HOME THEATRE ADVICE NEEDED! :)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
Yep, the basement is gonna be pimped out in the next two months folks! Getting a pool table and we're getting a TV and I think I can convince my parents to get a DVD player (the VCR is on the verge...) and some "cheap" surround sound speakers. :)

Now, I need recommendations!

The TV should be a good size...around 25" or so and the DVD player should have very good quality and Dolby Digital support (in case the speakers I get do to...) and some nice speakers...but I don't need anything ridiculously loud and powerful.

I'm not big on this kinda stuff so please don't point and laugh. :(

Also, any ideas on where to get this stuff for a good price? I don't have too big of a budget unfortunately...heh, a 20" Sony Wega TV would be nice...any bigger is friggin expensive. :eek:
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
WTF are you smoking?!

Hmm...

speakers...

I know those probably aren't even close to the best...but it is surround sound and I don't need booming loud speakers...just enough to hear it clearly. :)

20" wega

20" Sony Wega TV...$350...should I get a bigger TV for $350 or will the 20" be good enough? The basement isn't too big...so I won't be more than 8' away from it...hmmm...

DVD Player

The ability to play VCDs is nice...how is that DVD player?

I'm looking at best buy because its local...I don't want a TV shipped to me. ;) Speakers...I guess I could have em shipped and DVD I could too...

Any ideas...arg! I dunno what my budget is...but probably no more than $700 or so...I would throw in a bit there too...so figure no more than 750-800. Another thing I have going for me is that I'm putting my old computer down in the basement to play MP3s...so I could say, "Well, we'd be paying so much cuz I'd be using the speakers as a stereo too..." ;)
 
R

Raspewtin

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 1999
3,634
0
0
The WEGA is overrated and isn't worth the money. I liked the JVC Direct Views better and they were a ton cheaper.

This Sony speaker system comes with all 5 speakers + powered sub for 300 bucks. You can get a DVD player for under 200 bucks. Add an inxpensive reciever, and you can a Dolby Digital, DTS 6 speaker system with Television and DVD for under 1500 bucks. Try Onecall.com. They've got B goods (opened boxes but fine equipment), and you can get very nice stuff cheap.
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
I like the looks of those speakers. ;)

I also like the looks of that Toshiba SD1200 DVD player for like 170.

Checking out the JVC Direct View TVs...
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
Raspewtin, think they will be sufficient enough for DVDs? I find it pointless to shell out dough for a DVD player only to have an TV and Speaker set that won't take full advantage of it. :)
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
EDIT: Shoot, wrong TV link/name...rats!

Speakers... -$150

DVD player... -$220

How does that look? BTW, there is a $20 off $100 coupon at 800.com that I could use too. :)

So $690 for that is nice...I want to get the SD1200 not SD1600 though...its $50-70 less. :( Its just mobshop doesn't have a cycle on it at the moment...oh, plus i'd get 5% off at mobshop.

I'm thinking of a different TV too...checkin out the JVC Direct Views now...
 
R

Raspewtin

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 1999
3,634
0
0
Re JVC, for 50 bucks more you can get this one from Crutchfield. It has component video. Component Video is the best way to see DVDs. I have the 32" version of this TV. The Best Buy version doesn't have component video. I think you may be surprised to here this, but video wise, you'll get a better picture than most HDTV big-screens. I know because I have this JVC (in 32") and several big screens.

The DVD player you picked out has component video so you're good to go in that department, and the speakers are worth the cash. I noticed mine were slightly different, but probably similar sound quality. For 150 bucks, you'll be astounding how good the speakers. They sound best when they're loud. That sub kicks arse. Even if you eventually throw away the the speakers, the sub will have been worth the cash.

Now it's time to pick out a receiver. This is a VERY good receiver. Frankly it's way better than mine and I paid 600 bucks for mine. That's life I guess. If I had more educated when buying my stuff initially, I probably could have walked away with this and saved three hundred bucks.


