Home Theater Setup Help

Live forum: http://forum.freeipodguide.com/viewtopic.php?t=64862

bballp6699

19-06-2007 05:29:33

Alright, I moved into my new place like two weeks ago, I bought my 50 inch TV, and all my systems are plugged into it. Now I want to start working on a nice home theater. I have absolutely idea where to start, but here a few key points if you guys could help me.

[list69b2945352]
-I want to add Sirius to the system eventually, but it doesn't need to be integrated in the receiver. (Another thing I could use suggestions for.)
-I don't need it to be deafening, just something that will play decent(I'm in an apartment, so I can't play it really loud anyways)
-I don't want to lay down $400 in one shot. I'm willing to pay for the things individually up to a decent price, but I don't want parts just laying around. For instance, I don't mind getting parts that will work by themselves until the other parts are purchased.
-If possible I want an HD DVD player or a way to work around the DVD player, so I can eventually add that later.
[/listu69b2945352]

Basic and most important points adding Sirius, not too expensive, doesn't need to be incredibly loud.

Thanks to anyone that offers suggestions.

h3x

19-06-2007 05:52:21

What type of SIRIUS receiver are you looking for? Are you looking for a dedicated home radio, car/home dock radio, or a portable radio?

Also, what is the maximum resolution of your TV? 1080i or 1080p?

bballp6699

19-06-2007 06:15:38

TV is 720p.

I just want something for Sirius in the home for right now. Something that my girl can use as I'm not a huge music listener.

I also like it because I can listen to one football game while watching another.

h3x

19-06-2007 06:28:39

Starmate 4 with Home & Car Kit

http//www.tss-radio.com/starmate-with-home-p-4054.html

$129.99 with Free Shipping

... or if you're absolutely sure you want a Home-only solution, then you can go with the Conductor with LCD remote for $119.99

link to conducter[=http//shop.sirius.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&ctl_nbr=2640&siId=1969212&catParentID=7876&scId=7876&oldParentID=7870]link to conducter

I've never tried the Conductor, so I can't say much about it... I think the Starmate 4 is your best option (especially since the Home/Car kit is only $10 more and comes with everything you need for the house and the car).

As for the HD DVD player... If you have an Xbox 360, you can go with the HD DVD add-on for $189.99 at Costco, or if you want a standalone, you can get the Toshiba HD-A2 for $299.98 from Amazon (which comes with 5 free HD DVD movies in the mail).

Also, I believe Best Buy and/or Circuit City has some special going with the Xbox 360 HD DVD player (so I would look into that).

[ic71e79fd5a]doylnea edited a link to keep the page from scrolling[/ic71e79fd5a]

bballp6699

19-06-2007 06:36:33

Cool, thanks.

HD add-on is pricey though. I guess they're all like that now...

Honestly, is there a HUGE difference in upscaling DVD players compared to true HD DVD players on a 720p?

h3x

19-06-2007 06:48:08

[quotefd74070182="bballp6699"]HD add-on is pricey though. I guess they're all like that now...[/quotefd74070182]

Maybe its time to complete another incentive site? ;)

[quotefd74070182="bballp6699"]Honestly, is there a HUGE difference in upscaling DVD players compared to true HD DVD players on a 720p?[/quotefd74070182]

Yes, I would say so. A native 1080p image is always going to look better than an upconverted image from a 480p source. Is it [bfd74070182]that[/bfd74070182] noticeable? You would have to be the judge of that, but I can say for myself that I definitely notice a difference.

bballp6699

19-06-2007 07:44:56

Yeah, but is the price worth it when I only have a 720p TV?

dmorris68

19-06-2007 07:51:45

[quote38c8e06abb="bballp6699"]Honestly, is there a HUGE difference in upscaling DVD players compared to true HD DVD players on a 720p?[/quote38c8e06abb]
It would be hard for me to quantify that for you.

I'd say yes, there is a noticeable difference. But is it "earth shattering" to the point you NEED to drop $200-$300 on a player plus the higher costs of HD discs? If you have the money to spare, sure. Otherwise, I don't really think so. Prices are going to fall, so it would be perfectly acceptable to wait it out, IMO.

