Home Theatre Setup

[Deano]

After reading through several manuals for the components that I do
have, I am MORE confused than EVER! I need some direction in figuring
out what the best arrangement would be for the setup that I have for my
home theater. I have:
Digital Cable box with HD availability
KOSS surround sound system with tuner, DVD and multiple

inputs
JVC DVD/VCR combo unit.
JVC 52" Rear Projection TV.
multiple switchable inputs

OK, now my concern is that the KOSS surround sound wants all inputs
into it directly and then out to the TV. But the RCA TV indicates input
to there instead. Which is better? Also, I want to be able to:
Record from digital cable or regular.
Play DVD's in full surround mode.
Watch TV in either regular mode through TV or surround.
If not some link to advice or directions, I at least need a jumping
off point to start from.
So far, we have all components going INTO the TV and OUT to the
surround sound unit. So far, switching sucks, and for whatever reason I
can no longer switch from DVD to VHS output on my DVD/VCR unit.
THIS is gonna take some TIME. Thanks. ;-Deano

[www.hometheaterdiscussion.com]

Post your question on www.hometheaterdiscussion.com. BTW, what types
of inputs are available on the TV and the receiver?

[Rich Clark]

"www.hometheaterdiscussion.com" <admin@hometheaterdiscussion.com> wrote in
message news:1106451121.857954.269210@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Post your question on www.hometheaterdiscussion.com. BTW, what types
> of inputs are available on the TV and the receiver?

If you're going to hijack a Usenet group for your little website, at least
have the courtesy to use common Usenet protocol: Quote the post you're
replying to.

Thank you,

RichC

[Pagan]

"Deano" <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
news:AnyId.867$vr4.826@read1.cgocable.net...
> After reading through several manuals for the components that I do
> have, I am MORE confused than EVER! I need some direction in figuring
> out what the best arrangement would be for the setup that I have for my
> home theater. I have:
> Digital Cable box with HD availability
> KOSS surround sound system with tuner, DVD and multiple
>
> inputs
> JVC DVD/VCR combo unit.
> JVC 52" Rear Projection TV.
> multiple switchable inputs
>
> OK, now my concern is that the KOSS surround sound wants all inputs
> into it directly and then out to the TV. But the RCA TV indicates input
> to there instead. Which is better? Also, I want to be able to:
> Record from digital cable or regular.
> Play DVD's in full surround mode.
> Watch TV in either regular mode through TV or surround.
> If not some link to advice or directions, I at least need a jumping
> off point to start from.
> So far, we have all components going INTO the TV and OUT to the
> surround sound unit. So far, switching sucks, and for whatever reason I
> can no longer switch from DVD to VHS output on my DVD/VCR unit.
> THIS is gonna take some TIME. Thanks. ;-Deano

Run the highest quality outputs from your devices into your receiver. Run
the outputs of your receiver into your TV. This will allow your receiver to
decode the surround without things getting jumbled by the TV, and allow you
to use the receiver to switch between DVD and cable and whatever.

If your devices have more than one output, and your TV has more than one
input, you can ALSO run those directly to your TV, when it's late at night
and you don't want to wake everybody up. All you do then is switch your TV
input to whatever is running.

As for the VCR, the receiver should output to that as well, but it'll take
some fiddling by you to figure out the proper settings. If your not too
concerned with quality, you can use the antenna output from the cable box to
your VCR, then from the VCR to your TV, everything set to channel 3 or 4.
The quality won't be bad, but not quite as good as with composite
connections, and will be much simpler to operate, as well as verifying that
the recording is actually going through.

You may also have more composite outputs and inputs with your cable and VCR.
Using those will produce better quality, but can also be more complicated.

As for HD, if your receiver doesn't have component inputs, and I suspect it
doesn't, you may want to send video straight to your TV (assuming your TV is
HD capable and has component inputs) and audio to your receiver. Then hook
your receiver's output to an unused input to your TV for viewing non-HD
stuff.

