The Satellite Installation from h-e-double toothpicks

[Kevy Baby]

I've (briefly) mentioned elsewhere that we are trying to get a new satellite installation so we can get HD. We've been Dish Network subscribers for 8 or 9 years and have enjoyed the service. Unfortunately, living in a condo has made the service buggy over the years. The association installed a master dish for each building (one each for both Dish and DirecTV) along with a splitter designed for use of multiple receivers off of the single dish. While that splitter works well with DirecTV, it is problematic with Dish. (The reason for the master dishes is that they didn't want everyone putting their own dishes up.)

As we looked at HD, we looked at the options. Between Dish and DirecTV, DirecTV had slightly better HD channel options and they are about to launch a whole bunch more. Also, while both have "deals" for signing up, you have to be a new subscriber - Dish wouldn't let me take advantage of the sign-up deal.

I looked into it, and DirecTV has a special right now where I can get their HD DVR (50 hours HD or 300 hours of standard def). We've had TiVo for a few years (Series 2 hacked to 240 hours) and we've become accustomed to watching what we want when we want. While we know that the DirecTV DVR will not be up to the level of the TiVo, we decided that it was a sacrifice we had to make to get HD. Also, the HD TiVo is $800 (plus another $200 to transfer my lifetime service to the new box) and only has 30 hours capacity.

Because of the above mentioned issues with the master dish setup, we elected to go with a private reseller of DirecTV as they were the ones who installed the master dishes here and were familiar with the location. I could secure the DirecTV HD with DVR for $300 and then get a $100 rebate. I could have purchased the same unit for $30 less at Costco PLUS securred a $50 AMEX gift card, but I elected to pay the higher amount to go with the installation company who knew the location.

As I was setting things up with this company, I went over a few technical details to ensure that there wouldn't be any problems installing HD with DVR at our location.

So we had installation scheduled for last Saturday. They gave me a 2 hour window (noon-2). 2:00 came and went with no one showing up. I kept my cool until around 4:00 (I can be a patient man). Unfortunately, by that time, no one was at the office. Now I'm pissed.

I reached the office on Sunday. Person looked into it, called the manager, etc. Turns out they were waiting for an approval from the association. Damnit - I TOLD them that I was working with the association and had their clearance. Why the dickens didn't someone CALL me to let me know that they weren't going to be there?!? Person told me that manager agreed to knock $100 off the cost, so I accepted and rescheduled for during the week.

So installer shows up last Monday (I was at work). Installer quickly informs Susan that they CANNOT install HD with DVR at this location. Seems they need two leads from the antenna to inside my unit (a detail I specifically confirmed when I placed the order). Grrr...

So I make multiple calls to their service manager and to the association and finally work out a plan. Service manager says that while our installation will be more difficult than the standard installation (they will have to run cables through two attics and then down the inside of two stories worth of interior wall), they were committed to doing this for me since all the trouble I had experienced to date. OK, I'll roll with it. Third installation scheduled for today; 10-noon. I had to take Susan to the airport and could make it back in time for the install.

So, about 11:45, when no-one had showed up (or called), I was not a happy camper. I called the office to find out what was going on. Service manager was out, but the person I spoke with said they would call him and have him call me right away.

45 minutes later, not receiving a call, I call again. I confirmed that they have my home number (my initial calls were from work). The person I spoke with said he would call manager again AND would let me know the plan. Sure enough, he calls me 5 minutes later to confirm that manager will be calling (I appreciate that!).

20 minutes later, STILL no call from manager. By this time, I am losing my window of opportunity with the neighbors (the attics are in my neighbors' units and I had this set up with them - the one directly above me is vacant, but I had the key). So I call AGAIN, reconfirm the number and I am assured that manager will be calling. 10 more minutes, no phone call, so I call again.

Finally, my luck completely ran out. I try to call the office once again and now no one answers - they've left for the day. FVCK!!!!!

