shai Posted March 27, 2007 Posted March 27, 2007 Hi Everyone, Sorry to bother - just looking for some opinions. As above I am after a few components: Display - I am favoring the Sony 46X HDTV - Wont need it seperately DVR - Leaning towards the SVRHD900 HiDef recorder DVD Source - not really sure AVR - no clue in <insert place here> Bookshelfs - have some idea but really want some more input Budget: 8-8.5k Anyone want to have a go? Thanks heaps SHAi EDIT: Forgot the WAF - needs to look pretty! "silver finish will look nice" (meaning get silver or dont get anything!)
Livingthedream Posted March 27, 2007 Posted March 27, 2007 Display - Whats the Sony 48x worth these days...5k? That only leaves 3.5k for everything else. Which isnt alot...How far from your panel do you sit? Do you need the 48' or could you go the 40' if you have your heart set on the Bravia's? DVD or DVDR - Will depend on what you want it to do, plus next gen is on your doorstep in Blueray and HDDVD AVR - How many channels what inputs do you want/need. What will you use your system for eg. Is hdmi a must for you? Do you listen to much 2ch music or mostly movies and TV? BOOKSHELVES - Is this for a 2ch system or are you going 5.1? Need more info here. Does the budget have to cover all the speakers if 5.1? Then you need to consider cables, installation cabinet etc - is this to be incl in the budget??
pgdownload Posted March 27, 2007 Posted March 27, 2007 Hi Shai, I'll add some thoughts: Nice TV, but at 46" and $5000 that does seem to be quite a premium these days. Its very easy to save a considerable amount on that with very little loss in PQ. Even just switching to the V series (same size) cuts a few grand. With the X you've got top of the line resolution and 1080p capability, but in all likely hood you'll almost never use these capabilities. Unless you intend sitting closer than 2m to the TV you'll also be hard pressed to see a difference in PQ even if you do. Most top of the line panels these days have an inbuilt tuner but with a dual tuner DVR (Actually called a PVR) you could save a few hundred dropping it (if an option). As you say its not needed. The PVR you've chosen has been out a while and with firmware updates (I believe you have to go back to a sevice cnetre to get them installed) its become more reliable. However its again got a real price premium for the brand and you now have a very good alternative. The Topfield 7000 has just been launched (about $1000 in store) and although its having some teething issues regular FW updates over the next few months (including one today) should see it become much better than the Sony. You mention WAF and the Topfield's tend to have extremely high WAF. The other bonus is you can upload a 7 day EPG to the 7000 and this makes setting and reviewing a recording as simple as highlight and OK. The 7000 should also be able to offload shows to an external drive if you want to do that. DVD Player, we'll there's lots of extremely good units pretty much going for a song. Make sure it has upscaling capabilities. Some searches in other threads should highlight a few good units. Note you may want to anticipate getting a BluRay/HDDVD unit in a year or two. AVR - Not my area and probably worth a post in the relative branch all by itself. I'd almost organise the TV/DVD/PVR side of things and then look to go shopping for the audio side of things. Cabling (as metioned) is a bit of a hidden cost but don't get conned into spending $100's for them. Do some searches on good cheap HDMI cable (Kords) and don't spend over $100 for analogue connections if you get some. You'll also have to decide if you shell out $500+ for an extended waranty on the TV. Budget: TV $3500, PVR $1100, DVD <$400, Cables <$300. That's pretty 'max cost' so expect lower for bundbling and bargaining. $3000 left over for the speakers and AVR Regards Peter Gillespie PS From another poster: The LC42PD7X Sharp Aquos is great for PC input, it will accept a 1920x1080 resolution over DVI and is crystal clear with 1:1 mapping biggrin.gif. I'll probably be getting one soon smile.gif, JB said they could probably do it for around $4260. For more info on the Sharps check out this thread: http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=46516 Thsi thread should sort out the DVD: http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=47994&hl=
petetherock Posted March 27, 2007 Posted March 27, 2007 Some thoughts on the audio side of thing, Source: You can do a lot worse than the Oppo 981 Speakers: Usher 520, 525 (centre); Monitor Audio Bronze BR 2, LCR centre, plus a SVS at least a SB12+ or PB12+ if budget allows. Marantz SR 7001 or 8001 depending on how much is left from your TV BTW some items are so much cheaper in Singapore, its worth while travelling there to buy them, eg the Marantz SR 8001 is Aus$ 1200 in Singapore.
