Best Blu-ray / HD Audio Home Theater Set-Up?????? - Blu-ray Forum

Video Master · 05-13-2008, 10:57 PM

I've been out of the loop on Home Theater for a while so I'm getting back into it. I'm familiar with the new codecs - True HD and DTS -HD MA and I want to build a system with those in mind.

I'll probably get the PS 3 for now and then add a BD player later.

I have an NHT 5.1 speaker system.

What options do I have for a Blue-Ray player and receiver that play True HD and DTS-HD that wont be obsolete in 6 months. Also, what is the diff between the bitstream and Linear PCM formats? which one is better quality and do all of the products have both of these options?

Thanks

un4gvn94538 · 05-13-2008, 11:21 PM

the best option right now that can decode all the formats is a ps3. best for the price. easy updates and isnt going to be left behind.
bitstream is when a codec is sent to a receiver then is decoded by the receiver. in the case of the ps3, the player decodes and sends it in pcm form to be output by the receiver. not all players can decode and bitstream. some can only decode but not decode all the codecs beside the ps3.

im looking to get a stand alone in the future myself and the sony s350 looks good to me. itll bitstream the codecs to my receiver.

crackinhedz · 05-13-2008, 11:24 PM

how much are you looking to spend?

Video Master · 05-13-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

how much are you looking to spend?

I'd say no more than $1500 on a receiver and $500 on a BD player.

Can't go too high because I'm also getting a new LCD or plasma. Waiting to see the new Sony XBR6 and XBR7 lines.

Video Master · 05-13-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

im looking to get a stand alone in the future myself and the sony s350 looks good to me. itll bitstream the codecs to my receiver.

Yeah that BD player looks tight. When does it drop?

crackinhedz · 05-14-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Master

I'd say no more than $1500 on a receiver and $500 on a BD player.

Can't go too high because I'm also getting a new LCD or plasma. Waiting to see the new Sony XBR6 and XBR7 lines.

well, these would be my choices for that budget without being overly expensive:

Receivers

Marantz SR7002

Onkyo TX-SR875

Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH

Yamaha RX-V863

Bluray player

Playstation 3

Panasonic DMP-BD50

Sony BDP-S350

un4gvn94538 · 05-14-2008, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Master

Yeah that BD player looks tight. When does it drop?

i think sometime this june/july

Video Master · 05-14-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

well, these would be my choices for that budget without being overly expensive:

Receivers

Marantz SR7002

Onkyo TX-SR875

Pioneer Elite VSX-92TXH

Yamaha RX-V863

Thanks but I'm only a fan of Sony and Onkyo. I'm into looks as well as guts and the Pioneers, Yamahas, and Marantz just dont do it for me (and even the latest line of Onkyo's looks cheap) What do you think about the latest Sony receivers? They also have an on-screen GUI in HD that looks cool. But I will look into your recommendations.

Thanks

crackinhedz · 05-14-2008, 12:30 AM

well, I don't get too much into Sony Receivers very often... I always find errors in the Sony descriptions that I just stay away all together. That being said, I have read many reviews of their new ES line and they get good results...but again, im not too much into sony receivers to be of any help.

crackinhedz · 05-14-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

(and even the latest line of Onkyo's looks cheap)

...what about Onkyo's higher end Integra series?

caliblue15 · 05-14-2008, 01:29 AM

Wholly molly, that 7.8 is fricking amazing!!!! $1300, but that is so future proof! Anyone want to buy me one?

Video Master · 05-14-2008, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

...what about Onkyo's higher end Integra series?

You are going to hate me for this - but I don't like the color of the LED's on the front of a lot of receivers - Cant stand the green and yellow on Onkyo, Yamaha has a butt yellow or orange, yada yada.

Sony and Denon are holding it down in the design / color scheme area and the new Pioneers are just ok.

Also, If I have a Sony TV and Blu-Ray player it just makes sense to have matching remotes.

If you can argue that the internal guts of Onkyo, Yahama, etc are much better in sound quality, then I might look into those.

I'm also having a meltdown with all of the LCD's going all black. Bring back the silver! It's supposed to be the future - not the 1990's all over again.

crackinhedz · 05-14-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Master

I don't like the color of the LED's on the front of a lot of receivers

Ive heard many people with the same preference. Understandable.

Well, I think audio quality wise you would get better from the Denon's. But at that level, both Sony ES and Denon would sound amazing regardless.

bkbluray · 05-14-2008, 02:34 AM

Am I correct in saying that Sony non-ES receivers aren't all that impressive? This is what I've been hearing, but I'd just like to clarify.

crackinhedz · 05-14-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkbluray

Am I correct in saying that Sony non-ES receivers aren't all that impressive? This is what I've been hearing, but I'd just like to clarify.

correct.

that is not to say the non-ES line are not worthy or any good...merely that they provide a little less than the stated horse power under the hood.

bkbluray · 05-14-2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

correct.

that is not to say the non-ES line are not worthy or any good...merely that they provide a little less than the stated horse power under the hood.

