U-verse installation question

[BiGGieStuFF]

I'm preparing for U-verse to be installed in my place but I had a question about how I should go about getting both my HDTV connected and my Dell 24" monitor connected as well.

I know you can connect 2 TV's to the u-verse box but how would they go about doing it? Would the box be connected to the primary TV via HDMI? If so then how would my Dell monitor be connected to the box? The monitor also has a HDMI connection but will the box be able to connect to the monitor if one HDMI connection is already being used for the primary TV?

The monitor also has component as well. Would it just be easier to rent a 2nd box? How much extra would that cost?

[JeopardE]

You could get a HDMI-to-DVI converter if your monitor has a DVI interface.

Personally I have a TV tuner card in my computer that I have hooked up to the second U-verse set top box via S-Video. Works very well for me. I'm pretty sure there are HD tuner cards available as well. You'll be able to watch TV within a video, and with the right software, record clips to your computer.

[Rocket River]

QUESTION: What/who are you transistioning from?

I have DirectV and thinking U VERSE is the next step for me
I just wanted to minimze the CABLELESS DOWNTIME

Rocket River

[BiGGieStuFF]

Originally Posted by JeopardE You could get a HDMI-to-DVI converter if your monitor has a DVI interface. Personally I have a TV tuner card in my computer that I have hooked up to the second U-verse set top box via S-Video. Works very well for me. I'm pretty sure there are HD tuner cards available as well. You'll be able to watch TV within a video, and with the right software, record clips to your computer.

Does the box have two HDMI outputs? I thought it only has one HDMI output so that would go to the main TV. The monitor has HDMI, 2 DVI's, 1 VGA, component, composite, and S-video inputs but it doesn't have the coaxial input. Most setups I've seen has the secondary TV's hooked up via coaxial. I'm just wondering how they would get my monitor hooked up.

I thought TV tuner cards can't receive HD signals from cable or satellite? They can only receive OTA HD signals right?

[BiGGieStuFF]

Originally Posted by Rocket River QUESTION: What/who are you transistioning from? I have DirectV and thinking U VERSE is the next step for me I just wanted to minimze the CABLELESS DOWNTIME Rocket River

I'd be transitioning from comcast to u-verse though this is my first HDTV so I'd be coming from analog cable to digital whatever u-verse is.

[JeopardE]

Originally Posted by BiGGieStuFF Does the box have two HDMI outputs? I thought it only has one HDMI output so that would go to the main TV. The monitor has HDMI, 2 DVI's, 1 VGA, component, composite, and S-video inputs but it doesn't have the coaxial input. Most setups I've seen has the secondary TV's hooked up via coaxial. I'm just wondering how they would get my monitor hooked up. I thought TV tuner cards can't receive HD signals from cable or satellite? They can only receive OTA HD signals right?

It has only one HDMI output, but it also has a component video output. If you're trying to use the same box on both your TV and computer and absolutely want HD, you could try using HDMI for your TV and then find a TV adapter for the PC that has component inputs (they exist, I've seen them before while shopping). That's probably your best option.

[BiGGieStuFF]

Originally Posted by JeopardE It has only one HDMI output, but it also has a component video output. If you're trying to use the same box on both your TV and computer and absolutely want HD, you could try using HDMI for your TV and then find a TV adapter for the PC that has component inputs (they exist, I've seen them before while shopping). That's probably your best option.

The monitor has component inputs so I guess that will be the best route to go. That will still allow different channels to be played on each TV correct?

[SwoLy-D]

Originally Posted by BiGGieStuFF The monitor has component inputs so I guess that will be the best route to go. That will still allow different channels to be played on each TV correct?

No. The receiver (whether it's the DVR one or the non-DVR one) only outputs ONE SIGNAL and ONE CHANNEL.
EDIT: If you could output TWO different channels from the Receiver, you'd need a PIP channel or a second remote control, which isn't included.

I have the following set up:
Video: DVR - HDMI -> TV
same DVR -> RCA Video (yellow) to DVD-recorder -> HDMI to TV

Audio: TV -> optical audio to Surround Sound receiver

I have noticed that when I change inputs on my TV, the DVR-receiver has to check HDMI integrity, and displays an error.

Yes, you can output two signals at once.

[BiGGieStuFF]

Originally Posted by SwoLy-D No. The receiver (whether it's the DVR one or the non-DVR one) only outputs ONE SIGNAL and ONE CHANNEL. EDIT: If you could output TWO different channels from the Receiver, you'd need a PIP channel or a second remote control, which isn't included. I have the following set up: Video: DVR - HDMI -> TV same DVR -> RCA Video (yellow) to DVD-recorder -> HDMI to TV Audio: TV -> optical audio to Surround Sound receiver I have noticed that when I change inputs on my TV, the DVR-receiver has to check HDMI integrity, and displays an error. Yes, you can output two signals at once.

So for any additional TV's in the house with u-verse I'll need an additional receiver. I thought it might be similar to dish where one receiver has 2 tuner capabilities and is able to output to 2 different TV's.

Thanks for all the info.

[SwoLy-D]

Just to add something else to the mix, you can do THREE outputs: RCA (yellow), Component (RGB+sound), or HDMI out of the DVR and potentially have three monitors/TVs receiving the output.

And, don't forget that you also need to send the audio output from the receiver to your PC via the PC's auxiliary/audio-in jack... you will probably need an RCA-to-stereo-heaphone-type convertor for this, if you won't send HDMI/DVI to your monitor (without speakers).

[BiGGieStuFF]

Originally Posted by SwoLy-D Just to add something else to the mix, you can do THREE outputs: RCA (yellow), Component (RGB+sound), or HDMI out of the DVR and potentially have three monitors/TVs receiving the output. And, don't forget that you also need to send the audio output from the receiver to your PC via the PC's auxiliary/audio-in jack... you will probably need an RCA-to-stereo-heaphone-type convertor for this, if you won't send HDMI/DVI to your monitor (without speakers).

I would like to be able to view different things on display but I guess i can live with having the same thing since I'll either be in the bedroom or the TV room.

Another question. Does the remote use infrared or radio frequency? Obviously if it uses infrared i won't be able to control it from the bedroom.

I just want to be prepared with all the proper cables so i can hit the ground running when I get my installation. So excited to watch all the HD channels. I feel like I've been in the stone age so long with SD broadcasts.

[rock8ts]

You don't have to buy and HDTV if you are going with UVErse. Their HD signal is mediocre because it goes a lot of digital processing.

With Comcast I was able to see the makeup of the newspeople. Now with Uverse, it's like cartoons.

[BiGGieStuFF]

Originally Posted by rock8ts You don't have to buy and HDTV if you are going with UVErse. Their HD signal is mediocre because it goes a lot of digital processing. With Comcast I was able to see the makeup of the newspeople. Now with Uverse, it's like cartoons.

It seems you're in the minority. I've seen you post in the other HD threads. I'm sorry for your u-verse experience and hope that mine is the complete opposite of yours. If not then I'll probably be going back to comcast. *sigh*

[rock8ts]

Originally Posted by BiGGieStuFF It seems you're in the minority. I've seen you post in the other HD threads. I'm sorry for your u-verse experience and hope that mine is the complete opposite of yours. If not then I'll probably be going back to comcast. *sigh*

You should try comcast hd first before switching to uverse. otherwise you won't be able to compare the two.