My Dad's Home Theater

[ScarredLungs]

My dad has never bought or owned a Home Theater set-up from Magnolia @ best buy and today he went and purchased one!! I am proud of my dad. I am a pretty uniformed when it comes to Home Theater set up. I know the basics of what is needed, but not too much about the brands. I know that the PS3 is a great standalone player, since that is what I use. My dad does not want the PS3 as his stand alone player. What player would you recommend that he buy that is not the PS3 and would go well with his set-up.

TV- Samsung - 55" Class / 1080p / 240Hz / LED HDTV

Receiver - Yamaha - 980W 7.1-Ch. A/V Home Theater Receiver Model: RX-V863BL

Speakers
Floor - Klipsch - Icon Triple 5-1/4" 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker Model: WF-35 (Bought 2)
Center - Klipsch - Icon Dual 4-1/2" 2-Way Center-Channel Speaker
Ceiling - Klipsch - 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair) - White/ABS
Model: KHC-6
Subwoofer- Klipsch - Icon 10" 1200W Powered Subwoofer Model: XW-500d

Remote- Logitech - Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote with Color LCD Screen

Blu-ray Player - Samsung - Blu-ray Disc Player with 1080p Output -
Model: BD-P3600

**** He is willing to take this player back and get a better one if that is needed.

[Steve]

Do you mind if I ask why he doesn't want a PS3? Even if he's not a gamer, it has some advantages over a lot of players out there. One is its wireless wi-fi capability, which makes it very simple to download firmware updates. Another is that Sony cranks updates out regularly. I've seen several people complain that they have issues with their BD players, but the manufacturers don't put out updates regularly, so their issues go unresolved. Also, since it has great processing power for gaming, this means your movies usually load faster on a PS3 than on many standalone players. The one downside is the lack of IR control to be compatible with his new Harmony remote. But there are several devices out that make a PS3 compatible with a Harmony, such as this new Logitech device. I understand he said he doesn't want one, but I just want to make sure he's aware of the advantages before he makes a final decision.

PM sent.

[neos_peace]

Originally Posted by fireman325

Do you mind if I ask why he doesn't want a PS3? Even if he's not a gamer, it has some advantages over a lot of players out there. One is its wireless wi-fi capability, which makes it very simple to download firmware updates. Another is that Sony cranks updates out regularly. I've seen several people complain that they have issues with their BD players, but the manufacturers don't put out updates regularly, so their issues go unresolved. Also, since it has great processing power for gaming, this means your movies usually load faster on a PS3 than on many standalone players. The one downside is the lack of IR control to be compatible with his new Harmony remote. But there are several devices out that make a PS3 compatible with a Harmony, such as this new Logitech device. I understand he said he doesn't want one, but I just want to make sure he's aware of the advantages before he makes a final decision.

PM sent.

agreed couldn't have said it any better

[ScarredLungs]

I am not sure on all of his reason's, but I have explained to him many times why a PS3 would be a great player. Just as an FYI, he did not pay retail for everything. HE got some great discounts through the people he knows. What do yo think of that player? I did not see it on this website.

[maygit]

The Samsung 3600 is a great choice, especially for people who aren't tech savvy. It has a wifi adapter included in the box, so he can still download updates via wifi AND it has Netflix and Pandora streaming, both which the PS3 does not have. The load times on the newer players are very quick as well, i personally think he made the right choice there. The only thing i will argue is the purchase of the tv. Assuming from the specs he got the UN55B8000. It's a great t.v., don't get me wrong but over priced IMO. You can get the same PQ and features with better viewing angles from the LN55B750 and save a shit ton of money. Really the only thing the Local dimming LED's have over the traditional CCFL backlit ones are thickness and they consume about 40% less energy. However, thickness is more for bragging rights and causes you to lose connectivity and then the energy savings will take you 25+ years just to gain back the difference in price between the two.

Overall everything sounds great but i'd personally reconsider the t.v. Like i mentioned tho, it's an amazing unit but the cost is a little high for basically a difference in thickness.

EDIT: It looks like, for some reason, there is only a 52" version of the 750. I assumed there was a 55" since there's a 55" 650 but i'm wrong obviously. Any way, it looks like there's a $1100 between the 750 and 8000, so it's his call if he want's to spend the difference for an extra 3". Sounds like it will be a great setup no matter what and let us know when you upload the pics into your HT Gallery!

[connect42]

That Samsung player is a good one. I have posted part of the the Cnet review below. Many people will scream that a PS3 is a must, but if the owner is not a gamer, then it really is not necessary.

From CNET:

The good: Excellent image quality on Blu-ray movies; Wi-Fi USB dongle included; Netflix and Pandora streaming; superfast operational speed and disc loading; Profile 2.0 compatible; onboard decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio; 7.1 analog outputs; 1GB onboard memory; streams media off connected PC.

The bad: Costs as much as a PS3; front-panel controls are located on top of player; PC streaming setup is difficult.

The bottom line: The Samsung BD-P3600 is a huge leap ahead for standalone Blu-ray players, with blazing-fast operational speed, tons of features, and excellent image quality.

[Grevlin]

+1 looks like a great system, as is

(Though I cringe at what Magnolia probably charged him )

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by Grevlin

+1 looks like a great system, as is

(Though I cringe at what Magnolia probably charged him )

Lets just say, when all is said and done, his total bill is about 50% of what it should've been. He got some really good deals.

