yes, it's easy to hook up components if you know the secret handshake, password, year of George Washington's first set of false teeth, etc.

Actually, many installers are paid by the job, so their goal is to get it hooked up as fast a possible, and to move on to the next job. Multi-room systems just take longer to hook up, but the installer might not make as much money that day if he/she gives you all of the things you ask for.

Sorry.

jlk

[jaffem]

Your dish service provider should have equipment wiring installation information available on their website. You may want to check this against the actual work done by the installer.

On a similar subject, the current issue of Consumer Reports has a somewhat helpful aricle on High Definition televisions. In general, their ratings indicate what some of the recommended manufacturers are for either LCD (Sony), plasma (Panasonic), or rear-projection (Toshiba DLP) sets. Worth a qick look for those in the market.

MJ