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How should I set these up?

S

Steve

Lifer
Tomorrow (Friday) night I'm going to go over to my sister's boss's house and help him set up his entertainment gear. I've never set up HDTV before so should I know anything before I dive in? He wants to have "the most optimal" setup (I guess in terms of image and sound quality, perhaps digital if possible). Here's what he's got:

TV: Toshiba 34HF84 2004 model 16:9 HD-ready (newest addition) Link
DVD/VCR combo: 2003 or 2002 model Sony SLV-D500P Search
Receiver: Yamaha Dolby Pro Logic about 10 years old....RX-V480 (Not using surround...just stereo and that's ok for now.) Search
Also: Motorola, DC 6200 or 6208 digital cable box w/ HD Wild guess

He says there're a Best Buy & a Circuit City nearby should we need any cables...so what is my best choice of setup? I'm guessing it would be cable box into TV, TV into receiver, and DVD/VCR into TV (or should I put its audio directly into the receiver?)

And what types of cables/connections should I use? Component? S-Video? Composite? I'm really not up on these things so any advice to making my knowledge current is appreciated.
 
Don't do it all at once buying cables from best buy... go there with a few ideas, scout, order cables from the internet for far cheaper, then hook it up when they come in (rush ship if a few days is a problem).
 
I'll try that. Any more ideas? Recommendations?

I can't really take my time on this (scouting and such), he kinda wants it done ASAP, and his customer satisfaction would be better served if done so. I don't think the expense of such retailers will be a problem for this guy, he's part-owner of the company my sister works for.
 
Originally posted by: FleshLight
What's so special about setting up an hdtv?
Click to expand...

I don't know. I've never done it before so I'm asking here if I should know anything ahead of time.
 
Well, I couldn't find any info on the RX-V480 at yamaha's site, but anyway:

For optimal video & audio:

Cable line into input on digital box.

From the digital box: component video into TV; optical spdif if available to receiver, if it will accept it. Otherwise, standard audio to receiver (red/white).

From the DVD/VCR player: same. Component to TV, digital sound if available to receiver, otherwise analog to receiver. You will need the regular RCA output for the VCR and audio. connect the VCR video to TV, and the audio to receiver.

Follow this procedure to set the DVD/VCR to output S-Video or component video signals.

# NOTE: The S-Video and component ouputs are only for use with the DVD player.Turn on the DVD/VCR. On the DVD/VCR remote control, press the SETUP button.
# Press the ARROW buttons to select the DVD icon.
# Press the ENTER button.
# Press the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW button to select Screen Setup.
# Press the ENTER button.
# Press the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW button to select Video Out.
# Press the ENTER button.
# Press the LEFT ARROW or RIGHT ARROW to select S-Video or Component.
# Press the RETURN button.
# Press the RETURN button repeatedly to exit the menu.


For convenience: you might want to route everything to TV, with just an audio output to receiver from the TV audio out itself, that way he won't need to both change the input on the TV and receiver when switching back and forth between devices.

And if he's using a stereo sound setup, and can't hook the stuff up himself, he's not gonna notice any difference in the sound.
 
Tell the boss he needs to spend ALOT more money
He needs a new reciever for this to work.
He will "Think" you know what you are doing......
 
If you have only one component input in the back, connect it to the cable.

If youve got another, connect the DVD player to component inputs as well.

Otherwise, use s-video cables for as many components as you can. Basically you want to avoid anything less than s-video at all costs.

Since youre only using stereo, itd be easiest to wire all the sound right into the TV, and then connect the TV's outputs to the receivers input (take your pick).

 
Nice Prologic unit, why isn't he using it for surround, it's better than the tv's stereo output...
 
Originally posted by: sm8000
Originally posted by: FleshLight
What's so special about setting up an hdtv?
Click to expand...

I don't know. I've never done it before so I'm asking here if I should know anything ahead of time.
Click to expand...

It's not only the fact of setting it up via the proper connections. However, calibration of the TV plays a big part in the setup. More than likely, the picture will not be optimal just out of the box. Calibration would be required.

Some tools to accomplish this: Video Essentials DVD, Possibly, something from Ovation.

In a pinch, one could head to Best Buy and purchase the Sound and Vision version of the setup DVD for about $18.00.

However, proper calibration can't be done by a novice. True calibration takes lots of skill. But, if you do decide to go through with this, just ensure the set can be reset to the factory defaults in the event you FUBAR anything.

Just my .02 after dealing with home theater for the past several years.



 
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