OT: Direct TV / DVR / DVD/ Home Theater Thread

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:28 pm

We need a thread where people just post pics of their home setups.

TheGamer · Post by **TheGamer** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:02 pm

Here is my setup:

TV: Toshiba 65H84 1081i display, I'm about to replace this set with the 65hm167 DLP 1080p display.

Receiver: Yamaha HTR 5550 surround. Looking to upgrade this as well.

Speakers: JBL Surround Cinema Speakers SCS135

Satellite: Direct TV HR-20 HD DVR

Console: XBox 360 w/ HD DVD, about to replace with a PS3 for the Blu Ray

Universal remote: Harmony 880

All components are connected to the HDMI port on the set through a Terk HDMI-31 3x1 selector

Darkbandit · Post by **Darkbandit** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:20 pm

Am going to plead ignorance on this one, but here goes. Today I had an install set up for an HR20 with Direct. The installer comes out and takes one look and says that there is a tree blocking the way and that I wouldn't be able to get the signal from the satellites. Said the only way that I would be able to get HD channels would be to switch to Dish or cable. So after I call Direct and tell them what the installer had told me, they call the contractor or whatever and they are going to send out another person for a second opinion this week.

Anyways to get to the questions: Will the second person who is supposedly a higher level installer be able to find a spot that the dish can go? If not, if I switch to Dish would I still run into the same problem?

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:38 pm

Go outside and look South West

Can you see the skyline? Then you should be good to go.

Some of these installers are just plain lazy shits.

Darkbandit · Post by **Darkbandit** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:49 pm

Yeah I can see the sky...through the tree lol. That being said though I am sure that they could move it and reinstall the dish further over, but like you said, I don't think that he really wanted to do that kind of work.

TheGamer · Post by **TheGamer** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:43 am

Danimal wrote:Some of these installers are just plain lazy shits.

QFT.
Everytime they've had to come out, I swear they try to make an excuse as to why they can't do the order. In regards to trees, the house we just sold, had 3 full grown trees directly southwest. I don't know how they did it, but they got it to work and every rep that came out was suprised that I had any signal. during the summer when the trees were in full bloom, I had issues with channels 72, 76, 78, and 79. all HD channels, but once the fall came around and the leaves were gone, I would get the signals back for those channels.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:12 am

greggsand wrote:I just bought a flat screen for the bedroom & tried getting a free HR20 for the bedroom. no luck. suggestions??

So I went from $200+shipping & fees, to $99. I prob could have kept pushing for a 'free' one, but I could live with $99, so I said 'screw it'.

EDIT:I have a HR20 in the living room & they are sending me a HR21 for the bedroom. Would it be worth the time to actually SWAP the HR21 to the living room (main TV room) & move the hr20 to bedroom (much less viewing)??? Not sure what all the differences are...

thanks!

g

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:46 am

I believe the main difference is that the HR21 doesn't have an OTA tuner.

I was hoping DTV would introduce a new DVR model.

The HR20 is now approaching 2 years old.

Since that time, DTV was sold off by News Corp (Murdoch) and the HR20 design was developed by another News Corp company in the UK -- they did the design for the Sky TV boxes over there.

HR20 is okay but technology marches on.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:03 pm

TheGamer wrote: QFT.
Everytime they've had to come out, I swear they try to make an excuse as to why they can't do the order.

This isn't DTV related but we had a plumber come out today because apparently a pipe is leaking and the ceiling in one of our bathrooms is wet. So I stay home this morning for him to come to my house, come in look at the ceiling and then tell me it's too cold to do anything today. I was like why did you waste both our time by coming out here then?

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:45 pm

I hooked-up the HR20 in my bedroom. I only have one line running into the room. So I just ran the one line to box thinking "ok, if I'm recording something, I just won't be able to watch anything else." However, I am able to change the channel while recording!???? I did notice that I couldn't get certain HD channels while recording, but so be it.

Anyone know how this works? A strange and pleasant surprise. Beats crawling under my house to run a 2nd line from the dish!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:29 am

Direct TV is now offering "On Demand" programing. Anyone know how this works? I know it works through your internet connection and you download programs to watch whenever you want. But how is this different that just recording it normally on your dvr? I guess the fact that you don't have to wait for it to come on is good.

Somehow I need to connect my DVD receiver to my wireless network. I have an extra wireless connector for my 360. I wonder if that would work?

Would like to hear from anyone with Direct TV using "On Demand" and what you think of that feature? Is it worthwhile to hook up?

TheGamer · Post by **TheGamer** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:47 pm

its convenient to have if you're not planning to watch something right away. the downloads seem to take quite a bit of time for a movie. but there is quite a bit of variety of different progams, just don't expect to be able to watch them right away.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:53 pm

JackB1 wrote:Direct TV is now offering "On Demand" programing. Anyone know how this works? I know it works through your internet connection and you download programs to watch whenever you want. But how is this different that just recording it normally on your dvr? I guess the fact that you don't have to wait for it to come on is good.

Somehow I need to connect my DVD receiver to my wireless network. I have an extra wireless connector for my 360. I wonder if that would work?

Would like to hear from anyone with Direct TV using "On Demand" and what you think of that feature? Is it worthwhile to hook up?

Yes, the 360 connector will work. It's some shows on demand, but most of it is "DVD extras" kind of stuff from various current shows. It's free, so give it a shot!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:05 pm

Guys, I hope you can help. My Sony 42 LCD TV wont show any picture.
Its the KF-42WE610 Grand WEGA. It's about 5 years old. Is it possible that the TV only lasted 5 years? We replaced the bulb about 1 year ago, but the red light that indicates a bad bulb doesn't come on. The power button lights green like normal, but no picture...nothing, not even snow. It's like the bulb isn't being "triggered" to come on or something. Is there possibly anything I could try at this point? I checked all the connections and also unplugged it and plugged it back in. I do hear sound and the remote controls seem to work fine.

