[jrnewquist]

Hey folks!


I'm moving into a new house, and have a green light to spent a chunk of change on a decent HT setup... I don't even have a receiver right now. I'm using one of those Sony package things that hooks right into my TV and DVD player. So I need a whole new setup, probably.


Here's what I know needs to be on my list:


* TV

* AV receiver

* Speaker system

* DVD player

* DirecTV with Tivo


Let me break out what I'm thinking in each category, and maybe ask a question or two in each area. I sure hope that someone has the patience to help me out and read through it all.


----- TV -----


The key issues here are space. My new house has a small living room, so I'm 90% sold on a Plasma TV, and the front runner (for cost reasons) is the 42" Panasonic ED, with wall mount.


Is the lack of a built-in tuner an issue? I'll be going either from my DVD player (via a receiver) to the TV, or through the DirecTivo...


----- AV Receiver -----


Since the TV has just one component video input, I need a receiver that speaks component video, and is able to pipe any video signal through that output.


I've been looking at the new Denon 2803. Two component inputs (DVD and future use), and plenty of S-Video.


Are there any other concerns I should take into account when shopping for an AV receiver in this context?


----- Speaker System -----


Based on reviews I've read around here and elsewhere, I'm thinking of the Energy Take 5+1 system here. Any other contenders in this price range? Should plug right into the AV receiver and work like a charm, right, for all possible audio inputs?


What kind of speaker cabling is recommended for something like this?


----- DVD Player -----


I currently have a non-progressive Sony DVD player. I've heard that this will more or less work with a progressive-capable TV, but the quality really suffers.


Assuming I want to replace it, I'm at a loss as to what I need. Progressive scan DVDs start at, what, $150? One thing I'm not sure about is audio decoding or handling. Do I need my DVD player to support Dolby and DTS, or will my receiver do it?


Are there some commonly well-thought of DVD player models which the GroupMind likes, which would meet the needs in a system like this?


----- DirecTV with Tivo -----


I'll be doing the vast majority of my television viewing from this this... which I don't have yet. I'm using a Tivo with Comcast Digital. I guess this is just a requirement, more than something I have questions about. It'd be nice if the TV I get speaks well with such pictures.


----- -----


Ok! That's about it. Any and all advice - even something that questions my assumptions or points me in another direction - would be welcome.

 

[EricD]

----- TV -----


Plasma has burn in issues, as well as others, but if you want to hang on wall your only other option would be front projection. Visit all the display forums.



----- AV Receiver -----


Will be hard to find a reciever that has internal bus switching for the different types of inputs. Generally, same in / same out, meaning your S-video in can only go to S-video going out, not componant or composite. There may be some out there that do this but will limit your choices alot. Visit the receiver forum.


----- Speaker System -----


Lots out there, should look in the speaker forum.



----- DVD Player -----


Yes, you will want to go with a progressive DVD player if you want to take advantage of your new tv. You will most likely do your surround decoding at your reciever. Look at the dvd forum for good info.


----- DirecTV with Tivo ---


No personal experience with this. Again, take a look at the specific forum, good info.

 

[Jules343]

The Denon 3803 has video up conversion it's about $300-$400 more than the 2803.


the concensus on DVD players is pretty much Panasonic go here to compare players

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi


Samsung has the HD-1000 or what ever the model number is that will upconvert ot 720P or 1080i if you get the new firmware, but this player will set you back around $1,300 if you can even find it as it's not being sold in the US.

 

[Marshall F]

Give front projection a second thought. It's space saving when in use and invisible when not in use. You can easily get a 100" diagonal picture less than many plasma TV's. Your room size, lighting, and video use may determine if this is a good option or not.


I like the specs and reviews on the Optoma H56. Projector Central has a review:
http://projectorcentral.com/optoma_h56.htm


As a warning, Projector Central recomends a lot of machines better suited for powerpint demonstrations, but this unit seems very well suited for HT.


Don't forget the pre-wiring - the "Home Integration and Distribution" section here is an excellent resource.


Marshall

 

[Delvo]

It's better to hook up your screen at least one other way than just component connections. Many widescreen TVs and screens lock into "full" mode when being fed a component signal, while many 4:3 units lock into their vertical-compression mode. In other words, they assume that a component signal must be 16:9 and lock into their best mode for 16:9... which is not necessarily what you want if the original image is 4:3. To retain the options on how to handle 4:3 material, use a non-component connector. S-Video seems to be the preferred kind.


You didn't specify your budget, but the 42" plasma thing gives a general idea. If you'd like a bigger screen but picked that because you can't afford bigger, it's definitely time to reconsider front and rear projection and whatever it would take to make them work; plasma is very expensive per inch of screen, which makes for a low bang-for-the-buck ratio. The same money would get you a bigger screen based on other technology, or other technology at that size could save you money.


Speaking of getting lots of bang for the buck, and also simplifying your wiring while we're at it, some DVD players have built-in surround-sound processors, so they can also act as their own receivers...

 

[Marshall F]

I agree on the wiring. I helped install an Boxlight 17sf / Optoma H55 recently, and we ended up running component, S-vid, and composite. In our case, the scientific Atlanta HT cable box automatically converetd all 1080 to 16x9, which looks funny if it's 4x3.


Our situation demanded a projector as we were replacing an old CRT, and I was amazed at the picture quality of this front projector (apparently the H56 is leaps and bouds better, oh well). I stopped by a buddies house over the wekend and he had a rear projection Mitsu (50" or so) It was nice, but really didn't have the impact of a pj.


Marshall

 

[EricD]

Quote:

I like the specs and reviews on the Optoma H56.

For home theater I wouldn't go with a native 4:3 projector if you watch movies and HD alot. Go with a native 16:9 like the l300u or the HS10 instead.

 

[jrnewquist]

TV: 42" Panasonic ED Plasma


Receiver: Let's say we go with the Denon 2803. I don't need component video up-conversion, really, but I do want no less than 2 component video inputs.


DVD Player: Under review. I don't need anything special on the video side, I think, besides progressive output. It'd be nice to get DVD-A support, but that's optional.


Speakers: The big question mark. If I keep the cost within $1000, I'm still thinking Energy Take 5+1 is the leading candidate. Some people have recommended manufacturers, but no complete solutions seem evident from their web pages. Is this the kind of thing where you "roll your own" rather than look for a package, once you get to the thousand-dollar price point?

 

[SVonhof]

--TV--

Don't worry about not having a tuner, as you have cable. If you go with DirecTV, the Set-Top-Box will be the tuner, as your cable box is now. DirecTV has many Tivo boxes out, but if you plan on using the capability of a plasma and using HD, there are no choices, yet. The HD-Tivo's are on their way. BTW, in the Silicon Valley, they have plenty of HD available, I have friends over there (I also work there) and it is available, just need a decoder and an antenna. PM me if you need more info.


--DVD--

Do you plan on doing SACD's or DVD-Audio? If not, just get one that has DTS and Dolby Digital (almost all of them) for the audio side. For video, get progressive scan. The players with the Faroudja processors seem to be the best for now, until the players that convert to 720p and 1080i come out.


--TV--

If you are considering plasma and looking at something larger than 42" because you want the larger image, consider front projection. BUT, only consider it if you are going to be able to control the lighting in the room. Too much light in the room washes out the image. I always have my blinds all the way down (black-out blinds) and lights are only on above the seating area for sports, for movies, the overhead lights are all off, and effects lights are the only ones on.