Complicated, eh? Just take it one step at a time, one device at a time. It
may take some experimenting to get everything the way you want it. My
latest setup has been changed 5 times, and I'm still not done.

Pagan

[Badger]

The Outlaw 950 DOES have component inputs as most new A/V receivers
do. However, with 45mhz bandwidth I would run my HD cable box video to
the TV, and run the Audio to the Preamp. The DVD player will work fine
through the receiver.
Clay

"Pagan" <DirtySanchez@chonch.com> wrote in message
news:10v87seba3ice4a@corp.supernews.com...
> "Deano" <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
> news:AnyId.867$vr4.826@read1.cgocable.net...
> > After reading through several manuals for the components that I
do
> > have, I am MORE confused than EVER! I need some direction in
figuring
> > out what the best arrangement would be for the setup that I have
for my
> > home theater. I have:
> > Digital Cable box with HD availability
> > KOSS surround sound system with tuner, DVD and
multiple
> >
> > inputs
> > JVC DVD/VCR combo unit.
> > JVC 52" Rear Projection TV.
> > multiple switchable inputs
> >
> > OK, now my concern is that the KOSS surround sound wants all
inputs
> > into it directly and then out to the TV. But the RCA TV indicates
input
> > to there instead. Which is better? Also, I want to be able to:
> > Record from digital cable or regular.
> > Play DVD's in full surround mode.
> > Watch TV in either regular mode through TV or surround.
> > If not some link to advice or directions, I at least need a
jumping
> > off point to start from.
> > So far, we have all components going INTO the TV and OUT to the
> > surround sound unit. So far, switching sucks, and for whatever
reason I
> > can no longer switch from DVD to VHS output on my DVD/VCR unit.
> > THIS is gonna take some TIME. Thanks. ;-Deano
>
> Run the highest quality outputs from your devices into your
receiver. Run
> the outputs of your receiver into your TV. This will allow your
receiver to
> decode the surround without things getting jumbled by the TV, and
allow you
> to use the receiver to switch between DVD and cable and whatever.
>
> If your devices have more than one output, and your TV has more than
one
> input, you can ALSO run those directly to your TV, when it's late at
night
> and you don't want to wake everybody up. All you do then is switch
your TV
> input to whatever is running.
>
> As for the VCR, the receiver should output to that as well, but
it'll take
> some fiddling by you to figure out the proper settings. If your not
too
> concerned with quality, you can use the antenna output from the
cable box to
> your VCR, then from the VCR to your TV, everything set to channel 3
or 4.
> The quality won't be bad, but not quite as good as with composite
> connections, and will be much simpler to operate, as well as
verifying that
> the recording is actually going through.
>
> You may also have more composite outputs and inputs with your cable
and VCR.
> Using those will produce better quality, but can also be more
complicated.
>
> As for HD, if your receiver doesn't have component inputs, and I
suspect it
> doesn't, you may want to send video straight to your TV (assuming
your TV is
> HD capable and has component inputs) and audio to your receiver.
Then hook
> your receiver's output to an unused input to your TV for viewing
non-HD
> stuff.
>
> Complicated, eh? Just take it one step at a time, one device at a
time. It
> may take some experimenting to get everything the way you want it.
My
> latest setup has been changed 5 times, and I'm still not done.
>
> Pagan
>
>

[Gary A. Edelstein]

On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:06:53 -0500, Deano <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote:

