New kit in the US

[Famous Graham]

Hey folks,

Assuming that similar models are available in the US, I need some recommendations for, well, everything.

42" or thereabouts flat screen, DD/DTS etc amp, speakers and bluray player.

I don't want to be spending the earth, but I don't want crap quality.

I'll have an xbox, so a PS3 isn't required from a gaming perspective but if it's still the best bet for BR, then that's fine.

Only req for the tv is a VGA socket as I'll probably connect a laptop initially while I sort out an htpc or pvr to access my existing content that I'm taking over on some hdds.

Cheers

Edited by Famous Graham on Monday 2nd January 03:34

[h0b0]

I use these 2 web sites to find decent deals.

Bensbargains

Slickdeals


Foe example,

Panasonic 46" ST30 for $700

[Famous Graham]

Ta for the links - I'll make use of them next month when I start getting stuff.

I'm after general suggestions for kit as a whole, though - I'm assuming what's available here is available over there?

[h0b0]

Last year's range of Panasoinc had slightly different model numbers. I think we (US) had the ST25 and the UK had ST20 or it was the other way round. I noticed that the US version was sold in the UK as a Dixons/Currys specific model. But with the ST 30 they seeme to align. Other than that the US is similar to the UK.

Obviously, plugs and power are different but you would be surprised at how many electronics components are rated for both. You can check as it always says what power the component is rated for on the unit. Also, if the component has an external power supply you can buy a US one to replace your UK one. For example the XBox.

[Famous Graham]

Aye, Cheers.

I'm also looking for general recommendations irrespective of country - as I said earlier, I'm sure I can find the various bits of kit there as I would here.

So, anyone got any amp or player reccs?

[ItsaTVR]

Famous Graham said:

Aye, Cheers.

I'm also looking for general recommendations irrespective of country - as I said earlier, I'm sure I can find the various bits of kit there as I would here.

So, anyone got any amp or player reccs?

Your XBox or PS3, by all accounts, should be the only BluRay player you need.

I recently got an Onkyo HTs5400 audio system. Approx. USD 400-450. 6 speakers plus a powered sub-woofer.
Although it is a "Home-theater-in-a-box", for Onkyo that means taking a real A/V receiver and putting it in the same box as a coordinated speaker set.
If you have your own speaker preferences, you can get the receiver only. That's where the "magic" is anyway... in the form of a self-calibrating microphone and software that adjusts speaker characteristics to compensate for acoustical defects in your "theater" space.

I've set it up with my 2010 Panasonic 50" GT30 series plasma (if that seems too big, you'll soon change your mind I did...they do have a 42" if you insist) also a winner since I got one that doesn't hum or buzz at all. In my 11.5 ft square TV room, it's abit like wearing it all as a suit. But at least it sounds bigger outside than it looks on the inside...

And, je suis Americain.

Edited by ItsaTVR on Thursday 12th January 01:35

[h0b0]

In a previous thread I said.....

h0b0 said:

I am in the process of having a house built with a decent sized finished basement at 21' x 15'. I am going to set up a home cinema room and I am drawing the plans up now even though the house will not be ready until July next year. The basement will have a similar plan to this,



The Family room space is my office, so that divider wall will remian. The kitche/Dining room is going to be one combined room. So, there is only one suitible wall for a screen which is on the 15' end. This will be my restricting factor for my ultimate screen size as the window is in the basment as well. I know nothing about screens but there is one major consideration.The basement has quite a few windows and a set of patio doors as shown in the "first floor" plan. I would prefer not to have to close all of the blinds each time I use the set up. Any ideas on Screen?


Amp



Denon 1712 which can be had for $300

Speakers, I am thinking these


JBL

They were down to $500 a couple of weeks ago and regret not buying them then.


Here's the major question,

Projector, my original plan was to pick up one of these

Optoma Technology HD20 1700 ANSI Lumens 16:9 Projector
I can pick one up for around $650 refurbished.

However, a spanner was throw into the works today!!! I went to Best buy and saw one of these,



Mitsubishi HC6800

They have a display model with out remote control for $900. That seems like a bargin to me, but is it? I have read the reviews of the HC6800 and they say it is a good all rounder but not the best at anything. Problem is they are compairing it to other $3k projectors so I can not tell if the Mitsi is 10 times better than the Optoma or if my money is better spent ont he Optoma (or else where).

Can anyone help? Overall budget for this is whatever I can get away with! I was hoping to do this for $2k

Since I wrote this post I have bought the speakers which are now hidden in my office at work as I have not told the wife yet. The Mitsi projector has been sold for $600 which would have been a steal. Very disapointed that I missed out. So I will be using my Panasonic 58" plasma which I think is a fantastic piece of equipment.

My next potential purchase is one of these



One can be had for $300 from NewEgg.com

I am looking into receivers now and I have pretty much decided that I want anything with Airplay. This allows you to start playing a track on any apple product on your network and push it to the amp.


I don't have any specific components in mind I am just seeing what deals crop up and if they review well in, and hopefully in balance with the other equipment I have, I will buy.

[Famous Graham]

ItsaTVR said:

Famous Graham said:

Aye, Cheers.

I'm also looking for general recommendations irrespective of country - as I said earlier, I'm sure I can find the various bits of kit there as I would here.

So, anyone got any amp or player reccs?

Your XBox or PS3, by all accounts, should be the only BluRay player you need.

I recently got an Onkyo HTs5400 audio system. Approx. USD 400-450. 6 speakers plus a powered sub-woofer.
Although it is a "Home-theater-in-a-box", for Onkyo that means taking a real A/V receiver and putting it in the same box as a coordinated speaker set.
If you have your own speaker preferences, you can get the receiver only. That's where the "magic" is anyway... in the form of a self-calibrating microphone and software that adjusts speaker characteristics to compensate for acoustical defects in your "theater" space.

I've set it up with my 2010 Panasonic 50" GT30 series plasma (if that seems too big, you'll soon change your mind I did...they do have a 42" if you insist) also a winner since I got one that doesn't hum or buzz at all. In my 11.5 ft square TV room, it's abit like wearing it all as a suit. But at least it sounds bigger outside than it looks on the inside...

And, je suis Americain.

Edited by ItsaTVR on Thursday 12th January 01:35

Xbox isn't a BR player, unfortunately. I'll be getting one shortly anyway, though, as I did bring a few games with me.

I'm holding off on the TV front for a bit - the apartment came with a 36" so that'll do for the time being while I sort other stuff out. That Onkyo looks rather tasty, though - I need to have a think about where I can place things in the apartment.