Great Site!

[lawtyger]

Hi, I'm Chris.

Currently building a house in a new development at Hwy. 54 & the Veteran's Expressway (Ivy Lakes Estates) and about to take the HDTV plunge. Let me say, I found the AVS site and read a ton of material to try to educate myself (which was slightly successful) and saw by reading the posts that this forum had been created. You'll have provided so much valuable information. Thanks so much!

I'll listen to and take into account any of the more experienced advice that the rest of you'll have :) Please feel free to offer!

Luckily, part of the new house budget includes buying some new equipment. We (my girlfriend and I) are going to either purchase a Mistsubishi 65-413 or 65-613 (has integrated tuner) and planned on going the BHN route but will be wiring the house for satelite in case we want to make the easy switch.

The only other piece of equipment I will have to use is my current surround sound system - Bose Accoustimass 10. Other than that I need the following:

- My first ever DVD player (can't wait!)
- A new receiver (old one just did Dolby Pro Logic and I've heard the Dolby Digital is a huge step up).

I'm still learning though about so many areas, antennas, composite vs. component vs. DVI, etc., etc.

Just glad I found this site and hopefully, upon reading further, I'll feel a little more comfortable about these subjects. New house is to be done in January so I want to know exactly what I need by then :)

[mikeymo]

Get the MITS with the integrated tuner. This set provides the OTA signal and timer needed if you decide to invest in a D-VHS VCR for HD recording.

[passedpawn]

I would definately drop some quad shield RG6 cable down the wall where your TV will go. This is the type of cable that you would run to a roof antenna. If you think you'll never want one, then you are thinking the same way I did when I tore the antenna off my last house. Little did I know that I would later be putting another one up...

I would get the TV with the integrated tuner.

Toshiba makes super DVD players. The only thing that is a must for you will be a progressive scan player (they're probably all progressive scan now!).

The Mits is a good choice because you can (at least on my 2-year old model) remove the protective screen. These screens are huge glare makers, and seriously affect the viewing angle. I would remove it immediately (I did, and with 3 kids 2 dogs 1 cat don't regret it). With the screen removed (they might call it Diamond Shield or something similar), there is NO glare... zip.

Stick with the forums (AVS, here) and ask lots of dumb questions. This is the shortcut to success. Also, the Home Theater Spot (www.hometheaterspot.com) is a wealth of information for Mits owners. Check out their forum, under Manufacturers, Mits. They have a "tweaks" section, but you have to be a paid ($25) member to get to that.

Make sure you get a DVD copy of Avia Home Theater setup DVD (try Amazon.com). Also, when you get your audio setup set up, get a radio shack sound pressure level (SPL) meter to go along with Avia. Get the needle version, not the more expensive digital version. It makes the adjustment of your surround sound very simple.

[Viremia]

Hi Chris,

I'm in a similar situation in that I'm just about to take the plunge into HDTV. My 12 year old Mag 27" TV is not cutting it anymore and my 15 year old receiver doesn't do Dolby Digital. I also didn't have a DVD player.

Because I'm a glutton for researching anything I purchase, I went to AVS and HomeTheaterSpot and eventually found this great place. My first post here, BTW.

Next week, I'm getting a Mits 48413 or 51413 (I live in an apartment and don't want anything bigger right now), a Pioneer SVXD912K reveiver and some Fluance surround sound speakers + a Velodyne 10" sub. The Pioneer has some nice features (MCACC), but I also considered the Onkyo 601 and the Harman Kardon AVR525 (a bit above my price-range).

For a DVD, I got the Pioneer 563A. It's gotten a lot of good reviews and I'm impressed with it even on my cheap old 27" SD TV.

After getting all this, I'll get the BHN HD Pace box and hopefully be happy. I'll likely be moving to Texas in about 6 months so I don't want to be stuck with any long-term commitments.

