HDMI or component cables

k79miller · Post by **k79miller** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:48 pm

I need some help on the cables that I should be using. I have a 42" Panasonic plasma tv, a standard dish network box w/DVR, an LG DVD and a Bose surround system. Everthing except the dish network has a place for HDMI cables. I had a guy come in & hook everthing up & he hooked it everything up with composite cables. He aso hooked it up so that the sound always runs thru the Bose system. This is kind of a pain because we have to use 2 remotes. We have to use the Bose remote to turn it on & control the volume & we have to use the DN remote for everything else. I asked him about using the HDMI cable & he told me that it wasn't necessary that the component would work fine. I'm also thinking about getting an outdoor antenna because the local channels that we get don't have very good cable. We're only about 30 miles from 3 stations that broadcast in HD. So, what do you guys think, continue with the component cables or switch to HDMI cables? All of this is new to me so any advice is really appreciated. Thankis

Dave3putt · Post by **Dave3putt** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:09 pm

Hi k79miller,

First some questions. Is your Dish DVR an HD DVR? What model number is it? I thought all their HD DVRs had an HDMI output. Do you have the HD service from Dish? Are you now using composite or component cables?

You should probably try to use HDMI where ever you can. They can be bought online pretty reasonably-under $10. Try Monoprice.com. You can also get a universal remote for not too much also. Search around this forum or online for brands. It is quite normal to run the audio through the surround sound and turn off the TV speakers. That is how most do it.

If the guy who helped hook all this up for you was intending to get an HD picture, I probably wouldn't trust him too far. Composite connected cables will not carry HD.

k79miller · Post by **k79miller** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:32 pm

The dish dvr is a 522 and it's not an hd dvr. I don't have the HD package from dish either. The cables that he used are component cables. If I switch to the HDMI cable would n't it just be as simple as pulling all of the cables & use the HDMI cables? I don't think he was too worried about receiving any channels in HD. I don't have any idea why he didn't want to use HDMI. He will be here again this week to work on my DVD player (no sound) so I'm going to ask him again about using the HDMi calbes. Like I said in my previous post I'm think I'm going to find someone to put up an outdoor antenna so that I can receive my local channels in HD. When I try to watch sports on my local channel the colors are terrible and the picture is a little fuzzy. I did clear up the fuzziness a little bit by adjusting the sharpness level on my tv.

k79miller · Post by **k79miller** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:43 pm

I was looking at the back of my tv & it looks like he used what looks like regular RCA cables (solid green, blue & red) from the TV to the Bose & component cables from the Bose to the DVD player. The back of the DVR definitely has the RCA cables. Do these cables sound like the right ones? If not, what would you suggest? I really appreciate the help. Being a female I'm not on top of all of this but I'm trying real hard to learn. I was thinking about contacting the Geek Squad & have them come out & look everything over & put up an antenna.

Dave3putt · Post by **Dave3putt** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:54 pm

If you are not going to get HD from Dish, then component cables should be just fine. If your DVD player is an "upconverter", then you should use HDMI between it and your TV. If it isn't, then component would work fine there too. Keep in mind that the component cables carry video only. You will still have to make other connections for audio.

One question though, if you already have a HDTV, why would you not get the HD service and HD DVR? The cost may be less than you think. Check out Dish's plans.

If your TV has a built in HD tuner, which it probably does, then an antenna could work for local HD channels.

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:57 am

Hello k79miller -

Dave covered most of your new problems, the largest being that the Technician obviously didn't understand either his assigned job or HDTV ! ".. forget HDMI cabling ... didn't seem interested in HD! ..." Utterly incompetent.

Do whatever is necessary - complain (politely) to the very highest ranking person possible - do Not pay again for yet another Service Fee. And, insists on a different Tech!

But, all ... that roof antenna 'dish', the incoming coax, certainly that satellite Receiver , etc., all needs to be changed out ! Their VIP-722 has received very many great reviews for the past year +.

Yes, by-all-means, do install a new outside antenna system ... at your ~30 miles, only an outside, on the highest part of the roof will be 100 % satisfactory.

IF all transmissions are now & will continue to be UHF , try Richard's Channel Master 4228. IF the TV Towers are "spread out" ... Not on the same Tower .. you'll need a Rotor assembly. Also use good Quad RG-6 Coax in a one-length piece.

IF, on the other hand, there is / will be a VHF channel for any of the HD locals, consider the C.M. 3016 or 3018, both "combo" antennas.

Many web stores . one such is
www.solidsignal.com

eli

skookumchuck · Post by **skookumchuck** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:33 am

We are a Bose dealer and frequently set up systems with cable and sat boxes. If the Bose system is a "Lifestyle" unit, you should be able to set up the remote to operate all of the equipment connected to the Bose system, including the DN (sat) box. You should not need two remotes. It sounds like the tech did not know how to do this for you. You may want to have the firm send someone else out, or deal with a firm that has better trained staff.

k79miller · Post by **k79miller** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:15 pm

I really appreciate everyone's advice. I think I will check into upgrading my DVR & their HD package. I also think I will go ahead & get the antenna for my local channels. And my Bose system is a Lifestyle system. The tech who set up the system will be here Wed. so I'm going to have set it up so that I don't have to use 2 remotes. That is a huge pain having to use 2 remotes. Thanks again, guys

Dave3putt · Post by **Dave3putt** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:19 pm

Hey k79miller,

Nice going on thinking about getting HD service. If Dish will not install a new dish and HD DVR for under $20, tell them you are going to switch to Direct TV, who will probably do it for free with a time commitment. And mean it.

P.S. I am not a Direct TV shill. Just telling you how things work.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:07 pm

k79miller wrote:I had a guy come in & hook everything up & he hooked it everything up with component cables. He also hooked it up so that the sound always runs thru the Bose system.

Right or wrong in perception, many a pro will use component where possible to avoid ANY HDMI problems for their customer - even just small delays from HDMI handshaking much less intermittent or full blown HDMI failure; while far better today HDMI can still have problems. I would prefer setting our TIVO for native scan rates but my wife's first complaint from channel surfing will be the 3-5 second delay that may come because the next channel is a different scan rate which unfortunately forces HDMI to re-initiate the handshake.

HDMI with an upconverting DVD player is a MUST along with Blu-ray if your display is 1080p capable. The Bose provides neither as I recall.

DVI/HDMI better than component?
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