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Setting Up Your New HDTV

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Setting Up Your New HDTV

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


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Review of the Home's Media Center
Review of the Home's Media Center

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.

Reviewing the Features of the Home Entertainment Center
Reviewing the Features of the Home Entertainment Center

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.

An Overview of the Home's Structured Wiring System
An Overview of the Home's Structured Wiring System

Bob and Tim Woods from the Internet Home Alliance meet in the kitchen. Tim details the Home Director structured wiring installation in every room, allowing the homeowner to stay connected to both the Internet and in-home control functions throughout the house. On the Panasonic flat screen LCD TV you can watch normal cable television or monitor outside security cameras. All the structured wiring is connected to the outside world thought a Panasonic Gateway. Woods also demonstrates a wireless Web tablet on which the homeowner can control home audio, heating & cooling, lighting, security, and telephones.

Appliances for the New Family Space
Appliances for the New Family Space

A half bathroom and a laundry were also installed in the basement of the Melrose home. These systems were installed using a pump system because the room is below street level and needs to have wastewater pumped up to the sewer lines. A SwanStone Deep Laundry Sink was put in place with a Moen faucet. A Whirlpool front-loading washer and dryer set was also installed. In order to fit so much material in a limited space, the homeowners shopped for appliances using Brandsource.com, which gave the couple detailed information on different brands, including sizes and shapes. Brandsource carries information from over 2,500 retail outlets and features $10 billion in products. The appliances were installed by a local dealer. The washing machine is a Whirlpool Duet, which features extra-large capacity, is energy efficient, and has storage in the bottom. A large freezer from Amana was installed along with a refrigerator-freezer and a GE microwave. A GE wine cooler chills beverages in the other room. The TV is a 50-inch Samsung flat panel. A 42-inch plasma Samsung TV was also installed in the master bedroom. A smaller television set was installed in the children's room. A stainless-steel grill was put in the backyard.

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Setting Up Your New HDTV

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