I\'m so lucky...

[RogerF]

I don't watch a lot of TV. When I do, it's program specific (as opposed to a lot people I know who turn on the TV and then find something to watch).

Seems the TV Gods are having their revenge. In the recent past I've been given (cursed with?) the following:
1. A new digital cable hook-up (thankfully installed)
2. A new surround sound system (in the box)
3. A new DVD player (in the box)
4. A new receiver/amplifier/Dolby whatever (in the box)
5. A new CD player (in the box)
6. A new satellite dish/receiver (in the box)

For some reason my friends and family think I can't live without all this stuff. Why would they think that? and more importantly,  why would they leave me on my own to figure out how to make it all work.

I opened the boxes, extracted the instructions for all this stuff (actually tried to read and understand them - hopeless).

It all stays inna box! Is anyone else as perplexed about intregrating these "home theater" components as I. Think I'll go find a cable installer with some time on his/her hands.

Ain't progress wonderful? Anybody read a good book lately?

[krissel]

Well, if it really bothers you, a simple solution would be to send those products to someone else and get them out of your house.

I can send you my address.

[swhitset]

I am closer than Krissel, so the shipping would cost less      

Seriously though,  Just take it one thing at a time.  Taken individually, none of those things are difficut to install.  It only gets complicated when you try to integrate them.

I see you have both a satellite system and Cable TV.  Do you plan to use both?

Steve

[RHPConsult]

RogerF:

As a former Northridge-ian I know where you live.

I'll even drive down and take it all off your hands . . . and then call Harv for tech help in putting it all together!

[Highmac]

Caroline, my better half, is really into home cinema (as we call it) and if you care to pay our plane fares and hotel bills we'd just LOVE to come and set it up for you.... (well, we can all dream, can't we?    )

[beacher]

Sheesh, Roger, we should all be so cursed!  I understand though, and I HAVE noticed that when the local stores sell the surround setups, that they usually specify that "installation available" ("at a COST" goes unspoken)!

[Xairbusdriver]

Roger

If you have 1. installed and operating, you can sell/give away 6.

2 and 5 should easily plug into jacks on the back of 4. Although I'm not sure what is actually included in 2. You may also want to sell/give that away, also.

4 may be a 'simple' all-in-one setuup that doesn't allow other inputs. But I would think there is at least one input labeled "Aux" or something like that. That's probably the place to put the CD players output.

4 will probably just plug into your TV, but having a cable (or even a Sat.) connection may make things more difficult, depending on their boxes and cable routing. You might be lucky and be able to simply turn the cable box OFF and the DVD player ON while having te TV tuned to channel 4.

It's really no harder than connecting a couple of Macs to a shared printer and a USB hub. OTOH, my younger son has to help his brother connect a game machine to his TV. So I can easily understand the intimidation factor. I think the ultimate solution is to ask for gift certificates/checks from your friends and family (maybe from the Apple Store?)!

BTW, I don't need/want any of your stuff, got plenty already, too many channels to watch now, best one (after PBS) is a no-commercial music channel (along with 39 other genre-specific channels!)! I need to pay $40/mon to listen to music?!            

Jim C.

[RogerF]

Many thanks for the kind offers to help me out of this thicket. (at the bottom of the pile I found another box - TiVo or something)

By the way, after rereading my original post, I can see that I might appear petulent, whiney and spoiled. 'nuff said - guess I am.

krissel - I seriously considered your offer, then I noticed you live near Tony Soprano, Truth is I've become addicted to my Mac and the net. Have an appointment with Dr. Malfi next week and I think she's gonna' put me in a 12 step program.

Highmac - I understand Vigin has terrific fares; if you ever land in LALA land: we've an extra bedroom and you've a place to stay.

RHP - Anyone that can't stop pop-ups in 7.1; might have difficulty navigating the Valley these days. Same offer of a place applies if you ever decide to visit your old campus and deride what they've done with it.

switset: have no idea about the cable/satellite thing, but I like the satellite commercials. Have a visceral dislike of cable.

OK enough smartass. I spent the entire day Saturday reading all the printed material. Is there some kind of requirement that the people who write consumer tech info stuff be fluent in sanscrit but use English as a second language? OK OK guess I'm not through with the sarcasm. It'd also be helpful if they never (ever) let an engineer or system designer near the printed material.

But at least they had printed material.

Truth is I now have 3 of the systems working and am dangerously close to getting a 4th going. Watched "Lord of the Rings'" on digital with surround sound last night. I was impressed. Began thinking I needed a bigger screen to do this justice.

I'm now in fear for my soul. What to do?

-R
 
 [ 02-04-2003, 05:11 AM: Message edited by: RogerF ]

[RogerF]

guess it's too late. Been around here long enough to know how to NOT double post. Must be the proximity to the TV.

Like Cliff Claven says:
One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the Buffalo Theory to his buddy Norm. Here's how it went: "Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. "In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."