Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Picture-in-picture hook up
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Jonre
05-14-01, 07:39 AM
(I know versions of this question have been addressed here before, but I could not find the thread) My system consists of a TV, VCR, receiver, DVD, and Playstation, with a digital cable box as well. The TV is a new 36". What is the best way to wire my system so that picture-in-picture functions? Thanks, Jon
Smokey
05-14-01, 02:35 PM
Good Afternoon, Jon:
What I need to know is what connections are available on each unit. In other words, what "goes into" and "what comes out of". From this, I can draft you an engineering write up to derive fullest advantage of your system. Don't forget the wall connection for the cable.
Smokey ;)
What I need to know is what connections are available on each unit. In other words, what "goes into" and "what comes out of". From this, I can draft you an engineering write up to derive fullest advantage of your system. Don't forget the wall connection for the cable.
Smokey ;)
Jonre
05-14-01, 08:51 PM
Thanks for the quick reply, Smokey. Here goes...
DVD: 5.1 CH OUTPUT: Front (l,r), Rear (l,r), Center, Woofer. COMPONENT VIDEO OUT: green (y), blue (pb/b-y), red (pr/r-y). S VIDEO OUT (1 & 2). LINE OUT: Audio (2) (l,l,r,r), Video (l,r). S-LINK, control S in. DIGITAL OUT: Optical, coaxial.
DIGITAL CABLE BOX: TO TV/VCR. CABLE IN. AUX audio in (l,r), AUX audio out (l,r). S VIDEO.
VCR: ANT: in,out. AUDIO: in (l,r), out (l,r). VIDEO: in, out.
PLAYSTATION: AV MULTI OUT
TELEVISION: ANT 75 ohm. IN: S VIDEO, VIDEO 1 (video, audio l,r), VIDEO 2 (video y, audio l,r, color stream input cb & cr) OUT: VIDEO, AUDIO (l,r)
STEREO RECEIVER: My receiver would be a chore to pull away from the wall in order to see the connections, so for now I will just say that it is a Sony STR-D360Z with Surround Pro Logic. If you need further information about the receiver or anything else, please ask. Thanks a ton! Jon
DVD: 5.1 CH OUTPUT: Front (l,r), Rear (l,r), Center, Woofer. COMPONENT VIDEO OUT: green (y), blue (pb/b-y), red (pr/r-y). S VIDEO OUT (1 & 2). LINE OUT: Audio (2) (l,l,r,r), Video (l,r). S-LINK, control S in. DIGITAL OUT: Optical, coaxial.
DIGITAL CABLE BOX: TO TV/VCR. CABLE IN. AUX audio in (l,r), AUX audio out (l,r). S VIDEO.
VCR: ANT: in,out. AUDIO: in (l,r), out (l,r). VIDEO: in, out.
PLAYSTATION: AV MULTI OUT
TELEVISION: ANT 75 ohm. IN: S VIDEO, VIDEO 1 (video, audio l,r), VIDEO 2 (video y, audio l,r, color stream input cb & cr) OUT: VIDEO, AUDIO (l,r)
STEREO RECEIVER: My receiver would be a chore to pull away from the wall in order to see the connections, so for now I will just say that it is a Sony STR-D360Z with Surround Pro Logic. If you need further information about the receiver or anything else, please ask. Thanks a ton! Jon
Jonre
05-14-01, 08:54 PM
Also, Smokey, I'm not sure what you are asking for with regard to the wall connection for the cable. The cable attaches directly into the cable box. Thanks again. Jon
Smokey
05-15-01, 03:37 PM
Good Afternoon, jonre:
I typed out a long explanation earlier today and then the Internet went down at my end. Lost the whole thing. Oh well, that is the fortunes of this business.
Let's deal with the RF or antenna connections first, jonre, because that is most important to you.
Stop by Radio Shack and pick up a small 3 dB antenna signal amplifier with one INPUT and two OUTPUTS. This will cost you about $15. There are things called "two set couplers" which are mechanical devices. I don't recommend them because they cut your signal strength in half. If you are on the end of a cable line, this can cause you to experience snow. If an amplifier puts in too much signal to the equipment, they have AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuits that will adjust it automatically.