> After reading through several manuals for the components that I do
>have, I am MORE confused than EVER! I need some direction in figuring
>out what the best arrangement would be for the setup that I have for my
>home theater. I have:
> Digital Cable box with HD availability
> KOSS surround sound system with tuner, DVD and multiple
>
> inputs
> JVC DVD/VCR combo unit.
> JVC 52" Rear Projection TV.
> multiple switchable inputs
>
> OK, now my concern is that the KOSS surround sound wants all inputs
>into it directly and then out to the TV. But the RCA TV indicates input
>to there instead. Which is better? Also, I want to be able to:
>Record from digital cable or regular.
>Play DVD's in full surround mode.
>Watch TV in either regular mode through TV or surround.
> If not some link to advice or directions, I at least need a jumping
>off point to start from.
> So far, we have all components going INTO the TV and OUT to the
>surround sound unit. So far, switching sucks, and for whatever reason I
>can no longer switch from DVD to VHS output on my DVD/VCR unit.
>THIS is gonna take some TIME. Thanks. ;-Deano
>
If you can switch through your receiver with full quality connection
types, then that is certainly more convenient than through the TV, and
will better assure all sources have their audio going to the receiver
correctly.

If you post the details on what inputs and outputs your receiver, TV
and cable box have, I could post a recommended connection setup.

There are beginner connection diagrams at the monster cable site:

http://www.monstercable.com/hookup_learning/csg/

Gary E
--
|Gary A. Edelstein
|edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid (remove NO SPAM and .invalid to reply)
|"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Walt Kelly's Pogo

[Pagan]

"Gary A. Edelstein" <edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:5geav0pua4djdim28vv3q486j3joje4fle@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:06:53 -0500, Deano <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote:
<snip>
> There are beginner connection diagrams at the monster cable site:
>
> http://www.monstercable.com/hookup_learning/csg/
>

Well, they are good for something. heh

I was looking around their site. $200 for a 3' HDMI cable. It has a flame
retardant outer jacket. How handy!

Pagan

[Severian]

"Pagan" <DirtySanchez@chonch.com> wrote in message
news:10vafrhj34tkm9b@corp.supernews.com...
> "Gary A. Edelstein" <edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid> wrote in message
> news:5geav0pua4djdim28vv3q486j3joje4fle@4ax.com...
> > On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:06:53 -0500, Deano <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote:
> <snip>
> > There are beginner connection diagrams at the monster cable site:
> >
> > http://www.monstercable.com/hookup_learning/csg/
> >
>
> Well, they are good for something. heh
>
> I was looking around their site. $200 for a 3' HDMI cable. It has a
flame
> retardant outer jacket. How handy!

Considering the flame wars cables always evoke, how appropriate too!

[Pagan]

"Severian" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:1UcJd.5947$cZ1.5323@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
>
> "Pagan" <DirtySanchez@chonch.com> wrote in message
> news:10vafrhj34tkm9b@corp.supernews.com...
> > "Gary A. Edelstein" <edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid> wrote in message
> > news:5geav0pua4djdim28vv3q486j3joje4fle@4ax.com...
> > > On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:06:53 -0500, Deano <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote:
> > <snip>
> > > There are beginner connection diagrams at the monster cable site:
> > >
> > > http://www.monstercable.com/hookup_learning/csg/
> > >
> >
> > Well, they are good for something. heh
> >
> > I was looking around their site. $200 for a 3' HDMI cable. It has a
> flame
> > retardant outer jacket. How handy!
>
> Considering the flame wars cables always evoke, how appropriate too!

No kidding. I created a firestorm in the HDTV newsgroup by mentioning the
difference between HD and SD was there, but not as dramatic as all the hype.
Funny what folks will get upset about.

Pagan

[Severian]

"Pagan" <DirtySanchez@chonch.com> wrote in message
news:10vb7vm5a0ah056@corp.supernews.com...
> "Severian" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:1UcJd.5947$cZ1.5323@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
> >
> > "Pagan" <DirtySanchez@chonch.com> wrote in message
> > news:10vafrhj34tkm9b@corp.supernews.com...
> > > "Gary A. Edelstein" <edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid> wrote in message
> > > news:5geav0pua4djdim28vv3q486j3joje4fle@4ax.com...
> > > > On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:06:53 -0500, Deano <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote:
> > > <snip>
> > > > There are beginner connection diagrams at the monster cable site:
> > > >
> > > > http://www.monstercable.com/hookup_learning/csg/
> > > >
> > >
> > > Well, they are good for something. heh
> > >
> > > I was looking around their site. $200 for a 3' HDMI cable. It has a
> > flame
> > > retardant outer jacket. How handy!
> >
> > Considering the flame wars cables always evoke, how appropriate too!
>
> No kidding. I created a firestorm in the HDTV newsgroup by mentioning the
> difference between HD and SD was there, but not as dramatic as all the
hype.
> Funny what folks will get upset about.

