I'm making the jump!

[cherno]

Well with the coming tax refund this year it is time for me to get serious about my Home Theater purchases in the next couple of weeks. Blu-ray is the winner for me now so I am heading down that path.

My planned purchases:
TV:
Samsung 4671 or 5271 LCD
The picture quality on these two by far blew away the other sets I saw on display in the stores I've visited.

Speakers:
Not a super audiophile, and don't like my movies super loud so just going to go with a basic "kit in a box" type of thing. There was a yamaha 585 or 565 I saw that didn't have a dvd player with it, which I liked.

Player:
???
Any recommendation for a blu-ray player in the $300-$400 range? I have tended to love sony dvd players. Apart from the ps3 as a player are Sonys good?

Furniture:
A basic multi shelf stand to put the tv and compnents on. Don't want to wall mount.

Plan to hook up my cable tv (no digital channels, still the super basic is all I have) and my old Gamecube.

Anyone cringing at the setup or have any input before I go and make a purchase? I feel like such a newb about this stuff. I have read info but it still confuses the hell out of me and makes me nervous about buying anything.

[sub780lime]

I would recommend against a HTIB. Even if you are not an audiophile, the sound difference between one of those cheapo HTIB's is substantial. What are you looking to spend on that piece of the pie?

[ganthc]

The real issue is whether you want to get all the extra goodies that come with a 1.1 or 2.0 profile player. Outside the ps3, I don't know of many Sony players that are ready to handle that. Otherwise, you can just get any of the standard players. It seems there are quite a few positive responses from owners of Sony players.

[Iguana Man]

Since video is your top priority I would consider putting more of your eggs into that (TV) basket.

[cherno]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

I would recommend against a HTIB. Even if you are not an audiophile, the sound difference between one of those cheapo HTIB's is substantial. What are you looking to spend on that piece of the pie?

For speakers I really don't want to spend more than that $500 ish range for a receiver and speakers.

[Ruined]

Coming out between April-June 2008:
http://panasonic.net/pavc/blu-ray/sc-bt100/

Blu-ray HTIB.

[plissken99]

At $500, the best HTIB we have at Best Buy is the Yamaha system with floorstanding speakers, and a reciever with HDMI inputs.

A bit more, but consider the Klipsch Quintet 5 speaker system which can be found for $250 or so online. Then you'd need to add a reciever and subwoofer, but it would sound alot better than other HTIBs. Whatever you do, make sure the reciever has HDMI input for the next gen sound formats. Excellent choice on the TV BTW.

[sub780lime]

Not a personal knock on you, Cherno, but I still don't understand how people that get into movies so much and even HD pass on investing in sound so quickly. A full surround system, even with a matrix'd 6 channel, creates so much more immersion. Having decent speakers increases that immersion.

[plissken99]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

Not a personal knock on you, Cherno, but I still don't understand how people that get into movies so much and even HD pass on investing in sound so quickly. A full surround system, even with a matrix'd 6 channel, creates so much more immersion. Having decent speakers increases that immersion.

This is so true, I consider my sound system to be more of a value than my projector.

A good sound system is an investment. Any TV your looking at, one twice as good will be available next year, and likely at a lower price. Good speakers on the other hand, do not go out of date, well maybe after a few decades.

My advice, save up for the sound and take your time. Go to some places and hear different speaker set ups, see what brands you like, and go from there. Get a good reciever, one that costs more than $500 itself. I love Klipsch speakers and Denon recievers myself.

[Iguana Man]

Folks, is it me or are all of you missing what this guy has clearly stated in as many words what he is after?

My planned purchases:
TV:
Samsung 4671 or 5271 LCD
The picture quality on these two by far blew away the other sets I saw on display in the stores I've visited.

Speakers:
Not a super audiophile, and don't like my movies super loud so just going to go with a basic "kit in a box" type of thing. There was a yamaha 585 or 565 I saw that didn't have a dvd player with it, which I liked.

Perhaps it's me and I'm just 'wrong'. However, he clearly seems more interested in getting a good video display vs. a beginner/moderate sound system. If I'm correct (GAHHH!) then why the f*ck are you advising him NOW to get a better sound system? Shouldn't we be steering him towards an ultimate display for the money that will give him uber video enjoyment?

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Folks, is it me or are all of you missing what this guy has clearly stated in as many words what he is after?


Perhaps it's me and I'm just 'wrong'. However, he clearly seems more interested in getting a good video display vs. a beginner/moderate sound system. If I'm correct (GAHHH!) then why the f*ck are you advising him NOW to get a better sound system? Shouldn't we be steering him towards an ultimate display for the money that will give him uber video enjoyment?

Thats exactly the point. We are trying to steer away from discounting sound so quickly when it is a large part of the overall home theater experience. I would rate an awesome display and mediocre sound below a decent display and good sound (not quite great).

