High Tech XMAS

We kicked in the New Year with a dose of high tech…a new PC for me, a transfer of my laptop to Mom, a car GPS and last but certainly not least- Mom and E.D.’s new HDTV and Home Theater system. While we could handle the PC and GPS, we took one look at the Home Theater and called in the experts. The actual connections didn’t look too difficult. It was really only setting up the TV, Cable/DVR box, the DVD/Receiver and all the speakers. What a system- woofer, front speaker, two side speakers, two wireless rear speakers - and even a separate box that lets' you listen to the TV remotely.

Fortunately, Circuit City sent out two guys who didn't flinch when we asked them to move the 250 pound existing TV from the living room to the Florida room. Then they got to setting everything up. As I said, the wiring wasn't too complicated--but the TV set up needed to be done by a 20 year old. Cody (the youngster) spent about 1/2 hour just sitting in front of the TV with fingers flashing on the remote control. He got all the speakers calibrated, set up the TV so that all the HD channels work properly and the non HD channels show full screen. Then we got a little explanation of how to use the 3 remotes. My poor mother- we keep throwing all this new technology at her and she manages to figure it all out. After the guys left, we had to do the rest of the moving and re-cabling to take the TV from the Florida room into the bedroom, move the bedroom TV to the garage (not sure what she's going to do with that one) and then get the DVD/VCR's set up for the other 3 TV's. Six hours later and we were done and absolutely exhausted. I was supposed to cook jambalaya that day, but begged off and we came home and opened a bottle of wine! The HD TV is really gorgeous--it got us thinking about what it would take to get one for the motorhome...but, it's so much more complicated for us. We'd need to change out the roof in-motion antenna ($$$$), then the two TIVO/Receivers ($$$), then the DVD --the new HD TV ...and we aren't sure what wiring would be involved...So, we've decided to put it on hold. Maybe if Obama decides to do another economic stimulus check- or cut taxes....