So now I have to decide what to do. Do I give them another chance? (Even if they can come out tomorrow, the one neighbor will be at church most of the day.) While my gut reaction is to say eff-em, I KNOW that the installation is not going to be easy and if I call anyone else for the install, I am going to have to pay for an expensive installation.

I had been avoiding cable because we are in a former Adelphia territory and I have heard the converting from Adelphia to Time Warner is not going well. While I could afford the HD TiVo (I found out Costco is selling it for $650 and we have a tax refund due in any day that will cover it), it only has a 30 hour capacity. That and going with cable is not my first choice.

So, gonna sleep on it.

Why can't people just do what they say they are going to do?!?

[wendybeth]

Whatever money you might have saved on this install is negated by the time wasted waiting for them, the energies expended trying to get a hold of them and the blood pressure increase such a runaround surely has given you. This is utterly ridiculous- with customer service like this before you've committed to any sort of contract, do you really think they'll be a good company to deal with after any install might actually take place?

I'd consider this a warning and be very seriously looking into other options. I'd also draft a letter of complaint, with a cc to the BBB.

[mousepod]

Kevy,
Since we spoke last weekend, I looked into the Tivo HD DVR. You probably remember that I abandoned DirecTv as soon as I got my HDTV - not only could I not record local HD programs, but the salespeople went out of their way to mislead me to believe I could. It was an ugly scene, and I'm glad that I have cable for now. Apparently, the new HR20 DirecTv recorder addresses the issue - you can indeed record local and premium HD channels with it. Additionally, there seems to be a lot of talk on the web that you can attach an external eSATA drive to the back to have a greatly increased capacity (although it currently seems that the it's either/or for the external/internal drive so far). Having said all that, there are lots of DirecTv ex-TiVo users that hate the new unit.
If it doesn't work out tomorrow, I'd say f 'em for the time being, go with cable and use the free DVR that your cable company supplies with HD. Even with a dual-tuner cable box, you don't need two cables, just a splitter. I wouldn't invest in the series 3 TiVo just yet - give yourself a few months to make sure you like the cable service before you get the TiVo - if you want it to operate properly, you need to get two cable cards from your cable provider - I've heard more than a few horror stories about getting them set correctly.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you wind up doing - once it's all set up and this nightmare is just a memory, you'll have fun with the best toy in the house. (and don't forget about the Oppo)

[Kevy Baby]

Thanks MP. That is pretty much what I was thinking. If we weren't in a former Adelphia territory, I would have long ago chosen the cable route.

And the Oppo will be ordered as soon as tax refund comes in - the new 981 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/index.html) upconverts to 1080p! However, this will make THREE DVD players on the main system: the 400 disc carousel, the DVD burner and the Oppo :eek:

ETA: I did find that it is possible to upgrade an HD Tivo to a higher capacity (http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/16/tivo-series3-to-1tb-hack/).

[DisneyFan25863]

We've been with Time Warner for years now, and their HD DVR or service has never given me an issue. I can't even remember the last time the service cut out, and customer service has always been very helpful and kind.

What kind of issues have you heard about them?

[Kevy Baby]

What kind of issues have you heard about them?Not with TW themselves, but the integration of the Adelphia network into theirs.

Although I am happy to hear of a happy HD DVR user - that helps me!

[Betty]

We used to be Adelphia and didn't have any transition issues - although I heard other people did when they sent us some credits for free PPV's to make up for any issues.

However - I knew with TW we'd be getting extra channels that Adelphia wanted more $$$ for so I called them right after the switch and got on a new plan so I'd have those channels ASAP.

[Kevy Baby]

I finally gave up on DirecTV. It wasn't DirecTV that was the problem, but the company that was doing the installation. And the person running the company is a real piece of work. I can honestly say that I have never been so poorly treated in my life.

I sit here at 5:23 awaiting my TimeWarner HD w/DVR installation that was scheduled from 1-3 p.m. today. The latest word is that my installer is due sometime between 6:30-7:00.

