I have the HTM MX-500 and have loved it, but my new TV uncovered a fatal flaw: 0.2 second pauses and 20-command limits on macros. After my TV (Toshiba 26-HF66) is turned on, it is upwards of 10 seconds before it's ready to accept any further signals, which means I cannot program one macro, for...
Thanks, everybody, for the help! As to the A/B testing, I don't think my equipment is up to the task of distinguishing much finer differences than "this cable works" and "this cable doesn't work." :)
Will it make any difference to know that the cables I'm planning to use are Acoustic Research "Performance" series (I think that's right, it's the blue ones).
I've pretty much eliminated composite video connections from my life, but I have a place where I'm using about a 12' component cable where I really only need about a 3' one. I have several extra composite video cables of the right length, but I thought I'd better ask before hooking them up. I...
I bought a Samsung TX-T2793H for the bedroom and I see it has upgradeable software via USB. The manual says to call the 800 number to get info on this, but I thought I'd check with folks who I'd wager are more knowledgeable. Anybody done a software upgrade on their TV?
I moved recently and noticed that one of my cable STBs has an ethernet port on the back. Anybody know what that's there for? No chance I could do away with my cable modem, is there?
Assuming that you are trying to run this setup in a completely automated, kiosk-type situation, I think the idea of getting all your signals going through the computer and letting it handle the changeovers is your best bet. There are freeware utilities which will let you launch such-and-such...
Here's a couple of questions I feel kind of stupid about asking: 1. Do I have to use my cable company's cable box, or are there standards in place that allow me to buy my own and have it work? 2. How can I determine what HD signal the box is outputting?
If I can find one for the right price, I'd like to get the matching stand for my new KD-34XBR970, but seems like everywhere I search is now out of stock (I'm assuming because the TV is now discontinued). Can anyone recommend any place that specializes in this kind of thing?
My experience is admittedly limited, but my Panasonic changer is the only DVD player I've ever run across that made you tell it to remember where you were. Very frustrating on a changer, too. Maybe it's just a Panasonic thing. Edit: Oh, I forgot about my $20 special from Circuit City (it's...
Thanks, guys. It had been so long since I'd shopped for in-wall wire, I had forgotten about the CL rating business. I think I'm only going to need about 200 ft. total, so hopefully I can get off a little cheaper than the $85 spool. After buying the receiver and speakers, I've only got $100 left...
Hi, all! I'm getting ready to wire up a room at work for surround sound, and my best option for running the wiring to the surrounds is to go up into the drop ceiling, through that space across the room (~ 30 feet), then back down. The ceiling has fluorescent lights which will normally be...
I'm soon going to be needing to get a couple of new DVD players, and I'm wondering if anybody has any experience with these two: Onkyo CP-704 (6-disk changer) Onkyo SP-404 (single disk) The price is right on both through www.shoponkyo.com, which is the main reason I've got them at the top...
What would be the simplest way to set up a PC running Windows XP Media Center Edition to boot up running absolutely nothing but the bare minimum of programs. By bare minimum, I mean the Win98 equivalent of Explorer and SysTray. No network connection, no virus scanning, nothing. I'm above...
I am not quite ready yet to jump in to the satellite radio game, but one thing that did push me one step closer was the addition of MLB on XM. My one question that I haven't been able to get answered anywhere is this: If I listen to the Atlanta Braves on XM, am I listening to the same...
Linda, Frankly, I'm surprised it took that long for anyone to ask that question! :) The truth is, I'm considering going that route. I was originally planning on using the approx. $2000 budget I have to get myself a mid-range desktop and a laptop for the purposes described above. Now I'm...
Thanks for the help, gang! Now at least I have a better idea that I definitely need to increase the budget for this project. Maybe I should think of my $1000 as a really good down payment and see if I can find a 6 or 12 months same as cash deal somewhere on what I want. Rommel, if I'm...
I was worried that my price range might not be work for my goals. That's good to know about the power source affecting performance, Seth: I'll definitely plug this into the wall when I'm doing this.
In the new year (probably with some Christmas money), I'm hoping to get a laptop which I will primarily use for video capturing and, possibly, DVD authoring. I am in the early stages of digitizing all my old VHS tapes, and I'm getting really tired of disconnecting my VCR from my home theater...
I've been looking at Xantech systems as a way to control my receiver from a second room. The receiver has a jack which according to the instructions I can use to connect it directly with the Xantech connecting block, no emitter necessary. Problem is, none of the literature I'm finding at...
Pardon my electrical ignorance. :) I have seen kits like the Radio Shack 278-758 for constructing antennas, and I was thinking about trying to use this in my attic to get a nice, long AM antenna. Then I thought, what's to keep me from taking a nice long run of RG-6 quad shield coax, stripping...