Advice needed on new system

[tog]

I'm after some tips on setting a new TV system from scratch so thought I'd pop in here and ask you knowledgable types.

I'm planning on replacing my 32" Sony CRT with a flat screen, probably a Panasonic plasma. I want to take the opportunity to resite the DVD, bluray and Freesat boxes so that in the living room I just have the telly, mounted on the wall, and thereby gain about two feet of room from the current TV and cabinet it sits on. The amp, dvd, etc, will be on the other side of the wall from the telly, and I plan on getting one of those Logitech RF remotes to control them all. (Space is actually the motivating factor - I am very happy with the picture quality of the Sony.)

My questions are straightforward (I think!). Since my current stereo amp has no remote at all, I shall have to get a new amp as well. Even though I only want to use two channel stereo (no surround speakers) would a home cinema amp offer other useful features that would make it worthwhile? Will it switch video sources (HDMI I guess?) so that I only need one connector (besides power) to the TV? The same amp will also be used for music, both from CD and from iTunes, either via an Airport Express or I gather some amps now have AirPlay built in, but is that via ethernet or WiFi?

Any other possible pitfalls I haven't seen? Also, any tips on specific kit I should look at? Total budget is about £1500.

[anonymous-user]

I just bought one of these

Special offer of £399 here right now. http://www.ssav.com/products/productdetail/part_nu...

It can handle multiple HDMI inputs and then output to one single HDMI so your TV only needs power and one hdmi cable. It's got Airplay built in and a load more besides.

[scenario8]

If we're going to recommend this particular model then this link would be interesting, too, methnks.

http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/d...

Same model, reputable company, £50 less than above.

[OldSkoolRS]

Sign up to Richer Sounds 'VIP' email and you may find you get special offers even cheaper than shown on their website (just make sure you tell them the price you saw it for as the shop price is often higher and they will charge that if you don't challenge them. I once got a Denon 2808 for £399 via the VIP offer when most places were stilll asking £599-650 and RS themselves had it on display for £599, £499 on their website. I sold it a year later and still got £300 for it.

[tog]

Thanks for the tips, I'll check it out.

Has anyone got experience of the Logitech RF remotes? I've read they can be awkward to set up, but I really want RF to hide the boring bits out of sight.

[OldSkoolRS]

I use Logitech Harmony IR remotes myself, haven't had any issues with them. I built an IR repeater device years ago from some circuit in an electronics magazine and it's still going strong. I bought a Marmatech (sp?) setup (IR to RF and back to IR in the next room) so that I can control the BluRay or Humax recorder from the nearby conservatory and that works well too.

[Autopilot]

I had two logitech remotes and they both broke in a very short space of time. I had a bad experience with mine, but I can't say that I wouldn't recommend them because the little use I did get from them, they were excellent. Obviously you have the RF for controlling stuff behind doors etc, but I found the software set up really easy. I dare say the software has been upgraded countless times since I had mine, but set up was as simple as it asking you (in plain English) if you use your amp when watching TV etc so that when you hit the Watch TV button, it switches everything else on for you. Very simple, very effective, I just had a lot of grief with mine.

[tog]

Thanks for the tips. I've just ordered a Denon as above, but they're now down to £329.99 at Sevenoaks. Also coming is a Panasonic 42" plasma (and free Bluray player), but I haven't decided on the Logitech yet - I've read a few reports of annoying delays when using RF, so may just get an IR repeater instead.

[Driller]

I use a Harmony One IR remote with a Keene IR receiver placed on the centre speaker under the TV. All the electronics, decoders etc are behind the sofa plus no annoying RF delay.

[tog]

Driller said:

I use a Harmony One IR remote with a Keene IR receiver placed on the centre speaker under the TV. All the electronics, decoders etc are behind the sofa plus no annoying RF delay.

That's exactly what I was thinking of doing, so thanks for confirming it should work. Keene now sell an IR box that is USB powered so it can use a spare USB port on the Denon, one less power adapter to worry about.

[Driller]

tog said:

That's exactly what I was thinking of doing, so thanks for confirming it should work. Keene now sell an IR box that is USB powered so it can use a spare USB port on the Denon, one less power adapter to worry about.

Huh, what a good idea!

[tog]

Clever isn't it!

It's not one of Keene's own brand ones, but looks pretty neat.

http://www.keene.co.uk/electronic/marmitek/invisib...

[tog]

Well I ignored my original thoughts and got a Harmony 900 in the end. The sharper screen and physical buttons for the four colours swung it more than the RF. I spent most of yesterday afternoon getting it set up (there are a number of issues with Mac OS X and the Harmony software) but it seems to be working as expected now, and any RF delay is minimal and barely noticeable, certainly not the half-second or more that I had read about on some forums. If it ever becomes a problem I can still go back to an IR repeater.

It must be said, coming from a 32" CRT, the Panasonic plasma (42GT30) is actually very good – I'd been worried it wouldn't be as good as the old Sony, but I am impressed. HD stuff is good, and the one Bluray I own so far (HBO's The Pacific) also looks amazing. And Mrs Tog is very happy at the extra two feet of living room we've gained

[anonymous-user]

I has assumed the Harmony only worked on IR. I will have to get one of these now I realise it's RF.

Ooh...just been to the Logitech site - the 1100 looks nice