[crackinhedz]

I think your dad did very well for never having a system before.

Only thing Id probably change? ...Id take back the 10" Klipsch subwoofer.

Im sure it was way overpriced, and he would get better performance from something bigger and maybe even costing less.

[Grevlin]

Originally Posted by cvm

Lets just say, when all is said and done, his total bill is about 50% of what it should've been. He got some really good deals.

Ahh, EXCELLENT

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I think your dad did very well for never having a system before.

Only thing Id probably change? ...Id take back the 10" Klipsch subwoofer.

Im sure it was way overpriced, and he would get better performance from something bigger and maybe even costing less.

What would you recommend? He paid less then $600 (by a good margin) for that sub fyi.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by cvm

He paid less then $600 (by a good margin) for that sub fyi.

exactly, I wouldn't have paid $200 for it. Don't get me wrong, Klipsch makes a good speaker...but you're mostly paying for the name alone.

As for recommendations...you can check out the subwoofer threads.

I would not get anything less than a 12" subwoofer...but thats just me.

If your dad got a really good deal on the stuff (which sounds like he did), and he's happy...that's all that matters.

Was just opinionating on my own personal preferences to your question.

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

exactly, I wouldn't have paid $200 for it. Don't get me wrong, Klipsch makes a good speaker...but you're mostly paying for the name alone.

As for recommendations...you can check out the subwoofer threads.

I would not get anything less than a 12" subwoofer...but thats just me.

If your dad got a really good deal on the stuff (which sounds like he did), and he's happy...that's all that matters.

Was just opinionating on my own personal preferences to your question.

Thanks for link. With my lack of home theater knowledge, I'll take all the opinions and points of view I can get.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by maygit

Netflix and Pandora streaming, both which the PS3 does not have.

Pandora Comes to the Playstation 3

[Adam.C]

I use the new Panasonic BD60. Love it, no complaints.

[Steve]

For $600 your dad could get a PC12-NSD or PB12-NSD from SVS, or an A3-300 from eD. All are excellent subs, and would most certainly outperform the little Klipsch he got. Shipping would put the SVS models a little over $600, but the eD ships from free via Fedex.

[BReeves588]

As most home-theater buffs know by now, Pioneer's Kuro plasmas are widely regarded as the best flat panels money can buy. A fresh comparison of flat-panel TVs is something we've had sitting on the back burner for a while now. Why? Because it took Samsung's LED Series( Ghosting, Flash Lighting Effect) to give us the confidence that a current LCD display could hold its own against plasma, much less the best plasma TV on the market, the Pioneer Elite Plasma Kuro Pro 111FD.$4,500.00 price drop to $2,999.00

The Samsung set delivered the deepest shadows of any LCD I've tested. It's just that the Pioneer's blacks were appreciably deeper Infinity Black. In fact, the Pioneer's all-around knockout performance found us nodding to each other in the darkened room, uttering "Kuro" in hushed, reverent tones. Samsung has dramatically raised the bar for LCD TV performance, but the technology still has further to go.

Although it didn't count in our face-off rankings, we noted a slight geometry aberration on the Samsung in its "bit-for-bit" Just Scan mode, with about 1 to 2% overscan evident on only the right side of its screen; the Pioneer plasma measured 0% all around. We also ran the Silicon Optix Benchmark tests on Blu-ray Disc and standard-definition DVD, and found the Pioneer's processing superior for deinterlacing both 1080i and 480i signals via HDMI.If you insist on the best at any cost, look no further. Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD Plasma TV!!!!

[starkent08]

did he as bout a tv no not everyone wants a plasma u know

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by starkent08

did he as bout a tv no not everyone wants a plasma u know

He joined almost 2 years ago & that long post was his 3rd post !!

[Vincent Vega82]

Originally Posted by cvm

My dad has never bought or owned a Home Theater set-up from Magnolia @ best buy and today he went and purchased one!! I am proud of my dad. I am a pretty uniformed when it comes to Home Theater set up. I know the basics of what is needed, but not too much about the brands. I know that the PS3 is a great standalone player, since that is what I use. My dad does not want the PS3 as his stand alone player. What player would you recommend that he buy that is not the PS3 and would go well with his set-up.

TV- Samsung - 55" Class / 1080p / 240Hz / LED HDTV

Receiver - Yamaha - 980W 7.1-Ch. A/V Home Theater Receiver Model: RX-V863BL

Speakers
Floor - Klipsch - Icon Triple 5-1/4" 2-Way Floorstanding Speaker Model: WF-35 (Bought 2)
Center - Klipsch - Icon Dual 4-1/2" 2-Way Center-Channel Speaker
Ceiling - Klipsch - 2-Way In-Ceiling Speakers (Pair) - White/ABS
Model: KHC-6
Subwoofer- Klipsch - Icon 10" 1200W Powered Subwoofer Model: XW-500d

Remote- Logitech - Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote with Color LCD Screen

Blu-ray Player - Samsung - Blu-ray Disc Player with 1080p Output -
Model: BD-P3600

**** He is willing to take this player back and get a better one if that is needed.

If your father is worried about the aesthetic value of the PS3, he could put it some place less visible or hide it in some sort of box or something behind the tv.