Home TV/Cinema Advice needed
Discussion
A shout out to those in the know - I am just about to spec up a new TV/surround sound for an extension that I'm having built, but I'm out of the loop on home cinema type stuff, so was looking for some Pistonheads advice!
I'll have a new 5M x 3M room and will be mounting a TV on one of the long walls, viewing from opposite. Want to build something into a false chimney breast, so max TV diameter of 48-50". First question - get a cheap 4K, or a (reasonably) good HD set? I know there is very little 4K content around today, so I'd be looking for the best picture on the majority of content I'd be watching (Sky or streamed from Apple TV). Can you still get plasma and is that an option? - my TV in the main room is an old plasma panel which gives a great picture.
Second, I have a Sky box in another part of the house (prob a 15M-20M cable run away). I know that is impractical, and I'm trying to avoid giving Murdoch any more of my money by gong multiroom, but I'm not seeing any great alternatives at the moment. Suggestions?
Thirdly, A decent surround sound, but without spending silly money. Ideally I'd like 5.1 with the rear speakers wireless and something that gives, or can be adjusted to give, a nice warm sound as the room will be square and minimalist in decoration. It would also need to be able to take an input from Apple TV.
I'm not looking to break the bank (the bloody extension is proving expensive enough!) but I'd like a decent picture for sports and a good surround experience for movies (and the one I watch tend to have lots of explosions!).
So does anyone have any recommendations for kit I can look at or test drive?
Thanks in anticipation!
deevee
I'll have a new 5M x 3M room and will be mounting a TV on one of the long walls, viewing from opposite. Want to build something into a false chimney breast, so max TV diameter of 48-50". First question - get a cheap 4K, or a (reasonably) good HD set? I know there is very little 4K content around today, so I'd be looking for the best picture on the majority of content I'd be watching (Sky or streamed from Apple TV). Can you still get plasma and is that an option? - my TV in the main room is an old plasma panel which gives a great picture.
Second, I have a Sky box in another part of the house (prob a 15M-20M cable run away). I know that is impractical, and I'm trying to avoid giving Murdoch any more of my money by gong multiroom, but I'm not seeing any great alternatives at the moment. Suggestions?
Thirdly, A decent surround sound, but without spending silly money. Ideally I'd like 5.1 with the rear speakers wireless and something that gives, or can be adjusted to give, a nice warm sound as the room will be square and minimalist in decoration. It would also need to be able to take an input from Apple TV.
I'm not looking to break the bank (the bloody extension is proving expensive enough!) but I'd like a decent picture for sports and a good surround experience for movies (and the one I watch tend to have lots of explosions!).
So does anyone have any recommendations for kit I can look at or test drive?
Thanks in anticipation!
deevee
There are two main types of TV for sale now, LED backlit LCD's and OLED. OLED is more expensive but (IMHO) does give a better picture. They start at 55 inch though so you will be looking at an LED backlit LCD, probably the worst type of TV for sport I'm afraid. I'm not sure 4k is worth it at the size you are looking at, it dpeends how far away you sit. Maybe if you sit close and had BT sport 4k it'd be worth a look but from what you have said I'd have thought not.
You can't buy Plasma TV's new anymore. This is a shame for you because they were best for sports due to how they worked (impulse drive instead of sample-and-hold like OLED or LCD). To more closely replicate the picture of a Plamsa TV with sport (what I mean is to make sure everything stays sharp, even when the camera is panning or someone is running across a field) you would want a TV with some kind of black frame insertion motion resolution enhancement. Sadly it's not always easy to tell if a TV has that or not.
When I read what you wanted from your sound system I thought of this:
http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/B5_12/fidelio-soundba...
as it's neat, small and has a wireless sub/rear speakers. Not sure it'll give you the punch from big explosions though, to be honest you may have to compromise between a huge system that can shake the foundations of your new room, and something that's neat and wireless. Something like this:
http://www.samsung.com/us/video/home-theater
might suit?
As with anything, it's always worth going to look. Maybe go into the local John Lewis, just have a look at some TV's and see what you think. For sport you need to look for motion resolution, does the picture become a blurry mess when things move across the screen.
You can't buy Plasma TV's new anymore. This is a shame for you because they were best for sports due to how they worked (impulse drive instead of sample-and-hold like OLED or LCD). To more closely replicate the picture of a Plamsa TV with sport (what I mean is to make sure everything stays sharp, even when the camera is panning or someone is running across a field) you would want a TV with some kind of black frame insertion motion resolution enhancement. Sadly it's not always easy to tell if a TV has that or not.