What are my options? I don't know if bringing it to a Sony Authorized Repair Shop would be worth it at this point? What would I be looking at for a new, decent, 42-50 inch screen TV? About $1,000? Should I try changing the bulb even though it doesn't indicate the bulb is bad? These bulbs are around $200 apiece.

Thanks. My wife's not gonna be too happy when she gets home

EDIT: I did a little more research and it sounds like it might be:
-lamp power supply?
-"light engine"?
-change entire circuit board?
-replace power supply board?

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 7:35 pm

I imagine the repairs could easily run you $400+. You can 42 inch flat screens these days for $700. Just a thought.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 10:58 am

greggsand wrote:I imagine the repairs could easily run you $400+. You can 42 inch flat screens these days for $700. Just a thought.

I realize that and am in a quandry about what to do. My SONY WEGA 42" is over 5 years old and the LCD's back then used bulbs that cost $200 to replace and they can last anywhere from 1-3 years. I might just try replacing the bulb and if that's not the problem, then chances are it will cost $400 or more to fix and probably isn't worth it.

On a related note, what is better these days...plasma or LCD? I see that plasma's are a few hundred cheaper. Anyone know why that it? Do either TV types require anything like a bulb to be replaced every few years?

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:00 pm

I finally hooked up the DTV on Demand and boy it sure is a let down. First no networks? I guess I understand why but sure would have been nice.

Now the selection, I couldn't find anything for HBO, is that on purpose? Since all I have is HBO none of the other movie selections do me any good. I though hey at least I'll find some of my kids favorite shows on Disney, nope most of what I found wasn't even stuff I've heard of.

Meh!

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:30 pm

Danimal wrote:I finally hooked up the DTV on Demand and boy it sure is a let down. First no networks? I guess I understand why but sure would have been nice.

Now the selection, I couldn't find anything for HBO, is that on purpose? Since all I have is HBO none of the other movie selections do me any good. I though hey at least I'll find some of my kids favorite shows on Disney, nope most of what I found wasn't even stuff I've heard of.

Meh!

I agree. There's so much to search through, but nothing worthwhile. Also, after you download something, they "expire" shortly thereafter, so you have to watch it right away. I was able to find the 1st season of "The Tudors" which was nice to get, since I don't have Showtime.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:59 pm

JackB1 wrote: I was able to find the 1st season of "The Tudors" which was nice to get, since I don't have Showtime.

I'm curious but did you download this? I've seen some stuff onm channels I don't get and when I try and download it, they system tells me I need to purchase the channel.

JackB1 · Post by **JackB1** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:07 pm

Danimal wrote:
JackB1 wrote: I was able to find the 1st season of "The Tudors" which was nice to get, since I don't have Showtime.
I'm curious but did you download this? I've seen some stuff onm channels I don't get and when I try and download it, they system tells me I need to purchase the channel.

You may be right. We got free showtime/cinemax just for this one month, so maybe that's why I was able to download them. Makes sense that they wouldn't let you d/l those channels you dont get, but they should let you pay for the d/l's if you still want them. Like a ala carte thing.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:33 pm

Jack,

2 Things.

1. Order a bulb from a place that takes returns. You could try it to see if it solves the problem and send it back if it doesn't work. Many sites accept returns due to the likelihood that people will order the wrong bulb. I can't recommend one, but I know a coworker did this...Worth a shot.

2. LCD beats out Plasma, especially if you're on this forum. While burn-in has been substantially mitigated thanks to pixel-shifting and better phosphors, it's still a potential issue for a gamer. Plasma is reflective (glass screen) so it can be difficult to position without glare from the sun and room lighting. Plasma also sucks more power and generates more heat than LCD. The picture of a good 1080p Plasma is arguably better than many LCD's, but for overall performance and longevity I would go with LCD.

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:33 pm

Jack,

2 Things.

1. Order a bulb from a place that takes returns. You could try it to see if it solves the problem and send it back if it doesn't work. Many sites accept returns due to the likelihood that people will order the wrong bulb. I can't recommend one, but I know a coworker did this...Worth a shot.

2. LCD beats out Plasma, especially if you're on this forum. While burn-in has been substantially mitigated thanks to pixel-shifting and better phosphors, it's still a potential issue for a gamer. Plasma is reflective (glass screen) so it can be difficult to position without glare from the sun and room lighting. Plasma also sucks more power and generates more heat than LCD. The picture of a good 1080p Plasma is arguably better than many LCD's, but for overall performance and longevity I would go with LCD.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:06 pm

I have both Plasma & LCD. I game on the plasma & have never had any burn-in issues. But regardless, I own both & it's pretty much a tie (plasma better picture/no motion blur - lcd can handle more abuse but can have blurring). I say just go with the best deal. There are VOLUMES on this topic throughout the web, don't get caught up in it...

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:08 pm

On a positive note, DirecTV has expanded their remote scheduling to include those of us with HR-21 STB's now. They also have a slick mobile-optimized site for setting recordings via mobile devices. Works like a charm

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:59 pm

I haven't bothered to try On Demand.

Tried it a bit on cable when I had it. It's okay but the tradeoff is that DTV has better DVRs with more storage so you can just record the stuff you want to watch.

If I wanted to catch up on a show I haven't seen before, I'd probably just rent the DVD box set. Or better yet it comes out on Blu-Ray.