Somebody somewhere just doesn't want me to have high def! :sigh:

[RStar]

I finally gave up on DirecTV. It wasn't DirecTV that was the problem, but the company that was doing the installation. And the person running the company is a real piece of work. I can honestly say that I have never been so poorly treated in my life.

I sit here at 5:23 awaiting my TimeWarner HD w/DVR installation that was scheduled from 1-3 p.m. today. The latest word is that my installer is due sometime between 6:30-7:00.

Somebody somewhere just doesn't want me to have high def! :sigh:I hate when they do that! :(

You have more patience than me, I'd have cancelled it, and went on to the next company.

[Kevy Baby]

You have more patience than me, I'd have cancelled it, and went on to the next company.I want to get the high def installed via cable and then I am going to go back to DirecTV. I can cancel the TW Cable at any time with no penalties - there isn't a contract.

[mousepod]

Sorry you had to go through all the crap, Kevy. Now you're in exactly the same place I am. Enjoy the HD!

[Kevy Baby]

Sorry you had to go through all the crap, Kevy. Now you're in exactly the same place I am. Enjoy the HD!No, unfortunately, I am not. They never showed today. Though I did have one very apologetic person call me at about 8:15 this evening to make sure someone did show up - he is going to call into the supervisor tomorrow to see if they can get someone in tomorrow.

I must have really pissed off some HD god or something!!!

[cirquelover]

I'm so sorry you're STILL going through this crap. Just think of how wonderful it will be....Good luck tomorrow.

[Kevy Baby]

Okay - the installer is here. That is a good start.

[Kevy Baby]

And we have high def. And I find myself watching Nascar.

[Kevy Baby]

Now watching "Monster In Law" on HBOHD (well, Susan is; I am trying to take care of a few things). I've been warned that we will probably be watching a lot of crap simply because it is HD.

[wendybeth]

We're watching a Supernanny marathon, and with each episode I am giving thanks for having such a great kid.

[Kevy Baby]

And as predicted, we are watching a bunch of crap simply because it is in HD.

It's amazing how easy it is to get addicted to HD. Now I have a hard time watching the programs I like simply because the TiVo recordings we have are obviously not HD.

[Jazzman]

It's amazing how easy it is to get addicted to HD.

Is it really? I've never seen anything in HD. Just haven't happened to, I guess. But I've been wondering a lot if it really is that big of a difference. I know it'll be clearer, but does being able to see someone's pores really contribute that much to the show? With the changeover coming in 2009 anyway we've held off on even thinking about getting an HD set for now. But I'm still very curious nonetheless.

[wendybeth]

The clarity is really amazing, but I pity actors. Every little line, pit, scar, etc seems magnified. Maybe they will give up on trying to present a flawless exterior and focus on their acting skills for a change..........hmmmm. HD might not be such a bad thing.

[Kevy Baby]

Is it really? I've never seen anything in HD. Just haven't happened to, I guess. But I've been wondering a lot if it really is that big of a difference. I know it'll be clearer, but does being able to see someone's pores really contribute that much to the show? With the changeover coming in 2009 anyway we've held off on even thinking about getting an HD set for now. But I'm still very curious nonetheless.I never understood why people ranted about the difference, but now that I have seen it, I understand. It's not about seeing the pores -its about the overall clarity.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It depends on what you're watching and what you're looking for. There are certain things that are unmistakably superior in HD. When we visited the mousepod abode, CP and I happily stared at his HD screen showing nothing but a static (as in no camera motion, it was a moving picture) shot of a creek with a little bit of running water...and we were sober! It was truly amazing.

Watching sitcoms...not so much.

Watching sports, I've found to be a mixed bag and depends greatly on the quality and type of HD tv. For example, on an LCD, the field looks amazing and you can really see things clearly...until the play starts. The pixel refresh rate on LCD is just too slow to keep up with the fast pace and to my eye, football players in motion look worse on an LCD HD tv than on a standard definition tube television. Plasma and DLP doesn't have that problem that I've noticed.

