Flat Panel Plasma

[AgustusM]

So we have a nice big HD TV in our living room and this is the TV that I pretty much watch everything on.

However my wife likes to watch a lot of TV in the bedroom, partially because she watches while she gets ready and partially because she doesn't want to watch sports all the time so she goes up there to watch "what not to wear" and other stuff that makes my brain hurt.

Problem is in there we have a dinky combo(dvd) 20 inch TV that she watches sitting on a crappy old dresser.

So I want to get her a nice flat panel plasma to hang on the wall and get rid of the dresser.

My question is for people who have this kind of setup - where do the cable boxes go? what about the DVD player? I see these things setup and the look really nice - but I never see the components and I have no idea where they are typically hidden - especially in range of the remotes.

anyone have a similar setup or know something about it that can shed some light.

[DanGarion]

So we have a nice big HD TV in our living room and this is the TV that I pretty much watch everything on.

However my wife likes to watch a lot of TV in the bedroom, partially because she watches while she gets ready and partially because she doesn't want to watch sports all the time so she goes up there to watch "what not to wear" and other stuff that makes my brain hurt.

Problem is in there we have a dinky combo(dvd) 20 inch TV that she watches sitting on a crappy old dresser.

So I want to get her a nice flat panel plasma to hang on the wall and get rid of the dresser.

My question is for people who have this kind of setup - where do the cable boxes go? what about the DVD player? I see these things setup and the look really nice - but I never see the components and I have no idea where they are typically hidden - especially in range of the remotes.

anyone have a similar setup or know something about it that can shed some light.

One option on the Cable TV side is if your cable provider can provide you with a Cable Card for your Plasma.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_card

[gstelmack]

We got a nice armoire for the bedroom that holds the TV, satellite receiver, Xbox, DVD player, and incidentally some blankets and stuff in the bottom drawers. Someday there'll be a widescreen HD LCD to replace the old 27" CRT (that got replaced by the 34" HD Widescreen downstairs...)

[AgustusM]

One option on the Cable TV side is if your cable provider can provide you with a Cable Card for your Plasma.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_card

sweet - I didn't even know this existed!!! I will have to check with comcast to see if they have this.

now all I need is the DVD player built in

[AgustusM]

We got a nice armoire for the bedroom that holds the TV, satellite receiver, Xbox, DVD player, and incidentally some blankets and stuff in the bottom drawers. Someday there'll be a widescreen HD LCD to replace the old 27" CRT (that got replaced by the 34" HD Widescreen downstairs...)

that is a possibility we talked about - but I would love to just have it on the wall and get rid of all the furniture - I really like that look and if I am going to spend the money I want it to be the way I want it.

[SteveMax58]

Not sure how much you want to invest in it...but there are wall mounts with add-on component shelves. Here's a site you can reference:
hxxp://www.mountsandmore.com

Comcast should offer Cablecard, in most areas they do anyway, but in case you need it for the DVD player or something else, try googling 'plasma mount with dvd shelf', or some combination of that should get you some variety in sites to get an idea for pricing & options.

[DanGarion]

I'm learning a lot about the Cable TV side of Time Warner Cable now, because of my new position as Technical Trainer. I'm not just a support guy anymore! :)

[CU Tiger]

The slick set up, and the one I most install (I own an electrical and home tech company)
Is to use a data closet an put all your components in there.

Then you use an IR repeater that you point your remote at and it sends the IR signal back to the closet and shoots the equipment.

Not expensive at all and can be installed even without much tech knowledge. Thoug some skill is required in running the cabling.

The IR repeater is tiny (LED size) and you can do a ton of things with it. From sticking it in the shadow line of the TV, to poking a hole in a print hanging on a wall.

[stevew]

Either one of these Toshiba's already have the DVD player built in..

32"
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7748315&st=toshiba&lp=8&type=product&cp=1&id=1140393959088
37"
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7937682&st=toshiba&lp=6&type=product&cp=1&id=1151658135237

Although finding a tv with cable card and a built in DVD player may be next to impossible.

[stevew]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7803013&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat100100050001&id=1142293092238

This hitachi plasma has a nice picture, and the cable card slot.

[AgustusM]

thank you all for some great information - I see some really good options here.

[AgustusM]

The slick set up, and the one I most install (I own an electrical and home tech company)
Is to use a data closet an put all your components in there.

Then you use an IR repeater that you point your remote at and it sends the IR signal back to the closet and shoots the equipment.

Not expensive at all and can be installed even without much tech knowledge. Thoug some skill is required in running the cabling.

The IR repeater is tiny (LED size) and you can do a ton of things with it. From sticking it in the shadow line of the TV, to poking a hole in a print hanging on a wall.

out of all the options here I think I like this one the best - too bad you are not in CA. I am sure there must be plenty of small businesses like yours that do this out here. I will be on the lookout - again thanks for the information.

[CU Tiger]

no problem man.
If you decide to install it yourself Ill be glad to help anyway I can.
Be it tech support or product...