[PHL]

I'm pretty much settled on the new TH-50PHD7UY as the hub of my home theater. I'm going to get the speakers because there will be times that I don't need to power up the Denon AVR5600 for solid HT sound.


What I need to decide on now is a DVD player. The Denon 2910 seems to fit my bill, because the 3910 is over what I want to pay. What are some other good ideas on DVD players with DVI/1080i output?


I also intend on getting the HD10-250 Tivo/DirecTV recorder. That has an HDMI output.


And, I want to run my PC into the unit, using the DVI output, as well.


As delivered, slot 1 is empty (so, DVI can go there), slot 2 has composite, svideo and associated audio, and slot 3 has the Component/RGB. I don't anticipate using slot 2 at all, so i guess I could put the HDMI board in there, right.


That way the Denon DVD would run on slot 1, and the Hughes HD DVR will run in slot 2.


How's that all sound so far? Could there be any better way to maximize the PQ?


But the PC - I want to share the slot 1 DVI. Is there an A/B switch unit I can get? 90% of the time, the DVD will be used. I could swap the cable when I wanted to surf the web, but I'd rather have a more elegant solution.


And, the mount. I want the ceiling mount, but the actual pole attachment will be vertical - bolted into a ceiling cross beam - not the actual ceiling surface. Any model recommendations there?


This forum has been a great resource and I intend on making the purchase in the coming days. Will report back!

 

[Bob Pariseau]

PHL,

Both Gefen and Dtronics make 2x1 and 4x1 DVI switchers. I believe Gefen is also now shipping an equivalent HDMI switcher. Both companies products have had some problems -- mostly related to remote control conflicts. There are a pair of threads in the Power Buys forum here that discuss each of these.


Keep in mind that if you switch multiple sources into a single input you will also probably have to select a different set of calibration levels on the display for each source. Also, the best DVI connection for your PC may require "PC" standards on the input as opposed to "video" standards for, say a DVD player. So switching in the PC may mean you need to switch that configuration setting on the input as well.


Someone who knows the Panasonic line better than I do will have to answer your question about whether this is the best way to use the available card slots.

--Bob