The Kindergarden AV System

[Soundman]

Okay, here's today's budget system question. I'm trying to put together something for my kids to use b/c I don't want them ruining my stuff. I'm tired of their little fingers all over my Macbook trying to get Youtube up, as well as other things. I've caught them upstairs in my HT room and I was not thrilled, so it's time to get the kiddies their own setup. Obviously, this is a budget system. This system is mainly going to be used to watch cartoons or animated films. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. The kids ages are 3 and 5, so I doubt they are going to be that aware of the quality anyway. That being said, the audio coming out of most TV's these days is so crappy that even their little ears are going to notice. So here's the plan: Put together an inexpensive system that will include a TV (probably a 32" will be good enough for them), DVD player (maybe an inexpensive Bluray since some of their Pixar films are on Bluray), and a receiver to connect a couple speakers to. I don't want to spend much on this, since I realize their little hands may end up breaking something, but I'd rather do this then having them touch my more expensive equipment. I really would rather not spend more then $500 to do this, but that may not be very realistic. On the other hand, I'm not about to put much into something that they may very well break. Any ideas?

 

[markw]

Do you want a full-blown multi-channel AV system or would plain old stereo sound suffice? IMNSHO, a stereo system would more than sufficient and opes up the possibilty of a used "vintage", simple to operate, analog, stereo receiver as the heart of the system.

Likewise, any new TV's also come with built-in DVD players. ...dunno about blu-ray's though.

 

[Soundman]

Do you want a full-blown multi-channel AV system or would plain old stereo sound suffice? IMNSHO, a stereo system would more than sufficient and opes up the possibilty of a used "vintage", simple to operate, analog, stereo receiver as the heart of the system.

Likewise, any new TV's also come with built-in DVD players. ...dunno about blu-ray's though.

2-channel is fine.

 

[markw]

Frankly, for simplicity, I can't think of anything that comes close to the ZVOX line of products. Just add a TV and a player and you're in business.

From here on up, it just gets more complicated.

 

[Soundman]

Frankly, for simplicity, I can't think of anything that comes close to the ZVOX line of products. Just add a TV and a player and you're in business.

From here on up, it just gets more complicated.

If I'm looking at this correctly, it looks like its an all-in-one type unit that does all the processing and also provides the sound the way a sound bar would. I haven't heard too many sound bars that sound very good though. What would you compare this sound too?

 

[markw]

This is for a 3 and a 5 year old. You wanted simplicity and I gave it to you.

I've heard some ZVOX products and they beat the bejeezus out of a TV's internal speaker, and many HTIB's as well.

Methinks you're projecting your own wants on your kids. Maybe it's me but my grandkids (most of whom are a bit older) really don't care that much about the sound. They just want to see Sponge Bob. My $$ is on their more wanting to play with daddy's toys. Either that, or they can't use the TVs speakers and are forced to use the whole system.

Now, if you think they are so discriminating that they won't be thrilled to death with this, then I'm out of ideas. Just poke around the internet and see what you come up with. Take 'em along when you audition the system, though.

 

[GlocksRock]

Check out craigslist and ebay for some good deals on used equipment.

 

[Soundman]

I've heard some ZVOX products and they beat the bejeezus out of a TV's internal speaker, and many HTIB's as well.

Methinks you're projecting your own wants on your kids. Maybe it's me but my grandkids (most of whom are a bit older) really don't care that much about the sound. They just want to see Sponge Bob. My $$ is on their more wanting to play with daddy's toys. Either that, or they can't use the TVs speakers and are forced to use the whole system.

Now, if you think they are so discriminating that they won't be thrilled to death with this, then I'm out of ideas. Just poke around the internet and see what you come up with. Take 'em along when you audition the system, though.

Wow Mark! You've been active on these forums for years, but I had no idea you were old enough to have grandkids. lol Now you are starting to make too much sense. You are probably right though. This might be the best setup for this application. Which one of their products are you recommending?

 

[markw]

Wow Mark! You've been active on these forums for years, but I had no idea you were old enough to have grandkids. lol Now you are starting to make too much sense. You are probably right though. This might be the best setup for this application. Which one of their products are you recommending?

I'd go for the least expensive option that will hold whatever TV size you go for. Connect everytnig, do the required programmong, and they should be able to handle pretty much everything from the TV remote, aside from source selection* (done on the zvox) and the operation of the DVD player.

FWIW, I have six grandkids ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 18 years old.

* If you can feed the DVD video and audio through the TV, you might not even need to touch the ZVOX for source selecton, if you (they) don't mind 2 channel sound.

 

[bikemig]

I love zvox products. They sound good, they're priced competitively, and the metal front over the speakers should keep the kids from sticking their fingers into the hardware . . . . . .

 

[Soundman]

I'd go for the least expensive option that will hold whatever TV size you go for. Connect everytnig, do the required programmong, and they should be able to handle pretty much everything from the TV remote, aside from source selection* (done on the zvox) and the operation of the DVD player.

