Hooking up multiple plasmas

[ClearCom]

I'm currently in the process of installing 3-50" plasma TV at one of my commercial locations.  I have a simple question that involves connecting all 3, so they watch the same thing on each TV.

The customer wants the ability to play either satellite, DVD, VCR, or a presentation from a PC.

Since plasma do not use "F" connections, using a simple splitter will not work.  I would assume pulling 3 RG6 leads to each to facilitate the audio/video signal, but the PC would use a 15 pin connector.

Are there hubs available to make this happen?  Also, the cable runs are about 100 feet.  Is there a company that can supply 100 feet of 15 pin wire, or will I have to make them up myself?

[AkShark]

I have to assume your plasma's have BNC connectors.

There are adapters available to convert from BNC to "F"
or BNC to RCA if needed.

[ClearCom]

That is good. The problem is that they want all 3 to be able to see the same thing, from either a DVD, VCR, PC or satellite, so the hub must have all these inputs available.

[Nick]

Get a passive a/v switch (4-5 in, 1 out) to a powered a/v splitter (1 in, 4 amplified simultaneous out). Use baseline (composite) video all the way. If the PC doesn't have video out, get a card or external pass-thru adapter. Audio is line level L/R stereo. Sources are switched in at 4/1 switcher. Poor man's control board, but it will work.

[ClearCom]

Is there a company that provides this hub?
So really the key is to make sure the PC output is RCA instead of the 15 pin? So, if they use a video card, to make sure it has RCA outputs. GREAT. I think I high teched myself on this one, since they are spending a boatload of money, I intended to make it work as intended.
I'm assuming the RCA output from the PC will provide a decent picture and will not degrade any presentations from the PC?

[PeterB]

Nope..the Composite output of any PC card will stink.

I dont think there is an really easy way to pull this off, use S-video switches for the DVD/Satelite, then a monitor splitter to run the computer's output.

You will have to switch inputs on the Plasma's to go from S-video to PC, but if they are one model, they should all work with one remote, you could set something up with a universal remote and macros...

[Richard King]

Be sure to check out this guy http://www.remotecentral.com/sst768/index.html as a possible remote control. I just got one a while back and am very pleased.

[jimcx]

Is there a TV output on the plasma? If so, you might be able to run all the signals to one of the plasmas, then use a distribution amp to split the TV out (hopefully s-video) and then only need to use one input on the other 2 plasma. Just make sure that the VGA input gets passed to the TV output...

[Gregg Loewen]

After you have them all connected...will they all look the same ????

:-)

Gregg Loewen
ISF Calibrationist
www.lionav.com