Thanks. I was just making sure that I made the right choice in getting the Onkyo.

Video Master · 05-14-2008, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

correct.

that is not to say the non-ES line are not worthy or any good...merely that they provide a little less than the stated horse power under the hood.

I'm going to buy an amp no matter what receiver I chose. I would never power NHT's on just a receiver alone!

Video Master · 05-14-2008, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Master

Thanks but I'm only a fan of Sony and Onkyo. I'm into looks as well as guts and the Pioneers, Yamahas, and Marantz just dont do it for me (and even the latest line of Onkyo's looks cheap) What do you think about the latest Sony receivers? They also have an on-screen GUI in HD that looks cool. But I will look into your recommendations.

Thanks

I'd have to say that after looking at the Denon website that their products look legit. I wonder how their on screen GUI looks and behaves. Can't say much for their remotes though.

crackinhedz · 05-14-2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Video Master

I'd have to say that after looking at the Denon website that their products look legit. I wonder how their on screen GUI looks and behaves. Can't say much for their remotes though.

I can tell you one thing...Denon could make a college credit class out of how to read their User Manual.

It can be very technical.

supersix4 · 05-14-2008, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I can tell you one thing...Denon could make a college credit class out of how to read their User Manual.

It can be very technical.

lol my fav on the AVR-5308CI page 4 "operating range of the remote control"

05-13-2008, 10:57 PM	#1
Video Master Banned Member since:May 2008 Location:Hollywood, CA	Best Blu-ray / HD Audio Home Theater Set-Up?????? I've been out of the loop on Home Theater for a while so I'm getting back into it. I'm familiar with the new codecs - True HD and DTS -HD MA and I want to build a system with those in mind. I'll probably get the PS 3 for now and then add a BD player later. I have an NHT 5.1 speaker system. What options do I have for a Blue-Ray player and receiver that play True HD and DTS-HD that wont be obsolete in 6 months. Also, what is the diff between the bitstream and Linear PCM formats? which one is better quality and do all of the products have both of these options? Thanks

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
New Home Theater Set up	Home Theater General Discussion	macd1995	8	03-16-2010 04:00 AM
Help to set up my home theater	Home Theater Construction	Noel198	29	12-08-2009 03:25 PM
How do set up my home theater system in this home?	Home Theater General Discussion	mugupo	7	03-29-2009 05:11 PM
Home Theater Set-Up?	Home Theater General Discussion	xtreme02gt	16	02-04-2009 02:47 AM
Home Theater Set-Up Audio. Help!	Home Theater General Discussion	crey014	3	06-05-2008 05:44 AM

05-13-2008, 11:21 PM	#2
un4gvn94538 Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Limbo (Bakersfield, Ca.) 4K collection:143 Blu-ray collection:811 DVD collection:54 Digital collection:1494 Trading Score:277	the best option right now that can decode all the formats is a ps3. best for the price. easy updates and isnt going to be left behind. bitstream is when a codec is sent to a receiver then is decoded by the receiver. in the case of the ps3, the player decodes and sends it in pcm form to be output by the receiver. not all players can decode and bitstream. some can only decode but not decode all the codecs beside the ps3. im looking to get a stand alone in the future myself and the sony s350 looks good to me. itll bitstream the codecs to my receiver.

05-13-2008, 11:24 PM	#3
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	how much are you looking to spend?

05-14-2008, 12:30 AM	#9
crackinhedz Super Moderator Member since:Feb 2007 Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray reviews:8 Trading Score:19	well, I don't get too much into Sony Receivers very often... I always find errors in the Sony descriptions that I just stay away all together. That being said, I have read many reviews of their new ES line and they get good results...but again, im not too much into sony receivers to be of any help.

05-14-2008, 01:29 AM	#11
caliblue15 Blu-ray Knight Member since:Dec 2007 Home Theater Gallery:12 Blu-ray collection:85 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:6	Wholly molly, that 7.8 is fricking amazing!!!! $1300, but that is so future proof! Anyone want to buy me one?

05-14-2008, 02:34 AM	#14
bkbluray Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:MN Home Theater Gallery:57 Blu-ray collection:185 Blu-ray reviews:25	Am I correct in saying that Sony non-ES receivers aren't all that impressive? This is what I've been hearing, but I'd just like to clarify.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals