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.

The EdenPURE Infrared Portable Heater can cut your heating bills and save you money. With over 1,000,000 EdenPURE heaters sold EdenPURE is #1 in both savings and reliability. Remember not all heaters are the same. There are many imitators on the market but only one EdenPURE.

Getting a Dremel® Multi-Max Oscillating Power Tool is almost like getting 5 tools in one. With it you can cut, grind, remove grout, scrape and sand. Powerful and heavy-duty, the Multi-Max is just the tool to help you tackle a wide variety of do-it-yourself projects.

Sustainable materials, non-wasteful practices and energy efficiency are hallmarks of eco-friendly housing efforts. Now, one organization and a federal program are looking more directly at how these efforts can make homes healthier for their occupants.

you and your family stay comfortable the entire season while protecting your investment. The good news is that it doesn t have to be expensive. There are a surprising number of easy things you can do at minimal cost that can maximize energy savings this winter. BobVila.

BEFORE. This washed-out fireplace has no pizazz. Faux painting and a refinished mantle subtly enhances the bricks, offering more depth and character. Photo courtesy of Brick Transformers.

Oklahoma City-based kitchen designer Karen Black-Sigler appreciates the texture that stone and brick veneer can bring to a room. She s incorporated both into her own kitchen. Photo courtesy of A Karen Black Company.