quote:
Bent over the coffee table, Blindy. squealed:
So just because a reciever has component ins and component outs, doesn't mean the signal gets handled as a component signal thoughout the whole process?
Not even a little bit. Some might wire the component in directly to the component out. . .but some won't. The better receivers will up-convert everything to component and deal with it from there.
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
quote:
Bloodsage had this to say about the Spice Girls:
I use an LCD projector as display, and it kicks ass, though DLP is better (and more expensive).
Oh good, someone who has one and knows how it goes. Question...
I currently have a 61" HDTV (OOOOOOOOOOLD HDTV, like first Gen when they were the "cutting edge". Hey, I made good money, and I was a media whore. 
)
Now, it is dying. I know this probably sounds, well lame, but it is actually hard as hell for me to watch a regular size TV now... It just doesn't look right, and I always feel like I can't see.
When looking at possible replacements at Frys, we saw that a similar quality TV to ours only ran around $1500 now days. Like our current one though, they are rear projection, big and clunky, and we dont have a lot of space, so we spied a display area that was showing off some LCD Projectors. Now they were all 720p/1080p, and could get a viewing area much bigger even than our current TV even in a small space, but they only ran about as much or even a couple hundred less than the $1500 Rear Projections...
Are they really worth it, what are the drawbacks, can you see them well during the day (Assuming the viewing room is moderately lit due to windows)? Are there any models you'd recomend in that are under $1500 (Preferably under $1000, heh) or is that price range just dead in the water?
Also, this isn't something we are going to do unless we absolutely have to when the current TV dies, which hopefully wont be for a while since we cant afford to replace it just now. This is mostly for future reference.
I know jack about LCD Projectors.
quote:
Bent over the coffee table, Faelynn LeAndris squealed:
Oh good, someone who has one and knows how it goes. Question...I currently have a 61" HDTV (OOOOOOOOOOLD HDTV, like first Gen when they were the "cutting edge". Hey, I made good money, and I was a media whore.
)
Now, it is dying. I know this probably sounds, well lame, but it is actually hard as hell for me to watch a regular size TV now... It just doesn't look right, and I always feel like I can't see.
When looking at possible replacements at Frys, we saw that a similar quality TV to ours only ran around $1500 now days. Like our current one though, they are rear projection, big and clunky, and we dont have a lot of space, so we spied a display area that was showing off some LCD Projectors. Now they were all 720p/1080p, and could get a viewing area much bigger even than our current TV even in a small space, but they only ran about as much or even a couple hundred less than the $1500 Rear Projections...
Are they really worth it, what are the drawbacks, can you see them well during the day (Assuming the viewing room is moderately lit due to windows)? Are there any models you'd recomend in that are under $1500 (Preferably under $1000, heh) or is that price range just dead in the water?
Also, this isn't something we are going to do unless we absolutely have to when the current TV dies, which hopefully wont be for a while since we cant afford to replace it just now. This is mostly for future reference.
I know jack about LCD Projectors.
This is the one I have. Not sure if it's still available, and the follow-on model got less favorable reviews, though it's still great. These are supposed to be the best you can get under $5K or so, according to all the reviews I read last year when I bought mine. I got it last November for around $2K.
The upside is it looks absolutely fantastic, especially in HD. Since I move a lot, the fact that it's easily portable and multi-system is huge for me. I haven't even bothered to project onto a screen--my off-white wall works perfectly well (heresy, I know). The X-Box 360 rocks on the system.
The downside is it can be finicky to position the projector just right, depending on the room. And really long component cables can be very expensive--I got a 25' component-to-HDMI cable (my receiver doesn't have HDMI out), and it ran me almost $500. So it's important to visualize your setup before diving in. And light is an issue: if you plan to watch TV during the day, make sure you have thick curtains. A screen should help that, but a good screen will run almost as much again as the projector.
For the money, I really don't think there's a better HDTV deal out there. Depending on room size, I've run anywhere from an 80" to 110" diagonal and had good quality images. Arrange to see one at a dealer, and see what you think.
