Multiple HDTV's
 

I am starting an addition on my home and when completed, would like to have
HDTV's in two locations in the house. I am currently using DISH standard
service, but plan on upgrding to HD service when the addition is complete.
At this point I need to plan cabling in the walls and I need to get it right
as it will be next to impossible to get cables to some locations after the
construction is complete. From everything I can find on the DISH site, they
don't make it easy to have HDTV at more than one TV. Their HD DVR's only
allow SD for the second TV, and they don't seem to have a plan where you
can have two HD DVR's.

My question is this. If I'm not concerned about being able to view different
programing on each of the HDTV's simultaneously, (in fact rarely if ever
would both HDTV's be on at the same time), can I connect both TV's to the
TV1 outputs on the DVR.... one using the HDMI output and the other connected
by component cables and thus have HD available at both TV's?? Does connecting
cables to either the HDMI or component cables outputs, disable the other?

Comments and suggestions appreciated.
TIA
Kevin

Multiple HDTV's
 

"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I am starting an addition on my home and when completed, would like to have
HDTV's in two locations in the house. I am currently using DISH standard
service, but plan on upgrding to HD service when the addition is complete.
At this point I need to plan cabling in the walls and I need to get it
right
as it will be next to impossible to get cables to some locations after the
construction is complete. From everything I can find on the DISH site,
they
don't make it easy to have HDTV at more than one TV. Their HD DVR's only
allow SD for the second TV, and they don't seem to have a plan where you
can have two HD DVR's.

My question is this. If I'm not concerned about being able to view
different
programing on each of the HDTV's simultaneously, (in fact rarely if ever
would both HDTV's be on at the same time), can I connect both TV's to the
TV1 outputs on the DVR.... one using the HDMI output and the other
connected
by component cables and thus have HD available at both TV's?? Does
connecting
cables to either the HDMI or component cables outputs, disable the other?

I can't help with the DVR question, but I'll throw in a comment about
wiring. If you're in the house for any length of time, you'll have a need
for some form of wiring you never anticipated. Try to do something to make
sure you can snake cables to as many locations as possible. If it's going to
be next to impossible, then see what you can do to make it possible. If you
can put conduits in the more difficult locations, that will be helpful.
Interior walls are usually easy to work with, as long as there's an attic or
a basement, but exterior walls are difficult because of insulation. The
builder may not be receptive to any complications, and an electrician
probably won't want to do anything that isn't strictly to code (and you
really don't want to deal with a creative electrician in the first place).
Security system installers can be helpful if they are experienced. If
nothing else, you should at least take lots of pictures before the sheetrock
goes up and drill holes through some key spots in the framing, so you don't
have to damage too much sheetrock for the wiring projects you are totally
unprepared for. And also ... however many electric outlets you were planning
on, double that number.

Multiple HDTV's
 

On 03 Dec 2007 08:11:54 GMT, Kevin wrote:

I am starting an addition on my home and when completed, would like to have
HDTV's in two locations in the house. I am currently using DISH standard
service, but plan on upgrding to HD service when the addition is complete.
At this point I need to plan cabling in the walls and I need to get it right
as it will be next to impossible to get cables to some locations after the
construction is complete. From everything I can find on the DISH site, they
don't make it easy to have HDTV at more than one TV. Their HD DVR's only
allow SD for the second TV, and they don't seem to have a plan where you
can have two HD DVR's.

My question is this. If I'm not concerned about being able to view different
programing on each of the HDTV's simultaneously, (in fact rarely if ever
would both HDTV's be on at the same time), can I connect both TV's to the
TV1 outputs on the DVR.... one using the HDMI output and the other connected
by component cables and thus have HD available at both TV's?? Does connecting
cables to either the HDMI or component cables outputs, disable the other?

Comments and suggestions appreciated.
TIA

I'd count on using one DVR to two HDTV's only if they are physically
close to each other. By close, I'd say within 20 ft. My DirecTV DVR
has both component ond HDMI outputs, so I could do as you ask,
connecting two different HDTVs to it, and have each one set up to
select the proper input. I know you can buy HDMI and component cables
in longer lengths, but I'd suspect performance degradation. (FWIW,
Monoprice.com has HDMI cables up to 100 ft.)

IMO, the proper way to have multiple HDTVs is to have multimple HD
DVRs. Then use a multiswitch to send cables to each TV/DVR in
different locations.


--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Multiple HDTV's
 

Charlie Hoffpauir wrote:
On 03 Dec 2007 08:11:54 GMT, Kevin wrote:

I am starting an addition on my home and IMO, the proper way to have
multiple HDTVs is to have multimple HD
DVRs. Then use a multiswitch to send cables to each TV/DVR in
different locations.

I agree, but while I haven't yet contacted them to ask, from all the info on
their site, they don't seem to offer that option.... andd ofcourse it would
add considerable to the monthly expense.

Kevin

Multiple HDTV's
 

On 03 Dec 2007 15:57:58 GMT, Kevin wrote:

Charlie Hoffpauir wrote:
On 03 Dec 2007 08:11:54 GMT, Kevin wrote:

I am starting an addition on my home and IMO, the proper way to have
multiple HDTVs is to have multimple HD
DVRs. Then use a multiswitch to send cables to each TV/DVR in
different locations.

I agree, but while I haven't yet contacted them to ask, from all the info on
their site, they don't seem to offer that option.... andd ofcourse it would
add considerable to the monthly expense.

Kevin

Well, I guess "considerable" is relative. DirecTV charges $6.00/mo for
my extra HDDVR. I'd think Dish would have to charge about the same in
order to be competetive. And of course (at least with DirecTV) you get
2 HDTV tuners with each DVR. If you don't see that as an option, ask
to speak to a sales rep. I'm sure they will be willing to accomodate
you.

