Ok I bought a Panasonic 50” Plasma TV [comes in on Monday] and also bought a Philips Surge protector for it as well as all my other electronics that will be connected to my set, but the surge protector has brought me down to stupidity.
There is 7 outlets and at the end wh… well here take a look at this picture, because that is what it is.

[Due to being a new user I was not allowed to provide a link to a image of my surge protector, instead I shall provide the title of it from my search of the picture]

White 7 Outlet Surge protector #SPP3204WA/17 by Philips Accessories

At the end there are 4 connectors for the coaxial cable
[ O out O in]
[O out O in]

I have one ‘outlet’ from the wall obviously
I have two on my HD DVR [Cable in, Cable out]
And now I have those 4 connectors on the surge protector

SO what order d I have to do in order to protect my stuff?

MORE INFO: HD DVR Cable Box is from Time Warner Cable

and I will post what it says in the instructions from the Philips


Some Philips surge protector models come with Coaxial Cable surge protection. Instead of running a connection directly from your TV/VCR/Cable Box to the wall jack, you must pass the connection through the protected coaxial connections on your surge protector.

Connect your incoming cable/broadband line to the "input" coaxial connector on the surge protector. Connect a coax cable into the "Output" coaxial connector on the surge protector, and connect the other end of the Coaxial Cable to the input coaxial connector of the device you want to protect.

To claim damage under the Connected Equipment Warranty as a result of coaxial line transients, equipment must be properly connected to a Philips surge protector which offers coaxial line protection.


I am sorry if the answer is basically in my face, I'm not that good when it comes to multiple connections and I am just worrying about the protetcion of my incoming Plasma.

You have 1 incoming coax line from wherever in your house that you have connected to your HD DVR, correct? If so, install a jumper from from the "wall outlet" to an "input" on the surge protector. Then install another jumper from the corresponding "output" on the surge protector to your HD DVR. Voila! Should be good to go. If you happen to have a 2nd coax cable from the wall, perform the same steps, utilizing the 2nd set of "inputs/outputs" on the surge protector.

Matt

You have 1 incoming coax line from wherever in your house that you have connected to your HD DVR, correct? If so, install a jumper from from the "wall outlet" to an "input" on the surge protector. Then install another jumper from the corresponding "output" on the surge protector to your HD DVR. Voila! Should be good to go. If you happen to have a 2nd coax cable from the wall, perform the same steps, utilizing the 2nd set of "inputs/outputs" on the surge protector.

Matt

Thank you so much, unfortunately I cannot actually perform this right now, I have to wait till Monday or even Saturday for my TV. One more thing, if I connected it in the wrong order, nothing is going to short out or anything right? The wording in the instructions from the surge protector makes it seems so.

I actually don't have a good answer to that. I doubt it, but not sure. Just remember, the "input" on the protector is the "in"coming cable from the wall. The "output" is going "out" to the HD DVR.

I actually don't have a good answer to that. I doubt it, but not sure. Just remember, the "input" on the protector is the "in"coming cable from the wall. The "output" is going "out" to the HD DVR.

So if the HD DVR has a Cable Out and Cable In, I put the 'output' cable from the protector to the 'Cable In' on the HD DVR or 'Cable Out'? Which one should come from the protector and which one should go to the TV from the DVR?

So if the HD DVR has a Cable Out and Cable In, I put the 'output' cable from the protector to the 'Cable In' on the HD DVR or 'Cable Out'? Which one should come from the protector and which one should go to the TV from the DVR?

You put the "output" cable from the protector to the "Cable In" on the HD DVR. Once that's done, you are protected from cable surges.

Question for you, are you then installing another coax jumper from the HD DVR to the TV? If so, are you connecting to the TV any other way?

You put the "output" cable from the protector to the "Cable In" on the HD DVR. Once that's done, you are protected from cable surges.

Question for you, are you then installing another coax jumper from the HD DVR to the TV? If so, are you connecting to the TV any other way?

I really don't know if a "coax jumper" is a specialty item but I just have a coaxial cable. Time Warner Cable gave me two small coaxial [damn, I think I have to go out and buy more coaxial cables didn't think about that…Actually maybe not the Philips Protector gave me two 6ft coaxial cables I think] anyways they gave me two small coaxial cables for the Cable In/Out on the HD DVR.