[Kevy Baby]

NASCAR looks freakin' amazing. Unfortunately, I am not a NASCAR fan.

It depends on what you're watching and what you're looking for. There are certain things that are unmistakably superior in HD. When we visited the mousepod abode, CP and I happily stared at his HD screen showing nothing but a static (as in no camera motion, it was a moving picture) shot of a creek with a little bit of running water...and we were sober! It was truly amazing.I wonder of that was the Sunrise program (I don't rememebr the exact name) on Discovery - it is actually a series with static cameras showing various sunrises from around the world

[BarTopDancer]

Hockey is amazing on HD. Not that I would ever watch such a sport.

[Kevy Baby]

Hockey needs cheerleaders :evil:

[BarTopDancer]

Hockey needs cheerleaders :evil:

We have the Power Players (http://www.anaheimducks.com/fanzone/pplayers.php).

[CoasterMatt]

West Side Story was pretty awesome in HD

The best thing I've seen so far in HD though, is Bikini Destinations ;)

[RStar]

The best thing I've seen so far in HD though, is Bikini Destinations ;)

Bikinis in HD, ok now I must have! :snap:

[Kevy Baby]

We have the Power Players (http://www.anaheimducks.com/fanzone/pplayers.php).I love the list of names:

(Top Row)Allison, Katie, Amber, Tammara, Nicole, Aimee, Monique (Bottom Row) Krystal, Brooklyn, Brittany, Lindsey, Jennifer.Is it just me or is that like the quintessential 80's babies list of names?

Either that or a listing of available girls on a porn site (not that I would know anything about that).

[Capt Jack]

what? no Bambi?

not to mention Im not sure HD + porn would be a good thing or a really really bad thing.

hmmm, I must investigate this

(and yeah, NASCAR rocks in HD)

:snap:

[Alex]

My new computer has an HD DVD player in it so I bought a movie (The Bourne Surpemacy) just to check it out. At least on my 22" widescreen LCD monitor it doesn't seem orders of magnitude better.

And I have the same reaction whenever I'm looking at HD in the stores. I think it is just that I have a poor visual memory and need to see HD and conventional side by side at the same time showing the same thing (which, for some reason, none of the stores seem to do).

[Jazzman]

And I have the same reaction whenever I'm looking at HD in the stores...

Well, there's most likely a reason for that, at least if it's in Target. My last two months with the company before I left to return to school I was running the Electronics department. We had a big reset and were given all these complicated instructions to set up the HD-TVs to the channel carrying the HD signal (Targets have a dedicated satellite signal running their in-house TV programs). Well, after doing all that, things didn't look any different so I checked into it and discovered that our HD channel was running the standard def signal. No difference. I checked with the other stores in the area and it turned up that they were in the same situation. So, all those fancy HD sets at Target? Plain old standard programming, at least as of October 2006. Cracked me up. After running the Electronics department in a 55 million dollar a year Target store, I still have never actually seen an HD program. Irony…

[Jazzman]

BTW guys, thanks for the info and opinions regarding the actual impact of HD on programs. I've been increasingly curious as time goes on. I think we'll just wait until '09 and the switchover to pony up for a set though. Maybe by then the prices will have dropped and we'll be able to get an HD player along with it.

[Alex]

No, I'm talking some of the high end stores with faux living rooms set up for display and what not. About a month ago I thought prices may have come down enough that I'd be willing to jump (mostly for a flat TV since I don't intend to pay more for HD cable and I'm not committing to a standalone player until one side wins).

But even at a good store with (presumably) setups totally tweaked to impress, I just wasn't seeing anything that knocked my socks off.

[Jazzman]

But even at a good store with (presumably) setups totally tweaked to impress, I just wasn't seeing anything that knocked my socks off.

That's the feeling that I've gotten whenever I've checked it out as well. I went down to Frye's and bummed around in their little 'living room" things, and I really don't believe that I was seeing true HD. I was more blown away by the amazing sound systems than the screens.

