Home Theater - Breaking Into the Scene - Inquiry Thread

[Trean]

I apologize for the long post, and thank you all who take the time to read it through.


Layout
Introduction
Background
Monitor/Television
Blu-Ray Player
Receiver
Speakers
Link Recap
Pricing
Conclusion


Introduction
I want to jump into the HD market; I have been a long supporter of blu-ray but haven’t ever purchased a player due to the lack of funds. Funds to buy the player and the television/monitor needed to portray the high quality videos. Throughout multiple threads on multiple forums I have gathered information on various pieces of a potential HD setup. I would like some input on the pieces and recommendations on the finishing pieces.


Background
First some background. I don’t have all the money in the world so I am trying to lay out the pieces so I can buy them as the money rolls in, because I don’t have it all to lie down all at once. That being said I still want to do this right so that it doesn’t have to get redone that soon. I currently own a HTiB that is 5.1, it’s a Magnavox and it’s about 5 years old; it really is not anything to write about.


Monitor/Television
I am purchasing a monitor with HDMI input and wish to use it to display my movies and television. I also will be playing pc games and using it as a general pc monitor as well. The monitor will be connected to receiver via a DVI to HDMI cable. I am looking at the Viewsonic VX2435wm at the moment. Does anyone have any other suggestions or reasoning why I should not get the Viewsonic?


Blu-Ray Player
Next will be the blu-ray player. I am looking at the PS3 heavily as it seems quite good and has the added benefit of being able to play games. However, it is not able to bitstream all audio types. I don’t know how exactly this would affect me. I have been wondering if there has been any news stating that Sony will do a firmware update eventually giving the PS3 the ability to bitstream HD audio types. I was wondering if there were other better alternatives or if the PS3 is the way to go?


Receiver
My next purchase is a receiver. The setup will be 5.1 but it seems most of the good receiver that are future proofed in being able to decode all audio codecs are 7.1. So that being said, the receiver has to sound good with a 5.1 setup even if it might be 7.1 capable. I would strongly like signal upgrading to HDMI, such that every video input goes out through HDMI. I would also like video signal upconversion to 1080p, but it certainly is not necessary. I am looking at the TX-SR605 or the TX-SR705. Considering the price of the 705 is $300 more than the 605, I am leaning heavily towards the 605. Anyone have suggestions towards either of these or a different one?


Speakers
Lastly, I have to get new speakers. I plan on purchasing the front left and right as well as the center first, then the subwoofer, then the rear two speakers. I haven’t done any research into speakers. I know I will be getting 14 AVG wire from monoprice, and probably some banana plugs. Any suggestions in this area would be more than appreciated. I also believe that the receiver will have some influence on my speaker purchase simply because of what the max output per speaker or something, again not much research into that.


Link Recap
Here’s a recap with all the links for Amazon.com, I don’t intend on buying all these things from there unless they seem to provide the best price.

Magnavox MRD 200 - http://www.epinions.com/Philips_Magn...ay_~full_specs

Viewsonic VX2435wm - http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-VX24...9670888&sr=1-1

PS3 40GB - http://www.amazon.com/PlayStation-40...9670360&sr=8-2

Onkyo TX-SR605 - http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR605...9670289&sr=8-2

Onkyo TX-SR705 - http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR705...9670308&sr=8-1

Speaker Wire - http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Banana Plugs - http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2


Pricing
VX2435wm – $550 (after mail-in-rebate)
PS3 – $400
TX-SR605 – $380
Wires, Cables, Etc – $70
==================
$1400

Speakers – Unknown price


Conclusion
That sure adds up quick. I might have to recalculate how much I have to spend on all this after adding all that up. Feel free to give me your advice; especially if it will maintain functionality and lower price. I don’t know how often these parts are on sale, or if any price drops are scheduled in the near future for anything so if you do please respond with some information. Thanks for all the help in advance.

