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So confused, please help...

1087 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by xelatoth, May 23, 2007

xelatoth

Discussion Starter · May 23, 2007

Hello all, I am new to the site and need your expert advice sorely...lol.

Ok, I am posting this in a few areas as it has to do with TV, PC, DVR, and PS3/Xbox360 - so I appologize if this is not exactly where it is supossed to be.

That being said, here is my situation/issue:

1- I am about to purchase a 46" 1080p LCD for my living room.

--> I have pretty much decided on Samsung's LN-T4665F.

2- I will also be upfrading my surround sound (have not decided, but want something with ipod support and 5.1 - maybe Denon or Onkyo?)

3 - Hooking up my xbox360 and soon to be purchased Ps3 w/bluray)

4- Also currently subscribe to DirectTV/ HD/ HD-Dvr service, but the dvr they gave me last year is really limited and the satellite was expensive (I will be switching into a new apt. soon and do NOT want to re-pay for satellite So wanted to switch to digital cable)

*** OK, , here are my questions:

1.) I would like to hook up a Vista enable PC ( with TV tuner) to the TV and use it intead of my crappy HD-DVR box. This way I can surf the net, look at pics, movies, television and record all w/o paying $12/month to have the HD-DVR.

1a.) - Is this doable in HD if Samsung is sans DVI port? it does ave 15 pin PC port +3 HDmi

1b.) - I would still need the digital cable set top box to receive programming, right?

1c.) - ** How do I connect the TV to the digital cable box, yet still manage to connect and integrate the whole thing to the PC and have it all work seamlessly with Vista's included Media center?

2.) I will be hooking up the surround sound via HDMI I think... or is better to use optical audio seeing as the sound does not need the video HDMI has?

3.) I have heard that Samsung's LN-T4665F's Hdmi hookups do NOT allow a SD 480i signal to come through?!!!! This would, if true, mean having to hook up the TV with BOTH HDMI and Component and thus, defeat the entire purpose oif cutting down on wire clutter? Anyone know about this... as I would assume an expensive set would at least offer upconversion of SD via HDMI or something??

****** Bottom Line *******

* I want to take the following and hook them all up together and have it work as seemlessly and efficiently as possible, but while I am an intelligent person, I am very new to the audio/visual side of all of this and therefore need to rely on the expert opinions of you guys/gals within these hallowed forums:

- 46" LCD TV = Samsung LN-T4665F (3hdmi, 2component, 1VGA...)

- Digital Cable or should I stick with my direct tv hd service?

- Vista Premium PC with dual TV tuners

- PS3

- Xbox 360

- Surround sound (do not know which yet, but will be est. $400-$500 and have HDMI and iPod support)

- Will a very patient and kind person please explain how to best get this operational the easient way possible for a person with only modertate knowledge and a lot of confusion..hehe?

(example of things I am confused about)

a)- Will my PC as a dvr even be worth it? Or will it be more trouble and more expensive than simply going with a TiVo box supplied by Direct Tv/ Comcast digital cable?

I sincerly appologize for posting this in multiple areas, but I had no odea where to putthis as it is in reference to multiple topics

I also appologize for the sheer length of it and really appreciate any and all help I amy get.... I am SO lost..hehe.

Thanx

-

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oktoberrust11

· #2 · May 23, 2007

I can't answer everything, but i'll do what I can....

Quote:
Originally Posted by xelatoth /forum/post/0

Hello all, I am new to the site and need your expert advice sorely...lol.

Ok, I am posting this in a few areas as it has to do with TV, PC, DVR, and PS3/Xbox360 - so I appologize if this is not exactly where it is supossed to be.

That being said, here is my situation/issue:

1- I am about to purchase a 46" 1080p LCD for my living room.

--> I have pretty much decided on Samsung's LN-T4665F.

2- I will also be upfrading my surround sound (have not decided, but want something with ipod support and 5.1 - maybe Denon or Onkyo?)

Denon and Onkyo are excellent choices. Also consider harmon/kardon.

Quote:
Originally Posted by xelatoth /forum/post/0

3 - Hooking up my xbox360 and soon to be purchased Ps3 w/bluray)

4- Also currently subscribe to DirectTV/ HD/ HD-Dvr service, but the dvr they gave me last year is really limited and the satellite was expensive (I will be switching into a new apt. soon and do NOT want to re-pay for satellite So wanted to switch to digital cable)

You got some bad info if you were told you need to pay again for the satellite install. DirecTV's move services are FREE. You take the HD Tivo, leave the dish, they put up a new HD dish, plug it in, and your good to go. While you're conversing with DirecTV (known as D* here), they will probably tell you they will be installing an MPEG-4 HD dish. This is to receive locals in HD, and all the new HD coming (see this thread). You will also need an MPEG-4 HD DVR, which replaces your HD Tivo. They may try to charge you a fee for this....persuade or keep calling back until you get this for $19.99, or free if you can.

Quote:
Originally Posted by xelatoth /forum/post/0

*** OK, , here are my questions:

1.) I would like to hook up a Vista enable PC ( with TV tuner) to the TV and use it intead of my crappy HD-DVR box. This way I can surf the net, look at pics, movies, television and record all w/o paying $12/month to have the HD-DVR.

1a.) - Is this doable in HD if Samsung is sans DVI port? it does ave 15 pin PC port +3 HDmi

1b.) - I would still need the digital cable set top box to receive programming, right?

1c.) - ** How do I connect the TV to the digital cable box, yet still manage to connect and integrate the whole thing to the PC and have it all work seamlessly with Vista's included Media center?

I'm not an expert here, but you may want to consider keeping the DVR functionality aspect to the satellite/cable company, and hook up your PC via VGA/15-pin to be used for pics, movies, etc. Although, you can also do that with the 360.

Quote:
Originally Posted by xelatoth /forum/post/0

2.) I will be hooking up the surround sound via HDMI I think... or is better to use optical audio seeing as the sound does not need the video HDMI has?)

Hook up the audio via the digital output, either optical or coaxial, to your new receiver.

Hope this helps.

Matt

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Mindwarper

· #3 · May 23, 2007

I have my 360 elite connected to my 46" sharp lcd via hdmi. I have optical out of the 360 to the Yamaha amp. I have my pc connected to the tv via dvi and the audio via optical out. I do not have a tuner card. I tend to leave the pc off when not in use, so I like the dvr instead. You can also buy a dvi to hdmi cable. I would hook up the dvr and ps3 via hdmi as well instead of the vga input. With the optical going to the amp. I have not seen any 3 plus hdmi input amps. So make sure to get 3 hdmi inputs on your tv. I think the speakers are more important the amp. I use paradigm speakers. You would just select the correct optical on the amp for sound and the right hdmi input on the tv for visual.

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xelatoth

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 23, 2007

Thanks so much for the quick replies, I appreciate it.

I think I will just forget hooking up my PC altogether as it just seems easier to keep my PC "stuff" where it is.

I will definately look into hooking up stand alone surround sound sans amp, as it would allow me to use my TVs 3 HDMIs, rather then be kept to the 2 on most newer amps today.

Probably hook it up almost exactly as you suggest, Mindwarper, thanx

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