When I read what you wanted from your sound system I thought of this:
http://www.philips.co.uk/c-p/B5_12/fidelio-soundba...
as it's neat, small and has a wireless sub/rear speakers. Not sure it'll give you the punch from big explosions though, to be honest you may have to compromise between a huge system that can shake the foundations of your new room, and something that's neat and wireless. Something like this:
http://www.samsung.com/us/video/home-theater
might suit?
As with anything, it's always worth going to look. Maybe go into the local John Lewis, just have a look at some TV's and see what you think. For sport you need to look for motion resolution, does the picture become a blurry mess when things move across the screen.
1. I wouldn't bother with 4k - there are loads of great sets out there - best to go to John Lewis or similar and look at all the pictures with sports on and see what you like.
2. You'll need a coaxial from your sky box or a very long HDMI lead but I'd go multiroom, think it's only £10 more a month and you can watch different channels in each room and it'll be much better quality than coax.
3. I'd go for a sonos soundbar, play 1s or 3s at the back and a sonos sub, I've got this as well as a wired set up in another room and sonos works brilliantly and you can start off a multiroom setup.
2. You'll need a coaxial from your sky box or a very long HDMI lead but I'd go multiroom, think it's only £10 more a month and you can watch different channels in each room and it'll be much better quality than coax.
3. I'd go for a sonos soundbar, play 1s or 3s at the back and a sonos sub, I've got this as well as a wired set up in another room and sonos works brilliantly and you can start off a multiroom setup.
Thanks Varsas and Thorny - some great input there!
I have looked into OLED and that seem to be the future, but the size/cost issue rules that out I think. I am going to be insetting the TV into a false chimney breast - so have a maximum size of 50" driven by that. Viewing distance will typically be approx 3M.
I think the 4K question comes down to - If I spend £500-£1000 on a new TV, would I get a better picture on normal content viewing from a cheap 4K or a good HD? I'm kind of tending towards the latter (and I think Thorny backs that up), but I'm quite prepared to be contradicted!
Thanks for the sound system links Varsas - both of those systems do look like contenders. Thorny's suggestion of Sonos needs serious consideration too, as the system in the new extension will also be expected to boom out music for parties & garden activities in the summer. I have a couple of friends with Sonos setups which are very impressive, but I have so far gone down the Apple proprietary route via Apple TV's and airplay speakers. I probably have 5 zones in the house (including the patio/garden) that I would want to be able to play music in, either separately or more importantly, all linked. Would it be possible to link and synchronise a Sonos system with the other airplay-based speakers in the house to get that coordinated option? Or would that be like expecting cats and dogs to cohabit?? If I was planning the room in isolation then Sonos would be a great way to go - but it would need to be able to be incorporated as part of the whole house 'noise' solution, or it would be a non-starter.
I think I have bitten the bullet on the Sky multi-room option - it seems the only sensible way to go. And as much as I resent every pound I put into the pocket of that wrinkled Aussie ballbag, they have a half price offer of £5 per month for the first year - so looks like I am going to have to swallow my principles on that one.
Cheers again for the advice guys - much appreciated
I have looked into OLED and that seem to be the future, but the size/cost issue rules that out I think. I am going to be insetting the TV into a false chimney breast - so have a maximum size of 50" driven by that. Viewing distance will typically be approx 3M.
I think the 4K question comes down to - If I spend £500-£1000 on a new TV, would I get a better picture on normal content viewing from a cheap 4K or a good HD? I'm kind of tending towards the latter (and I think Thorny backs that up), but I'm quite prepared to be contradicted!
Thanks for the sound system links Varsas - both of those systems do look like contenders. Thorny's suggestion of Sonos needs serious consideration too, as the system in the new extension will also be expected to boom out music for parties & garden activities in the summer. I have a couple of friends with Sonos setups which are very impressive, but I have so far gone down the Apple proprietary route via Apple TV's and airplay speakers. I probably have 5 zones in the house (including the patio/garden) that I would want to be able to play music in, either separately or more importantly, all linked. Would it be possible to link and synchronise a Sonos system with the other airplay-based speakers in the house to get that coordinated option? Or would that be like expecting cats and dogs to cohabit?? If I was planning the room in isolation then Sonos would be a great way to go - but it would need to be able to be incorporated as part of the whole house 'noise' solution, or it would be a non-starter.
I think I have bitten the bullet on the Sky multi-room option - it seems the only sensible way to go. And as much as I resent every pound I put into the pocket of that wrinkled Aussie ballbag, they have a half price offer of £5 per month for the first year - so looks like I am going to have to swallow my principles on that one.
Cheers again for the advice guys - much appreciated
That sounds like a good deal on multi room.