So I plan on using
1. One cable to go from the wall to the Input on the Surge Protector
2. One cable from the Output on the surge protector to the Cable In on the HD DVR
3. One cable from the Cable Out from the HD DVR to the Panasonic 50” Plasma

Is that right, should it be ok?

#1 and #2 look good. #3; not so good. If you hook up an HD box to an HD display with a coax cable, there's 2 issues. #1, you won't get an HD picture, and #2, the picture you do get will look, well, like poo. Look on the back of your DVR; does it have any/all of the following connections: component (red/green/blue RCA-type connections), DVI (almost looks like a PC monitor connection), and/or HDMI (looks like a USB connection). These 3 connections allow an HD signal to pass to your plasma.

Let me know and we'll go from there.

#1 and #2 look good. #3; not so good. If you hook up an HD box to an HD display with a coax cable, there's 2 issues. #1, you won't get an HD picture, and #2, the picture you do get will look, well, like poo. Look on the back of your DVR; does it have any/all of the following connections: component (red/green/blue RCA-type connections), DVI (almost looks like a PC monitor connection), and/or HDMI (looks like a USB connection). These 3 connections allow an HD signal to pass to your plasma.

Let me know and we'll go from there.

Well that was just me talking about the coaxial cable just to get the TV channels and what not. Time Warner Cable gave me a set of Component cables with the HD DVR, I checked on the back of the box when I got home to see if it has a HDMI input and it does, so I went online and ordered two HDMI cables [a extra for future expansion] since I have my other HDMI cable being used by my PS3. So hopefully the HDMI cables come in same day as the TV or sooner that way I can just use the HDMI and return the component back to the cable company. The Audio/Video of televisions, that I have good knowledge on...or so I think haha.

*whew* ok :)

So that's it? I should be good to go when I get my TV in if I follow the advice you have given me? I appreciate the help so much you made the experience of joining this website so much worth it. I have known about this website for a couple of years now but finally joined last night. Thanks again

EDIT: Do you still play on Xbox live?

Yep, you're good to go. Let us know how the install goes!

I do, although haven't been on much in the past few weeks. You?

I'm on right now playing some GTAIV and going back and forth from the TV to here [Computer]. Honestly I try to get some time to play but with classes and the work that comes with it, ugh I basically get homework every day, like right now I think I have about maybe 4 papers that are due next week. Being off the games from Monday -Thursday is the typical pattern lately.

I will definitely come back with an update on my TV and cable, plan on seeing UFC 94 in HD for the first time!

I would recommend you simply replace your ground block with this surge protector.

My company sells this exact one to cable companies worldwide, but with our company logo on it.

TII's Lightning Surge Protector (http://www.homenetworkingdepot.com/html/file03/satellite/dss/dssproduct03/sub_passive/tii_protector/tii_frame.html?=212FF75F.html)
http://www.homenetworkingdepot.com/image/file03/satellite/dss/dssproduct03/sub_passive/tii_protector/212FF75F.jpg

How long does it take for an topic to be purged? One more day and I want to make sure that the info here is still here.

How long does it take for an topic to be purged? One more day and I want to make sure that the info here is still here.

Don't worry even if you topic gets pushed off the forum you can always search by your user name and find all the posts you made and topics you started.

I just did an advanced search for my posts and posts as old as 04-11-07 were still available. I think there are still archives you can search that go back even further.

I might take 9 or 10 days for a topic in this sub-forum to leave the first page. But the Archives go back to 2002.

OK, Got the TV everything is working fine...maybe. I came across a problem with my HD DVR or it could be my HDMI cable.

Before I go into great detail, is it OK to ask here as well or where should I take my question to, that it it can be asked in a more appropriate board?

We've gone this far....ask away :)

Ahh, why do people use those surge protector grounds!? Your cable should be grounded already at the company installed groundblock where the cable enters your building. As long as one is installed there, there's no need to ground it again. Besides, I've come across a few of those name brand hundred dollar surge protectors that do not play nice with return services like on-demand.