[Kratos3]

That all looks pretty good. I think you're right to go with the Onkyo 605. It's one of the best values out there for a receiver that decodes all current sound formats. One question, you mentioned a DVI to HDMI cable to you monitor. So if I'm to understand this correctly, you'll run HDMI from the PS3 to your receiver, and an HDMI to DVI from your receiver to your TV? If that's the case it'll work great. Just remember, DVI only carries video info. It must be the last termination in the chain, ie. at your monitor.

As far as the PS3 bitstreaming Dobly TrueHD and dts-MA, we're all hoping that one day it will. As for now, set the HDMI audio out to Linear PCM. The PS3 internally decodes TrueHD to PCM and sends it to the receiver via the HDMI as PCM. It does not support dts-MA, yet, but possibly in a future firmware upgrade.

With speakers it's all a matter of taste. Don't worry too much about matching the power of the receiver to your speakers. Just go for quality and you won't be dissapointed. Remember, good audio is half of the movie. I have the Klipsch Quintet III and Sub-10 and I love 'em! Klipsch, JBL, Polk Audio, Infinity, Boston, Mirage, Def Tech, and B&W are all good brands. You pay a little more for the last two, but I've owned both brands and they are definitely worth the price tags, IMHO. There are also some brands you can find on the internet, but I prefer to be able to hear the speakers I buy first.

I hope this helps and is the type of response you're looking for.

[rigpig]

i) buy as large an HDTV as you can afford.

ii) the PS3 would be an excellent choice.....i would recommend it, very versatile piece of kit besides being a top flight BD player.

iii) i would focus on upgrading your 5.1 sound....sure get the 7.1 capability in the electronics if you choose to add the extra monitors later that's your choice. In my personal opinion playing a hires 7.1 track on 8 discrete speakers vs playing them on 6
where the extra surround info is mixed into existing LR surrounds....it doesn't warrant the extra 2 speakers & cabling hassle etc....only my opinion but i'm kind of an audio guy and a 5.1 purist. SO i would focus on better 6ch for now.

iv) do not underestimate the importance of buying better speakers......you get what you pay for and i would budget significant funds on decent speakers. It is never lost money as good speakers can stay in a system for decades.

v) i wouldn't even worry about speaker cabling/ interconnect cables / plugs.....if your funds are fairly tight for now just get the cheapest stuff you can find for now.....14 ga would be the absolute minimum though. Put the money you may burn on branded cabling elsewhere.

...just my two sheckels.

[Trean]

Originally Posted by rigpig

i) buy as large an HDTV as you can afford.

My CRT monitor is dying which is why I am looking into computer monitors or lcd tv/monitors that work well with pc gaming, pc use, movie watching, television, and console gaming. If you have any suggestions that are in the same price range and can serve the same purposes as a monitor designed for computer please state them.

If I had to upgrade in the future it would be an upgrade in television obviously, but since I live in a studio apartment at the moment and sit about 3-6 feet from the screen which I watch movies/television on there simply isn't wall room for a huge screen - or budget room .

[Durentis]

Originally Posted by Trean

Speakers
[...] I plan on purchasing the front left and right as well as the center first, then the subwoofer, then the rear two speakers. I haven’t done any research into speakers. I know I will be getting 14 AVG wire from monoprice, and probably some banana plugs.

If you are staggering your speaker purchases, I'd suggest increasing your budget and getting really good quality ones. And a better order (I assume you're sitting in the middle) would be fronts, surrounds, center, subwoofer, and then perhaps the rear(s) for 6-7.1 surround. Rears aside, I put the sub last because if you get good quality speakers you will get good (albeit not house-shaking) bass.

I started off with a $1-2000 budget for speakers, but ended up caving and spending a great deal more. Bought the fronts, surrounds, and center Paradigms first (~$5000) and will be ordering the sub (and possibly rears) in a few days (~$3600?). When my uncle first heard them he asked where my sub was and what I had for an amp; I have no sub and currently just have a cheap non-elite Pioneer receiver for an amp. I don't regret spending so much on the speakers because they sound incredible and will last a long time without needing to be upgraded. Just something for you to consider. (Oh, and I find that lots of Kraft Dinner makes it easier to pay off the LoC.. doh!)

