Just got my first hdtv (Sony 60A3000). Now I need an HD-DVR receiver. I'm still sorting through all the programming options from DTV and DISH (I am currently a DISH customer), and even looking into Optimum from Cablevision (although they're a long shot), but I can't find any detailed tech info about these company's HD-DVR hardware.

All I know is that the DTV box requires two coax cable runs for the dual tuner. Is this the same for the DISH receiver (and the SA 8300 box that Cablevision uses)?

I plan to connect the following to the sat receiver:
HDTV via component
DVD Recorder via s-video (and analog audio rca)
Adjacent room LCDTV via s-video or composite video (and analog audio rca)
Upstairs SDTV via coax
AV Receiver via digital audio (toslink)

In additional to component video, I need a HD-DVR with at least one s-video, two composite video, one coax, and two sets of analogue audio outputs -- all having to be active at the same time. Can the DTV and/or DISH receivers do this?

I guess my last question (for now) is are there any significant differences between the DTV and DISH HD-DVRs? I don't mean the operating system, GUI, etc. I mean are there more glitches or problems with one more than the other or are they basically different flavors of the same thing?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

To my understanding Dish only requires one Coax. im not sure about sources out.

Dtv Hd-dvr
1. No coax out
2. 2 RCA out (2 yellow video, audio 2red, 2 white)
3. 1 component out (green,blue,red)
4. 1 digital audio out
5. 1 optical audio out
6. 1 Hdmi out
7. 1 Svideo out

There is the option for a hub, i believe this is your best bet. All of your hdtvs should be connected with hdmi or component. You will more than likely have resolution issues if not. Your other option is using a surround sound receiver as your hub.

Thanks for the reply.

I've been told that with the 2-tuner HD-DVR receivers from Dish and DTV, you can record one show while watching another on the same tv, AND watch one of those two programs on a second tv in another room. Is that true? If so, what type of cable(s) do you need to run into the other room?

Thanks for the reply.

I've been told that with the 2-tuner HD-DVR receivers from Dish and DTV, you can record one show while watching another on the same tv, AND watch one of those two programs on a second tv in another room. Is that true? If so, what type of cable(s) do you need to run into the other room?

With the DirecTV HD DVRs you can output to different rooms but only 1 signal at a time. In other words, if you're watching CSI on the DVR then whatever TVs you have hooked up to it will also be showing CSI. That may change down the road.

You can watch one thing and record another, or record two things and watch something you already have recorded.

Right now the DirecTV HD DVRs need two coax runs to each box (if you want to be able to do what I stated in the above paragraph) but they will be soon rolling out a program where you only need 1 coax run to the box.

BTW, DTV = Digital Television, D* = Directv

It's a bit surprising - to me at least - that bcab17 is planning on using every legacy video/audio connection known to mankind - but not taking advantage of the two latest-and-greatest HDMI connections on his nice, new Sony 60A3000 TV.

Dana

I don't mean to hijack your thread but I didn't want to start new one just for my question. I have an HDMI receiver. My understanding is that HDMI cables carry digital video and digital audio. I ran HDMI from my HDDVD to my receiver, and another HDMI from my receiver to my TV. I get sound from my TV, however I don't get any sound from the receiver unless I run toslink from my HDDVD to my receiver as well. This is what the instructions seemed to indicate as well. Why do I need to do this if HDMI carries digital audio? Is this the optimal connection? And if so, I assume I have to do the same thing with my DVR (run toslink for the audio)? Thanks for any help.

spooksmcgee,

Not all HDMI AVRs are capable of taking advantage of HDMI audio. It requires internal reengineering and in a rush to get HDMI-featured AVRs on the market, some manufacturers provided simply an HDMI video pass-through to the TV with separate digital connection to the AVR for audio. Sounds like that's your case. I don't think you're missing anything. A Toslink digital audio connection will deliver 5:1 surround audio. Later generations of AVRs have integrated the HDMI connection for both audio and video.

Dana