I have no idea what I am doing

[pupuplader]

I just recently decided that I was going to get a home entertainment center and was reading the "system buying guides" on audioholics.com about what products to buy. I was looking at getting a new dvd play such as Oppo Dv-981HD, however I dont have an HD-TV. If I get this dvd play will I still be able to use it or should I look at getting a non-HD DVD player? I know that a simple fix would be to get an HDTV but because of budget reasons, and the fact that for now I am more focused on audio and the speakers I want take most of my budget so a new TV is out.

 

[Seth=L]

Does your television have component video inputs? If it does you may want to get a different model, the 981 doesn't have component video output. The DV-970HD has component output but lacks some of the features (ones that would not be used on a standard definition set) that you may want in the future.

 

[pupuplader]

My TV has video and audio in as well as s-video in. I believe this is what you mean in component video inputs, but I might be wrong I am new to this.

I was also looking at the Denon DVD-1730 and the Yamaha DVD-C750.

I was looking at the Pioneer VSX-816 for a receiver too. Thanks for the help

 

[Seth=L]

Given the TV does not have component video inputs I would strongly urge you to get the Oppo DV-981HD, it has the most features and it receives rave reviews. In the future when you do get an HDTV you will have a player that does a very good upconversion and a free HDMI cable that comes with the player. The Oppo is the best bargain that you will likely find out of a brand new player.

 

[pupuplader]

For my future knowledge what exactly is component video inputs/outputs?

I was also looking a getting a Pioneer VSX-816 for a reciever, I believe this should work fine with the oppo. I was looking at getting CBM-170 SE and possibly a x-sub.

 

[pupuplader]

I am thinking about spending 500-1000 on speakers so if you have any other recomendations it would be appreciated.

 

[MDS]

For my future knowledge what exactly is component video inputs/outputs?

Component Video is the best of the analog video formats. So you have some idea of the differences between video formats here it is in a nutshell:

- The video signal consists of Luminance (Brightness; technically the 'gray scale') and Chrominance (Color).

- Composite (the single yellow cable) is the lowest and its name implies how the signal is carried - it is one composite signal with the luminance and chrominance all together.

- S-Video carries the Luminance and Chrominance info on two separate wires but the Chrominance is still a composite of the colors.

- Component separates the Chrominance into separate Red, Green, and Blue. The component jacks are usually marked YPbPr where Y is the Luminance, Pb is a color difference signal (Green minus Blue), and Pr is also a color difference signal (Green minus Red). Because the color info is all separate component connections maintain better color purity than the others. [Reason being that the TV has to separate them from composite/s-video but they are already separate in component]

 

[Seth=L]

The Pioneer receiver you selected will work fine. DO NOT GET THE PIONEER VSX-817, IT COSTS MORE AND OFFERS LESS!

 

[mfabien]

Your Pioneer VSX-816 has 5.1 multichannel analog inputs and since sound is your priority, I would recommend that you buy a used HD-A1, HD-XA1 or a new HD-XA2 which are among the best CD players (in addition to HD DVD/DVD playback).

These players have composite outputs for video and S-Video in addition to Component and HDMI. So you would be good for now and for later (HD Video plus Lossless audio).

Concert DVD's on my HD-A1 are very enjoyable to hear in addition to DTS Music disc plus the DTS track of DVD-A (it cannot play the High Resolution track but the PCM via the analogs is a joy.)

 

[pupuplader]

I have it down to getting either an Oppo DV-981 or an HD-A1, is the HD-A1 worth the extra cash?

I am now undecided about the reciever after reading more I am no looking at the Yamaha RX-V659 which seems to have better features than the Pioneer VSX 816 but the RX doesnt have HDMI and costs more. Is the Yamaha worth the extra cash?

And thanks to everyone for the help so far, its much appreciated.

 

[Seth=L]

I have it down to getting either an Oppo DV-981 or an HD-A1, is the HD-A1 worth the extra cash?

I am now undecided about the reciever after reading more I am no looking at the Yamaha RX-V659 which seems to have better features than the Pioneer VSX 816 but the RX doesnt have HDMI and costs more. Is the Yamaha worth the extra cash?