shai Posted March 27, 2007 Author Posted March 27, 2007 Morning Guys, Thanks for your help - yeah I did think the 46X was pretty steep, though it seems its coming down pretty quickly, I'll probably end up getting it for about 5k with the extended warranty. DVD or DVDR - Will depend on what you want it to do, plus next gen is on your doorstep in Blueray and HDDVD Uhm not sure! I am assuming DVDR will playback recorded 4gb DVD discs? That would probably be the go as my wife has a lot of non-english movies in this format. Blueray is the reason for going the 1080p display in the first place - but I wont be looking for one for about another 12-18 months. Is this for a 2ch system or are you going 5.1? Need more info here. Does the budget have to cover all the speakers if 5.1? Personally would love the 5.1, but I live in an innercity apartment so space is at a premium; oh and the neighbours are inches away! Correct me if im wrong, but if its anything like car-audio its better to have a good 2ch system rather than an average 5.1? The Topfield 7000 has just been launched (about $1000 in store) and although its having some teething issues regular FW updates over the next few months (including one today) should see it become much better than the Sony Excellent, thanks Peter I will definately put it on my list to research. I am aware of the ridiculous branding premium on Sony items, especially since their reputation has taken quite a hit over the last couple of years im surprised they still have the RRP so high! Being able to move from the Toppy to a secondary hard disk would be great! AVR - How many channels what inputs do you want/need. What will you use your system for eg. Is hdmi a must for you? Do you listen to much 2ch music or mostly movies and TV? Jeez I dunno! I am definately thinking HDMI no real point going any other way with the full def panel. I listen to much music, but do get through a lot of movies too! I tend to have a softspot of SQ - always have. The challenge is that that same SQ needs to be at a relatively low level so I need an AVR that can handle that and speakers to match. Just a quick question here - never had an AVR before - but I figure its the link between all my components and the display? Ie I run cables from the DVD/PVR into the AVR and then a cable out of the PVR into the panel display? That would seem logical to me? Source: You can do a lot worse than the Oppo 981Speakers: Usher 520, 525 (centre); Monitor Audio Bronze BR 2, LCR centre, plus a SVS at least a SB12+ or PB12+ if budget allows. Marantz SR 7001 or 8001 depending on how much is left from your TV Thanks petetherock, will have a look at these too. Doesnt buying o/s mean no warranty support? Thanks for the headsup on the cable issues too - yes I have thought about it and will stay away from Monstor Also I have the cabinet already. Just as an aside, im thinking of getting an harmony in the mix (not in the stated budget). Should I go the 1000 or the 880 with these componenets? Thanks again for your help guys - I will keep going with my little quest.
petetherock Posted March 29, 2007 Posted March 29, 2007 Hi Shai some o/s items will be sans warranty indeed, but the savings are tremendous, so do your homework. If you have not been into the AVR scene for too long I have been writing about something related in another forum: http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.ph...17988#msg317988 http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.ph...18079#msg318079 (prices are in Singapore dollars) BTW I have a Harmony 525, main deficiency is the smallness of buttons and the small screen, otherwise its great! If you are in Sydney I can let you audition a Marantz SR 18EX hooked up to a MA Bronze system with a Paradigm Ultracube 12.
agent86 Posted March 29, 2007 Posted March 29, 2007 Display - I am favoring the Sony 46XDVD Source - not really sure AVR - no clue in <insert place here> Display depends on if watching mainly TV / DVD or do you also play games? If watching mainly TV / DVD then consider a plasma. DVD Players if you intend to watch HD-DVD or BlueRay then go with those, otherwise standard DVD players from Toshiba, Yamaha, etc. will suit. AVR depends on number of speakers including a subwoofer. The range starts at 5.1 to 7.1 channels. Look for AVRs that has both DD5.1 and DTS, which should be the norm these days. All AVRs has inputs / outputs from coaxial to optical, and some includes HDMI. Look for brands such as Yamaha, Denon, Maranz, etc. Speakers: Do you have stereo setup? Do you have any at all? If you do not have speakers, then factor them in as well. Going by the above a minimum 5.1 setup should be considered. If you have stereo setup, then consider getting at least 3 other speakers and subwoofer.
watmorej Posted March 29, 2007 Posted March 29, 2007 quick suggestion saw the LG5402P in a catalgue today for $699 CHEAP!!!! at Camberwell Electrics in melbourne, over the Sony, that's a huge saving. Jedd
shai Posted April 1, 2007 Author Posted April 1, 2007 Display depends on if watching mainly TV / DVD or do you also play games? If watching mainly TV / DVD then consider a plasma. DVD Players if you intend to watch HD-DVD or BlueRay then go with those, otherwise standard DVD players from Toshiba, Yamaha, etc. will suit. AVR depends on number of speakers including a subwoofer. The range starts at 5.1 to 7.1 channels. Look for AVRs that has both DD5.1 and DTS, which should be the norm these days. All AVRs has inputs / outputs from coaxial to optical, and some includes HDMI. Look for brands such as Yamaha, Denon, Maranz, etc. Speakers: Do you have stereo setup? Do you have any at all? If you do not have speakers, then factor them in as well. Going by the above a minimum 5.1 setup should be considered. If you have stereo setup, then consider getting at least 3 other speakers and subwoofer. agent86, Thanks - I would like the AVR to handle 5.1, though I will be starting with a simple 2 channel setup with some decent bookshelves. I am looking at some low end FocalJMLab items at the moment (anyone got any I can audition in Brissie?) I do need to have HDMI, and this BeyonWiz thing is starting to interest me too - any reviews on this item? Thanks SHAi EDIT: watmorej, I havnt really had a good feeling about LG items in the past, how would it compare to the Sony?
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