I've got a decent Home Theater set up...kind of a home theater on a budget. I've got my Sony 34XBR970! My new Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player! A back-up Sony progressive-scan player (which will play my CDs and damaged DVDs). HD Cable from my local provider. A wonderful new Harman/Kardon AVR-146 connected to a quality set of Onkyo speakers (SKS-HT500) via Acoustic Research speaker wires (I'm especially proud of those because of how hard I worked to cut each wire from the spool, wearing my fingers to the bone to get those connectors on...all in one night). My Home Theater is waiting for one final component: a decent universal remote control (I'm awaiting my order for a One For All remote from Amazon.
But my set up has got nothing on my dads. Now, he doesn't yet have an HD-DVD or BluRay player yet (but that's just a matter of time). But he DOES have some sort of JVC HD-VCR player (which he records HD programs from his cable provider) and a couple of different DVD players as well as one old laserdisc player. More impressive is his sound system. He's got these high quality Klipsch surrounding speakers (including the two massive front speakers that go from the floor to, like, my midsection). 2 rediculously powerful subwoofers. Probably his crown jewel...the anchor, if you will...is his Yamaha DSP-AZ1 receiver! You should see this monster. Okay, it's kinda old now and doesn't have some of the newer technology but this mo-fo is powerful! Seriously, it's like I'm being dipped into an ocean of Dolby Digital or DTS!
So what kind of television display do we view when enjoying this incredible Home Theater experience?
An old 32-inch, 4:3 (barely HD) Hitachi CRT.
Don't get me wrong. I'm sure it's been a great TV for them over the years. And I certainly wouldn't judge anyone who is enjoying that kind of TV, or can afford nothing more than that...but c'mon. The screen isn't even flat. And now when we (I say "we" because I come to visit every so often) watch something with a bright background, the screen starts trippin'. He keeps looking at TVs at BB and CC...and it's obvious he totally wants some sort of of flat-screen (probably plasma) between 37" and 42". But he keeps noticing "flaws" each time. I think he's just afraid to convince the wife.
All I know is when he finally gets it, he'll have THE set-up!
But my set up has got nothing on my dads. Now, he doesn't yet have an HD-DVD or BluRay player yet (but that's just a matter of time). But he DOES have some sort of JVC HD-VCR player (which he records HD programs from his cable provider) and a couple of different DVD players as well as one old laserdisc player. More impressive is his sound system. He's got these high quality Klipsch surrounding speakers (including the two massive front speakers that go from the floor to, like, my midsection). 2 rediculously powerful subwoofers. Probably his crown jewel...the anchor, if you will...is his Yamaha DSP-AZ1 receiver! You should see this monster. Okay, it's kinda old now and doesn't have some of the newer technology but this mo-fo is powerful! Seriously, it's like I'm being dipped into an ocean of Dolby Digital or DTS!
So what kind of television display do we view when enjoying this incredible Home Theater experience?
An old 32-inch, 4:3 (barely HD) Hitachi CRT.
Don't get me wrong. I'm sure it's been a great TV for them over the years. And I certainly wouldn't judge anyone who is enjoying that kind of TV, or can afford nothing more than that...but c'mon. The screen isn't even flat. And now when we (I say "we" because I come to visit every so often) watch something with a bright background, the screen starts trippin'. He keeps looking at TVs at BB and CC...and it's obvious he totally wants some sort of of flat-screen (probably plasma) between 37" and 42". But he keeps noticing "flaws" each time. I think he's just afraid to convince the wife.
All I know is when he finally gets it, he'll have THE set-up!
