Newsgroups: alt.dbs.echostar,alt.home-theater.misc,sci.engr.television.advanced
Subject: Re: Design Help Wanted
References: 
Larry Caldwell  writes:

> I know this goes way beyond simple satellite TV, but I'm putting the 
> finishing touches on a house remodel, and want to design a new 
> entertainment center.  What I have in mind is pretty unconventional, so 
> any suggestions would be appreciated.
> 
> 1.  I don't want a TV in my house.  It is a bulky appliance that 
> dominates any room.  As an alternative, I am thinking of a good quality 
> HD projector mounted on the ceiling, and a recessed screen in the 
> ceiling.  When we're not actually watching TV, the screen will retract 
> into the ceiling, leaving the wall space free for art work and seating.  
> 
> How far can I run component and S-video feeds? 

Depends on the cable you use and the image quality loss you can accept. 
Generally with good quality 75 ohm coaxial cables you can run 
signals 10-20 meters nicely without starting to worry anything.  
When distances get considerably morethan 20 meters, then 
you need to look more carefully on the signal you are transporting 
(resolition / bandwidth) and the cable details. 

>  From the satellite 
> receiver and DVD/VCR to the ceiling mount is going to be at least 22 
> feet.  

That 22 feet should not be any problem with a proper video cable. 

> What about DVI?  So far, I haven't found a DVD/VCR that outputs 
> DVI, but you never know.  

DVI designed as short distance transfer technology. 
If I remeber right the standard was designed for maximum 
5 meters distances, and if you need to go longger distances you need 
to use active signal repeaters, one repeater between every 
up to 5 meter segment of cable. 

I have seen 10 meter DVI cables for sale. 
What I have heard from people trying them they have had 
mixed success in getting them to work properly. 
Some people have got them working with some equipment, 
some other people have failed to get them working properly 
with some other equipment. Problems have been data 
transmission errors (looks like random color noise on picture 
or worse) and those problems getting worse as image resolution 
increases.

> 2.  I don't get OTA TV.  I have an old Dish 4000 that has been my only 
> broadcast TV source since 1997.  My wife gripes about only being able to 
> watch one show at a time, so I was thinking I would move the 4000 into 
> the bedroom and get a new HD satellite receiver/DVR for the main system.  
> I'm still using an old Dish 300, and getting east and west coast network 
> feeds from 119.  I have no idea if the 4000 will be compatible with my 
> new HDTV receiver.  Isn't Dish moving HD to other satellites and a 
> different band?  
> 
> I was expecting the 4000 to last for 5 years when I bought it.  Here it 
> is 8 years later, so I figure it doesn't owe me anything.  If I need to 
> surplus it, I wouldn't be too heartbroken.
> 
> 3.  Does anybody have a suggestion for an audio amp/entertainment center 
> that will switch HD sources? 

I don't have any suggestions for this. 
I have not seen those on the shops anywhere nearby. 

All equipment capable of HD reslution or similar I have had my 
hands on have been very high price professional equipment...

>  I'm going to go to a combo DVD/VCR that 
> hopefully will output both video tapes and DVD to a component signal, 
> but I will need to switch between DVD and the satellite receiver.  Of 
> course, it will need to be Dolby Digital capable, but that should be a 
> given nowadays.

You need also to have the proper wiring to carry those digital 
audio signals as well. 

> I'm really behind the 8-ball here.  I should have been designing this 
> before the remodel started, not when they are about to install flooring.   
> I'm also going to blow insulation into the attic in a week or two, so 
> want to at least get the rough wiring done first.  

When things are not completely sure (and in many other cases also) 
it is a good idea to pull thick enough electrical pipe between 
the locations you need to make connection with. When tube is 
installed, it is pretty easy to pull whatever cable type 
is needed to the cable afterwards. Specify the locations and 
enough wiring tubing space, and you can specify the exact 
cable types later. 
 
> I'm going to spend big bucks on this, about $3000 just for the 
> projector, so I want it to last for a while.  Any design suggestions, 
> component suggestions, web pages or criticism gladly accepted.
> 
> TIA
> 
> Larry
> 
> -- 
> http://home.teleport.com/~larryc

-- 
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at 
http://www.epanorama.net/