Overwhelmed by home theater options?

Question

Ok. So, I recently decided to get a new place. When I do, I want to buy all new stuff for my living room. However, I haven't bought any of this stuff in so long I have no idea what I'm doing. Here's what I want: a 50 inch or larger television, surround sound speakers, a DVD player, and sattellite radio.

My confusion starts right off the bat. I don't know if a plasma or LCD is the best type of television (all I care about is the best possible picture). I don't know what speakers are best. I have found several speakers systems that either come with a receiver or a DVD player, but at that point I don't know if I am better off buying everything seperate to get a better set of speakers, receiver, and DVD player.

In terms of DVD players, which is the best, HD or Blu Ray? Are there any specific reccomendations.

I am finding cables are important as well. Ay thoughts?

So far I have read a lot on CNET, but people complain about everything no matter what. I need help

Answer 1

I hear you bro.

First, do not get in a hurry.

As far as a TV, let your eyes decide. Do some shopping and take notes. I hear the DLP has the best picture.

For sound, you need to start with a quality AVR reciever such as Harman Kardon or Denon. Onkyo makes a pretty good AVR at a good price.

Next, you will need speakers. I will give you some links.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/    I have the CBM 170 and they sound great!

http://show.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fdm.pl?...

http://www.hsuresearch.com/

http://www.magnepan.com/

http://www.affordableaudio.org/

This should be an enjoyable experience.

Most speakers can be auditioned in your home for 30 days.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Don't know if this will help but you can check it out if you lwant.

http://home-theater-guide.classes.cnet.c...

Answer 3

Well, I'm not going to be able to do more than provide some general suggestions, your question is just too broad for here.

First, you have to decide on budget and what you intend to watch / listen to.

For example if movies and HDTV, do you want Blu-ray or DVD (HD DVD is essentially dead). If so you need a 1080p display (and this could be a projector  or a flatpanel TV). See the 1st link why an HD projector may be the way to go.

Your list of equipment didn't include a receiver/amp to power the surround speakers. Also, satellite radio is kind of off in left field .. nothing wrong with it, but it's unrelated to Home theatre. Also you talk about a DVD player and Blu-ray/HD DVD, but you need to decide which since the latter will play DVDs but a DVD player won't play Blu-Ray or HD DVD disks. Begin to see the problems?

The links (other than the first one) are to several on-line sites with basic guides on home theatre topics. I suggest you read them and come back with more specific questions once you have determined your basic constraints and preferences.

I would suggest you not consider this a fast process ... rushing will only end up in you not getting what you want/need or wasting money. Plan on taking at least a month or so to work through the options.

HD is much more complicated and less standardized than old time standard definition. The increased resolution is worth it, but it makes more demands on the consumer. Take your time and start with reading.

Answer 4

Here's my recommended system:

Panasonic TH-50PZ77U (1885 at Amazon)

Onkyo TX-SR705 ($599 at Amazon)

That equals to $2484.  Leaving you $2516.

Speakers.  Those you'll have to listen to all on your own.  Audition Paradigms and RBH if you have a dealer nearby.  For I.D. brands (Internet Direct) I recommend the Ascend Acoustics or Axioms.  For subwoofers, the Epiks (though I have not heard them) are producing very impressive subwoofers at awesome prices.  Check out the Hsu Research subs or SVS subs too.

Blu-ray players.  The PS3 and the Panasonic BD30 are the only ones to really consider.  There are some drawbacks to either so do some research.  The BD30 has an "LFE bug."  The PS3 does not bitstream nor decode DTS-MA and uses bluetooth instead of IR for the remote.

Anyway, I hope these suggestions help.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Plasma is the best picture quality.  It is prone to burn-in, even with the newer technology, so don't play video games on it.

I've been staying out of the HD-DVD vs. BluRay battle until the format war is over.  However it's starting to look like BluRay is winning.  Just my opinion, no thumbs down please.

Generally speaking when it comes to any electronics, combos are not so good.  Again, not putting down any specific device so no thumbs down please.

This is the paragraph that will earn the thumbs down.  For cable, you'll what to use HDMI for the best video quality.  Unlike other cables the signal is transmitted in digital, not analog format.  Since the signal is digital it only needs to be able to transmit a 1 or  0 state and subtle state differences are not important.  So what does all this mean?  It means you don't need to spend a fortune on HDMI cables, it's a waste of money.  For analog signals, sure cable matters, but not for digital.  There are a lot of people out there that have wasted money buying the most expensive HDMI cables out there that will give me thumbs down for this comment.  I don't care, they are only fooling themselves.

I'm sorry but I'm not going to recommend any specific devices because there are just too many options and I don't know what you situation is.  Room size, shape, budget, etc.

Answer 6

There are a lot of options - and as long as you stick with name brands, they all work well together.

I strongly suggest NOT buying a box system. Buy separates.  Here is what I would do:

RECEIVER:

Yamaha or Denon.  Both make Sat Radio compatible systems.

SPEAKERS:

Paradigm, Definitive Technology, Polk - all good names. Find a dealer and audition with music to pick your favorite.

SUBWOOFER

SVS Woofers or HSU Research (both are well-respected, internet companies).  You DONT have to buy the same sub as the 5 speakers.

DVD PLAYER

Get a PS3 or BluRay. BluRay seems to be winning with more studios and companies signing up. (I own both HD and BluRay and neither one stands out so the 'winner' will be the format with more titles/support.)

CABLES:

Order most cables from BlueJeansCables.  Buy a spool of 12 ga speaker wire from PartsExpress.com

TV:

A high-contrast ratio Plasma or LCD unit is what you should look for.  Find a 1080p internal resolution with as many HDMI inputs as possible.  Pioneer or Sony would be my main brand suggestions.

Answer 7

If all you care is about the best possible picture I you want a TV not a projector then Plasma is what you want.

Best DVD would be blue-ray but then you cant watch HD-DVD. One of the best blue rays comes from Pioneer. If you want a HD-DVD/Blue Ray combo then get the LG.

Cables are important but should be comparible in quality to your equipment. Dont buy +$300 cable when you are using a home theater in a box solution that cost you $1,000.

Home theaters are complicated because there is so much out there. First forget about whats BEST because it all depends on how much you want to spend (Like a Car). If you want the best its going to cost you over a hundred thousand dollars to start. So pick a budget and stick to it. I do recommend you buy components and speakers sepertly appose to buying all in one units. It makes it more difficult and costly in the long run when you do want to upgrade.

I would help you more if you gave me your budget.