Sony HT-CT550W?? - Page 5

Originally Posted by McLuvin1

Hey LBJ,
The video on the main page of the URL you supplied played fine on the Revue, even at full screen on my XBR-52HX909.

Originally Posted by LBJ2


Hello This is good news indeed. Thank you for checking out that link. I don't even own the Revue yet ( due to arrive tomorrow) and am already impressed. I read there is a new Android HoneyComb 3.1 update either out already or coming out soon too.

Does your HTCT550W play the different digital sound fields from the Revue when available e.g. Dolby Digital or DTS ?

Originally Posted by McLuvin1

Have not looked at the sound processing while watching Revue content. Let me know what you think when yours arrives. We may want to start a new or find an existing Logitech Revue thread as I feel like we are veering off topic here. Let me know.

Originally Posted by LBJ2

OK. Thanks again

Originally Posted by bigcat

LBJ2, did you ever compare the CT150 with the CT550W. I am debating between the two. Not sure what to get. You said the 550 did better than the 350, so I assume it would also be better than the 150 in your eyes. Did you compare quality of the dialog in addition to the loud sound effects? Appreciate any feedback. The 350 is discontinued and hard to find, that's why I am considering the 150.

Originally Posted by LBJ2

Hello Bigcat: If you are set on a Sony Sound bar, I don't think you can go wrong with either one really. Since the CT100, Sony has produced some very respectable Sound bars.

I did not compare the CT150 however, I might offer the following for your consideration:

• Subwoofer/Receiver design: the CT150 all-in-one vs the wireless subwoofer and separate Receiver. For me the 550W wireless subwoofer has turned out to be a nice surprise both powerful and mobile-- as I can move the S/W pretty much where I like--however if you are wall mounting the TV and sound bar, you'll have to consider where to place the separate 550W Receiver component.
• 3.1 vs 2.1--surprisingly Sony really made the 550W 2.1 work, if configured correctly, I don't think you will notice that it's not a 3.1. (Plenty of center channel/balanced dialogue capabilities.)
• Technology--I'm sure you already compared the specs/sound fields etc. so I won't go into that and both process 3D with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 out.
• CT 150 has been on the market longer and seems to carry on the tradition of very good ratings from many happy customers...not to mention a lower price tag.

Hope this contributes to your decision process. Do let me know what you end up with, and if you have any setup questions.

Originally Posted by bigcat

Thanks. That helps. This system is for a 60" sony (60LX900), and looking at the sony bars for the price and compatibility. I don't really want to spend $800 on a sound bar.

I think you had a comment on the TV size (which I guess you edited out), which was a good point, though I don't know what the impact of that really is.

I am fine with the separate receiver in the 550. I was mainly concerned about the 2.1 (vs 3.1) and ability to decode the HD formats. Looks like the 150 can't decode these, but not sure how much of a disadvantage that is when it comes to a sound bar. Considering everything, it seems going with the 550 is probably the safer bet. Oh, one other thing, my house is full of wireless devices, all kinds of them, and not sure the wireless sub is going to have or create a problem in that area.

Thanks again.

EDIT: forgot to mention the TV is in our family room which is two-story and an open floor plan, very large space, so I am aware the sound bar may have a problem filling that large of a space, but we are having trouble hearing from the TV speakers. I can't set up a 5.1 system in this area. So I am hoping a bar can help.

Originally Posted by shanidlc

Hello to all,

LBJ2, thanks for posting your settings earlier, i received my 550 about two weeks ago. I have tried them and they do make a big difference from the original factory settings. The SW and center speakers sounds crispy. I still need to play a blueray movie to appreciate it better.

For now I am very happy with the investment. I recommend to anyone interested to check out the nerds at ebay, they provide very fast shipping and very proffesional transaction with tracking, not to mention the price.

Originally Posted by LBJ2

OK. Thanks again

Originally Posted by McLuvin1

Hey LBJ how are you liking the Revue?

Originally Posted by daz655321

I see one of these currently up for auction on ebay from a seller called Techpro. Current bid is at $182 with one day left on the auction. Just unsure about ordering something like this from ebay. Anyone ever heard of this seller?

Originally Posted by LBJ2

Here's what worked for my set up:

Recommendations:

1. Use high-speed HDMI cables only (1.4 HDMI) through your ARC HDMI port on your TV
2. Set your video/audio source E.g. Blu-ray player, PS3 etc. to "bitstream" for Audio Digital Out ( turn-off Linear PCM)
3. Turn off your TV speakers (use only the sound bar and SW--else you might get a "hollow" sound)


My current HT-CT550W settings that seem to make the biggest difference:

AMP Menu
Level: CNT +4, SW +6
Tone: Bass +5 or 6, Treble +3
Audio: Dual Mono: Main? ( I am still deciding)

Other settings:

DRC-Off

Sound Field: Movie

Note: For really BIG sound--try increasing the master volume +15 on the Receiver (independently) before you sync the TV volume with the Receiver Volume

Let me know what you think

Originally Posted by bigcat

Am I supposed to see the AMP menu on the TV screen? How do I make sure the bravia sync thing is working. I don't see the AMP menu on the TV. One more thing, the volume level on the receiver shows 34 while the TV shows 65. I am not sure how you "sync the TV volume with the Receiver Volume".

Originally Posted by LBJ2

Hey! You got the system already.
Unfortunately Sony did not include their Home Theater application on the LX900--so you can't display the amp menu on the LX TV itself. So use the front panel display on the Receiver.

On your volume question. Did you set it up so the LX900 remote is also controlling the Receiver volume?

Originally Posted by bigcat

Yep, came fast from Amazon . Yes, the TV remote is controlling the receiver volume, I didn't have to do anything for that. The level reported on the TV screen is different than the level reported on the receiver. But not really a big deal; when you said "sync volume" I thought maybe there was a way to correct that.

I just installed it last night, and as reported by many, it didn't sound very good with default settings. I immediately adjusted the settings to match yours and tuned to a channel that was playing a movie and felt the difference right away. Didn't have time to play a bluray movie. Will do so today. I use a PS3 and did notice yesterday it has a Bitstream option in the BD/DVD HDMI Audio Output menu so I set it to that. Thanks for your review and help here.

Originally Posted by LBJ2

Also, the 550W will work with the Position Control function on your LX900 so if you have the Position Control set on your LX900--the 550W will optimize sound bar speakers to your seating position in the room

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by macbookq

What are the pros and cons of getting either:

1. HTCT550W + Sony Blu-Ray Player (With Wifi)


or


2. Sony all in one - BDV-F7

Originally Posted by avnewbe

LBJ2, what parts of the manual must be read? On that advice I read through it all, but didn't see anything that wasn't covered by your suggested settings. The Bravia and HDMI control didn't apply so I skipped those.

I got these a week ago, purely based on the feedback here because the store demo unit was set up poorly (probably on defaults) and they couldn't find the remote for it. At home, even with the suggested settings (or close to them), there are times when the sound (especially mid-tones) is rather hollow, muddled or unclear, as if it needed a few notches higher of treble. If I up the volume a bit it seems to improve, but I live in a condo with neighbours above and below, so it'll almost never get turned up higher than 12-15 out of the 49 volume levels.

These replaced PC speakers that were hooked up to the TV via headphone jack, so I'm an audio newbie and don't know if it's *supposed* to sound like this with a good bass system (the PC speakers didn't always convey speech well, but the mid-tones were very clear and the cheap bass was still 10x better than the TV speakers). It's also not mounted yet since I'm not sure about it, so it's sitting in front of the TV unit, raised about an inch so the sound doesn't reflect right off the shelf.

Sometimes a different sound field helps. It's mixed use TV, PS3/BluRay, Airport Express and FM tuner, but even some top-40 FM have muddled mid-tones while in the "Music" field--not at all expected compared to what I hear in clubs.

Does this sound bar need more baby-ing than other soundbars in this price range, or would all soundbars have similar characteristics and I'm just not used to a good sound system?

Originally Posted by Tuan

Just got mine yesterday to upgrade my HT-CT100, so far with the mentioned tweaks it sounds great with much better dialogue clarity. HDMI-CEC also works great. Now I just need my USB HDMI-CEC adapter to get here so I can control my HTPC with the tv remote.

Originally Posted by daz655321

Finally ordered today from amazon. Had some giftcards so the final price was $265. Looking forward to having some decent sound for my tv in the bedroom.

Originally Posted by LBJ2

Okay well that does sound like a decent price indeed. At least with Amazon you can return this system if there is something wrong or if you just don't like it. ( I'm not sure you had that option with the ebay vendor you were looking at).

Also, since you'll be needing newer High Speed HDMI cables for your new 550W, if you don't already own these cables--Amazon sells excellent High Speed HDMI cables for less than $10 a piece. Check out the reviews on these cables--most are rated 4+ stars by hundreds of customers.