Ken

[lawtyger]

Thanks for the advise mikeymo. Glad you mentioned the D-VHS VCR. I didn't realize that a D-VHS VCR would tape HD material for playback. We currently have three Hi-Fi VCR's (my girlfriend and I each owned a condo prior to building our house so we pretty much have double and triple of a lot of things) so now I'm going to have to convince her that we need to upgrade our VCR to a D-VHS. :P

[lawtyger]

Hi passedpawn.

I've read a lot of your previous posts and found them quite helpful. To try to address some of the things you mentioned, I'll experiment with the quote function:

I would definately drop some quad shield RG6 cable down the wall where your TV will go. This is the type of cable that you would run to a roof antenna. If you think you'll never want one, then you are thinking the same way I did when I tore the antenna off my last house. Little did I know that I would later be putting another one up...

I definitely plan to do this both in the main viewing area and the master bedroom. I was actually thinking that it may be wise to do it in the other bedrooms also because won't all T.V.'s in the future come with integrated tuners so that they can just be plugged in (similar to how T.V.'s now can simply be connected to cable without the cable box)? I guess in the future cable will eventually offer a ton of HD, but at least that would still give me the option of going with satelite and still getting local channels OTA.

I would get the TV with the integrated tuner.

This is still the one thing that is a source of argument between my girlfriend and I. There is about a $600 difference between the 613 (with tuner) and 413 (no tuner). I'll definitely leaning towards the tuner but there still is some question as to whether or not we can receive OTA local signals by simply using an attic antenna. We don't have our "official" address yet but as soon as we get it I'll plug it into the antennaweb.org site.

The Mits is a good choice because you can (at least on my 2-year old model) remove the protective screen. These screens are huge glare makers, and seriously affect the viewing angle. I would remove it immediately (I did, and with 3 kids 2 dogs 1 cat don't regret it). With the screen removed (they might call it Diamond Shield or something similar), there is NO glare... zip.

I saw a previous post where you mentioned this and other posts I've read seem to indicate that this is a good idea. I definitely plan to remove it and at least try it out.

Stick with the forums (AVS, here) and ask lots of dumb questions. This is the shortcut to success. Also, the Home Theater Spot (www.hometheaterspot.com) is a wealth of information for Mits owners. Check out their forum, under Manufacturers, Mits. They have a "tweaks" section, but you have to be a paid ($25) member to get to that.

Intially I found the Home Theater Spot. People there were very helpful although on the integrated tuner question some said get it, others said don't bother (I guess it really depends on your location, what you watch, etc.). I plan on joining the site and thus get access to the site's tweaks section. I've heard it is tremendously helpful. . . although I don't want to get to technical with changing things on my T.V. and accidently mess something up.

Make sure you get a DVD copy of Avia Home Theater setup DVD (try Amazon.com). Also, when you get your audio setup set up, get a radio shack sound pressure level (SPL) meter to go along with Avia. Get the needle version, not the more expensive digital version. It makes the adjustment of your surround sound very simple.

Is Avia the way to go? I've also read about another one (digital something or other. . . ) that people recommend. I will certainly be purchasing something. :wink:

Lastly, I was and probably still will post some form of this question in another thread, but while I have your attention. . . Should I hook my Mits up to the Pace Box via DVI? I've read that this causes some kind of DVI shift. I've also read that the DVI isn't really beneficially on a RPTV since the signal gets converted to analog anyway and thus, is not a true digital to digital signal like it would be for a LCD or Plasma.

The other worry I have it hooking everything up. I've only recently realized that there is a ton of difference in all the different connection methods from simple red/white audio, co-ax able, composite, component, DVI, firewire :?: (then there's the whole which cable brand is better discussion. . . it is so much to take in and weed through). I wish more products had firewire because it sounds like this would cut down on the amount of cable between components. From what I've read, sounds like component can be used either from the T.V. to the Pace box, and/or T.V. to the DVD player.

Anyway, so much running through my head and so much learning to do. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Chris

[lawtyger]

Hi Viremia,

Nice to hear there are others in the same boat (it is almost embarassing to admit that I do not own a DVD player 8O). I haven't begun researching DVD players or receiver's yet in detail but will look into the ones that you mentioned.