[Capt Jack]

I was more blown away by the amazing sound systems than the screens.

ditto, but probably because I can hear way better than I can see

[CoasterMatt]

Our house is open for demos of HDTV and other fun technologies - I don't call it the Nuclear Muffin Test Kitchen for nothing :D

[Kevy Baby]

I am sure it is the same with anyone who has HD and has a broadcast HD source: you can easily switch back and forth between HD and non HD versions of the same program (I have non HD equivalents of most of my HD channels).

I presume that the picture quality is fairly subjective as to whether it is "worth it." Some people will enjoy having it and to others it is not that big of a deal. I'm okay with that. One of the primary reasons that we did it when we did was that I have been working my kiester off for the past several months and felt like rewarding myself (OURselves since Susan has to put up with me not being home much).

[Moonliner]

Our house is open for demos of HDTV and other fun technologies - I don't call it the Nuclear Muffin Test Kitchen for nothing :D


HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray?

[Snowflake]

NASCAR looks freakin' amazing. Unfortunately, I am not a NASCAR fan.

I wonder of that was the Sunrise program (I don't rememebr the exact name) on Discovery - it is actually a series with static cameras showing various sunrises from around the world

Well, for me with my love of old movies, would HD make a real difference to my life? I don't watch sports, Discovery Channel, etc. is great.

Of course, I am still in pure lust mode for a flat panel something tv. Maybe by Xmas I will be able to do that! :-)

For the record, we have Comcast cable and it sucks, digital bits flying about all the time.

[Jazzman]

Of course, I am still in pure lust mode for a flat panel something tv. Maybe by Xmas I will be able to do that! :-)

For the record, we have Comcast cable and it sucks, digital bits flying about all the time.

If you do spring for a flat TV, I'd recommend avoiding an LCD. GD mentioned them earlier. The technology just hasn't been refined enough yet to not have artifacting or pixilation being a problem. I can't speak for HD, but as far as screen type I will say that LCD, for now, sucks. (Maybe the ultra high dollar sets are different, I don’t know. But the average consumer level LCDs do suck.) And if you already have these issues with Comcast (which I agree are lamer than lame) then an LCD would just make it worse.

[Alex]

Is that true for smaller ones as well (and thoughts from others on the various formats appreciated I know advocates of each one)? When I do buy it will not be a big one. I can't imagine wanting or needing a 40" TV (let alone the 50-something inch monster my friend just got for his living that is only about 8 feet wide) so something in the 26" to 29" range is probably what I'll be shopping for. Does size matter when choosing a format?

Heck my 22" widescreen LCD computer monitor is just about big enough for me to put out in the living room.

[Jazzman]

From what I've seen (the models we carried as well as the sets I've looked over at Best Buy and Circuit City) size doesn't change the quality of LCD. Big or small I've seen the same problems with the images "smearing" during faster paced video. They do look fantastic as far as the vividness of the colors and such, but once the images start moving on an LCD you start to see where the screen can't keep up. They are, after all, basically just great big computer monitors. I'm sure though that somebody will work out a solution in the near future. I just wouldn't recommend picking one up right now.

[Kevy Baby]

I don't know if I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but when you (and by "you", I mean the general you ;) ) do buy an HD setup, do NOT buy the cables from Circuit City/Best Buy/et. al.

For example, ANY six-foot HDMI cable at Best Buy was in the $100 (yes one hundred dollar) range. For a stinkin' cable!!! I went to Orvac Electronics and bought a 15 foot HDMI cable for about $20 and could have purchased same on the internet for even less.

There is little margin in the big TVs for the retailers so they make up for it with the "add-ons".

My $.03 (inflation) on the subject (if you are in So. Cal and looking for a big/flat screen) is to go to Ken Cranes. Avoid Paul's: they are in a world of hurt.