I have an Oppo Digital DVD player upconverting to 1080i on my 60" SXRD, and the image quality is outstanding. Not quite HD quality, but pretty damn impressive -- much better than standard 480p progressive scan DVD. Now this player has a top-of-the-line Faroujda scaler in it and costs $200 (same as the 360 HD player), and not all upscaling players give the same results. But with the right equipment you can really narrow the gap between DVD and HD-DVD image quality. Of course you don't get all the other features of HD-DVD/BluRay (increased capacity, additional audio tracks and formats, interactive features, etc.).

From what I understand the 360 scaler is quite impressive and upscaled DVD's from it look very good. The only thing that concerns me about using a 360 as your primary DVD/HD-DVD player is reliability, or lack thereof. I don't want the rings of death to shutdown my movie watching ability, so I prefer discrete components.

bballp6699

19-06-2007 07:59:03

Is this the same thing as what you were talking about h3x?

Sorry, I'm all over the place with questions, but when I want to buy something, I get antzy.

Sirius Link[=http//www.circuitcity.com/ssm/SIRIUS-Starmate-4-Satellite-Radio-Receiver-and-Car-Kit-ST4TK1/sem/rpsm/oid/162048/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do]Sirius Link

$95 after rebates.

bballp6699

19-06-2007 07:59:46

[quotecccec84469="dmorris68"]
From what I understand the 360 scaler is quite impressive and upscaled DVD's from it look very good. The only thing that concerns me about using a 360 as your primary DVD/HD-DVD player is reliability, or lack thereof. I don't want the rings of death to shutdown my movie watching ability, so I prefer discrete components.[/quotecccec84469]

Yeah, that's my dilemma. I'm also worried about burning out my 360.

hehehhehe

19-06-2007 08:46:52

[quoted395568e30="bballp6699"][quoted395568e30="dmorris68"]
From what I understand the 360 scaler is quite impressive and upscaled DVD's from it look very good. The only thing that concerns me about using a 360 as your primary DVD/HD-DVD player is reliability, or lack thereof. I don't want the rings of death to shutdown my movie watching ability, so I prefer discrete components.[/quoted395568e30]

Yeah, that's my dilemma. I'm also worried about burning out my 360.[/quoted395568e30]
That's what I always say too when it comes to the 360 HD DVD add-on. Considering how quickly the prices have been going down, I wouldn't be surprised to see standalone prices going lower than the $199 add-on price fairly soon so maybe you can wait for that.

You can always get a cheap 360 VGA cable (to upscale) to tide you over until you get a HD DVD player. Then again, you have the same problem with the 360's reliability.

I got a HDMI upscaling player and DVDs look almost as good as HD material, but then again I'm on a 37 inch LCD. You might see more of a difference on your 50 incher. I paid $70 for mine but I've seen decent Philips upscaling players for $45 if you just want something to tide you over. It would look much better than the 360 over VGA. I feel the 360 VGA output looks washed out and have read many say the same thing.

bballp6699

19-06-2007 10:43:54

[quote224d52689b="bballp6699"]Is this the same thing as what you were talking about h3x?

Sorry, I'm all over the place with questions, but when I want to buy something, I get antzy.

Sirius Link[=http//www.circuitcity.com/ssm/SIRIUS-Starmate-4-Satellite-Radio-Receiver-and-Car-Kit-ST4TK1/sem/rpsm/oid/162048/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do]Sirius Link

$95 after rebates.[/quote224d52689b]

Nevermind, I found the answer to my question.

jy3

22-06-2007 09:59:26

been building my ht and almost all the way there. I just need a sub but dont want to lay down mucho dinero for the sub i need yet. maybe with birthday money

here is my setup
polk r50 fronts ($69 frys.com)
polk csi25 ($79 + s/h amazon from onecall.com)
onkyo 605 ($399 preorder - amazing receiver for its price but u need to know the shortcomings - note u may be abe to find the 399 price at circuit city or j&r.com
old infinities from old stereo for rears (free...)
xbox 360 using component
ps3 using hdmi )
r20 hd dvr from direct tv
mitsubishi 55 " tv (cant remember the model #) (~$1300 on an excellent buy 1.5 yrs ago)

IMHO, the onkyo should serve your needs. here are some links

onkyo sr605 owners thread[=http//www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=854964]onkyo sr605 owners thread
polk r50s[=http//shop2.outpost.com/{vd++Vh3e4w5E0WbODf0V2Alili.node2}/product/4005092]polk r50s
csi25 but black[=http//www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B000BMXIU6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-1669110-7765456?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1182532383&sr=8-1]csi25 but black