Please let me know what you think about the picture quality of the 413 that you purchase since I'm likely going with either a 413 or a 613 (which are essentially the same in the picture quality specs as far a I can tell).

Good luck!
Chris

[passedpawn]

I was actually thinking that it may be wise to do it in the other bedrooms also because won't all T.V.'s in the future come with integrated tuners
Yea, they will. It would be supersmart to have the cable guy run TWO sets of cable to each room, instead of one, and have two coax connections in each room: 1 cable, the other antenna. Usually, when the cable comes into the house, there is 1 piece to somewhere near an attic access, then a bunch of splitters (and maybe amplifiers), then a separate run to each room. If he could run TWO lines to each room, and leave them unterminated at some central spot in the attic, then you could mount your antenna later, run the feed down to this "hub" spot, use some splitters and an amp, and connect all the rooms in your house in just a few minutes. It needs to be a star pattern. There, clear as mud, right?
I'll definitely leaning towards the tuner but there still is some question as to whether or not we can receive OTA local signals by simply using an attic antenna.
Yea, you really ought to check that out. There must be a bunch of folks right around you getting HD broadcasts, or at least trying. Look around here, and also post at AVS under the Tampa topic.

You won't get better reception with an integrated tuner (compared to any of the new breed of receivers). What you will get is the huge convenience of it being integrated. It can be a pain in the donkey to keep switching inputs. I don't have an integrated tuner, but at one time I looked into them and wished I had.

Since BHN is doing a good job of adding HD to their lineup, you might not even need OTA. I don't want to pay for the cable box, so I will keep getting it for free OTA. But if you are already resigned to a big cable bill, a few dollars more for a HD tier might obviate the need for a antenna and OTA tuner.

I plan on joining the site and thus get access to the site's tweaks section. I've heard it is tremendously helpful. . . although I don't want to get to technical with changing things on my T.V. and accidently mess something up.
Yea, don't bother paying until you have spent some time with your TV. When you get the TV, you should perform the 64-point convergence immediately. Look through the manual... this is really easy to do and can have a profound effect on the picture clarity. Get Avia right away(yes, there is a similar disk called Video Essentials, which I have not used). Use it to properly adjust the contrast, brightness, color and sharpness settings. Now, sit back and watch DVDs for about a year.

Is Avia the way to go?
Yes, I think so. I would buy it before the TV arrived. I saw it once at CC, but later it was not there, so off to Amazon I went.
Should I hook my Mits up to the Pace Box via DVI? I've read that this causes some kind of DVI shift. I've also read that the DVI isn't really beneficially on a RPTV since the signal gets converted to analog anyway and thus, is not a true digital to digital signal like it would be for a LCD or Plasma.
I have neither PACE nor DVI. But based on common sense I would suggest to use DVI whenever possible. I don't think it is possible for the DVI connection to have any effect whatsoever on any digital video source (i.e., digital cable). Try DVI and component and just choose whichever one looks right to you.

The other worry I have it hooking everything up. I've only recently realized that there is a ton of difference in all the different connection methods from simple red/white audio, co-ax able, composite, component, DVI, firewire :?:
Don't use the yellow "composite" video, ever. In order of preference (for video), DVI, Component, SVideo, Composite.
(then there's the whole which cable brand is better discussion. . . it is so much to take in and weed through).
Don't worry about cable brands. Your best bet is to go shopping at BB and CC and buy open box cables. They always have a bunch of returns sitting around.
I wish more products had firewire because it sounds like this would cut down on the amount of cable between components.
Yea, you and the rest of the informed world. From what I've read, sounds like component can be used either from the T.V. to the Pace box, and/or T.V. to the DVD player.
Yep. I have component cables from HD receiver, DVD, and XBOX. Unfortunately, although my Mits has 3 sets of component inputs, only one of them is HD capable. Since the receiver and the XBOX can both output resolutions greater than 480p, I have those two devices going into an audio receiver that does component switching. Then, one set of components exiting the AV switcher and going to the TVs HD component input. The DVD components go directly to the TV's non-HD component input.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
If it isn't obvious by now, I am hopelessly into this stuff. I like thinking about this stuff, and your questions help me do that.

