Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. If you finally got that big, flat-screen, high-definition TV you ve been wishing for, don t let the setup tie you in knots! First, you should know that if you want to watch HDTV, the TV itself isn t enough: You need an HD-ready cable box, satellite dish or antenna in order to receive HD programming. Call your provider for a new box. Second, be sure your TV came with the right cables to connect to your box for HD viewing. You need red, blue and green component cables; a DVI cable or an HDMI cable. If you want to watch DVD movies in HD, you need to have an HD- or Blu-ray DVD player, as well. To complete your viewing experience, get a high-quality surge protector and a wall mount that will accommodate your equipment. Hang your flatscreen TV according to the manufacturer s instructions; it should hang at or just above a seated viewer s eye level. Unless you have tiny hands, a mount with the tilt option is a plus for ease of installation and adjustment. For more instant gratification, most retailers will install your new TV for you. Once you re all set up, all you need to do is sit back and enjoy. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008
Tim Woods meets up with Bob again in the media room to showcase the electronic components that have been installed. Woods points out the Panasonic high definition flat screen plasma TV that is recessed only 1 inch into the wall. The home theater also includes digital surround sound, which is composed of amplifiers, decoders and subwoofer and connected a progressive scan Panasonic DVD player, and a CD player. Woods also shows the new Replay TV box, which allows the homeowner to pause live television and pick up where the show left off.
Brent Thompson from IceBox joins Bob in the kitchen to talk about a new Internet appliance. The IceBox is an information, communication, and entertainment center. Its compact design allows installation underneath a counter and out of the way. The touch screen pivots down when in use. Features include Internet access, a DVD player, and a television. The keyboard and remote control are wireless, and more importantly for the kitchen�waterproof.
Bob visits the home's airy, light-filled basement family room. The house, which is built on a sloping lot, allows the basement level to open directly to the backyard. Leslie Curtis brings in touches of color in all her rooms and the basement is no exception. On the walls a soft, sunny yellow, "Evening Primrose" from Bob Vila's Signature Series paints was chosen. The floor covering, a Dupont Stain Master carpet in a neutral color, features Miracle Fibre technology, a process that puts color into the chemical blend of the carpet's yarn so that it maintains its hue throughout the lifespan of the rug. The denim khaki-clad sofa and chairs are from the Eddie Bauer Home Collection. Bob shows off the family room's entertainment system that features a Panasonic 42-inch flat screen TV with a DVD player/recorder with Replay TV.
Bob meets up with Tim Woods from the Internet Home Alliance in the living room to check out the Panasonic home entertainment center. The Panasonic wide screen projection HDTV features digital light processing ensuring high definition picture quality from any angle. The TV is tied into the DVD player and also into the surround sound stereo system. The TV signal comes digitally from the Hughes Network System DirecTV which comes in off the satellite. Next Tim shows Bob the Panasonic E-Cam. The camera can be set up anywhere in the house as used as a nanny cam or to keep an eye out for intruders. Tim has a home page set up for the camera on the Panasonic Toughbook. Utilizing the web page, the camera can be accessed through the web at any time and from any place. The Toughbook is totally wireless thanks to the home's Cisco Aironet System. Next they look at the Panasonic LCD screen with a DVD player in it. The screen is very flat and has the same aspect ratio as the large HDTV in the living room.
Tim Woods from Internet Home Alliance shows how structured wiring is run from a second floor outlet to a Home Director Network Control Center. Woods also details the functions of the Network Control Center and explains how it distributes audio, video, voice, and data throughout a home.
Bob talks with family friend Andrew Gillis, an expert in the latest audio/visual equipment. The unit installed in the Melrose home is a Bose Lifestyle Whole Home Audio system, which features surround sound for the room. Speakers that connect to the system were also installed in different zones throughout the house and yard. Using this system, different music selections can be played in different parts of the home. One of the zones was connected to the stereo wirelessly. Fixed zones were also put in the kitchen and garden. These different zones can be controlled via remote. Up to 340 CDs can be stored in the central player. Music libraries can be set up for each member of the family. Based on that person's past musical selections, the system can adapt accordingly and help the user find preferred songs more easily. The Bose system has multiple components and is connected using a Bose interconnect cable. In the garden, Bose outdoor-rated speakers were installed. These speakers can be partially buried into the ground, making them less visible. The base system costs about $5,000. The remotes can control the base unit from anywhere within the house. A product called Adapt IQ allows homeowners to tune the system's surround sound automatically. The space in the basement is an unusual space and the tuner should be used when all the furniture is in place to detetermine the settings for the speakers.