And thanks to everyone for the help so far, its much appreciated.

The Yamaha has more power than the Pioneer, regardless of the specs. It can probably handle difficult loads better than the Pioneer as well. If you like Yamaha and would like to have HDMI you may want to look at the successor to the RX-V659, they Yamaha RX-V661 offers HDMI switching, upconversion, and processes multichannel uncompressed PCM from appropriate HDMI sources like the Oppo or the HD-A1. If you are interested in HD-DVD you may want to get the HD-A1, but if you are more interested in SACD and DVD-Audio you should get the Oppo. Just know that the format war between HD-DVD and Blu-ray is no where near over, and one can not predict if the format you chose will succeed or fail. Blu-ray seems to be ahead right now.

 

[supervij]

If your TV doesn't have HDMI in, don't bother with the Oppo 981. I heard from somewhere (though I don't remember where) that the S-video and composite video quality on the Oppo 981 are just okay. Nothing terrifico. Get this player if you have HDMI in on your TV. Otherwise, look elsewhere. Just my two cents.

cheers,
supervij

 

[pupuplader]

Because of the info you all have given I am leaning towards getting the RX-V661 and the HD-XA2, however since my TV doesnt have the HDMI should I consider just getting the RX-V659 instead.

 

[Seth=L]

Because of the info you all have given I am leaning towards getting the RX-V661 and the HD-XA2, however since my TV doesnt have the HDMI should I consider just getting the RX-V659 instead.

Or, you could get a new tv first. I would strongly suggest upgrading your television and get an up-converting player first, and then upgrade the receiver at a later date.

 

[pupuplader]

To think this all started with the fact that I need a new cd player .

Well when its time to upgrade, might as well go all out. The reason that I want the reciever is for the audio that Im going to get. Im looking now at the 7.1 Axiom Audio Epic Grand. So then I need a dvd player, but I enjoy movies just as much as music so I like the HD-XA2 seems an appropriate choice.

Now it wouldnt be right to get a HD-DVD player without a HDTV. However, my wallet is a practicaly empty from the reciever, audio, and dvd player . I would appreciate any sugestions on a TV that hopefully the price wont make my head spin .

 

[Nick250]

To think this all started with the fact that I need a new cd player .

Boy, do I understand. The best defense that has helped me in the past to look at a so much stuff, read every article, review etc. Then, with so many choices become indecisive end up doing nothing. Last year I was in the market for new speakers in the $700 range. Talk about information overload. Wow.

Nick

 

[KC23]

To think this all started with the fact that I need a new cd player .

Well when its time to upgrade, might as well go all out. The reason that I want the reciever is for the audio that Im going to get. Im looking now at the 7.1 Axiom Audio Epic Grand. So then I need a dvd player, but I enjoy movies just as much as music so I like the HD-XA2 seems an appropriate choice.

Now it wouldnt be right to get a HD-DVD player without a HDTV. However, my wallet is a practicaly empty from the reciever, audio, and dvd player . I would appreciate any sugestions on a TV that hopefully the price wont make my head spin .

I also went through a similar situaition. I also ended up with axiom btw and I'm glad I did. I got the RX-V2500 Yamaha first off (about $500) and it has served me well.

I got the 50" Samsung plasma and it has 2 HMDI inputs.

From one who is also fairly new, but a little further down the road than yourself ... it is well worth the journey.

I am also in the market for a new DVD player. I'm probably going to end up with the Oppo 981 and have a PS3 for my BR player.

 

[pupuplader]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I have decieded to go with the Yamaha RX-V661, Oppo HD981, Vizio VX32L, I believe I also will be getting an x-sub because of its great reviews so far. However, I am looking at the some polk audio speakers now instead of axiom. Im going to a store tomorrow that carries them so that I can hear them first had. So far from polk I like the LSiC, and RTi6. Depending on how they sound I will get them or not. If I get them it will take up all my budget so I wont be able to get surrounds for a couple of months. When I get the money I dont know what surrounds I will get, another adventure for another day apperently.