August 11th HT Wiring Diagram

August 11th HT Wiring Diagram, originally uploaded by arwild01.

So I'll have to admit... working on wiring brings out the OCD in me. :)

Turns out it didn't take too long to complete and I"m really happy with the results. The big downside of the new configuration: if you want to watch HDTV it's not sufficient to turn on the TV and receiver.... you also need to turn on the video switch.

But there are several advantages...

One of my gripes with the Denon 3801 is that you cannot "rename" or "program" the names of the devices for each input. The names are fixed. Additionally, although the receiver does have 2 sets of component inputs, they are each coupled to a specific input, specifically, the DVD and TV/DBS inputs. This meant that previously when I had a DVD Player and PS2 attached in my hometheater when you selected the "DVD" input you got the "PS2". TO get to the DVD player you actually had to select "VCD", In addition, the "cable box" was previously on the VCR-1 input and the VCR was also on the VCD input (VCD was the video switch... so it was multiple devices).

Now things make more sense:

• To watch HDTV:
  
  
  
  1. You select "Cable" on the Video Switch
     
  2. You select "TV/DBS" on the Receiver
     
  3. Finally you select DTV on the Television
     
  
  
• To watch the VCR:
  
  
  
  1. You select VCR-1 on the Receiver
     
  2. You select "AUX" on the TV (okay, not so great, but the other two inputs are labeled DTV and DVD... so it's clearly not those)
     
  
  
• To watch a DVD:
  
  
  
  1. You select DVD on the Receiver
     
  2. You select DVD on the TV
     
  
  

So on the whole...I think it makes a lot more sense.

As you can see, I've updated the diagram. Turns out it was easier to use different numbers for the devices on the video switch, but the labels are the same as I said they would be. I've also hooked up the L/R Analog audio for the PS3: This will allow me to potentially listen to SACD's through the PS3. Finally, I opted to use the Coaxial Digital Cable for the DVD Player instead of an optical cable. This leaves an open optical input on the receiver.... I could hook this to the SACD changer if I wanted to, but for now I think I'll leave it open.

2007 Home Theater Wiring Diagram

So back in 2001/2002 when I first setup my Home Theater I used visio to design a Wiring Diagram of my configuration. In part because I'm a geek, in part because it helped me keep things straight and (as my sister will attest) in part because people who visit me need something like this to figure out how to turn something on.

The original diagram appears as follows:

8x14latest, originally uploaded by arwild01.

Today I updated that diagram to what I will be doing this weekend to accommodate the PS3. You can see from this diagram that...

• I've upgraded my video switch
  
• The cable company DVR has an integrated HD tuner unlike the original box
  
• DVD#2 has been moved to the office
  
• I've disconnected the N64
  
• The Gamecube has been replaced by a Wii
  
• The PS2 has been replaced by a PS3
  

I'm surprised by how much more clean I was able to make the diagram.

Now hopefully the actual wiring will only take a couple of hours. :)

2007 Home Theater Wiring Diagram, originally uploaded by arwild01.

In order to make any sense out of these diagrams, you may need to view the "original size" on flickr. (1)Click on the image, 2)click "All sizes", 3)Select "Original Size")

PS3 for me...

As a hometheater enthusiast and a gamer... it was always a matter of "when" and not "if" I bought a Playstation3. However, I am much more of a Nintendo enthusiast then a Sony enthusiast and given the launch prices... I had to get a Wii right away, but the PS3 at $600 was just way too expensive.

However, the stars have aligned and conspired against me and I just couldn't resist:

1. First there was the Offering of 5 free blu-ray discs.
   
2. Next, there was the $100 price drop.
   
3. Then Sony offered a credit card with no interest for 12 months and a $150 "rebate" for purchases over $300.
   
4. Finally www.sonystyle.com ran a free shipping promotion.
   

This effectively made the PS3 a $350 purchase as opposed to a $600 purchase. I'll admit the free shipping wasn't a must-have (there are two sonystyle stores here in Houston), but it sure made it easy to just order online... it's not like I'm in a rush to get it.

Now, I have to re-wire my home theater system to accommodate another box that outputs greater than 480P.... easier said then done... I'll have to post my home theater wiring diagrams later to offer some better perspective on the enormity of this task.

Ironically, I'm still not sure there are any games I "must have". For the time being it may just serve as a blu-ray player. Although it's inevitable that PS3 titles will eventually starting appearing in my "game-collection" and "wishlist" on the right sidebar.

We'll always be the Redskins to me...

A couple of high school friends recently stumbled across me online, so I thought I should post a link to my high school. Maybe a search engine picks this up and a few more find me...

Some UofL Football references in the Media

Looks like Kolby Smith is on Peter King's radar in his MMQB article. SEE item #5. Also.... there's a really great background article on Amobi Okoye in the Houston Chronicle (I have the hardcopy at home).

The effects of Hurricane Rita

IMG_1059, originally uploaded by arwild01.

This is an older photo of Shannon and I while we were "evacuated" from the Houston area during Huricane Rita in the Fall of 2005. I don't believe I'm inebriated, but I can't swear to it. :)

UofL Alumni Launches AffintyCircle Site

I'd like to encourage any University of Louisville alumni that sees this to register themselves with the "Cardinal Circle" site. It's an officially supported community site (think Myspace, facebook, orkut) for UofL alumni... there's not a lot of content there yet, but that's the classic chicken and the egg problem... no people no content... no content no people. We can break the circle by signning up.