Especially if they've got money invested in it!

[Pagan]

"Matt Kruse" <newsgroups@mattkruse.com> wrote in message
news:cteb8s027ki@news1.newsguy.com...
> Pagan wrote:
> > No kidding. I created a firestorm in the HDTV newsgroup by
> > mentioning the difference between HD and SD was there, but not as
> > dramatic as all the hype. Funny what folks will get upset about.
>
> Well, that's certainly a subjective opinion.
>
> The difference between 1080p video and standard analog cable is pretty
damn
> astonishing on a nice front-projector, IMO. The difference between that
> same analog signal and 720p on a 27" 4:3 "HDTV-ready" TV from Walmart? Not
> so much.
>
> The colors, though, are where HDTV truly shines, IMO. Resolution isn't as
> much of a differentiator as color saturation and quality.
>
> It all depends.

Thank you. Yes, it is a subjective opinion, which is all I was offering.

Which front projector do you use? The older ones seem a bit washed out,
even with the light subdued. Getting complete darkness in the family room
isn't practical or desired.

Pagan

[Matt Kruse]

Pagan wrote:
> No kidding. I created a firestorm in the HDTV newsgroup by
> mentioning the difference between HD and SD was there, but not as
> dramatic as all the hype. Funny what folks will get upset about.

Well, that's certainly a subjective opinion.

The difference between 1080p video and standard analog cable is pretty damn
astonishing on a nice front-projector, IMO. The difference between that
same analog signal and 720p on a 27" 4:3 "HDTV-ready" TV from Walmart? Not
so much.

The colors, though, are where HDTV truly shines, IMO. Resolution isn't as
much of a differentiator as color saturation and quality.

It all depends.

--
Matt Kruse
http://www.JavascriptToolbox.com

[Pagan]

"Severian" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:0mhJd.6245$cZ1.2494@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
>
> "Pagan" <DirtySanchez@chonch.com> wrote in message
> news:10vb7vm5a0ah056@corp.supernews.com...
> > "Severian" <nobody@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> > news:1UcJd.5947$cZ1.5323@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
> > >
> > > "Pagan" <DirtySanchez@chonch.com> wrote in message
> > > news:10vafrhj34tkm9b@corp.supernews.com...
> > > > "Gary A. Edelstein" <edelsgNO@SPAMyahoo.com.invalid> wrote in
message
> > > > news:5geav0pua4djdim28vv3q486j3joje4fle@4ax.com...
> > > > > On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 15:06:53 -0500, Deano <dtwo@cogeco.ca> wrote:
> > > > <snip>
> > > > > There are beginner connection diagrams at the monster cable site:
> > > > >
> > > > > http://www.monstercable.com/hookup_learning/csg/
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > Well, they are good for something. heh
> > > >
> > > > I was looking around their site. $200 for a 3' HDMI cable. It has
a
> > > flame
> > > > retardant outer jacket. How handy!
> > >
> > > Considering the flame wars cables always evoke, how appropriate too!
> >
> > No kidding. I created a firestorm in the HDTV newsgroup by mentioning
the
> > difference between HD and SD was there, but not as dramatic as all the
> hype.
> > Funny what folks will get upset about.
>
> Especially if they've got money invested in it!

True, and I've noticed something else. Whenever discussing HDTV, nobody
ever suggests the set itself is low quality. Instead, invariably it's the
"blind" viewer or "stupid" viewer who can't hook the TV up properly.

Does this mean there are no low quality HDTV's on the market, unlike every
other item imaginable, from cars to DVD players to ashtrays?

Pagan