I need help setting up cable box with receiver

[shipleywm]

Hi there,

I am a novice so please bear with me...

I have two HD TVs set up onboth sides of a fireplace wall type of thing, away from where all the wires are (builder of house wired them through the wall and floors and they exit about 20 feet away to our pantry). In case you'rewondering, I will use a RF receiver to change channels. That said, I need help figuring out my cables (i.e. component, possibly composite and/or HDMI).

One of the televisions will use its own built in speakers where the other is set up to use speakers built into the ceiling via speaker wire. In the wall of that pantry, I have speaker wire connections and 8 female inputs of at least some component wires and possible composite. In that same pantry I have my one HD cable box and an olderreceiver without HDMI or component inputs (see attachment).

In the wall, I have 2greens, 2 blues, 3 reds and a white.

Knowing that, please look at the picture and let me know what goes where. It's also important to know that in a perfect world, I'll just have the single cable box send a feed to both televisions, knowing that whatever channel one TV is on, the other one will mirror that.

It’s also important to know that the previous owner (and builder) of the house had a receiver with component females on it as well as 2 cable boxes. I think it's possible to use 1 though, even though I might need to sacrifice having HD.

Also, do I need to get any funky cables like composite to component, etc.? Thank you in advance to anone that can help.

[sanlyn]

I have two HD TVs set up onboth sides of a fireplace wall type of thing...

I also have two HDTV's. I'll bet we don't have the same models. What models do you have?

....away from where all the wires are (builder of house wired them through the wall and floors and they exit about 20 feet away to our pantry).

I'm not sure what that means. Does this mean that none of the wires connect to your TV's or to your cable source?

In case you'rewondering, I will use a RF receiver to change channels.

What kind of "RF receiver"?

One of the televisions will use its own built in speakers where the other is set up to use speakers built into the ceiling via speaker wire. In the wall of that pantry, I have speaker wire connections and 8 female inputs of at least some component wires and possible composite......In the wall, I have 2greens, 2 blues, 3 reds and a white.

The last part describes two component video connections (red-green-blue) and one stereo audio connection (red+white). The wall only has "8 female inputs"? They would seem to match the component+audio cables you describe. So, you have 2 component video connections/cables but only 1 audio cable/connection. That's all that can be concluded, because I'm having a tough time figuring out your layout. You might use the two component video connections to feed video to the TV's, and audio to one TV. But there is a problem: you have only one component video signal source, shown in your image. Because you don't have two cable boxes, you will have to take component video output from your cable source and feed it to an a/v distribution amplifier to feed two TV's. You can buy a $5 component video splitter if you like, but both TV's will look like crap. Why there are two TV's in the same room displaying the same signal is a bit puzzling, but that's what you have.

In that same pantry I have my one HD cable box and an olderreceiver without HDMI or component inputs (see attachment).

I don't see an HD cable box. I see something labeled "DVR". That's not the same thing as a "cable box". I'm guessing your incoming cable goes into that DVR. The DVR has two HDMI outputs (one can go to each TV), but from your descriptions it would appear that you need at least a couple of 20-foot HDMI cables to do that. So you have to spend some $$$ for HDMI.

Otherwise the DVR has s-video and composite video outputs. Those outputs will not give you an HD signal. Any program that is broadcast in HD will come thru those outputs as a letterboxed SD image. If the broadcast is a 4:3 image, the 4:3 image will be both letterboxed and pillared inside a 16:9 image.

The DVR has a single stereo audio output that matches the single component video output. That audio can go into your receiver.

You have three problems (at least): you have only one audio/video signal source, an SD receiver that is of no use with HDTV video, and you have not given enough information for anyone to give you a complete answer.

Also, do I need to get any funky cables like composite to component, etc.?

Trust this: you don't want to do that. You'd be better off going to Goodwill to find an old CRT TV, which will give you a better picture than you can get from such adapters.

[usually_quiet]

Hi there,

I am a novice so please bear with me...

