Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Home entertainment system?

I am looking more for a tv right now but I would like to have matching components. I read somewhere that dave designs these things? Maybe you could give me some advice. I want to spend about a 1000 to 1300 on a tv first and then later match up the surround sound. Basically I want to buy one piece at a time because ya know my welfare check is only so much. I would like to stay around a 30-35 inch screen I was thinking sony but I have been told that there overated. Also I have no idea what DVD to get. I read a little about diffrent coding scemes and how the process information. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated . Thanks-Dustyn

Try sticking with high-wuality name brand stuff if your budget allows. Our home theatre would be out of your budget I know, but Sony makes good TVs, I have a 27" Sony in my bedroom and I absolutely love it. It's maybe 2-3 years old though. As far as components, speakers, and that goes, go to a local home theatre shop that have displays, and go from there. We have a home theatre specialty dealer here that has atleast 4-5 "Model Family Rooms" that have home theatre, furniture, and everything in them, listen to everything, and pick out what best fits you.

Dave helps people design speakers, or point peoplein the direction to DIY speaker building. He helped me design my subwoofers for example.

For a TV, that is a tough price range. You can't quite get an HDTV, yet some find the quality of tubes not much better than $800 TV's. Are you interested in HDTV or progressive scan? How long do you wnat this TV to last? Do you prefer tube over projection? FWIW, my brothers and sisters bought my dad a Sony 36" Wega in that price range for a retirement gift and I think it looks great. However, I'd say up another $500 and find a closeout 53-60" widescreen HDTV personally. My best advice is to check them out at local store. They usually feed the same signal which isn't the best quality, but only your eyes can judge which is best. Oh, there is an RCA 38" widescreen tube TV with built in HDTV decoder for about $1800 or so that I hear is top notch.

Hmm, I'm about 2 model years out of the loop on DVD players. I have a Sony. I usually recommend Toshiba, but Pioneer had the best values about a year ago. Check the sites below, but progressive scan with 3:2 pull down I think can be had for under $200.

Some sites to get you started include:
www.hometheaterforum.com
www.hometheatertalk.com
www.avsforums.com

You'll need a receiver and speakers next, but as you say another time. When you get there or are ready to discuss, bring it on. I went through 2 Sony receviers before really doing my homework and buying a Denon which I absolutely love. Speakers, I recommend building your own or at least getting one of the kits to get you started. Hopefully you are up for the work.

Aaron

If you go Sony, I'd only suggest their Wega line (which is very good but expensive). As for their line-up below the Wega's, there are better values out there.

You're right at the brink with that price range. You can either go with a fantastic tube TV or a cheap HD/projection. Time to make a decision where you want to go...

Thanks Apt I might just save the up my food stamps and hold out for an HDTV. I was thinking that they were around 1300 I guess i was wrong. We have a 53inch projection downstairs but when you look at it from an angle its not as clear.

HDTV Projections are very good these days. I think you can probably find some closeout 43" Widescreens in that price, but I'd have to research. I'll take a look in the morning if I find any outstanding deals.

Sony talks of HI scan? Is that like a good analog sig. Then they talk about 480p and 1080i. I suspect those are digital. What is the hi scan exactly?

We have a widescreen HDTV in our home theatre, I dont know what brand, and I dont know how big (something like 50-60, somewhere in there) but it's great. We have recliners on each side, and you can sit in the recliners and see the TV perfectly, hardly any distortion, very clear.

Originally posted by Cool Blue Mystique:

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We have a widescreen HDTV in our home theatre, I dont know what brand, and I dont know how big (something like 50-60, somewhere in there) but it's great. We have a big leather couch right across it, and a recliner on each side, and youu can sit in the recliners and see the TV perfectly, hardly any distortion, very clear.

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Cool blue please refrain from posting unless you have useful data to contribute. I am not sure what a leather couch has to do with analog and digital converters or what I am talking about. But thank you for your earlier comments on how I never could afford an entertainment center like what you have setting in your place of residence. I now have come to grips on how poor I really am. Reguards -Dustyn

Dustyn,

There was a 32" Samsung HDTV Flatscreen on sale here in Toronto for C$1500. See if there are any samsung dealers in your area... they are somewhat less expensive, and as far as I know they are a good value for the money. Not the best, but good.

As for you asking Cool Blue not to respond --

I have a little trouble believing that you're poor if you have an SVT Contour and a '95 mustang.

Brian