So in other words, if your cable is grounded at the groundblock, bypass your surge protector and save yourself quirky problems down the line. What it is doing is redundant in that case.

tech edit - you're bonding to ground

Sorry for taking so long, I solved my problem with the HD DVR, i had to change the audio settings but now I am picking up on something that i do not like and is bugging me.

The sound from the speakers of the plasma kind of sound gravelly or a monotone robot. For example most of the vocal narrators on shows like The First 48 or anybody who has a deep or voice with bass, make that accompanying echo'ish sound [gravelly monotone robot] is it because the plasma speakers are not as powerful or good quality compared to CRT sets? or is it just the cable channels?

Right now I am making in what I believe the ultimate way to find out the answer... to see if it gives out the same sound whenever Christian Bale talks as the batman in The Dark Knight, haha.

EDIT - Never mind bad choice, I couldn't even tell when he talked but I did notice a little bit of that gravelly feedback when Gordon talked at some points in the Robbed bank scene [15 minutes into the movie]

I also like to add that it is not something that is easily noticeable right off the bat, If someone took the time to concentrate a little and focus on the sound then you can definitely notice it, especially if the volume was loud.

is it because the plasma speakers are not as powerful or good quality compared to CRT sets?

I have heard some good sounding plasma TV's, some crappy sounding CRT's, and everything in between.

I think these day they do not put a whole lot of quality in to TV speakers. Specially the thinner designs tend to limit speaker quality. Anyone really concerned about sound quality uses a home theater receiver for their audio anyway.

Anyone really concerned about sound quality uses a home theater receiver for their audio anyway.

I have been thinking about this and I have my eye on one HTiB just for temporary reason [1-2 years until I get a high $ job and house], but I have a few questions, well I will provde a link to what I have my eye on:

Yamaha - 600W 5.1-Ch. Home Theater System

Specs for it:

Input
Optical Digital Audio: - x2
Coaxial Digital Audio: - RCA x1
Composite A/V: - RCA x4
Component Video: - RCA x3
HDMI: - x2
5.1-Channel Audio: - RCA x1
FM Antenna: - Coaxial x1
AM Loop Antenna: - x1

Output
Analog Audio: - RCA x2
Composite A/V: - RCA x1
Component: - RCA x1
HDMI: - x1
Subwoofer: - RCA x1
Headphone: - 1/4" Phone Plug

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/546304.jpg
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/8743/8743595_ba.jpg

1. Does this have enough space [output/input whatever] for/to the following?
a. My TV obviously - Panasonic TH-50PZ85U VIERA Plasma TV 50"
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/8723/8723232cv1a.jpg
http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/8723/8723232_ba.jpg
It has HDMI x3 [Two are used by HD DVR & PS3/Bluray}

b. Xbox 360 [non-HDMI, I use component cables]
c. PS3 [Uses HDMI]
d.HD DVR [HDMI]


Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, I have been out of touch with recievers, especially the past 5 years.

Yep, it looks like it should work. Only has 2 HDMI so with the PS3 and HD DVR you are maxed out, but if this is a temp. setup anyway you should be good. Plus your TV has a digital audio out, so if you did have to add another HDMI device you could hook it up right to your TV, then optical audio out to the receiver. Yamaha is a solid name in receivers. Go for it.

Because of the distance between grounds for power, cable, and phone, an impedance is created, or roughly a resistance. This small resistance is enough to generate a voltage across it that could be picked up, commonly called a ground loop, or worse, to cause a spike to enter the equipment. Details here:

p r a c t i c e g u i d e NIST r ecommended (http://www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=1&q=http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/practiceguides/surgesfnl.pdf&ei=ycx4SajvC5PHtgf1hPCsDg&usg=AFQjCNE9PzBjULhk8oO66KPFQjjwDZIkag)


Ahh, why do people use those surge protector grounds!? Your cable should be grounded already at the company installed groundblock where the cable enters your building. As long as one is installed there, there's no need to ground it again. Besides, I've come across a few of those name brand hundred dollar surge protectors that do not play nice with return services like on-demand.

