how is that the same setup JD? unless you are and i are looking at different pictures i believe the the cabinets in which the tvs are in are completely diffferent, the speakers look completely different, one has a carpeted floor, and the electronics are completely different. dont know what you are smoking.
Hi, thanks for the kind words. The only common component to both systems is the Panasonic th42px50u television.
The first system consists of: Panny TH42PX50U TV Yamaha RXV-657 7.1 receiver Carver TFM-25 Power amp (for front speakers) Thiel CS2 (front speakers) Infinity CC2 (center speaker) Infinity ERS 110II (surround and rear in ceiling) Cadence XSUB subwoofer Samsung HD950 DVD/SACD player Dishnetwork 510 Sat Receiver/DVR Sony RCDW500 CD Recorder JVC HR-S5902 VCR Panny DMR-ES10S DVD Recorder (in right 'tower') Sony ??? dual casette recorder (in right 'tower') Harmony 659 remote PS2,N64,Gamecube, UPS/power conditioning reside in the bottom of the center section.
The entertainment unit was custom made by a local unfinished furniture manufacturer, with the center section 17" deep (standard depth is 24"). I added 2 12V super-quiet cooling fans, and a relay-slave outlet to power the Carver PA and cooling fans on/off with the Yamaha receiver.
The second system consists of: Panny TH42PX50U TV Panny SA-XR55 6.1 receiver Advent H400 (front speakers) Athena Point 5 (center, surround and rear speakers) Yamaha YST-SW315 Subwoofer (next to couch, not shown) Oppo DV971H DVD player Dishnetwork 942 Sony SLV-N750 VCR Gefen HDMI switch Harmony 659 Remote
UPS/power conditioning reside in the lower cabinet. I built a heavy-duty slide tray so the TV/center speaker can be pulled out flush-front for viewing, then slid back so the doors can close without interference with the center speaker. I also put 2 12v cooling fans in this unit. The SA-XR55 does not have switched outlets, so I am controlling those fans with a household AC thermostat mounted to the back of the plasma screen.
Of course, I'm still fiddling around with both systems, but the family is really enjoying them. We subscribe to 'netflix', so always have a supply of DVDs to watch. I really enjoyed watching my alma mater (Va Tech) win in HD on espn last weekend!
I'm still working to optimize my OTA reception. I tried comparing OTA via the Dish 942 vs direct to the plasma receiver, but could not get the 942 to receive anything (!), so am still troubleshooting that.
Thanks. The power conditioning is in the lower, enclosed cabinets.
I also like the 'dense pack' look, just have to keep an eye on equipment temps. One thing I forgot to mention: on the 2nd system, I used clothes dryer vent hose between the lower cooling fan and the plasma screen vent holes to ensure the fan was pulling air thru the TV (when it is slid out flush in front, the screen is pretty far from the fan).
