new install, what should I have on hand?

[azjerry]

I'm getting a new install of DTV this weekend to replace my Tivo and cable TV. Getting HDDVR Plus and a standard receiver. My TV has HDMI (currently unused) and component inputs. I currently have an OTA hooked up to the TV. My AV receiver has component video but not HDMI. I also have an Xbox360 (component video) and combo VCR/DVD recorder (also componemt video).

On the assumption that the HDDVR may not come with all possible/enough cables, should I have any specific cables or other equipment on hand? Or will the installer have everything?

[bt-rtp]

The HR21 comes with a HDMI cable. You will need an optical audio cable (aka TOSLINK) to connect the HR21 digital audio output to your AV receiver.

I found the cheapest retail optical audio cables are at Best Buy, about $20 bucks, Circuit City wants over $75 for it. Another option is to use a simple coax cable with RCA phono push on connectors. I like optical better.

I'm getting a new install of DTV this weekend to replace my Tivo and cable TV. Getting HDDVR Plus and a standard receiver. My TV has HDMI (currently unused) and component inputs. I currently have an OTA hooked up to the TV. My AV receiver has component video but not HDMI. I also have an Xbox360 (component video) and combo VCR/DVD recorder (also componemt video).

On the assumption that the HDDVR may not come with all possible/enough cables, should I have any specific cables or other equipment on hand? Or will the installer have everything?

[azjerry]

Does the HR20 come with an HDMI cable in case I get that instead of the HR21?

[mjones73]

Yes

If you can wait a couple days for the Optical cable - monoprice.com

[litzdog911]

Check out the installation FAQ here ....
http://tinyurl.com/yb7fvj

[pschmidt64]

I found the cheapest retail optical audio cables are at Best Buy, about $20 bucks, Circuit City wants over $75 for it. Another option is to use a simple coax cable with RCA phono push on connectors. I like optical better.

Don't know about other areas, but here you can get really inexpensive cables from Home Depot and Lowes. Same cables as Frys, and Best Buy, but lots cheaper.

I can't find a Optical cable at Best Buy for less than $30. Lowes had it for $15.

Digital Coax - $7-$9.

[azjerry]

As it turns out I didn't need to get any extra cables after all. I took this as an opportunity to re-arrange, clean up and simplify the rest of the cabling. That freed up an optical cable and I wound up with several other extra cables.

I was a bit disappointed, though, that he reused the antenna and cable TV cables through the attic rather than run completely new cables. Since the main install is on an interior wall completely disconnected from the exterior walls he claimed he would have to charge me extra to fish new cables down the wall. Both are working OK, though.

[glennb]

You don't need new cables.

No reason to waste time running new cables.

[4yanx]

Offer the installer a cool or warm beverage (not alcohol), depending on season.

[4yanx]

The HR21 comes with a HDMI cable. You will need an optical audio cable (aka TOSLINK) to connect the HR21 digital audio output to your AV receiver.

I found the cheapest retail optical audio cables are at Best Buy, about $20 bucks, Circuit City wants over $75 for it. Another option is to use a simple coax cable with RCA phono push on connectors. I like optical better.


I and most everyone with whom I've spoken prefers coax over toslink with respect to digital audio signal transmission. Why do you like toslink better? Not challenging, just asking.

[Canis Lupus]

For most users here, Digital Coax is new in terms of the DVRs (only the HR21 has Digital Coax IIRC). The HR-20s do not. So the poster's point was probably to help the OP know he needed a digital cable, not necessarily pushing a TOSLINK over a Coax.

Just my guess.

FWIW, I've used both and various components. They work the same for me, but one advantage of the Coax is the connectors and receptacles are more durable.

Just my 02

I and most everyone with whom I've spoken prefers coax over toslink with respect to digital audio signal transmission. Why do you like toslink better? Not challenging, just asking.

[4yanx]

For most users here, Digital Coax is new in terms of the DVRs (only the HR21 has Digital Coax IIRC). The HR-20s do not. So the poster's point was probably to help the OP know he needed a digital cable, not necessarily pushing a TOSLINK over a Coax.

Just my guess.

FWIW, I've used both and various components. They work the same for me, but one advantage of the Coax is the connectors and receptacles are more durable.

Just my 02

No problem, thanks. The other poster said "I like optical better", which infers comparison. I am about to get an HR21, so I am debating the coax/toslink issue presently.