So in other words, if your cable is grounded at the groundblock, bypass your surge protector and save yourself quirky problems down the line. What it is doing is redundant in that case.

tech edit - you're bonding to ground

Yep, it looks like it should work. Only has 2 HDMI so with the PS3 and HD DVR you are maxed out, but if this is a temp. setup anyway you should be good. Plus your TV has a digital audio out, so if you did have to add another HDMI device you could hook it up right to your TV, then optical audio out to the receiver. Yamaha is a solid name in receivers. Go for it.

OK, I appreciate all the help. I think I might get confused yet again just like the cable order of my TV HD DVR with this receiver, haha. I might get this on my next paycheck [Within the next 2-3 weeks]. uh... damn I have questions but it won't help if I don't even own the Yamaha yet...hmm...So do I need to buy more cables to hook up the receiver to all my game systems/TV?

Can you explain to me how I would hook everything up? Do I basically use one HDMI cable and use it from the last HDMI spot left on my TV and hook it to the Yamaha receiver and that will say "hey, here is all the sound from his Xbox, PS3 and HD DVR, go put this out" or do I need to re arrange some wires?*

Sorry for sooo many questions.

*I know about the speakers wires and all that jazz, just focusing on my lack of knowledge of this part

OK, I appreciate all the help. I think I might get confused yet again just like the cable order of my TV HD DVR with this receiver, haha. I might get this on my next paycheck [Within the next 2-3 weeks]. uh... damn I have questions but it won't help if I don't even own the Yamaha yet...hmm...So do I need to buy more cables to hook up the receiver to all my game systems/TV?

Can you explain to me how I would hook everything up? Do I basically use one HDMI cable and use it from the last HDMI spot left on my TV and hook it to the Yamaha receiver and that will say "hey, here is all the sound from his Xbox, PS3 and HD DVR, go put this out" or do I need to re arrange some wires?*

Sorry for sooo many questions.

*I know about the speakers wires and all that jazz, just focusing on my lack of knowledge of this part

I would do something like this:

PS3 => HDMI to Yamaha
HD DVR => HDMI to Yamaha
Xbox => Component to Panny, Optical Audio to Yamaha

Then, HDMI from Yamaha OUT to HDMI 1 on Panny

*This way, you just need to switch the input on the receiver when you go between your PS3 and HD DVR; it's the same input on the TV. When you play the 360, you will need to change inputs on the TV and receiver.

Another thing to throw in the mix is to check to see if your TV supports 1920 x 1080 via the PC input. For some it's a matter of personal preference, but I found the picture quality increase from component to VGA on my Samsung 1080p to be substantial enough to make the switch. The MS VGA cable for the 360 is relatively cheap.

Does this help?

Ahh, it makes some sense to me now. How can I tell if my TV supports 1920 x 1080 through the PC input? Should it say in the manual because i don't remember it talking about it.

And I take it I have to buy a optical cable correct?

One more thing that I hope you can clear up for me, There is a particular review left on bestbuy.com about teh Yamaha system in question

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8743595&type=product&id=1202648988836

"I recently bought this system and it sounds wonderful, but there are two things you should now before you purchase it....

1) it DOES NOT support HDMI audio, only video--which is pretty silly since HDMI is suppose to be an all-in-one cable. You get your video via HDMI, but I had to hook up optical audio cables for the sound.

2) the front speakers are NOT set up to be mounted to the wall. No mounting bracket and they are a bit large. I ended up switching the front and rear speakers so I could mount the fronts (formerly the rear surround speakers) to the wall and put the big larger speakers on a ledge in the back of the room.

The plus, however, is that unlike many HTIB systems, there are NO proprietary speaker plugs, so the system is upgradeable. Also, the subwoofer is powered and produces very nice sound in the low range.

Overall, I would definatley buy it again."


Would this hinder my sound any bit when watching bluray movies?

Ahh, it makes some sense to me now. How can I tell if my TV supports 1920 x 1080 through the PC input? Should it say in the manual because i don't remember it talking about it.

And I take it I have to buy a optical cable correct?

One more thing that I hope you can clear up for me, There is a particular review left on bestbuy.com about teh Yamaha system in question

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8743595&type=product&id=1202648988836

"I recently bought this system and it sounds wonderful, but there are two things you should now before you purchase it....

1) it DOES NOT support HDMI audio, only video--which is pretty silly since HDMI is suppose to be an all-in-one cable. You get your video via HDMI, but I had to hook up optical audio cables for the sound.

