Building a Small HT - Newbie

[chr1s]

Hi all,

Like i said in the title, im a newbie to the whole Home Theatre thing so i understand pretty much nothing, lol.

Ive joined a few different forums recently but havent really got anywhere in regards to the help i need.

Im going to be building a little HT in my bedroom, which consists of a new tv, dvd recorder... and some other things im still unsure about, thats where the forums come in to help.

I play guitar and at the moment i dont have an amp. I was wondering if there was something i could buy that would have the option to switch between the sound on the tv/ipod/guitar at any given time i want.

One person told me to buy an audio mixer... another said to buy a reciever. Then to hook it up to speakers and it will work like that.

So can anyone inform me as to which, if any, i need to buy?

I have already picked out a tv and dvd recorder (not purchased yet).

Oh and just incase anyone tells me the best thing to do would be to go to a store and ask one of those people, ill be doing most of my purchases online cause i live on a small island just off Scotland... and we only have like 2 stores here with that option, and the people who work their know about as much as me lol.

Here is the tv and dvd recorder i have picked out so far. I also want the option to connect the tv to my laptop and use it as the monitor and i read that this tv has that option.

TV

DVD Recorder

Thanks in advance for any help and if i need to give anymore info please let me know.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[markw]

Well, first off...

I would rethink that bit about playing youraxe through the HT system.

First off, you will still need a preamp to bring the guitar's signal up to line level, which is required by a receiver.

Secondly, I doubt your amp and speakers could stand up to the dynamic range required for insturment amplification.

Finally, it'll sound like shiite. You need a touch of reverb and such for an electric guitar to sound right.

To put it simply, I'd keep the guitar amplification separate from the rest of the system. The Ipod and TV are no problem, though. ...and the TV (good choice. I like Samsung) sure looks like it could be used as a monitor.

 

[MDS]

First off, you will still need a preamp to bring the guitar's signal up to line level, which is required by a receiver.

I think that is probably why a mixer was suggested. A mixer could be a viable solution but I don't really know anything about the levels and/or amplification requirements of a guitar.

 

[chr1s]

Ok thanks guys.

Like i said i am only purchasing a TV and DVD Recorder at the moment so the rest of it will be after Christmas probably.... so i have time to find out what i really need.

So just so im getting this straight, get a mixer and speakers and that will work for everything i need it to?

The reason i need it all in one, if possible, is because my room is pretty small and it would be crazy to but a seperate amp too if i can just use something else to amplify the guitar too.

EDIT : Just realised that Samsung is discontinued so gonna have to look for another one.

 

[jcPanny]

New HT systems

Nice TV, I am also looking at that model.
Since you mention a PC, why not let it handle the DVD copying and recording functions. DVD writer drives for PCs (if you don't already have one) are inexpensive. I would recommend a good upscalling DVD player like one of the models from Oppo Digital to take full advantage of the new HDTV.

 

[markw]

I still think you would be better of with somehing like this for the axe.

http://www.crateamps.com/html/product.cfm?pid=14

But hey, you do what you think is best.

 

[chr1s]

Thanks for the replies.

Too late on the DVD Recorder front though.... i already ordered it and a tv (changed the link above, still a Samsung just a different model) last night and they've been dispatched.... or so it says, lol.

I may just buy another amp as you suggest mark, i was just trying to save on space with the other suggestions i was given. But if an amp is the only way then i guess i dont have a choice.

Thanks again.

Anymore info/advice that anyone has.... keep it coming.

 

[avliner]

Hi Ch1s,

after reading the above threads, I'd like to chime in a bit, regarding to your idea:

it has been a while since I'm doing basically what you want, without any issues.
As per attached shot, you'll find a mixer (Behringer Euro Rack 1832) plugged into a Denon 3806 AVR.

Care must be taken, however, if you want to play guitar in a loudy way; I mean, you must have PA speakers to be in the safe side.
My system is basically a full integrated one ( TV, AVR, DVD / DVR / VCR / CASSETE / TURNTABLE / MIXER ), so I can record/playback whatever I want thru the MIXER/AVR option. It's a no-brainer operation,though.

My speakers are all JBL Northridge E Series (not PA), but if you don't play the guitar loudly, you won't have any issues (I do have a separate guitar cube box anyway, which is not connected to the system).

Another point to mention is that it's not recommendable to have 2 equilizers ON at same time; I mean, the mixer has one, and the AVR has one too, so what I normally do whenever playing guitar is to turn off the AVR's EQ, because the Behringer's built-in EQ is far better for that purpose.
Furthermore, you can plug in some mics, pedals, etc., into the mixer, in order to have the desired sound effect.
I do set the AVR on STEREO mode and I'm done.
I've found this to be the best solution to suit my needs.

Hope this helps. If you need something else, just let me know, ok?

Cheers / Avliner.