Lets total it up JVC from crutchfield (400) + Onkyo receiver from onecall.com(300) + KLH Speakers from best buy (150) + DVD player from best buy (220) = $1070. We hit almost under a grand! That leaves the rest for you! (cough - Playstation 2 plus tons of games)



EDIT: Also enter this contest. The prize is a Tivo. I actually won and so did a bunch of people. They give 10 a day until the end of next month. All you have to do is write a 250 word essay. Use tons of Tivo terms (i.e. Season Pass, Tivolution,etc) and make it funny and weird. Then you can add Tivo to that system no extra charge! (plus your parents will be very impressed at your initiative)
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
Heh, why do I need a receiver again? ;) I'm pretty lame on this stuff. :(

BTW, I'll probably get either Dolphin or XBox...PS2 looks weak.
 
R

Raspewtin

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 1999
3,634
0
0
The reciever decodes the Dolby Digital from the DVD player and converts into sound you can hear. The speakers are totally worthless without it. You'll also need to buy a $10 cable to hook up the digital audio of your dvd player to your receiver (it uses fiber optics, resulting in perfect sound; you'll be amazed) Also, you usually end up using the receiver's remote to control everything. Don't forget about the Tivo Contest.
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
Damn...so I need the receiver...great. :p $300 more...wheee. :(

Any other cheaper ones. ;) This stuff is probably gonna be a combo of a Hanukkah present/basement upgrade and I doubt I could get away with $1g...
 
N

Napalm381

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
2,724
0
0
A receiver contains speaker amplifiers. Kind of a minor point ;)

Also try Dealtime to find the best prices on components. You will probably be able to save a noticeable amount of money using this site. Also check AudioReview for reviews on receivers, speakers, DVD players, and just about everything else. You MAY be able to get away with less money on the receiver.
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
So...uhhh...raspewtin, do you have ICQ or AIM? You've been a lot of help to me, but this thread seems like a 2 bit operation, just you and me. :) Might as well not clutter the board. :)
 
R

Raspewtin

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 1999
3,634
0
0
I did some searching for integrated products (all in one) type of things. The panasonic SC-HT80 DVD minisystem has the DVD, amp, reciever, speakers all-in-one but is like 800 bucks (600-700 on the street). Thus it seems that buying things seperately is cheaper. This is the cheapest receiver I could find that had Dolby Digital (which you need, otherwise no surround sound for DVDs which is the entire point)

I don't have ICQ or AIM but you can PM me your e-mail address.
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
Well, $800 for an integrated DVD player is "wetahdid." ;) I could get a receiver and dvd player for 300 less. :p
 
O

Ornery

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,022
17
81
Well, my current home theater equipment is getting long in the tooth. I'll probably grab one of these Sony systems next year. I'll probably connect it to a KV-35S42 35" Trinitron®

No, it isn't the best that money can buy by a long shot. But, for the little bit we use our current system, I can't justify spending much more. If it rattles, hisses or hums, I'll just return it. That means I'll be buying at our local Sears or Best Buy.
 
D

DaveJ

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,337
1
81
Check this out... I've got one, and it kicks ass! It's got DD/DTS built in, plus a DVD player. The only downside is the remote, which sucks, and it does not have a digital out as advertised. It does have a digital input though so you could hook up an external device...

The best part is it's only $349... :)

Dave
 
P

pen^2

Banned
Apr 1, 2000
2,845
0
0
as for the speakers, you'd better off gettin These and a seperate sub. the sub on that bestbuy model doesnt look that great... double 4.25''? wth...
 
T

TGCid

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,201
0
0
Actually keep on discussing, I am just happen to be looking for speakers for a audio set in my room and am learning at lot. I am mainly using it to listen to music though, sorry to intrude...
 
Z

zippy

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 1999
9,998
1
0
3:19AM bump...why am I still awake?! Oh, right, i just watched goodfellas. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom