Someone educate me please...

[sao123]

ok... so i am finally looking to upgrade fro mmy 27in color analog TV to a medium size digital HD tv, with suround. but I am completely clueless.
I dont know what the terms mean, what size/specs to look for, what brands to prefer, and what are the hidden catches, and how to do this without breaking the bank.
I've seen the terms, flat panel LCD, Rear Projection, Plasma, DLP, TIVO, media center, 7.1 dolby digital, HDTV tuner, etc. But i know what few if any mean.

I have direct tv sattelite, and have a PS2.
Primarily, I watch DVD Movies, Live sports, and drama shows like law and order.
And all things pending, i am going to either get an XBOX 360 or a PS3 real soon.

I want a nice system that i can watch tv, especially NFL games on HDTV, play awesome looking video games (call of duty 2 multiplayer on HD, looks so sweet), and watch DVD's with awesome home thater sound. Can someone at least get me started in the right direction?

 

[K1052]

How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Hang out in the various areas of AVSforum for a while. Hometheaterforum is a nice place too.

Search for "HDTV" here.

Search for "surround sound" here.

There are dozens of threads ripe for the reading

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

Yea, I thought about that after I posted. A total figure would be more helpful I guess.

AVS might be a tad overwhelming for him as well.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

A start: (I'm sure people will jump in with exceptions and corrections to what I'm saying)

size - what's the distance going to be roughly from the screen? Do you want something cinematic sized or something more standard?

brands - depends on specific model a lot for quality

catches - there isn't a perfect display or sound technology, everything has drawbacks

without breaking the bank - that can be tough, but displays are always getting cheaper

terms
flat panel LCD - like an LCD monitor, but usually bigger when you're doing HT use
Rear Projection - can be LCD, DLP, LCoS based and then projected onto a screen internally
Front Projection - like a rear projection except the image is projected onto whatever you want = big images for cheap
DLP - http://www.dlp.com/ <-- click on what is DLP
7.1 - first number (7) refers to the number of speakers around you, second (1) refers to the subwoofer
Dolby Digital - a compressed digital stream that has multichannel audio data
DTS - a different technology but same purpose as DD
HDTV tuner - tunes into HD stations like a regular tuner in your 27" tv would get standard channels

I skipped some

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

For the sound portion, you could go as cheap as around $400 or $450 and get a decent HTIB (home theater in a box) from Onkyo that would be a good bet. That would leave you about $1500 for a display and a bit for cables.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

For the sound portion, you could go as cheap as around $400 or $450 and get a decent HTIB (home theater in a box) from Onkyo that would be a good bet. That would leave you about $1500 for a display and a bit for cables.

My choice of display for around that price: http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-79%2c7-13&menu=true&id=27781

$1,400

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

For the sound portion, you could go as cheap as around $400 or $450 and get a decent HTIB (home theater in a box) from Onkyo that would be a good bet. That would leave you about $1500 for a display and a bit for cables.

My choice of display for around that price: http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-79%2c7-13&menu=true&id=27781

$1,400

And since I'm stuck on front projection, I'd probably do something like this
http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&sku=PTAE700U
or if it was mostly DVD viewing, a 480p DLP projector and spend more on the sound since the sound system will hold it's value while the displays continue to get cheaper.

 

[doze]

The TV is the most important part obviously so 3/4 of your budget will likely go towards the TV. If your not sure what the different types of TV's are then your best bet is to take a field trip to your local BestBuy, CC etc... and learn a bit about what the different TV styles are and what makes them different as you can find a decent TV of any type (LCD, Plasma, DLP) in the $1500-2K price range.

As mentioned you can get a decent pre packaged audio for several hundred and you can find a decent DVD player for $50-150 depending on features you want.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

For the sound portion, you could go as cheap as around $400 or $450 and get a decent HTIB (home theater in a box) from Onkyo that would be a good bet. That would leave you about $1500 for a display and a bit for cables.

My choice of display for around that price: http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-79%2c7-13&menu=true&id=27781

$1,400

The biggest issue with that one IMO is the delay issue, it loves to cause issues with stuff that isn't 720p or 1080i... if you have surround sound the voice and picture don't sync quite right, and it can cause havoc with gaming when you do something with the system and you dont see it on the screen till a 1/3 second later. It's the whole reason I went with the Sony KDFE42A10 over it.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

For the sound portion, you could go as cheap as around $400 or $450 and get a decent HTIB (home theater in a box) from Onkyo that would be a good bet. That would leave you about $1500 for a display and a bit for cables.

My choice of display for around that price: http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-79%2c7-13&menu=true&id=27781

$1,400

And since I'm stuck on front projection, I'd probably do something like this
http://www2.butterflyphoto.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&sku=PTAE700U
or if it was mostly DVD viewing, a 480p DLP projector and spend more on the sound since the sound system will hold it's value while the displays continue to get cheaper.

The OP should note that front projectors are only practical if you can control incoming light (windows). If so, I agree, a front projector is the way to go.

Also, he will likely have to upgrade his DirecTv system to receive HDTV (yet more $).

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

For the sound portion, you could go as cheap as around $400 or $450 and get a decent HTIB (home theater in a box) from Onkyo that would be a good bet. That would leave you about $1500 for a display and a bit for cables.

My choice of display for around that price: http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-79%2c7-13&menu=true&id=27781

$1,400

The biggest issue with that one IMO is the delay issue, it loves to cause issues with stuff that isn't 720p or 1080i... if you have surround sound the voice and picture don't sync quite right, and it can cause havoc with gaming when you do something with the system and you dont see it on the screen till a 1/3 second later. It's the whole reason I went with the Sony KDFE42A10 over it.

I thought the problem was mostly limited to 480i material.

Samsung is supposedly addressing the issue in the 2006 sets.

 

[sao123]

Just to see what i was getting into, i configured a system at circuit city...
what do you guys think about this?

Samsung 46" DLP HDTV (HL-R4667W)
Sony Home Theater System (HT-6900DP)
PureAV Surge Protector (F9A82308)
Monster Cable Component Video Cable (MV1CV-2M)
Sylvania DVD Player (DVL700F)
Final Cost $2850 pre tax, pre any sales discounts.

or

Samsung 42" DLP HDTV (HL-R4266W)
Sony Home Theater System (HT-6900DP)
PureAV Surge Protector (F9A82308)
Monster Cable Component Video Cable (MV1CV-2M)
Sylvania DVD Player (DVL700F)
Final Cost $2525 pre tax, pre any sales discounts.



A little expensive, but i might be able to do this in another 6 months. I was hoping to keep this just to my tax return...but whats another 850... I wanna do this right.

 

[Dulanic]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: Dulanic

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: sao123

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: K1052
How much is your budget for each component (TV, speakers, receiver, etc..)?

Just a guess, but he probably has no idea what a good balance would be.

I clearly have no idea, but im hoping to have a complete setup for under $2K, (I hope)

For the sound portion, you could go as cheap as around $400 or $450 and get a decent HTIB (home theater in a box) from Onkyo that would be a good bet. That would leave you about $1500 for a display and a bit for cables.

My choice of display for around that price: http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-79%2c7-13&menu=true&id=27781

$1,400

The biggest issue with that one IMO is the delay issue, it loves to cause issues with stuff that isn't 720p or 1080i... if you have surround sound the voice and picture don't sync quite right, and it can cause havoc with gaming when you do something with the system and you dont see it on the screen till a 1/3 second later. It's the whole reason I went with the Sony KDFE42A10 over it.

I thought the problem was mostly limited to 480i material.

Samsung is supposedly addressing the issue in the 2006 sets.

I've heard of it showing up on some 480p material, but Im not 100% sure. I sell TV's and I talked to the Samsung rep, they were supposed to fix it in the 2005 sets... they failed... so 2004 sets did it... 2005 sets did it... I have a feeling 2006 sets will too.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: sao123
Just to see what i was getting into, i configured a system at circuit city...
what do you guys think about this?

Samsung 46" DLP HDTV (HL-R4667W)
Sony Home Theater System (HT-6900DP)
PureAV Surge Protector (F9A82308)
Monster Cable Component Video Cable (MV1CV-2M)
Sylvania DVD Player (DVL700F)
Final Cost $2850 pre tax, pre any sales discounts.

or

Samsung 42" DLP HDTV (HL-R4266W)
Sony Home Theater System (HT-6900DP)
PureAV Surge Protector (F9A82308)
Monster Cable Component Video Cable (MV1CV-2M)
Sylvania DVD Player (DVL700F)
Final Cost $2525 pre tax, pre any sales discounts.



A little expensive, but i might be able to do this in another 6 months. I was hoping to keep this just to my tax return...but whats another 850... I wanna do this right.

The Sony sound system you have picked out there already has a DVD player. I think you should stick with the Onkyo as a first bet until you go out and demo them. All DVD players are not creatived equally either, so you should probably check out some reviews to see what you want rather than just picking out a random one at a store.

Unless you're getting a monster discount on mostercables, they're way too expensive for what you get. A like like cablesforless, partsexpress, or monoprice is going to have good cables for a fraction of the price you'd pay from monster.

As for DLPs, make sure you demo some and ask about rainbow effect when you do. Try to go to a specialty store for HT equipment rather than a Best Buy / Circuit City operation unless yours has some better than average display rooms.