Re AirPlay and sonos, if you've got the speakers already you'd just get a sonos amp and replace the AirPlay bit with that although I'm not sure you'd really need to as Sonos plays from iTunes. You'd just have two different wireless systems but that wouldn't work for a party. That may rule sonos out for you but I do think it's the best wireless system out there.
Re AirPlay and sonos, if you've got the speakers already you'd just get a sonos amp and replace the AirPlay bit with that although I'm not sure you'd really need to as Sonos plays from iTunes. You'd just have two different wireless systems but that wouldn't work for a party. That may rule sonos out for you but I do think it's the best wireless system out there.
Undoubtedly Sonos is good - but it would prove to be an expensive experiment. Pricing up the Playbar, Sub and a couple of Play 1's doesn't get you change out of £1,500. I reckon a very good home cinema system could be had for half of that.
Looking into the Samsung suggestions there is something like this: http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/tv-audio-video/... which has good specs, wireless rears and runs to about £800 on Amazon. Would need to find somewhere to listen to it though.
Used to be a place near me (St Albans) called High-Spek which sold all of this stuff. Now a bloody kitchen showroom!
Looking into the Samsung suggestions there is something like this: http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/tv-audio-video/... which has good specs, wireless rears and runs to about £800 on Amazon. Would need to find somewhere to listen to it though.
Used to be a place near me (St Albans) called High-Spek which sold all of this stuff. Now a bloody kitchen showroom!
Sonos is good - but compromised.
http://www.whathifi.com/sonos/playbar/review
If I were looking for a very good "halfway house" - it is top of my list
http://www.whathifi.com/sonos/playbar/review
If I were looking for a very good "halfway house" - it is top of my list
Sorry, but Sonos is not 'a very good halfway house'
Far better for the money, good rivals at half the price.
It also isn't a conventional wire, so there is now upgrade path or replacement if technology changes.
A quick search of Richer Sounds shows some good deals, even an atmos system with amp and 5.1.2 Speaker Pack for £699.00
I cant compete with that
V.
Far better for the money, good rivals at half the price.
It also isn't a conventional wire, so there is now upgrade path or replacement if technology changes.
A quick search of Richer Sounds shows some good deals, even an atmos system with amp and 5.1.2 Speaker Pack for £699.00
I cant compete with that
V.
I went into Richer Sounds today and had a play with a few things. They are very much aligned with providing separates rather than the one-box home cinema solutions. Quite impressed with a Yamaha AV amp and a set of Cambridge Audio 5.1 Minx speakers - but that probably runs to £1,200 which is more than I really want to spend.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a sparates based solution - under £1,000? Anything you are running at home that you are really pleased with?
Vex - you mention atmos (Dolby atmos I assume with the help of Google) - but I don't have any experience of that. What makes that such a good deal in your view?
Does anyone have any recommendations for a sparates based solution - under £1,000? Anything you are running at home that you are really pleased with?
Vex - you mention atmos (Dolby atmos I assume with the help of Google) - but I don't have any experience of that. What makes that such a good deal in your view?
TBH given your budget I wouldn't dilute the quality of the system further by trying to fit in Atmos as well. It requires extra speakers fitted high up/in or on the ceiling and (likely) a more expensive AVR.
I've had a few demos and feel it does add something to the sound by making it more encompassing having speakers higher up as well as beside/behind the listener. However, I'm also a believer in getting the main 5.1/7.1 set up working as well as possible first.
I've had a few demos and feel it does add something to the sound by making it more encompassing having speakers higher up as well as beside/behind the listener. However, I'm also a believer in getting the main 5.1/7.1 set up working as well as possible first.
The Dolby Atmos system was an Onkyo kit from Richer Sounds and used the up-firing speakers built into the front left/right front speakers.
It more making the point that Sonos was expensive rather than pushing you in the specific Atmos direction.
The Monitor Audio MASS and Radius speaker systems get good reviews.
V.
It more making the point that Sonos was expensive rather than pushing you in the specific Atmos direction.
The Monitor Audio MASS and Radius speaker systems get good reviews.
V.
deevee said:
I went into Richer Sounds today and had a play with a few things. They are very much aligned with providing separates rather than the one-box home cinema solutions. Quite impressed with a Yamaha AV amp and a set of Cambridge Audio 5.1 Minx speakers - but that probably runs to £1,200 which is more than I really want to spend.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a sparates based solution - under £1,000? Anything you are running at home that you are really pleased with?
Vex - you mention atmos (Dolby atmos I assume with the help of Google) - but I don't have any experience of that. What makes that such a good deal in your view?