[Ghoulish Delight]

For those with access to HD (or standard definition for that matter, it should be cool either way), you might want to keep your eye out for this (http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/planet-earth/planet-earth.html). A nature series that utilized major advances in strategies to stay as far away from the animals as possible. Night vision lights of wavelengths outside of the visible range so they have the most naturalistic night film likely ever shot (including nocturnal hunting). Super high powered zooms to allow use of helicopters at high enough altitudes to not disturb the animals. And the fastest high speed cameras (by double the frame rate) to capture a Great White attack. All recorded in HD.

I'll be watching.

[Kevy Baby]

Thanks for the heads up - I'll go look for that.

[BarTopDancer]

And the fastest high speed cameras (by double the frame rate) to capture a Great White attack.

Must have. Now.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Must have. Now.You can, it's available on DVD already.

[Betty]

I don't know if I mentioned this earlier in the thread, but when you (and by "you", I mean the general you ;) ) do buy an HD setup, do NOT buy the cables from Circuit City/Best Buy/et. al.

For example, ANY six-foot HDMI cable at Best Buy was in the $100 (yes one hundred dollar) range. For a stinkin' cable!!! I went to Orvac Electronics and bought a 15 foot HDMI cable for about $20 and could have purchased same on the internet for even less.

There is little margin in the big TVs for the retailers so they make up for it with the "add-ons".

My $.03 (inflation) on the subject (if you are in So. Cal and looking for a big/flat screen) is to go to Ken Cranes. Avoid Paul's: they are in a world of hurt.

No no no... go to Woodwork Creations. They'll price match and give you MUCH better service! :) :snap:

[mousepod]

For the record: I've purchased almost all of my higher-end electronics (TVs, cameras, camcorders) from onecall.com. It's based out of a store called "Huppin's" up in Washington state. The salespeople are great and the prices (including shipping) are great.

...and thanks for the 'Planet Earth' reminder, GD. We saw the commercial a week ago and were excited... but neglected to set the DVR. Done now.

[Moonliner]

My new computer has an HD DVD player in it so I bought a movie (The Bourne Surpemacy) just to check it out. At least on my 22" widescreen LCD monitor it doesn't seem orders of magnitude better.

And I have the same reaction whenever I'm looking at HD in the stores. I think it is just that I have a poor visual memory and need to see HD and conventional side by side at the same time showing the same thing (which, for some reason, none of the stores seem to do).

Alex: FYI... (http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/) It would be hard to see the HD difference on a 22" screen unless you press your eyeball up against it.

http://www.carltonbale.com/wp-content/uploads/resolution_chart.png

[wendybeth]

Hey, MP- Huppins is right here in Spokane! (I believe this is where they started).

[CoasterMatt]

HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray?

HD-DVD at the moment, Blu-Ray in about 3 weeks - and a screen upgrade by end of summer.

[Moonliner]

HD-DVD at the moment, Blu-Ray in about 3 weeks - and a screen upgrade by end of summer.

I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy! :snap:

[Alex]

Thanks for that chart. If accurate it saves me plenty of money. Since I've never lived in a place with a living room where the TV was more than 8 feet from the couch I need never convert to HD, Congress be damned.

[Moonliner]

Thanks for that chart. Since I've never lived in a place with a living room where the TV was more than 8 feet from the couch I need never convert to HD, Congress be damned.

If you have a small room, that's actually BETTER for HD. If you are sitting close you need a smaller TV to see the difference. So, according to the chart, at 8ft you only need about an 80" screen to get the full effect.

And they wonder why HD is not taking off as fast as projected... :rolleyes:

Oh and just for the record (I'm sure you already know this..) the government mandate to switch to digital TV only effects people who still use rabbit ears to get their programming. If you have any cable or satellite service you are immune from this change.

[Alex]

From that page you linked to:

(Note: the THX recommended max viewing distance for a 123" screen is 13.7 feet)


Is it just me or is that extremely, uncomfortably close for something that big? I currently have a 28" TV, sit about 8 feet away when watching it and wonder if I really need something that big (comparatively I have a 19" TV in the bedroom and generally watch it from about 11 feet away and it feels fine).

