[lucrob]

I have Rogers VIP service with with the 8642PVR on my main floor. In my bedroom I plan on wall mounting a new 40" LCD. From what I read here I will need a HDSTB to get digital and HD channels on this new LCD. Bummer.

So now my question is where am I going to put the HDSTB so it is out of sight? I am wanting a really clean look with just the panel on the wall nothing else. Any and many suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[oermens]

why out of sight? how sure are you that the remote will work? i'm using a harmony remote and it pretty much needs direct line of sight with all my components since i don't have the ir extender.

 

[audacity]

why out of sight?

Because STBs usually look rather ugly. If you could mount a TV on the wall and just have in-wall cables that connect to the TV, that would look much nicer.

Unfortunately, cable and satellite STBs rarely leave you with this option.

There was an interesting "future vision" that cable companies were showing at CES this year. Basically you have "TV server" box that has tuners/DVR functionality and then your TVs are basically clients in a client/server arrangement. Apparently the communication between client and server is using the DLNA protocol so it's somewhat standards based.

We'll see.

As far as your situation goes... I dunno. Consider OTA HDTV signals?

 

[Bplayer]

There are solutions, some simple, some expensive. The HDSTB will connect to the TV via an hdmi cable, which can be up to 15' without a booster. Assuming this is not a problem and the HDSTB is in some cabinet there are two alternatives:

1. Use an IR extender which will pick up the IR commands for the HDSTB. The receiver for the extender must be "visible" to receive the commands from the remote. In this alternative a medium size box has been hidden but a smaller controller needs to be visible. Something like this:
http://www.***********/en-CA/produc...-extender-dsc-ir100a-dsc-ir100a/10015205.aspx

2. Get a universal RF remote that will send IR signals to your devices via mini IR blasters. One of the blasters will have to be stuck on to the TV over the receiving eye.

3. Get a universal remote that uses both IR and RF codes. The TV would be receive IR codes directly, no mini blaster. An RF extender, in the closet with the HDSTB, would send IR signals to the HDSTB . Something like this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acousti...reen/9463387.p?id=1218108655444&skuId=9463387

 

[lucrob]

As stated I do not want to see that STB not to mention there will be no cabinetry underneath or near where the TV will be mounted. I am going to have to put the STB in a remote area, run the HDMI to the TV and control the STB with one of the options shown. Thanks for the quick feedback.

Has anyone ever placed a STB in the attic? Inside an insulated box perhaps? For my situation that would be ideal. Easy for me to run cables and get power to it as well. What do you think?

 

[Bplayer]

Try and find the spec sheet for the STB and planned RF extended to check out their operating temperatures. The marginal heat from these devices may be just sufficient to keep the devices within the operating temperatures on those very cold nights.

As you are mounting the TV on the wall, another option is to cut open the wall (assuming that it not an outside insulated wall) and mount the devices behind the TV. If is is an insulated wall you have to be caseful not to damage the vapour barrier when you run the hdmi cable behind the wall and out of sight.

 

[17671]

why not just put it on a shelf

 

[lucrob]

Actually in thinking about it the attic would not be practical. Difficult to get to for re-booting and whatever else comes up. I will need to find a better spot out of sight for the STB. The wall behind the TV is a possibility as it is interior and 2 by 6 construction, however access could be problematic as I am going to be going with a fixed mount slim design for the bracket.

The more I think about it the more I like the idea of OTA. Bedroom viewing will only be late at night and pretty limited. I do not need to purchase the STB (but the cost of the OTA antenna et al. is in the same range) and will not need an extender or blaster.

Hmmm...

 

[Jorman]

Lucrob: another option would be to obtain an "IR Extender" purpose made for the STB. I had your exact issue with a new Plasma we mounted over a fireplace upstairs. My Rogers STB was a Scientific Atlanta unit (now Cisco) and I discovered that SA used to carry an extender for doing exactly what we want.
The part I needed for my HDPVR was similar to this:
http://www.sciatl.com/ExplorerClubGuides/getting_started/736121.pdf

Simple. Mount the "eye" below the tv, plug the other end into the STB, install the HDMI from the STB back to the TV and it is complete. For my situation, I obtained a 25 foot extender and a 25 foot HDMI (1.4) cable which allowed me to locate the box downstairs with the other components in our basement Media Room.
For your installation, you would need to verify that these extenders would work with your particular STB (is it a Cisco box?) and then the real problem is getting your hands on the actual extender. Scientific Atlanta is no more and Cisco doesn't seem to manufacturer these items at all. Inquiries to Rogers were useless. I found mine on eBay just before christmas and bought a couple of extras just in case. If you choose to proceed with the install and can't source a new cable, pm me and I can give you the contact I bought mine from.

 

[17671]

I like all the ideas suggested, however I think the best and most practical, would be to have some kind of small shelving unit and just put your stb inside it, it will have a door on it, and the ir will be able to shine through, then there is an opening in the back, the output wires connect to the wall jack, which feeds the hdmi to the TV above. so even though your wires are hidden, you have a place to put the remotes, STB, tv Guide, spare cables, etc..