Adding Audio/Video Inputs to an Existing System, DirecTV and HDTV, Zenith Silver Sensor Antenna
Published Nov. 16, 2002
Q) My stereo system is already connected to my DVD player. I’d like to have stereo sound from my TV even when I’m not playing DVD’s. I have a digital cable box, a VCR, a TV with loads of inputs, but my stereo only has the two jacks and they’re connected to the DVD. Do I need a new stereo system?
-Teri Hunter
A: No need for another stereo. You can get a passive (non-powered) switchbox for $30 or less at Sears or Radio Shack. It will have several inputs and one output. You will need this switchbox, and an extra set of stereo interconnects with RCA plugs.
Using the RCA interconnects, connect the output plugs from switchbox to your stereo’s input. You connect your other sources such as the DVD player and the VCR to the switchbox. Once connected, whatever you select on the switchbox will be sent downstream to the stereo.
Most of the switchboxes have video inputs too. If you want to use these as well, connect the video outputs from your sources to the switchbox in conjunction with the audio outputs. Then connect the video output from the switchbox to the TV’s video input. Now, when you select a source on the switchbox, it will route the sound to your stereo and the picture to your TV.
Q: I purchased a high definition receiver for my HDTV and next week DirecTV is coming to install. Do I need an elliptical shaped dish? Will the regular dish pick up the HDTV signals?
A: In order to receive the HDTV signals from DirecTV, the elliptical dish is required. This will receive DirecTV’s HDTV signal, but not local HDTV signals. You may be pleased to learn there is local HDTV programming you can get for free using your new receiver.
Did you know that your DirecTV HDTV receiver also picks up local HDTV broadcasts from Pittsburgh’s network affiliates such as WTAE, WQED, WPXI and KDKA? It works as both a satellite receiver and an over-the-air (OTA) receiver. You will need a UHF antenna as well as the elliptical satellite dish. Both are connected to the DirecTV HDTV receiver. The satellite dish will pull in your DirecTV channels, the antenna, local HDTV channels.
The best antennas for HDTV reception are roof-mounted UHF antennas with a rotor to turn it for the best reception. With a good antenna and a good installer, you should be able to get all of the local channels with no problem. A good antenna installation should cost no more than $300, and with it you will get lots of HDTV for free. If you don’t want to incur the additional expense of a professionally installed antenna, some of the small indoor ones may work for you, depending on where you live. Zenith markets a small antenna called the Silver Sensor that is reputed to give good results.
A great deal of programming is now available in HDTV, with more available next year. (For instance, Monday Night Football, and the 2003 Super Bowl on ABC.) If you have an HDTV-ready set, the time to go get that HDTV tuner is now. Besides the ability to watch stunning HDTV images, there are other benefits as well. Many people who purchase the new HDTV-ready sets are disappointed with the picture quality from non-HDTV broadcasts. Almost all local programming is broadcast simultaneously on both the HDTV and regular channel. If you have the HDTV tuner, you can watch local non-HDTV television shows over the HDTV channel, which is much clearer than watching it from cable or satellite.