I think I am missing the third testicle that makes men crave explosions, muscle cars, and big TVs.

[Moonliner]

From that page you linked to:


[/I]

Is it just me or is that extremely, uncomfortably close for something that big? I currently have a 28" TV, sit about 8 feet away when watching it and wonder if I really need something that big (comparatively I have a 19" TV in the bedroom and generally watch it from about 11 feet away and it feels fine).

I think I am missing the third testicle that makes men crave explosions, muscle cars, and big TVs.

I think you can save plenty of money.

[BarTopDancer]

For those with access to HD (or standard definition for that matter, it should be cool either way), you might want to keep your eye out for this (http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/planet-earth/planet-earth.html). A nature series that utilized major advances in strategies to stay as far away from the animals as possible. Night vision lights of wavelengths outside of the visible range so they have the most naturalistic night film likely ever shot (including nocturnal hunting). Super high powered zooms to allow use of helicopters at high enough altitudes to not disturb the animals. And the fastest high speed cameras (by double the frame rate) to capture a Great White attack. All recorded in HD.

I'll be watching.

Just saw the commercial for this. The DVR is now set. Looks amazing.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Hockey needs cheerleaders :evil:

Oooh, I'll second that!

Kevy, I'm glad your HD finally got installed. :)

[Moonliner]

Decisions, decisions...

It looks like Verizons new FiOS TV (http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/about+fios+tv/about+fios+tv.htm)service is now available at Casa de Moonie.

It has received excellent reviews (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2071448,00.asp) but it's Verizon :eek:

Of course if I went with FiOS then I'd need an HD rig to watch it on and of course a decent surround sound system plus a quality AV receiver. An HD and Blu-Ray player would be required obviously. Then I suppose I'd have to build a real theater room to put it all in.......

If you give a moonie a cookie... (<- obscure reference for all you parents out there...)

[Kevy Baby]

Of course if I went with FiOS then I'd need an HD rig to watch it on and of course a decent surround sound system plus a quality AV receiver. An HD and Blu-Ray player would be required obviously. Then I suppose I'd have to build a real theater room to put it all in....... I just got excited.

[Morrigoon]

Dang, do we need to start keeping towels by our computer screens when discussing electronics?

We're SUCH geeks, heheheh.

We're looking into DLP 1080p. Alex is saying 50" or larger, and I'm saying 55". Our current TV is 50" or so, so ideally (for me), I'd like to increase the diagonal and keep the actual height of the screen similar.

There's nothing like playing Guitar Heroes on a large screen :)

[Betty]

Oh come on - it's by Verizon. They suck. How good could it possibly be. (Says me who would just love to get one and try it to find out!)

And Guitar Hero on the big screen totally rocks!

[Kevy Baby]

I should post this when I have more time to elaborate, but in one sense, I have been a bit disappointed with my big screen and HD. There is nothing wrong with the TV and watching HD program. It's just that a lot of what I watch isn't HD. And we don't have enough of a backlog of HD programs on the HD DVR yet. I am watching a lot of programming from our TiVo, which is recordings in Standard definition (and I typically recorded in medium quality on the TiVo, so there is more resolution loss there).

Since we bought such a big-assed TV (65" - figuring it would still be around when we got to a larger place), I am watching a lot of iffy quality programming blown up to a real big size. As a result, I am seeing a LOT of pixelation.

[Moonliner]

I just got excited.


Have you visted THIS (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/index.php) site?

[Kevy Baby]

Have you visted THIS (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/index.php) site?Not that one, but I have looked at site's featuring kick-ass installations. There was one where they built an entire room-sized baffle for a sub-woofer enclosure under their basement theatre (a basement for a basement?). It was a really cool porting design. Not sure if the theory panned out as well as anticipated, but I'm impressed by someone willing to go to such great lengths!

[Moonliner]

Built you say? Hummm

google, google, google..... Ahhhh!!