[lawtyger]

Thanks again Passedpawn for all the input. The fact that you are hopelessly into HDTV etc., and are so willing to provide your opinion, is such a great benefit to myself and others just entering the HDTV world. Even though you like thinking about this stuff, I'll try not to overburden you to much.

It would be supersmart to have the cable guy run TWO sets of cable to each room, instead of one, and have two coax connections in each room: 1 cable, the other antenna. Usually, when the cable comes into the house, there is 1 piece to somewhere near an attic access, then a bunch of splitters (and maybe amplifiers), then a separate run to each room. If he could run TWO lines to each room, and leave them unterminated at some central spot in the attic, then you could mount your antenna later, run the feed down to this "hub" spot, use some splitters and an amp, and connect all the rooms in your house in just a few minutes. It needs to be a star pattern. There, clear as mud, right?
If we can not get the cable guy to run the extra cable for the antenna, we will just run the extra from the attic down to the rooms ourselves and purchase a double coax connection plate for each room.
There must be a bunch of folks right around you getting HD broadcasts, or at least trying. Look around here, and also post at AVS under the Tampa topic.
How right you were! There is actually a gentleman named gtodd01 on this site who lives in the new subdivision where we are building and says that he uses a "Jensen TV 940 antenna, and was able to get pretty much everything, except FOX.... I had to jostle the antenna around a little bit to pick up FOX." Not to shabby and a good place to start my antenna search I figure. I also saw that you placed a radio shack PDF link in another post which I saved so I'll check that out also (Glad you mentioned which way the arrow would point b/c I would have thought the opposite).
Yea, don't bother paying until you have spent some time with your TV. When you get the TV, you should perform the 64-point convergence immediately. Look through the manual... this is really easy to do and can have a profound effect on the picture clarity. Get Avia right away(yes, there is a similar disk called Video Essentials, which I have not used). Use it to properly adjust the contrast, brightness, color and sharpness settings. Now, sit back and watch DVDs for about a year.
I'll definitely wait till I get the Mits. It's good having a couple of months to learn about this stuff. It's given me the opportunity to download the manual for the Mits and better understand the different connections and how it works with other components. I'm still pretty confused regarding some of it though. Also, went online and saw AVIA at Amazon.com and read some reviews of the product which were all very positive. Did you mention sitting back and watching DVD's for a year because of the lack of HD programing and because DVD's look damn good on an HDTV set? I don't even own a DVD yet. I can't wait to see the difference on my own set between a DVD and VHS. 8O
Don't use the yellow "composite" video, ever.
I did not know this. I assume you still think it is better than using regular coax cable right? I currently have my Sony Vega and DSS (at my parent's house while the house it being built) connected via composite (yellow-red-white) so maybe I'll buy an SVideo and try it out (or better yet, a component cable). I remember checking my VCR (HiFi - not D) and it didn't have SVideo so I guess I'm stuck with composite there.

There was one other thing I was going to mention, and I just went back and tried to find where I saw it but couldn't (just doubled check again). . . someone had mentioned NOT to use the digital audio output from the T.V. for sound through the receiver. I am planning to buy a new receiver (since my current Yamaha is only Dolby Pro-Logic) and I was under the impression that using the digital audio output for Dolby Digital was a must (and a plus) and I saw the Mits came with the connection cable/wire.

I think I am starting to get the idea behind connecting the T.V., DVD, VCR, and cable box. HOWEVER, when I look at the back of my old receiver (let alone whatever new one I plan to buy which will probably have even more imputs and outputs) I start getting confused as to what component goes into it and by what type of cable. I think this is my next project to research! :P