My misses suggested it would be a good idea if our new plasma, Panasonic TH 42 PW 5 was able to show a screen saver - you know - a fish tank or similar. I did try to explain that after spending trucks loads of money on it I would rather watch a film, she replied, " but what about when we listen to the CDs - you cant watch a film then".
I know i could attach my laptop to it, but wondered if there was a setup function that allowed a screen saver to be stored in the plasma?
ta.

No but you can buy DVD's that will act as a screensaver, like a fish tank or ocean or fire. I have seen the Aquaria DVD and I know it changes pixel colors every so ofter even on the coral reefs.. I believe it simulates day time then night time transitions or something..


Eric
http://www.integrationpros.com

Eric,

only trouble is I have everything connected to a single Yamaha amp, so somehow i would need to configure it so that it played the DVD video with no sound and left the audio for the Sony CD200.
i have a marantz 9200 so altho I may not understand the complexities, if i could program it just the once I'd be OK.
not too sure it is possible tho.

if your dvd player has multiple video outs; component, s-video, and/or composite just use one of the free video outs and directly input it into your plasma. Then if you want to listen to music you could use the plasma to switch from Vid1 to Vid2 and play the DVD and then put the receiver on FM or CD and listen to music. If you use the DVD to listen to music then just go by a $48 DVD player to direct connect to the plasma.

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious here mutley, but sometimes they are the things that get overlooked.

Some receivers have the ability to seperatly select the "video out", so that you could indeed listen to the Sony CD200 while the receiver routes picture from the DVD. I haven't dealt with Yamaha for a few years now (Denon man through and through), but if you aren't sure , post the model no of your receiver and I'll try to check.

How about set "Auto Power Off" in your plasma menu ? Which means that the plasma will switch to Power Off mode, when there is no video signal?

I have the Marantz 9200, sweet machine. It has the ability to source different outputs. Meaning, just pop your DVD in; select the DVD input on your Marantz then selct CD input. The DVD will still play on your screen while you listen to your CDs through your Marantz. Let me know if this works.
Bill

This is all good stuff, but all my audio equipment is 5 metres from the plasma utilising the component and s-video input on the plasma only and no possibility of running extra cables as I have them chased into the walls.

Am I right in thinking that the plasma will accept video input from my Harman Kardon DVD25, while the AMP (Yamaha DSP AX 630 SE)is switched to CD input/output. (Sony cdp CX 200).

JPS -- Auto Power off - I cannot find that on my plasma setup menu. I normally have this as part of my power off sequence on the Marantz.

AussieAV - stating the obvious is fine as I normally miss this. See above for model as this sounds a "smart" idea and therefore appeals to me.

Ericstac - I dont use the DVD for CDs and i think this is just the same situation as I am already in, especially as I cant run anymore cables to Plasma.

regards

duh.. Aussie is right..

With that amp you should be able to just pick up the remote and choose the video source then choose the audio source. It has to be done through the remote though, so don't try it on the receiver. Just choose DVD then Tuner and it should play out just fine.


Eric
http://www.integrationpros.com

Eric / Aussie,

will try this as soon as i put it all back together after redecorating - another request by the misses. I am beginning to sond "hen pecked", but at least I got a new plasma and gadgets to go with it . .

Cheers for all your help guys.