Complete NOOB, don't know where to start - Blu-ray Forum

bruss01 · 08-20-2008, 01:52 AM

Ok, I have been setting up tv and other electronic equipment since back when you could take the vacuum tubes out of the back of the tv and take them to the tube testing machine at Sears and buy any new tubes you needed. But I'm finding that this new generation of stuff is really confusing me. The last TV I bought was in 1998 and it still works perfectly to this very day. I have hooked up the VCR, DVD player, the satelite receiver, an XBOX 360, and even an external speaker set to this TV and all works just fine.

I've been waiting for the next generation of technology to become relatively mature (or at least get thru the most awkward stages of puberty) before investing any more money in AV equipment. As a result, I've been waiting until the HD vs Blu-Ray division got settled - now that the dust has settled, I'm looking again.

But it's bewildering - for instance, what is a "receiver"? I already have a satellite receiver, and I don't need a converter for rabbit ears. Is this simply related to the sound system? I have a set of powered 5.1 speakers plugged into my tv (I know they're not producing 5.1 sound but they're better than the tv speakers). Will a modern tv/dvd work without one? In other words can I connect my speakers directly without having to go thru an audio receiver unit? Yes, I would expect to get better sound thru a special unit, but I WILL have to do this upgrade project in stages, and I don't want to get painted into a corner where I have a lot of equipment that can't be used because it's "incompatible". I guess I need to know what is "necessary" vs what is "recommended" or "preferred". What will work, what won't kind of stuff.

Since our DVD player just died, for instace, can I get a Blu-Ray player and be able to watch it on our old 1998-era TV? I'd like to be able to enjoy movies while waiting to acquire the TV (likely 4th qtr this year) and while it's possible to watch them on the XBOX, it's definitely a kludge.

Anybody got a link to a site with some good basic MODERN info for someone who's fallen behind the times? I want to get back up to speed before making any irrevocable decisions.

What I'm thinking so far:
TV - Samsung Touch of Color 52"
BD - Samsung BD-1500
(didn't plan to buy both from the same mfr, just happened that way, but are there any hidden up-sides of doing this?)

Thanks anyone for throwing a NOOB a bone...

Beta Man · 08-20-2008, 02:02 AM

This site will give you all the info you need, so look no further....

You can watch Blu-ray on your current t.v. until you get a new t.v., so no worries there.... it'll look a little better, but until you get an HDTV, you won't have the "WOW" factor (and trust me, it's a BIG one the first time you see it!)

Receiver is just referring to audio, so no need for it, although EVENTUALLY I would highly recommend it..... you can get a very good budget system that will impress you.

As far as powered speakers that you have, I don't know enough about them to comment.... sorry.... How do they connect to your current T.V. (or do they connect to the DVD player??)

Either way, Blu ray will work right now... but not much better than a DVD player,.... what I would do, would be save and get the blu-ray player and T.V. at the same time at the end of this year, and either use your Xbox for DVDs for the time being, or get a $30 DVD player so you don't have to use the Xbox.......

Best of luck.... read A LOT here, and you'll find plenty of good info.

I don't play games, but since you have an Xbox, I assume you do..... but I have a couple of PS3s, and getting one of those might be of interest to you..... you can get your Blu-ray player now, and it won't be a complete loss because you can play games on it

either way, it's very versatile as a Blu-ray player as well (the reason I have two of them, and No PS3 games)

good luck!

zweet77 · 08-20-2008, 02:04 AM

Step 1 trade in your xbox for a ps3.. Just kidding man I am feeling really fanboyish tonight. For real though welcome to the site try using the search option at the top of the page you will find lots good info in past threads especially ones by a member named crackinheadz.Good luck!

arush5268d · 08-20-2008, 02:06 AM

Beta Man was right on with the information he gave ya.

I used my Blu-ray player on my regular TV until I took delivery of my new plasma...so no worries there for you.

I recommend readin through a lot of the 'stickies' on the forums here at this site - there's a ton of great information here.

08-20-2008, 01:52 AM	#1
bruss01 Member Member since:Aug 2008	Complete NOOB, don't know where to start Ok, I have been setting up tv and other electronic equipment since back when you could take the vacuum tubes out of the back of the tv and take them to the tube testing machine at Sears and buy any new tubes you needed. But I'm finding that this new generation of stuff is really confusing me. The last TV I bought was in 1998 and it still works perfectly to this very day. I have hooked up the VCR, DVD player, the satelite receiver, an XBOX 360, and even an external speaker set to this TV and all works just fine. I've been waiting for the next generation of technology to become relatively mature (or at least get thru the most awkward stages of puberty) before investing any more money in AV equipment. As a result, I've been waiting until the HD vs Blu-Ray division got settled - now that the dust has settled, I'm looking again. But it's bewildering - for instance, what is a "receiver"? I already have a satellite receiver, and I don't need a converter for rabbit ears. Is this simply related to the sound system? I have a set of powered 5.1 speakers plugged into my tv (I know they're not producing 5.1 sound but they're better than the tv speakers). Will a modern tv/dvd work without one? In other words can I connect my speakers directly without having to go thru an audio receiver unit? Yes, I would expect to get better sound thru a special unit, but I WILL have to do this upgrade project in stages, and I don't want to get painted into a corner where I have a lot of equipment that can't be used because it's "incompatible". I guess I need to know what is "necessary" vs what is "recommended" or "preferred". What will work, what won't kind of stuff. Since our DVD player just died, for instace, can I get a Blu-Ray player and be able to watch it on our old 1998-era TV? I'd like to be able to enjoy movies while waiting to acquire the TV (likely 4th qtr this year) and while it's possible to watch them on the XBOX, it's definitely a kludge. Anybody got a link to a site with some good basic MODERN info for someone who's fallen behind the times? I want to get back up to speed before making any irrevocable decisions. What I'm thinking so far: TV - Samsung Touch of Color 52" BD - Samsung BD-1500 (didn't plan to buy both from the same mfr, just happened that way, but are there any hidden up-sides of doing this?) Thanks anyone for throwing a NOOB a bone...

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08-20-2008, 02:02 AM	#2
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	This site will give you all the info you need, so look no further.... You can watch Blu-ray on your current t.v. until you get a new t.v., so no worries there.... it'll look a little better, but until you get an HDTV, you won't have the "WOW" factor (and trust me, it's a BIG one the first time you see it!) Receiver is just referring to audio, so no need for it, although EVENTUALLY I would highly recommend it..... you can get a very good budget system that will impress you. As far as powered speakers that you have, I don't know enough about them to comment.... sorry.... How do they connect to your current T.V. (or do they connect to the DVD player??) Either way, Blu ray will work right now... but not much better than a DVD player,.... what I would do, would be save and get the blu-ray player and T.V. at the same time at the end of this year, and either use your Xbox for DVDs for the time being, or get a $30 DVD player so you don't have to use the Xbox....... Best of luck.... read A LOT here, and you'll find plenty of good info. I don't play games, but since you have an Xbox, I assume you do..... but I have a couple of PS3s, and getting one of those might be of interest to you..... you can get your Blu-ray player now, and it won't be a complete loss because you can play games on it either way, it's very versatile as a Blu-ray player as well (the reason I have two of them, and No PS3 games) good luck!

08-20-2008, 02:04 AM	#3
zweet77 Senior Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:San Francisco Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:129 Blu-ray reviews:7	Step 1 trade in your xbox for a ps3.. Just kidding man I am feeling really fanboyish tonight. For real though welcome to the site try using the search option at the top of the page you will find lots good info in past threads especially ones by a member named crackinheadz.Good luck!

08-20-2008, 02:06 AM	#4
arush5268d Banned Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Houston, TX Blu-ray collection:85	Beta Man was right on with the information he gave ya. I used my Blu-ray player on my regular TV until I took delivery of my new plasma...so no worries there for you. I recommend readin through a lot of the 'stickies' on the forums here at this site - there's a ton of great information here.

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