I have two HD TVs set up onboth sides of a fireplace wall type of thing, away from where all the wires are (builder of house wired them through the wall and floors and they exit about 20 feet away to our pantry). In case you'rewondering, I will use a RF receiver to change channels. That said, I need help figuring out my cables (i.e. component, possibly composite and/or HDMI).

One of the televisions will use its own built in speakers where the other is set up to use speakers built into the ceiling via speaker wire. In the wall of that pantry, I have speaker wire connections and 8 female inputs of at least some component wires and possible composite. In that same pantry I have my one HD cable box and an olderreceiver without HDMI or component inputs (see attachment).

In the wall, I have 2greens, 2 blues, 3 reds and a white.

Knowing that, please look at the picture and let me know what goes where. It's also important to know that in a perfect world, I'll just have the single cable box send a feed to both televisions, knowing that whatever channel one TV is on, the other one will mirror that.

It’s also important to know that the previous owner (and builder) of the house had a receiver with component females on it as well as 2 cable boxes. I think it's possible to use 1 though, even though I might need to sacrifice having HD.

Also, do I need to get any funky cables like composite to component, etc.? Thank you in advance to anone that can help.

It sounds like you want to install the receiver and cable box in the pantry, and will use the existing wiring to connect the receiver to the speakers in the other room's ceiling and the TVs in the wall units adjacent to the fireplace.

The receiver lacks the ability to accept high definition video or output high definition video. You will have to do without high definition video if you want to use your current receiver to supply the video for two TVs.

My guess is that you will be dissatisfied with only having standard definition video available on two HDTVs after having paid extra for HD cable service. The cable box may even nag you for not having an HD video connection. I assume the HDTVs have component video connections (because most do have them) and in your place would be looking for a new receiver with component video connections, or some other way to supply component video to the TVs

[sanlyn]

The DVR appears to have 2 HDMI outputs (can't say from the photo, a model number would let us know for sure). Anyway, I think that looks like a Comcast DVR, but lord only knows which one. If there are 2 HDMI outputs, one can go to each TV. It still doesn't make sense to have 2 TV's in the same room with the same signal, but I guess that's what the O.P. wants.

The old receiver can be used for audio. It does have SD video out, but I believe only 1 output will work at one time. The Denon manual (I don't believe the O.P. has ever seen the inside of a user guide) would say for sure. But that's SD only, and an HDTV will show it as letterboxed 4:3. I'm pretty sure that current DVR SD ouputs are designed only to accommodate older SD TVs. But DVR's differ.

[usually_quiet]

The DVR appears to have 2 HDMI outputs (can't say from the photo, a model number would let us know for sure).

There is only one HDMI port shown in the photo of the DVR's rear panel. It is easy to see if you zoom in using your browser to get a better look at the connections on the DVR.

[sanlyn]

usually_quiet, you're probably correct about the HDMI output. I didn't zoom in that far. My bad. Most DVR's I've noticed in people's homes have only one HDMI out. So that kills that brilliant idea. But HDMI and component can usually be used simultaneously, so that's a way to get two HD outputs for both TV's. That's assuming that one or both TV's have component inputs, which is not true of many newer TV's.

[shipleywm]

Thanks for everyone's help so far.

That is a Comcast Xfinity cable box. I see that DVR sticker though and I don't need it to record... so perhaps I'll swing by a Comcast payment center and trade it in for a basic cable box (I don't want to pay extra each month if I don't have to).

The TVs are what they are and I can't/won't change them. HD would be nice, but not a must. If y'all think I can do HD, I'll swap the DVR for a HD cable box.

I found a "1 in 2 out HDMI splitter" online that I'm open to purchasing if it'll help get HD (see attached).

Any further thoughts?

Thanks again guys!

[sanlyn]

The TVs are what they are and I can't/won't change them. HD would be nice, but not a must. If y'all think I can do HD, I'll swap the DVR for a HD cable box.

Nobody asked you to change them, but it would have been helpful to know the models so we could advise about connections.

