Hooking up HD Directv to an older Panny HDTV

[penpitt]

Hi all, first post here although I have visited for over a year. I have a question regarding the ability to hook up Directv HD to a 3 year old panasonic RPTV. The model is a PT-47X54 that has 1 HDMI input.It also supports 1080i. From looking at Directvs website it looks like the model numbers of there sat boxes are HR20 or H20. Would there be any compatibility issues with the hookup?The reason I ask is because of the different versions(?) of HDMI and I have read of some compatibility issues between components.
I would also like to hook up an Oppo DV-980H to the TV as well. I know I would have to get an HDMI switcher and was looking at one at monoprice. I bought a RX-V659 last year and of course it does not have HDMI inputs/outputs.
Right now a new TV would be at least a year off since I just purchased a new 5.1 setup and spent double what I initially budgeted. Thanks

 

[jimfitz]

I would go HDMI from the DVD to the monitor. Use component from the Satellite box to the monitor. Use optical or coaxial from the satelllite box and DVD to the receiver. If you plan to use the monitor speakers to watch tv at all, use L/R rca from the satellite box to the monitor.

 

[obscbyclouds]

One thing to add, if you plan on using the 980H for SACD or DVD-A playback, you'll have to connect 6 RCA type analog connections from the DVD player to the reciever as Coax or Optical will not pass multichannel hi-res music.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hi all, first post here although I have visited for over a year. I have a question regarding the ability to hook up Directv HD to a 3 year old panasonic RPTV. The model is a PT-47X54 that has 1 HDMI input.It also supports 1080i. From looking at Directvs website it looks like the model numbers of there sat boxes are HR20 or H20. Would there be any compatibility issues with the hookup?The reason I ask is because of the different versions(?) of HDMI and I have read of some compatibility issues between components.
I would also like to hook up an Oppo DV-980H to the TV as well. I know I would have to get an HDMI switcher and was looking at one at monoprice. I bought a RX-V659 last year and of course it does not have HDMI inputs/outputs.
Right now a new TV would be at least a year off since I just purchased a new 5.1 setup and spent double what I initially budgeted. Thanks

I second jimfitz's suggestion. Go component from the sat. It should be fine to send 1080i to the TV on component cable and you won't have the handshake issues to worry about, or hassles with the sat company about their boxe problems.

One question though. Do you watch TV using TV speakers, such as Larry King? or other news shows or just some simple program where the TV speakers are sufficient?
You may want to run analog audio to the TV so you don't have to turn on the HT system. Just another alternative.

 

[penpitt]

Thanks guys for the advice. I didn't even consider that the sat box would have component video outputs. I just wanted to make sure it would work to upgrade from Directv SD to HD. Now if only I can convince my wife that we need a new dvd player.
Usually we always use the tv speakers for watching tv but with HD I guess movies will be in 5.1 so we will use the receiver as well.

 

[jimfitz]

Yes, you'll really enjoy the HD movies much more if you use your surround system. All of your digital movies will be in 5.1, not just the HD channels.