--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Multiple HDTV's
 

On 03 Dec 2007 08:11:54 GMT Kevin wrote:

| I am starting an addition on my home and when completed, would like to have
| HDTV's in two locations in the house. I am currently using DISH standard
| service, but plan on upgrding to HD service when the addition is complete.
| At this point I need to plan cabling in the walls and I need to get it right
| as it will be next to impossible to get cables to some locations after the
| construction is complete. From everything I can find on the DISH site, they
| don't make it easy to have HDTV at more than one TV. Their HD DVR's only
| allow SD for the second TV, and they don't seem to have a plan where you
| can have two HD DVR's.
|
| My question is this. If I'm not concerned about being able to view different
| programing on each of the HDTV's simultaneously, (in fact rarely if ever
| would both HDTV's be on at the same time), can I connect both TV's to the
| TV1 outputs on the DVR.... one using the HDMI output and the other connected
| by component cables and thus have HD available at both TV's?? Does connecting
| cables to either the HDMI or component cables outputs, disable the other?

You might want to consider a "wait and see" approach. Both are in a phase
of migrating to more HD. You probably cannot tell today which will have
the most HD tomorrow. And does it even matter if those "more" HD channels
are not of any programming interest?

The kind of programming I personally like doesn't benefit all that much by
HD, anyway. So I'm a bit biased against HD. Satellite is already digital,
so that much is not an issue like it is for cable or OTA.

As for the simultaneous signal on 2 outputs, why not try it and see.

--
|---------------------------------------/----------------------------------|
| Phil Howard KA9WGN (ka9wgn.ham.org) / Do not send to the address below |
| first name lower case at ipal.net / |
|------------------------------------/-------------------------------------|

Multiple HDTV's
 

On 3 Dec 2007 18:37:26 GMT, wrote:

snip

You might want to consider a "wait and see" approach. Both are in a phase
of migrating to more HD. You probably cannot tell today which will have
the most HD tomorrow.
This is not an arguable item. since the number of channels one can
provide depends on the satellite availablity, and satellites cannot be
inserted into orbit instantaneously, we can say with a very high
degree of probability that DirecTv will have more channels than Dish
Network tomorrow, and for at least the next few months.

And does it even matter if those "more" HD channels
are not of any programming interest?

Yes, absolutely true. In fact for me, the number of channels that I
consider watching are about equal for the two companies.

The kind of programming I personally like doesn't benefit all that much by
HD, anyway. So I'm a bit biased against HD. Satellite is already digital,
so that much is not an issue like it is for cable or OTA.

As for the simultaneous signal on 2 outputs, why not try it and see.

--
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Multiple HDTV's
 

In article Kevin writes:
I am starting an addition on my home and when completed, would like to have
HDTV's in two locations in the house. I am currently using DISH standard
service, but plan on upgrding to HD service when the addition is complete.
At this point I need to plan cabling in the walls and I need to get it right
as it will be next to impossible to get cables to some locations after the
construction is complete.


c o n d u i t .

Alan

Multiple HDTV's
 

I have two 622 DVR's from dish....it is perfectly legal and they will be
happy to provide them to you...or you can buy your own on Ebay and
elsewhere.


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I am starting an addition on my home and when completed, would like to have
HDTV's in two locations in the house. I am currently using DISH standard
service, but plan on upgrding to HD service when the addition is complete.
At this point I need to plan cabling in the walls and I need to get it
right
as it will be next to impossible to get cables to some locations after the
construction is complete. From everything I can find on the DISH site,
they
don't make it easy to have HDTV at more than one TV. Their HD DVR's only
allow SD for the second TV, and they don't seem to have a plan where you
can have two HD DVR's.

My question is this. If I'm not concerned about being able to view
different
programing on each of the HDTV's simultaneously, (in fact rarely if ever
would both HDTV's be on at the same time), can I connect both TV's to the
TV1 outputs on the DVR.... one using the HDMI output and the other
connected
by component cables and thus have HD available at both TV's?? Does
connecting
cables to either the HDMI or component cables outputs, disable the other?

Comments and suggestions appreciated.
TIA
Kevin

Multiple HDTV's
 

I think whatever you do, at a minimum pull Cat 6, 2 hi grade coax and HDMI
1.3 to each location, to "future proof" your home. You could always put an
A/B switch on the HDMI line to watch a HD program in one area or the other.
I have the 622 hooked up via component as I do not have a HDTV with an HDMI
input, so I cannot test for dual HD output unfortunately. I am very curious
about the dual HD output, too, since I will be getting another HDTV in the
coming year which will most likely have HDMI and be located in a different
room.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide on.

M

"curmudgeon" wrote in message
...
I have two 622 DVR's from dish....it is perfectly legal and they will be
happy to provide them to you...or you can buy your own on Ebay and
elsewhere.


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I am starting an addition on my home and when completed, would like to
have
HDTV's in two locations in the house. I am currently using DISH standard
service, but plan on upgrding to HD service when the addition is
complete.
At this point I need to plan cabling in the walls and I need to get it
right
as it will be next to impossible to get cables to some locations after
the
construction is complete. From everything I can find on the DISH site,
they
don't make it easy to have HDTV at more than one TV. Their HD DVR's only
allow SD for the second TV, and they don't seem to have a plan where you
can have two HD DVR's.

My question is this. If I'm not concerned about being able to view
different
programing on each of the HDTV's simultaneously, (in fact rarely if ever
would both HDTV's be on at the same time), can I connect both TV's to the
TV1 outputs on the DVR.... one using the HDMI output and the other
connected
by component cables and thus have HD available at both TV's?? Does
connecting
cables to either the HDMI or component cables outputs, disable the other?

Comments and suggestions appreciated.
TIA
Kevin