Do some measurements based on this design and pick up some short pieces of RG-59 coax with F-59 connectors. These are available at Radio Shack, also.
Next, pick up an A-B or A-B-C switch (whatever is available). We only need a two position switch to make this work. For clarity, I will refer to it as the A-B switch. It is a device for switching between two antenna sources.
1) Connect the cable from the wall jack to the INPUT of the Antenna Amplifier and plug it in.
2) Connect a cable between one of the amplfier OUTPUTS to the "A" position on the A-B switch.
3) Connect a second cable between the amplifier second OUTPUT to the INPUT of the Cable TV Box.
4) Connect a cable between the Cable TV Box Output (normally connected to the TV Antenna Input) and the VCR ANTENNA INPUT.
5) Connect a cable between the VCR ANTENNA OUTPUT the the "B" position of the A-B Switch.
6) Connect a cable from the OUTPUT of the A-B switch to the ANTENNA INPUT on the television set.
Now, here's what happens. With the A-B switch in the A position, you've bypassed the cable box. The PIP will work just fine. You will use your remote control to control the picture and the PIP. But YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE PREMIUM CHANNELS.
However, your VCR is slaved to the cable box. Using the VCR remote control just set it to receive Channel 3. You can record any channel the Cable Box is programmed at (including premium channels). You can watch TV and record whatever channel the Cable Box is set at....and the PIP will work.
Switch to the B position of the switch and the cable box is back in the circuit. The PIP WILL NOT WORK. You can view your premium channels or play the VCR to the set. Your choice.
Once you get this up and running, come back and we will discuss the DVD and the Playstation.
Smokey ;)
[Edited by Smokey on 05-16-01 at 09:29]
I typed out a long explanation earlier today and then the Internet went down at my end. Lost the whole thing. Oh well, that is the fortunes of this business.
Let's deal with the RF or antenna connections first, jonre, because that is most important to you.
Stop by Radio Shack and pick up a small 3 dB antenna signal amplifier with one INPUT and two OUTPUTS. This will cost you about $15. There are things called "two set couplers" which are mechanical devices. I don't recommend them because they cut your signal strength in half. If you are on the end of a cable line, this can cause you to experience snow. If an amplifier puts in too much signal to the equipment, they have AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuits that will adjust it automatically.
Do some measurements based on this design and pick up some short pieces of RG-59 coax with F-59 connectors. These are available at Radio Shack, also.
Next, pick up an A-B or A-B-C switch (whatever is available). We only need a two position switch to make this work. For clarity, I will refer to it as the A-B switch. It is a device for switching between two antenna sources.
1) Connect the cable from the wall jack to the INPUT of the Antenna Amplifier and plug it in.
2) Connect a cable between one of the amplfier OUTPUTS to the "A" position on the A-B switch.
3) Connect a second cable between the amplifier second OUTPUT to the INPUT of the Cable TV Box.
4) Connect a cable between the Cable TV Box Output (normally connected to the TV Antenna Input) and the VCR ANTENNA INPUT.
5) Connect a cable between the VCR ANTENNA OUTPUT the the "B" position of the A-B Switch.
6) Connect a cable from the OUTPUT of the A-B switch to the ANTENNA INPUT on the television set.
Now, here's what happens. With the A-B switch in the A position, you've bypassed the cable box. The PIP will work just fine. You will use your remote control to control the picture and the PIP. But YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE PREMIUM CHANNELS.
However, your VCR is slaved to the cable box. Using the VCR remote control just set it to receive Channel 3. You can record any channel the Cable Box is programmed at (including premium channels). You can watch TV and record whatever channel the Cable Box is set at....and the PIP will work.
Switch to the B position of the switch and the cable box is back in the circuit. The PIP WILL NOT WORK. You can view your premium channels or play the VCR to the set. Your choice.
Once you get this up and running, come back and we will discuss the DVD and the Playstation.
Smokey ;)
[Edited by Smokey on 05-16-01 at 09:29]