Hi group. I have a client that is looking for a plasma with fixed/variable 2 channel audio outputs. He's putting a single zone device in his ceiling that will allow him to use the front inwalls and plasma only for watching the news, and switch to full system and surround for everything else. He doesn't want additional speakers on his display.

I've only been able to find Sampo (and Gateway) with this ability. Anyone know of a decent display that will do this?

I don't understand the point. If he is going to have a full surround sound system but doesn't want all speakers playing for the news just set the surround processor to straight stereo for the news. Most plasmas don't have tuners so you'd never be using the outputs on the plasma anyhow - you're using a satellite box or vcr or whatever as the outboard tuner.

This message was edited by QQQ on 07/23/04 15:13.

One minor advantage I can see, is saving a little wear and tear on the surround proccessor. I don't think they are using anything but the supplied surround remote, so they won't be able to switch audio format between ABCNews and HBO automatically. With variable audio outputs they can write a macro to switch on the TV only. I'm not part of the design team on this one, only the equipment supplier, so I'm just trying to fill the request.

So set up a second input on the Receiver for watching the news.... just use an available input and set it to Stereo... Then they can go to the real Sat input to switch automatically to suround.


Wear & Tear on the receiver? Watching the news? Your kidding right?

how about this - use a sonance asap1 autoswitching amp - variable output from cable box.

Or this - use any decent plasma - ie fujitsu, photonics, etc and use the speaker level outs into a line level autoswitcher. that should do it too

News doesn't put anywhere as much wear and tear on a surround processor as movies do with all those movie explosions and loud noises playing through *all* 7.1 channels.

;-)

This message was edited by QQQ on 07/23/04 22:12.

Since no one had jumped in here with a model that will do this, I'm guessing Sampo has cornered the market.

But I can't recommend a Sampo!

I don't have variable out from the cable box, but the 5 to 10 watt speaker outs could drive an autoswitch. I was concerned with sending speaker level to a line level device. Is that safe in this case?

I should have underlined "minor" in my response. I was thinking that if the receiver's power was "off" during the news, there would be a slight benifit to electrical consumption and to wear and tear.

Watching the news through a second receiver input is certainly a good option, in my opinion, but the installer on this job said his client wants to "Watch the news without firing up his system."

I'll recommend a good unit with speaker outs unless it's likely to damage the autoswitch. Anyone know?

i have recently installed pioneer hd5040 & hd4330 that could do it, Yamaha 42" HDTV, Fujitsu 42 EHDT, AND I AM SURE that almost all others that ARE NOT MONITERS will do it too. Sell them a 60" Fujitsu - slightly nicer than a Gateway or Sampo. The Dell may be comparable though.

What is a "single zone device in his ceiling?" Is it a two-channel amp that he wants to screw to the joists? I don't get it.

Assuming that that makes sense, your client has a good idea that happens to rise above the limit of what I call the "just watch the damn TV" mode. That mode uses the TV speakers.

Because he wants to use in-walls, he will have to be told that this is totally doable, but because it is not as simple as he might like, the he might not like the price.

My first answer would be that, if the TV has speaker outputs, an autoswitch be used to switch the speakers to the TV when the TV volume is turned up. This works well except late at night, when the TV volume might be low enough that the autoswitch drops out. Because of that, this idea is poor for a bedroom system.

Second, why is he concerned about firing up his system? If he is using all ten remotes that came with the individual components, then he has a valid reason -- he does not want to strain his brain just to figure out how to be depressed by the news. If you have supplied him with an integrated remote, then "TV ONLY" can be a choice in the remote and it should not matter to him if the macro turns on the amp.

I doubt that "wear and tear" is an issue with any A/V receivers without moving parts (electrons don't count). I have found that even leaving DVDs, VCRs and CD players on is not a problem as long as they are not in eternal PLAY...thus be SURE to hit STOP on a 300 disc anything when shutting down the system, or maybe even when switching inputs.

I'm assuming an autoswitcher

This works well except late at night, when the TV volume might be low enough that the autoswitch drops out.

Sonance's autoswitchers have a priority that it goes into a with no signal thus eliminating the dropout problem. Also convenient when using surround speakers for whole house audio in a nondedicated theater space. Since surround speakers never have constant program going to them

Okay, that's what I'll do. "Speaker out" to the autoswitch.

I'm not a Sonance dealer, but my friend Ty did the owner of Sonances' house here in SoCal, so I'm hoping he will help me with the interesting device you described oex.

Ernie, insightful as always, I don't have control over this job. I'm just in a "fill these specs" position. I'm only guessing at the thinking behind the "specs." I agree that running power supplies at idle is not the least bit damaging, based on the short amount of time we tend to keep equipment these days. And, they use negligable power.

thanks for the help group!