FWIW, I have six grandkids ranging in age from 1 1/2 to 18 years old.

* If you can feed the DVD video and audio through the TV, you might not even need to touch the ZVOX for source selecton, if you (they) don't mind 2 channel sound.

Wow Mark! Unless you started early, you really are old! lol That settles it then. So, unless anyone else has some other options they'd like to suggest, I may just go for one of these. Would a basic 2-channel system have any advantage over something like this?

 

[markw]

Wow Mark! Unless you started early, you really are old! lol

Bite me! I was born in the first half of the last century, but just barely.

Would a basic 2-channel system have any advantage over something like this?

Cost, assuming you get everyting used from garage sales, but then again, you add separate speakers and switching complexity, and lose the one piece, universal remote control option ZVOX offers.

 

[Soundman]

Bite me! I was born in the first half of the last century, but just barely.

Cost, assuming you get everyting used from garage sales, but then again, you add separate speakers and switching complexity, and lose the one piece, universal remote control option ZVOX offers.

lol........ok, i'll probably go for it, but need to research TV's and players first and see what the oveall cost is going to run me.

 

[markw]

lol........ok, i'll probably go for it, but need to research TV's and players first and see what the oveall cost is going to run me.

Make sure whatever TV you wind up with will pass externally sourced audio through it's audio outputs. Even analog audio outputs will work fine for this purpose.

Heck, make sure the TV even HAS audio outputs to begin with. You can't take them for granted any more. Not all newer sets do.

 

[Soundman]

Make sure whatever TV you wind up with will pass externally sourced audio through it's audio outputs. Even analog audio outputs will work fine for this purpose.

Heck, make sure the TV even HAS audio outputs to begin with. You can't take them for granted any more. Not all newer sets do.

Very good points, My Friend! Thanks!

 

[BMXTRIX]

Worth saying that within my home system I have put in the effort for my home system to have a Dune HD with a networked hard drive setup that contains all of my movies including the animated Disney stuff, TV shows, etc. I have two Dune players connected to it over my network.

The real plus is that in the kids play room they can use the Dune to pull up TV shows and they NEVER touch the discs nor the Dune player itself (RF remote), but they still have 100% access to all of their movies. My kids absolutely love it. I have hours of Star Wars TV shows and other shows they like on it as well.

It's a bit more expensive, but provides a two channel feed to their playroom with in-wall speakers - 8" 3-way models, that sound pretty good and will be tough to break... In my case hooked up to a Crestron matrix pre-amp, but could just as easily be on a standard 2-channel or surround receiver that is years old that I picked up off of eBay.

All of my video is fed via component video at 1080i/720p instead of 1080p, which is more than adequate for the kids.

Just an idea to toss about, and there are other networked media players out there.

 

[Soundman]

Worth saying that within my home system I have put in the effort for my home system to have a Dune HD with a networked hard drive setup that contains all of my movies including the animated Disney stuff, TV shows, etc. I have two Dune players connected to it over my network.

The real plus is that in the kids play room they can use the Dune to pull up TV shows and they NEVER touch the discs nor the Dune player itself (RF remote), but they still have 100% access to all of their movies. My kids absolutely love it. I have hours of Star Wars TV shows and other shows they like on it as well.

It's a bit more expensive, but provides a two channel feed to their playroom with in-wall speakers - 8" 3-way models, that sound pretty good and will be tough to break... In my case hooked up to a Crestron matrix pre-amp, but could just as easily be on a standard 2-channel or surround receiver that is years old that I picked up off of eBay.

All of my video is fed via component video at 1080i/720p instead of 1080p, which is more than adequate for the kids.

Just an idea to toss about, and there are other networked media players out there.

That is something to consider maybe down the road. That does sound nice, but not really in the budget right now.

 

[Soundman]

Frankly, for simplicity, I can't think of anything that comes close to the ZVOX line of products. Just add a TV and a player and you're in business.

From here on up, it just gets more complicated.

ordered this along with a a 32" LG tv and a Panasonic Bluray player. I think we are all set. If I have time, I'll try posting a pic later.

 

[majorloser]

Which Zvox are you going with?

Been looking for a decent system to use in my RV trailer. It's either one of these or a 2.1 soundbar with wireless subwoofer.

 

[Soundman]

Which Zvox are you going with?

Been looking for a decent system to use in my RV trailer. It's either one of these or a 2.1 soundbar with wireless subwoofer.

I got the 420 limited edition model. The 420 (standard edition) is sold out so they are selling the limited edition model for the same $299 price. This model has the same amplifier and speaker combo as the higher priced 555 model. It has an LFE out on it so you can connect a sub to it for more bass. Not sure if it will work with the wireless one you're referring to though. Seems like the best value at the moment, IMO, so I went for it!