Wall Mount Plasma/Cable Box/DVD Player Hook Up?!?! (home, theater)

[deepballer]

Ok...I have a wall mounted plasma with prewire installed by my builder - 5 total wires for componet and audio it seems. My cable works fine and is connected directly to my time warner cable box. However, I cannot get my DVD connected, as I cannot connect it to the TV, but must connect it to the cable box in order to make it work, but no signal?!

Has anyone encountered this problem and if so, could you provide some specific install assistance? It doesn't make sense that I couldn't watch DVD's on my home entertainment system?!

Please help....thanks!

[mullman]

I do not think the TW cable boxes enable the pass through option.

Your TV should have more than one input (most today have 4-6 spread between component & HDMI).
The five wires from the cable box are called component cabling, 3 for picture and 2 for audio.
You will need to fish more cable through the wall (I recommend HDMI since it is only ONE cable for the entire signal) to connect your DVD player.

[deepballer]

My TV is mounted to the wall already with set prewires already installed, so I cannot connect any more wires to the TV without going through the wall...and the run is about 10'. There's got to be a way, as home theater system prewires have to keep in mind people wanting to watch DVD's. I have 5 cables that are prewires...componet and 2 extra audio...any other ideas?

[mullman]

Originally Posted by deepballer

My TV is mounted to the wall already with set prewires already installed, so I cannot connect any more wires to the TV without going through the wall...and the run is about 10'. There's got to be a way, as home theater system prewires have to keep in mind people wanting to watch DVD's. I have 5 cables that are prewires...componet and 2 extra audio...any other ideas?

Unfortunately that is builder work for you.
It sounds like the bare minimum to watch cable and nothing else.
Post a pic of the jack at the bottom of the wall (what you are calling the pre-wire) and I will do my best to help you. I've hung 6-8 flatscreens and fished cable for years (hung one over a fireplace, which took some doing).

If you do not want to run cable, then what about using a receiver as a fancy input switcher (between cable/DVD/video games or whatever).
No cutting or fishing cable required, but you would have to pony up for a receiver.

[deepballer]

Thanks for offering to help. I have 5 wires run from a bove my fireplace to the bottom right of my fireplace - capped off nicely. 3 component wires and 2 audio. (Blue, Green, Yellow, Black, Red). These all are plugged into the back of my time warner box. I tried to connect the DVD player to the time warner box and nothing of course, so I tried moving wires around and nothing. I will take a picture today and send it to you tonight! Thanks

[TheEmissary]

Originally Posted by deepballer

Ok...I have a wall mounted plasma with prewire installed by my builder - 5 total wires for componet and audio it seems. My cable works fine and is connected directly to my time warner cable box. However, I cannot get my DVD connected, as I cannot connect it to the TV, but must connect it to the cable box in order to make it work, but no signal?!

Has anyone encountered this problem and if so, could you provide some specific install assistance? It doesn't make sense that I couldn't watch DVD's on my home entertainment system?!

Please help....thanks!

deepballer - I think I have a solution to your problem. You need a switchbox that will accept component inputs. This switchbox has 4 sets of inputs for component-based devices. You would plug the line that leads to your TV set into the back of this switchbox. You can then get another couple of sets of component wires to plug both your cablebox and dvd into the switchbox and you should be set. Plus it comes with a remote to allow you to change the selected input on the switchbox. This ought to solve your problem for a while. Check it out and check out the prices for component wire sets. I've ordered stuff from them and the products are great! Good luck!!! It's available at a good price too!

For only $22.40 each when QTY 50+ purchased - ATLONA 4 Port Component Video Switch w/ IR Learning | Component Video Switch

[deepballer]

Good thought! Do you know if this has any effect on the quality of HD TV's or my HDDVR? I've read about these, but didn't know if this was the route I had to take...seems like it is.

Thanks

[TheEmissary]

Originally Posted by deepballer

Good thought! Do you know if this has any effect on the quality of HD TV's or my HDDVR? I've read about these, but didn't know if this was the route I had to take...seems like it is.

Thanks

They shouldn't. These types of boxes are essentially pass-through devices. Down the road you might want to pullout the component cable and replace it with a single HDMI cable that carries what those other 5 component wires do!

[ncopus99]

besides switches, most receivers (surround sound) have plenty of inputs. You would feed everything into the receiver and have the out go into your component prewiring.

[deepballer]

ok - so I fed everything through a new Yamaha receiver with Dynex componet & audio cables to by Cable TV box and DVD Player. I know do not get much red in the picture and my DVD player buzzes from time to time. I think the builder put cheeps wires from my fire place to my entertainment niche area?! Anyway to get those replaces with Monster cables..easliy...ha?

Frustrated...