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

Thats exactly the point. We are trying to steer away from discounting sound so quickly when it is a large part of the overall home theater experience. I would rate an awesome display and mediocre sound below a decent display and good sound (not quite great).

But he's already considered decent to above average displays yet alloted $500 towards sound. I say let him get a killer display vs. spending more for sound NOW.

You folks seem to want to steer him away from the $$ on the display and pump up the volume for the sake of sound.

Sorry but I will always go video first (in a newb situation) and then go sound as time/moolah permits.

Edited: The reason I say this is, the visual increase is going to be leaps and bounds above the current setup. It's "obvious". Sound however needs a more structured approach. It needs alot more thought and integration to get 'right'. Ergo, save 'it' for last.

[cherno]

Thanks for the input. Picture is definately my primary concern. And while I'm not just dismissing audio, I don't need super nice like I want on my video. As long as the sound has a decent amount of warmth, with decent bass from the sub right now I am good with that.

The problem is I really have no good idea of whether these are decent speakers for my need. I don't want computer speakers, but I don't need high end either. From discussions with others, a $500 system like this gets a "yeah it's ok, just not great" which I think I am fine with. 1 week to go and I start spending money! yay!

[cherno]

Now that the format war is over, I suspect there will be a lot of change coming to the BD player market over the course of the next several months. Since I am making my first HD purchases in the next few weeks, would a PS3 be the best option to get for right now as a blu-ray player?

I do/did intend to get a PS3 before they were released until sony pull the big fubar, but now that things have settled, I think this is the way to go.

Whatcha think?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by cherno

Now that the format war is over, I suspect there will be a lot of change coming to the BD player market over the course of the next several months. Since I am making my first HD purchases in the next few weeks, would a PS3 be the best option to get for right now as a blu-ray player?

I do/did intend to get a PS3 before they were released until sony pull the big fubar, but now that things have settled, I think this is the way to go.

Whatcha think?

My input, as you might be aware, is to try one of two options.

First, check out the HTIB I linked in my first post in this thread. It will give you exactly what you are looking for.

Second, if you want a seperate BD player, I would honestly wait until the Panasonic BD50 arrives. It looks like it will not only be the best standalone, but the best player period - even trumping the PS3. It is very fast, profile 2.0, and does things that the PS3 does not such as bitstreaming next-gen audio, decoding full DTS-HDMA, and offering analog 5.1 outputs. Plus on top of that it offers all the other movie features of the PS3, it is much smaller and more attractive looking than the PS3, and it is significantly quieter than the PS3 (the PS3 can ramp up into stage2/3 loud fan mode when watching movies at times) - as the BD50 does not have a large fan like the PS3. Overall, I'd say if all goes as planned the BD50 will be *the* blu-ray player to own this year. The only reason to consider PS3 is if you want to play the games; for movies, I'd go BD50... Although for movies + games, BD50 + XBOX 360 is probably a better but more expensive combo.

The Panasonic BD50 (and that HTIB I linked) will be released sometime between mid-March and May. A little patience can go a long way.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Ruined

First, check out the HTIB I linked in my first post in this thread. It will give you exactly what you are looking for.

Just an FYI. That link of yours has a video clip that says you need to purchase their SH-FX67 unit (wireless kit for rear speakers).

Don't know if that ADDS to the cost or not, but it may be worth looking into more than I am willing to do right now.

[sub780lime]

PS3 would be a great player for you if you plan on also gaming on it. It connects to your network and it will continue to upgrade with BD. If you have a universal remote you might have an issue unless it also does Blutooth like the PS3. The PS3 is the only piece of equipment my Harmony 880 wont control.

[cherno]

Well it is done. Went up last night and came back broke

Wound up with the Samsung 5271 LCD, a nice Mitsubishi TV stand, PS3 and an Onkyo HT-800 HTIB.

Haven't been able to test out the audio since the HTIB was out of stock and will be shipped in a few weeks. Running HDMI from the PS3 to the TV and using the TV speakers for the moment. Really impressed with the TV. I played some Lost Season 3 BRD, Shoot 'Em Up SDD upconverted and Dynasty Warriors 3 for the PS3 and all looked fantastic. Normal cable channels looked like shit though , but that's not what I bought the TV for, so no big deal.

[EM3]

Normal channels almost always look that way at least you understand that. I have trouble convincing people that your larger picture is only as good as your source material.

[Iguana Man]

Congrats Cherno! Sounds like you you are more than happy with everything except those dreaded sd channels.

Update your HT thread with pics!

[sub780lime]

Originally Posted by EM3

Normal channels almost always look that way at least you understand that. I have trouble convincing people that your larger picture is only as good as your source material.

I am going through this with my father in law right now. I dont know if we will really get it until he gets his new TV. I actually told him I wouldnt help him get the TV until he got his HD-cable taken care of.