Infinite Baffle Subwoofer (http://white.hometheatertalk.com/tips/ib.htm)


About 4 minutes into LOTR:FOTR, Isildur cuts off Sauron's hand. Moments later, there is a giant shock wave. We felt that wave start at the front of the room and literally wash over us, shaking the couch as though we had tactile transducers. We were stunned, shocked, amazed, exhilarated. We hit rewind and played it again. And again. And again. It was like a religious experience. I sat there with a grin on my face.


Guess I better add one of these to my shopping list.

[CoasterMatt]

I got to spend a few hours at the Digital Services building down on the lower lot a few weeks back - that's where they master the DVDs - made my tv feel really inadequate (not really, but I really appreciate the work those guys and gals do).

[Kevy Baby]

Infinite Baffle Subwoofer (http://white.hometheatertalk.com/tips/ib.htm)While that's cool (and I like the idea) - it is nowhere near the one I saw. The "cabinet" was large enough to kneel in and required tearing up the concrete floor to build and pouring a new concrete shell. If memory serves me correctly, it was roughly 12' x 6' x 4' deep. I wish I could find it again.

[Alex]

As a confirmed apartment dweller I hate that some of these things exist since I'm apparently the only one who gives any consideration to the fact that my walls are shared and my floor is someone's ceiling.

[BarTopDancer]

FIOS is awesome on the new TV.

We need to by HDMI cables and a new DVD player. And a new stand.

[Kevy Baby]

We need to by HDMI cables and a new DVD player. And a new stand.Sorry for the cross post...

There are a number of web sites that specialize in cables. I don't have time to search right now, but they are out there in droves.

Alternately, you can go to Orvac Electronics (http://www.orvac.com/) in Fullerton. Not too much more than the internet sites, but about a 1/4 the price of Best Buy, etc.

For new DVD player, get an Oppo (http://www.oppodigital.com/). Jesse turned me on to them (although I haven't purchased one yet, I will be getting the DV-981 HD (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html) when I have a moment to breath. That sucker will upconvert to 1080P)

And what size stand are you looking for? When we bought the new HD, we eliminated a TV stand and an equipment rack (these two pieces are in faux-oak and match). I've been meaning to Freecycle them, I just haven't had time to photograph and post. And since I am still at work, I cannot measure them right now. Call me if you want - you have my #.

[Moonliner]

Sorry for the cross post...

There are a number of web sites that specialize in cables. I don't have time to search right now, but they are out there in droves.

Alternately, you can go to Orvac Electronics (http://www.orvac.com/) in Fullerton. Not too much more than the internet sites, but about a 1/4 the price of Best Buy, etc.

For new DVD player, get an Oppo (http://www.oppodigital.com/). Jesse turned me on to them (although I haven't purchased one yet, I will be getting the DV-981 HD (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_index.html) when I have a moment to breath. That sucker will up-convert to 1080P)



The Oppo with 1080p is nice and it will improve the picture of a standard DVD but you can't expect an up-converted DVD to look anything like real HD.

The cost of the Toshiba HDXA1 HD-DVD player is now under $500 and by all accounts it is as good or better at up-converting DVD's as the Oppo plus it plays true HD moves, I would be hesitant to go with a standard DVD player at this point. Espically since Netflix will send you HD moves for the same price as normal DVD's.

[Kevy Baby]

The Oppo with 1080p is nice and it will improve the picture of a standard DVD but you can't expect an up-converted DVD to look anything like real HD.

The cost of the Toshiba HDXA1 HD-DVD player is now under $500 and by all accounts it is as good or better at up-converting DVD's as the Oppo plus it plays true HD moves, I would be hesitant to go with a standard DVD player at this point. Espically since Netflix will send you HD moves for the same price as normal DVD's.The Oppo uses the Faroudja engine, which is about the best out there. The Toshiba XA1 only upconverts to 1080i (you need to step up to the pricier XA2 to get 1080p and it still doesn't utilize the Faroudja engine)