HDTV and comcast box

[stevepaa]

I am near to buying a new Sony LCD HD TV to hang above the fireplace and Comcast is my local cable company. So I am inquired about what I need and was told that I need a Comcast HD tuner box which will feed an HDMI cable to my HDTV. I don't like to see lots of boxes around and don't want another piece of furniture so I asked if I could put the box behind the flat panel TV and they said no as it needs line of sight with remote to work.

I don't like that as it means I'll have this ugly electronics box off to the side of the fireplace.

Anyone know if the box truly needs line of sight? thanks

[Bill Verburg]

Yes, the cable co. box is line of sight.

Did you inquire about using a cable card? You wouldn't need their converter box at all.

[RickM]

Originally posted by Bill Verburg
Yes, the cable co. box is line of sight.

Did you inquire about using a cable card? You wouldn't need their converter box at all.

Bill is correct. However your TV will need to have a cable card port Also, since there are different card/tv standards the functionality realized with the card may be limited as compared to the box.

You'll also need to run a power cord to the TV. So perhaps you can the HDMI cable with it. Also, the HDMI cable helps as it combines several wires into one "housing".

[stevepaa]

Thanks.

Comcast will not support the TV guide menu through cards and the new SONY XBR2 does not have a card slot.

I am putting in two new outlet boxes behind the TV for power. I will put my DVD player and minimac behind the flat panel also.

I am really looking for a box, either cable or satellite that I can put behind the flat panel and will still operate without it being visble. My wife was pretty firm on not wanting to see any cables or boxes if at all possible.

[jriera]

IR Remote extensions/repeaters ... Xantech has a few. Let me know if you need the model #'s etc.

I have installed a few now at home (Home theather, master bedroom and living room) and they work great!

[RickM]

Jordi, I was thinking the same but while at a friends house I saw that the remote had to absolutely line up with the cable box receiver window...otherwise no dice.

As far as finding a box that'll work I spent more time than I wanted asking my cable company if I could buy a HD cable box as opposed to renting it from them. They said no...bastards. So you may be limited with other box manufacturers.

I just picked up a 50" plasma and going throug the same issue of where and how to mount.

[jriera]

Nope, they work great without line-of-sigth.

I have my cable box (cox), Satellite receiver (directtv), amplifier, DVD inside cabinets, even the TV has the IR receiver blocked by the cabinet.

PM me and I can send you later the Xantech PN's

[RickM]

Cool thanks.

[gr8fl4porsche]

Dish networks remotes are UHF and will go thru walls.

[jriera]

Originally posted by gr8fl4porsche
Dish networks remotes are UHF and will go thru walls.

Usually only for the 'secondary' TV, the one without receivers.

[stevepaa]

I just talked to dish and for a one time fee $39 they will sell you a UHF transmitter for the first TV also.


And DirectTV said all of its' transmitters are UHF.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I bought an extra dishnetwork branded remote from a remote guy on ebay for $6.50.

[cstreit]

The IR extenders will work... Then all you'd need is a small IR receiver poking out. I have one for my comcast box actually... as well as my TIVO. The receiver is the size of a matchbox...

[stevepaa]

So how does the ir extender work. Can I put the repeater near the TV and point at it and not the box?

[jriera]

IR Receiver (Dinky Link) is in view, near the tv, speakers, anywhere. Connect the IR Receiver to the control module and the 'IR Blinkers' from the control module to the devices (TV, cable box, etc.). Done.