If you're running 25'+ lengths of wire or are getting reference quality speakers you would be better off with 12 gauge wire. (And don't cheap out on your subwoofer cable.)

Don't bother with banana plugs. They're convenient but you're unlikely to be messing with the connections very often and will get a better connection with bare wire. Just be careful inserting them into back of the receiver so you don't bunch up the wire and short it out on another one.

[emacs]

Originally Posted by Trean

Next will be the blu-ray player. I am looking at the PS3 heavily as it seems quite good and has the added benefit of being able to play games. However, it is not able to bitstream all audio types. I don’t know how exactly this would affect me.

- if you select the DTS-HD Master Audio track, the PS3 will only transmit the 'core' track

- Dolby TrueHD audio from the PS3 can only be sent as Linear PCM

- the lossless compressed audio decoders on the 605 and 705 are of no use when accepting audio from the PS3 because, currently, the console cannot send these formats via bitstream.

[seto]

If you want entry-level and are on a tight budget that is pretty decent. Otherwise, you can expect to spend around 8-9.000 USD for a mid-range 7.1 system. Much more if you want the premiere stuff.

[richard lichtenfelt]

I would go with the Denon 2308ci. It can be found online for about $625.
Onkyo's are known for getting scalding hot. Excessive heat is the #1 enemy of electronic components.

Durentis is right, go with Paradigm speakers. You can get them for about $250 a piece. The entry level Paradigms rival speakers that cost thousands.
http://www.stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/907para/
"Charles has been bemused by my tales of $10,000/pair Vandersteens, $20,000/pair Dynaudios, and $28,000/pair Wilson Audio WATT/Puppys. But $250/pair Atoms? That impressed him—and me too, when you get right down to it."

"I suggest, however, that you put the Paradigm Atom Monitor v.5 near the top of that list. It looks good, it's built well, and it sounds good enough that this hard-core music junkie hasn't listened to his $10,000 loudspeakers for a month. Oh sure, the big guys can do things the Atoms can't—but what the Atoms do well, they do well enough that I'm not even thinking about what I might be missing. I'm thinking about what to listen to next."

[mr.hidef]

I would buy the PS3, for gaming..but buy a stand alone player seperately for blu-ray, because you would be wasting the 605's audio capabilities.

[Trean]

Originally Posted by Durentis

Don't bother with banana plugs. They're convenient but you're unlikely to be messing with the connections very often and will get a better connection with bare wire. Just be careful inserting them into back of the receiver so you don't bunch up the wire and short it out on another one.

Over the past several years of college I have moved at least twice a year. Since I am going into grad school I don't think it will change too much.

Originally Posted by mr.hidef

I would buy the PS3, for gaming..but buy a stand alone player seperately for blu-ray, because you would be wasting the 605's audio capabilities.

Is there a cheaper player that can be upgraded to profile 2.0+?

[emacs]

Originally Posted by Trean

Is there a cheaper player that can be upgraded to profile 2.0+?

a requirement for 2.0 is network connectivity (either wireless or Ethernet). have a look at the recent players from Samsung or Panasonic.

[Durentis]

Originally Posted by Trean

Over the past several years of college I have moved at least twice a year. Since I am going into grad school I don't think it will change too much.

Changing out wires a few times a year is still pretty insignificant. When I suggested getting banana plugs to the salesman at my audio store a while back he actually talked me out of them. "No, no.. don't buy several packs of our expensive banana plugs." (And this is, partly, why I'll go back.)

He said they're primarily for demo rooms that have multiple speaker sets around the room and one receiver. Comparing speakers with the same receiver is better than having different receivers connected to each set because it removes one means of the sound changing between source and speaker. Plus, you could bring your own receiver in to listen to their speakers and connecting it would be quick and painless. Anyhow, that's what I meant by 'often'.