Personally, I would save on the amplifier first. Getting the speakers you want, and a more budget amp will give you a better sound than getting a good amp, but poor speakers. Sony amps offer good value in terms of features and sound quality for the price.Does anyone have any recommendations for a sparates based solution - under £1,000? Anything you are running at home that you are really pleased with?
Vex - you mention atmos (Dolby atmos I assume with the help of Google) - but I don't have any experience of that. What makes that such a good deal in your view?
I assume you listened to these:
http://www.richersounds.com/package/speakers/speak...
for £800, which leaves enough for a yamaha RXV477 or a Sony STRDH550. As long as those have the features you need (they are 5.1 only!) then get one of those. If you need 7.1 or whatever then maybe look at second hand kit or wait for sales (which tend to happen when new ranges come out, they sell the old stuff off) or even Richer sounds own clearance section. Also I'd rather have a good 5.1 system than a poor atmos setup.
Varsas - Yes, I listened to the Cambridge Audio speakers - a really good little package (and sufficiently unobtrusive I'd have no problem getting them past Mrs deevee) but it is quite a big room - 5x4m with a vaulted ceiling and open to the kitchen at one end - so I'm not confident that they would fill that space with as much decent quality noise as I'd want - particularly when I'm using them to listen to music. I don't really want to have to drive them at 100% to get the volume I want as that usually results in distorted or compromised sound quality.
I've been looking at a couple of all-in-one solutions such as this Sony and LG:
http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bdv-n7200w-5-1-3d-sm...
http://www.johnlewis.com/lg-bh9540tw-9-1-3d-blu-ra...
Both seem to pack all the punch I would need and more (1Kw+ output), have good specs, have streaming capability plus can upscale to 4K - with the most expensive at £700 they seem like good value for money compared to the separates route. I know it may not be the solution for the audio purists, but I must say I'm tempted.
Has anyone used or heard either of these systems in a domestic setting?
I've been looking at a couple of all-in-one solutions such as this Sony and LG:
http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bdv-n7200w-5-1-3d-sm...
http://www.johnlewis.com/lg-bh9540tw-9-1-3d-blu-ra...
Both seem to pack all the punch I would need and more (1Kw+ output), have good specs, have streaming capability plus can upscale to 4K - with the most expensive at £700 they seem like good value for money compared to the separates route. I know it may not be the solution for the audio purists, but I must say I'm tempted.
Has anyone used or heard either of these systems in a domestic setting?
deevee said:
Varsas - Yes, I listened to the Cambridge Audio speakers - a really good little package (and sufficiently unobtrusive I'd have no problem getting them past Mrs deevee) but it is quite a big room - 5x4m with a vaulted ceiling and open to the kitchen at one end - so I'm not confident that they would fill that space with as much decent quality noise as I'd want - particularly when I'm using them to listen to music. I don't really want to have to drive them at 100% to get the volume I want as that usually results in distorted or compromised sound quality.
I've been looking at a couple of all-in-one solutions such as this Sony and LG:
http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bdv-n7200w-5-1-3d-sm...
http://www.johnlewis.com/lg-bh9540tw-9-1-3d-blu-ra...
Both seem to pack all the punch I would need and more (1Kw+ output), have good specs, have streaming capability plus can upscale to 4K - with the most expensive at £700 they seem like good value for money compared to the separates route. I know it may not be the solution for the audio purists, but I must say I'm tempted.
Has anyone used or heard either of these systems in a domestic setting?
Sorry, no. I've been looking at a couple of all-in-one solutions such as this Sony and LG:
http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bdv-n7200w-5-1-3d-sm...
http://www.johnlewis.com/lg-bh9540tw-9-1-3d-blu-ra...
Both seem to pack all the punch I would need and more (1Kw+ output), have good specs, have streaming capability plus can upscale to 4K - with the most expensive at £700 they seem like good value for money compared to the separates route. I know it may not be the solution for the audio purists, but I must say I'm tempted.
Has anyone used or heard either of these systems in a domestic setting?
For what it's worth, Home Cinema Choice's favourite all-in-one systems are the Panasonic SC-BTT505 at £600, and the Samsung HT-H7750WM at £850. Might be a review on the web site. Samsung generally comes out on top for smart features, they have all the catch up services for example. It seems odd that these are the best systems, yet neither company sells dedicated AV amps or speakers... One possible drawback of any all-in-one is that it'll be tricky to upgrade to Ultra HD Blu Ray, if that's something you care about.
ETA:
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/article/panas...
Similar to the Sony you mentioned:
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/article/sony-...
Edited by varsas on Wednesday 14th October 15:12
Edited by varsas on Wednesday 14th October 15:12
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