For the same price as the Atlona, you can get a more highly regarded unit:http://www.amazon.com/CE-Labs-HA4-3-Distribution-Amplifier/dp/B002JK7BW4

It doesn't make much sense to own two HDTV's and feed them with a standard cable box. But the main reasons for the HD box are (a) SD broadcasts through the newer HD boxes are eons cleaner and sharper than through the old SD boxes, and (b) downsampled HD thru an SD box really sucks.

[shipleywm]

I thought you did: "Trust this: you don't want to do that. You'd be better off going to Goodwill to find an old CRT TV, which will give you a better picture than you can get from such adapters."

As far as my setup, I'm not even going to touch my TVs. They are set up already and the wiring is already done. All I have access to is where the connections are in another room.

I'll take your advice though on making sure my cable box is HD. Good stuff sanlyn.

And thank you for those links. On one TV, the hue keeps appearing blue when I use the component cables. Any suggestions on how to switch that so it looks right?

[shipleywm]

@ usually_quiet - I could connect the HD cable box to the component females via an HDMI to AV Component cable.

And yes, both HDTVs have component video connections and that's all I can use since that's all that is sticking out of the wall, as well as an extra red and white (composite perhaps?). I want to avoid getting a new receiver though... so I am looking for some other way to supply component video to the TVs. I'm hoping that's possible.

[shipleywm]

Here's a diagram of the back of my cable box as well as the back of my receiver.

[usually_quiet]

@ usually_quiet - I could connect the HD cable box to the component females via an HDMI to AV Component cable.

No. That cable doesn't do what you think it does. It doesn't convert component video to HDMI or vice versa. HDMI is digital, component is analog, and you need a little box with electronics inside that plugs into the wall for power to convert from HDMI to component video.

And yes, both HDTVs have component video connections and that's all I can use since that's all that is sticking out of the wall, as well as an extra red and white (composite perhaps?). I want to avoid getting a new receiver though... so I am looking for some other way to supply component video to the TVs. I'm hoping that's possible.

The only way you can do that is to use your current receiver for audio only and send the component video separately. I'll have to give some more thought as to how you can best do it.

[sanlyn]

I thought you did: "Trust this: you don't want to do that. You'd be better off going to Goodwill to find an old CRT TV, which will give you a better picture than you can get from such adapters."

Mm. no, that's not what I said. You talked about $5 passive HDMI->component and/or passive component->composite adapters. ELectronic HDMI and component distribution amplifiers are a different story.

[usually_quiet]

@shipleywm I suggest a component video plus stereo audio amplifier/splitter to provide HD video for the TVs and audio for the receiver and one TV. Here is one of the better models: http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Electronics-Labs-AV400COMP-Switcher/dp/B0009QW4MM The description says switch, but it is an amplified splitter, with 1 in and 4 out. If that is too expensive, here is the best model I could find for less: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-ST123HDA-Component-Splitter-Digital/dp/B000NK75HI.

If there are only female RCA video connections in the pantry, you will need 3 male-to-male component video cables. One will connect the amplified splitter to the component video out from the cable box, and two will connect two sets of the the amplified splitter's component video outputs to the component cables feeding the TVs.

You will need three stereo audio cables too. The first will connect the amplified splitter to the stereo audio out from the cable box. The second will connect one of the amplified splitter's outgoing stereo connections to the stereo audio cable feeding a TV. The third stereo cable will connect one of the amplified splitter's outgoing stereo connections the receiver. You will have to figure how to hook up the speaker wires to the receiver.

I hope you don't plan on adding a DVD player or Blu-Ray player to the pantry at some point. Things are going to get more complicated if you do that.

[sanlyn]

@shipleywm I suggest a component video plus stereo audio amplifier/splitter to provide HD video for the TVs and audio for the receiver and one TV. Here is one of the better models: http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Electronics-Labs-AV400COMP-Switcher/dp/B0009QW4MM The description says switch, but it is an amplified splitter, with 1 in and 4 out. If that is too expensive, here is the best model I could find for less: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-ST123HDA-Component-Splitter-Digital/dp/B000NK75HI.