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
quote:
Bloodsage stopped staring at Deedlit long enough to write:
This is the one I have. Not sure if it's still available, and the follow-on model got less favorable reviews, though it's still great. These are supposed to be the best you can get under $5K or so, according to all the reviews I read last year when I bought mine. I got it last November for around $2K.The upside is it looks absolutely fantastic, especially in HD. Since I move a lot, the fact that it's easily portable and multi-system is huge for me. I haven't even bothered to project onto a screen--my off-white wall works perfectly well (heresy, I know). The X-Box 360 rocks on the system.
The downside is it can be finicky to position the projector just right, depending on the room. And really long component cables can be very expensive--I got a 25' component-to-HDMI cable (my receiver doesn't have HDMI out), and it ran me almost $500. So it's important to visualize your setup before diving in. And light is an issue: if you plan to watch TV during the day, make sure you have thick curtains. A screen should help that, but a good screen will run almost as much again as the projector.
For the money, I really don't think there's a better HDTV deal out there. Depending on room size, I've run anywhere from an 80" to 110" diagonal and had good quality images. Arrange to see one at a dealer, and see what you think.
Thanks. 
Yeah the viewing area at the store really wasnt good enough to get a good idea for the feel off it since it was all flourecent lighting and all in a cramped area.
Thick Curtains are a go.
25' Cables are a go (Already have a set due to a previous room setup where TV was on one side and components on another, no converter though, so will have to check those out.)
Room is 13' x 15' is that too small?
--Satan, quoted by John Milton
My current Home theater system is a Sony HT-6600DP.
There is no question I am getting the Onkyo receiver, it is just a question of if I am using it or my parents are using it. As I said it is under warranty and will be till '09. My friend even offered to take it in, say there was a problem, and get it exchanged so I have a new one. I guess what I liked about the Onkyo is that it had more customization features, you could assign the digital inputs to any Video input, etc. You can't do that on my sony.
I am really learning a lot here. Thanks for all the input and keep it coming.
quote:
And I was all like 'Oh yeah?' and Azizza was all like:
I guess I should tell you all what I want from my system as well.
I watch DVDs and DirecTV. My TV is a 32 inch Flat Screen Tube HDTV. It is nothing fancy but I got a hell of a deal on it. As of right now my DVD player and Sat Receiver plug directly into my TV. I like good high quality sound but I don't feel like paying an arm and a leg right now. I just wanted something good for my room. When I build a true entertainment room I will be getting a Bose system like I said.My current Home theater system is a Sony HT-6600DP.
There is no question I am getting the Onkyo receiver, it is just a question of if I am using it or my parents are using it. As I said it is under warranty and will be till '09. My friend even offered to take it in, say there was a problem, and get it exchanged so I have a new one. I guess what I liked about the Onkyo is that it had more customization features, you could assign the digital inputs to any Video input, etc. You can't do that on my sony.
I am really learning a lot here. Thanks for all the input and keep it coming.
Okay, if you just want to gwt yourself up and running, either the Onkyo or the HK reciever you posted in the thread earlier will work. Neither will be much good if you ever want to get sound/video quality better than HTIB. If you ever decide to upgrade later, you would need a new reciever.
Now, if you KNOW that you'll want to upgrade later, or you think that it's very likely that you will, then you might consider purchasing a reciever in the $800-1000 range, and then it'll last you in the good setup as well.
So, with the JBL speakers your parents have, your current TV and sources, either reciever will work, but neither will be really useful if you ever decide to start upgrading the audio or video side of things.
Also, bose is about the worst company in the world in terms of value-for-money. If you ever decide that you want to get a good entertainment system going, buy the bose system you're lusting after, and then on the way home, swing by the local audio shop, and ask to borrow a decent home theatre setup from them for home audition, and make sure it's one that costs HALF as much as the bose. They should allow you to audition something at home (after leaving credit card info or such).
Now, when you get home, set them both up, and listen. After a few days or a week, bring back the one you don't like.
No, Really. Bite me.
quote:
And I was all like 'Oh yeah?' and Azizza was all like:
I guess I should tell you all what I want from my system as well.