2) the front speakers are NOT set up to be mounted to the wall. No mounting bracket and they are a bit large. I ended up switching the front and rear speakers so I could mount the fronts (formerly the rear surround speakers) to the wall and put the big larger speakers on a ledge in the back of the room.

The plus, however, is that unlike many HTIB systems, there are NO proprietary speaker plugs, so the system is upgradeable. Also, the subwoofer is powered and produces very nice sound in the low range.

Overall, I would definatley buy it again."


Would this hinder my sound any bit when watching bluray movies?

I would look through the manual again and see. You may have to do some on-line research, and/or contact Panasonic directly.

Yes, you'd need to buy an optical cable. (http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229)

That's a very interesting comment about the HDMI audio. I read a few more reviews and other said the same thing:

"However, the audio pass through from HDMI cable will goes directly to your TV, meaning you have to run a separate digital sound cable from your DVD player or CableBox. Not that big a deal as optical and digital cables are cheap these days, but it does mean one more cable to worry about."

Well....as he said, not that big of a deal, but it does somewhat defeat the purpose of the HDMI audio and video in one cable theory. So you would need an optical cable from your PS3 and HD DVR to the receiver, as well as the HDMI. Since there are so many HTiB's, maybe check around for another system that doesn't have this short-coming? It's really kind of silly when you think about it. But then again, I'm not sure if you can find another one with multiple HDMI inputs at that price.

haha, Thank goodness for monoprice. Well that is disappointing. What I don't like about that now is that I would have never known about that problem if it wasn't for consumers who already purchased the system. I mean does it state that usual drawback on the specifications anywhere?

Well I might as well spend a few more dollars [$399] (or same price as Yamaha that was at Best Buy if I get it online http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/550549-REG/Sony_HT_SS2300_HT_SS2300_Blu_ray_Home_Theater.html ) getting the Sony - BRAVIA 1000W 5.1-Channel Home Theater System

Can you tell if this has the same problem as the Yamaha?

Online store I plan to get it from - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/550549-REG/Sony_HT_SS2300_HT_SS2300_Blu_ray_Home_Theater.html#specifica tions

Best Buy Link - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8724366&type=product&id=1200703057943

I apologize for the endless questions. You have been a great help

haha, Thank goodness for monoprice. Well that is disappointing. What I don't like about that now is that I would have never known about that problem if it wasn't for consumers who already purchased the system. I mean does it state that usual drawback on the specifications anywhere?

Well I might as well spend a few more dollars [$399] (or same price as Yamaha that was at Best Buy if I get it online http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/550549-REG/Sony_HT_SS2300_HT_SS2300_Blu_ray_Home_Theater.html ) getting the Sony - BRAVIA 1000W 5.1-Channel Home Theater System

Can you tell if this has the same problem as the Yamaha?

Online store I plan to get it from - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/550549-REG/Sony_HT_SS2300_HT_SS2300_Blu_ray_Home_Theater.html#specifica tions

Best Buy Link - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8724366&type=product&id=1200703057943

I apologize for the endless questions. You have been a great help

Not really, aside from this review posted on Best Buy:

The reciever passes audio through the HDMI cable via Blue Ray.

So, sounds like you should be good. Plus you get an extra HDMI input with the Sony.

I appreciate the help. Now I just need to wait for my check to come in and buy the Sony HTiB.

Oh one more thing, I just need one optical cable right? That will be able to handle all the audio coming from my PS3, TV and HD DVR? My Xbox 360 doesn't count because it uses component right?

I appreciate the help. Now I just need to wait for my check to come in and buy the Sony HTiB.

Oh one more thing, I just need one optical cable right? That will be able to handle all the audio coming from my PS3, TV and HD DVR? My Xbox 360 doesn't count because it uses component right?

Sorry, I just now saw your edit. Is everything hooked up yet? Well the optical was for your 360 to the Yamaha; the other devices would use HDMI for audio.

One more thing, I was reading the March issue of PC Gamer, and they reviewed a Panasonic TH-50PZ800U (don't remember which model you have), and the VGA input is limited to 1366x760, so I'd stick with the component.