I've had that CE Labs component unit for well over a year now, and it does a beautiful job. Also feed my Hauppauge HD PVR with it. Like most of CE Labs' stuff, it's a very clean machine. I have their s-video unit on my old SD digital box, hooked up to two DVD recorders. I've never had a complaint about their products, and the s-video has been going strong for 6 years now. You'll see CE Labs used in showrooms, including high-end shops. A nice price point for products that good, and they manage the connections without overloading TV's -- a common complaint with lesser units.

[usually_quiet]

On one TV, the hue keeps appearing blue when I use the component cables. Any suggestions on how to switch that so it looks right?

The blue picture could be the result of a few different things.

1. Cables are not connected correctly by color or are not pushed in all the way.

2. The red connector from a cable carrying an audio signal was plugged into a red component video port by mistake.

3. The component cable has a defect affecting the red connection. If a stereo audio cable was connected by mistake, they sometimes don't work well for video because they often contain thinner wires.

[shipleywm]

You guys are great. I'm going to look over everything and come up with a plan. Thank you for your help!

[shipleywm]

One last question. First though, I WAS able to set up my one TV in the living room via AV component cables from the cable box to the receiver and from the receiver to (a) the wall’s female inputs for video and (b) speaker wires for audio (there are speakers built into the living room's ceiling).

That said, with that current configuration for the living room TV... could I then do the following for the kitchen TV with the same cable box? I could get the HDMI to AV component cables y'all recommended and hook that directly to the wall, bypassing the receiver entirely. The HDMI side would be connected to the cable box and the AV component cables would be connected to the wall where I have additional female inputs for the kitche TV. I would use the TV's own speakers for audio, btw.

Should I be worried that the cable box can't send a second, simultaneous audio and video signal at the same time as the first ones I have set up now?

[sanlyn]

Most HD cable boxes have HDMI and component outputs working at the same time (all the boxes I've seen around here do).

[usually_quiet]

That said, with that current configuration for the living room TV... could I then do the following for the kitchen TV with the same cable box? I could get the HDMI to AV component cables y'all recommended and hook that directly to the wall, bypassing the receiver entirely. The HDMI side would be connected to the cable box and the AV component cables would be connected to the wall where I have additional female inputs for the kitche TV. I would use the TV's own speakers for audio, btw.

Should I be worried that the cable box can't send a second, simultaneous audio and video signal at the same time as the first ones I have set up now?

This is the second time you brought them up, but we never recommended HDMI to component cables. Those do not work for creating component video output from an HDMI source. To convert from HDMI, which is digital, to component video, which is analog, requires a using little converter box with electronics inside that plugs into the wall for power, not a simple cable. You also do not want a component video to HDMI converter because it will only convert from component to HDMI, not the other way around. However, it is hard to find a useful HDMI to component converter because to work as people expect them to work they need to strip HDCP, and devices that strip HDCP are illegal in the US.

Here is one example of a converter that might work, although I do not know for certain: http://www.amazon.com/HDMI-Component-Converter-Support-Surround/dp/B00B7GD44A

However, I'm sticking with my original recommendation of the CE Labs component video plus stereo audio amplifier/splitter to provide HD video for your TVs and audio for the receiver. http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Electronics-Labs-AV400COMP-Switcher/dp/B0009QW4MM While I'm all in favor of saving money, attempting a cheapskate approach to your problem is just going to end up wasting money instead when it fails to do what is needed.

[shipleywm]

My apologies... you are absolutely right. An oversight once again on my end.

So if I set this CE Labs device up with my cable box and have outputs 1 and 2 all going back into my original component inputs in the wall, we will not only get a signal on both TVs but also in HD? If so, I will absolutely take your advice stop bothering all of you once and for all.

[usually_quiet]

My apologies... you are absolutely right. An oversight once again on my end.

So if I set this CE Labs device up with my cable box and have outputs 1 and 2 all going back into my original component inputs in the wall, we will not only get a signal on both TVs but also in HD? If so, I will absolutely take your advice stop bothering all of you once and for all.

Yes, the CE Labs device can provide HD component video and/or stereo audio to up to 4 devices from one source.