I watch DVDs and DirecTV. My TV is a 32 inch Flat Screen Tube HDTV. It is nothing fancy but I got a hell of a deal on it. As of right now my DVD player and Sat Receiver plug directly into my TV. I like good high quality sound but I don't feel like paying an arm and a leg right now. I just wanted something good for my room. When I build a true entertainment room I will be getting a Bose system like I said.My current Home theater system is a Sony HT-6600DP.
There is no question I am getting the Onkyo receiver, it is just a question of if I am using it or my parents are using it. As I said it is under warranty and will be till '09. My friend even offered to take it in, say there was a problem, and get it exchanged so I have a new one. I guess what I liked about the Onkyo is that it had more customization features, you could assign the digital inputs to any Video input, etc. You can't do that on my sony.
I am really learning a lot here. Thanks for all the input and keep it coming.
I dont think I could stand handling all my components (3 Systems, DVD, VCR, CABLE) through all the jacks in the back of my TV... For one Id always have to unplug something to switch out and the cable would have to go through the VCR, setup nightmare there.
Really any decent reciever will handle your needs.
Also, Bose is highly highly overrated. The system you are talking about will never match true surround 7.1 systems even though it claims it "Simulates it exquisitely through just two speakers" if its the one Im thinking of (I dont remember). Yes Bose has quality, but they dont actually have the BEST quality out there, and DEFINITELY not for thier pricetags. You are buying gimmick, name, and fluff. There is absolutely no reason to blow your cash on a Bose system.
If you are buying Bose just because its Bose. It's like the guy who buys a Ferari cause "They ladies digs it". It's for flash, or because it's what you have been led to believe.
I'd highly recomend against a Bose system.
Video switching is not to important right now but in the future it may be. My D-TV receiver uses DVI and my DVD player is Composite so I have that covered. However who knows what I will get in the next few months.
And as always, keep in mind that I don't want to break the bak at this time.
quote:
Azizza wrote, obviously thinking too hard:
The bose I am talking about is a full 5.1 system. The one you thought I meant is the 321 system. It always seemed "meh" to me. I guess in my travels I have yet to hear anything that matches it. Outside of the chain stores there are only 2 shops around here that specialize in Home theater systems and neither has been able to impress me as much as the Bose. I am not saying you are wrong, I am just saying I haven't hear better yet. The only one that came close was a high end Onkyo system that cost just as much.Video switching is not to important right now but in the future it may be. My D-TV receiver uses DVI and my DVD player is Composite so I have that covered. However who knows what I will get in the next few months.
And as always, keep in mind that I don't want to break the bak at this time.
Oh, Speakers are definitely great quality, no doubting that. Just not worth the price when you can get some that are exactly the same or better quality for nearly half or less the price. Check out some PolkAudio if you can. Most people discredit them because they dont have much of a name, and because they typically have a cheaper price tag, but there are two models they release that can put almost any average sattelite setup to Shame. I have the cheaper of the two models, Id have to go check the numbers.
Since you don't wanna break the bank, I really can't recomend anything other than the Sony STR line. Cheap, 4 models under $400 Dollars, the 998 and 997 have EXCELLENT UpConversion (The 997 has it even though I dont think its listed on sales specs and its only $399) so it will cover any future upgrade needs as well when you are looking that way. No DVI however, so your DTV will still be TV Direct, you wont get a reciever with DVI till your ready to shell. Excellent power, and decent quality for Low Range.
HK won't pay off until you are ready to pay more, and Onkyo is falling out on the low end (You need at least MidRange or better).
And really, avoid All-In-One systems, no matter the brand. You know the Box Deals. They aren't worth it.
If all you have is DVD and DTV you dont really have the wiring component nightmare I was talking about.
Oh and a note on the chain stores and how you've never heard anything better, be wary of Up Sales people. (ESPECIALLY if they are Specialty Stores for Home Theater) 
Bose brings in the big money due to HUGE mark up. Places will purposesly dumb down other displays in making bigger numbers look better. Sadly, I used to have to do that for Circuit City... God I hate commision Sales jobs...
