HT Peripherals & Accessories, Need Recommendations!

[DUCK]

Good Day,

OK, I've made what seems like the big decisions about the upgrades to my home theater. Now I really need help figuring out what peripherals and accessories to get.

So you know what I have to work with the big decisions I've made include replacing my old 32" Sony CRT with a 50" Samsung S5053 plasma TV and upgrading my old Panasonic DVD player with a Toshiba HD-A1 unit. The rest of my present HT set up includes: an Onkyo TX-DS787 receiver; an Adcom GFA-545 amp (to power the main speakers); Paradigm Signature S2s (mains); Paradigm Studio CC V2 (center); Paradigm ADP-170 (surrounds); and a HSU Research VTF-3 MK2 (subwoofer).

Another new addition will be the TV signal source. I am upgrading my regular cable to Comcast Digital Cable with all the potential HD stations among others. That will specifically add an HD Tuner/HD DVR to the system that will be either a Motorola or Scientific Atlanta box.

The specific peripherals and accessories I can think of that I should be looking at are: additional cables; a line conditioner/surge protector; and a master remote control. Anything else?

As you might guess I already have some nice audio cables, AV component cables, an optical connection or two, and some decent analog (composite) cables in the system.

What am I going to need to add for my connections? A couple of good HDMI cables; another optical cable; more good analog composite cables; more component cables? My present coaxial (TV cables) connections are very basic, so I definitely should replace and add to those.

Please keep in mind I have spent much of my budget on the big pieces and I need to keep the costs down, but I do of course want to get as good as I can. Are any of the reasonably priced Monster, Pure AV, Acoustic Research, Nexxtech or Belkin cables that CC (Circuit City) or BB (Best Buy) carry any good? Or should I look elsewhere online to another cable maker?

What about the power feed and protection? I presently just have a cheap surge protector, what should I add here? Are any of the Dynex or Monster units good, but not too expensive?

As for the master remote control I keep hearing great things about the Harmony products? Is there a specific Harmony model that is not too expensive that you would suggest?

Have I forgot anything? Even with all the questions I have, I'm sure I have forgotten something. Oh well, that will have to do for now. Thank you very much for taking the time to help me out and have a great day!

DUCK

 

[Grant B]

Walt
I spent about $75 on a surge protector that fits in the house fuse box. It's fairly easy to install so even an electrictrician wouldn't charge much.
One day when PG&E was working on our power (without our knowledge) the other flats had their Microwaves, garage openers and most other things plugged in destroyed.
I reset the protector and everything worked fine.
That might be a cheap option with a high powered UPS to keep everything constant
Grant

 

[DUCK]

Hi Grant,

Thank you for the information. Is there a specific surge protector I should have installed in the main fuse box? It sounds like a great idea, especially with all the lightning we get down here in south Florida. Thanks again,

Walt (DUCK)

 

[Grant B]

As I learned there are different types of Circuit breakers which are all incompatible with each other so you need to find out which one your box takes.
I also found out most electricians don't know they exist but I live where lightning is very rare.
I doubt you will find them at a Home Depot but at a electrical supply house which if you have an electrican, he can buy at if it's wholesale only.
Then you would not need one of those protection strips that don't work anyways.
I also have a couple UPSs on mine components that give a very constant 120 voltage in case you have any dropouts. I did that a few years back when ENRON was screwing with our power and my Preamp lost sync from my DVD player. Look for the ones which do not have a lot of computer features you don't need. Add up all the wattage on everything to see which one you will need.
They tend to be rated in wattage but use the term voltage amps, which is watts.... excuse me if you know this already but I try to put things in the most basic language since I don't know you.
Buy the UPS when you have some excess cash but the CB sounds like the sooner the better in South FL
Good Luck
Grant