Full setup needed for tiny room: $2-3k budget

[Pyrrho]

Since you're still under budget, strongly consider looking at 1080p sets. To not do so would be penny wise but pound foolish. The reasons were already stated.

I agree. 720p 50" at 8' is going to look bad to anyone visiting with good vision. I have a 768p 42" set, and I sit about 8' from it. In my usual position, it looks "perfect", but not if I lean forward. There is no way I would buy a 720p or 768p 50" set to watch at 8'.

 

[Pyrrho]

Okay... here's what I'm thinking so far:

AVR: HK AVR254, e-bay factory refurb for $260. Might be talked into Marantz 4002 or something else, but the 6002 won't fit!

TV: Panny 50" 720p TC-P50X1 for $850. My eyes aren't good enough for 1080p at 8'.

BRD: Samsung BD-P1600 for $250

Spk: tSC TSAT2132T1-HT for $550. Might be talked up from this too - anyone A/B'ed these against the more expensive stuff?

+DirecTV w/HDDVR & Sunday Ticket

With cables, mount, tax, etc, I should be able to do it for $2200 or so. Seems like a lot of bang for the buck.

I would not get that receiver. Too many reviews on Amazon complain of it not working properly. Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, or Yamaha would be brands I would consider.

I would get a 1080p TV for that size at that distance. I have a 42" 768p TV and I sit about 8' from it. In my normal position, it looks fine, but not if I lean forward. A 50" TV needs to be higher resolution at that distance.

I would go with a Panasonic BD player. This has to do with reliability.

For the rest, I have no opinion on what you plan.

 

[AVRat]

Vizio better than Panny? Let's be real! Sept. issue of HT mag just did a review of 5 ~42" panels (4 LCD, 1 Plasma), Vizio and Panny included and The Panny was #1 just beating out a Sony. The Vizio wasn't even close.

 

[rnatalli]

I would not get that receiver. Too many reviews on Amazon complain of it not working properly. Denon, Marantz, Pioneer, or Yamaha would be brands I would consider.

Most of those complaints came before HK released firmware updates. Not to mention, people on Amazon don't exactly understand how to set things up or do updates. The HK is fine now with firmware 96 and up. That said, I would go with a Denon like the 1610/590. The MultiEQ is worth it IMO.

The Samsung 1600 is a nice player which has Netflix streaming, but I personally like the LG 370 in the same price range. Either will do the job.

 

[ZeosPantera]

Vizio better than Panny? Let's be real! Sept. issue of HT mag just did a review of 5 ~42" panels (4 LCD, 1 Plasma), Vizio and Panny included and The Panny was #1 just beating out a Sony. The Vizio wasn't even close.

I made my statement because when I walked into Sams club 2 weeks ago they had a dozen sony, visio, pioneer, samsung, and toshiba flatpanels all lined up.. The two 60Hz Panasonics looked dull and off color. I then took it upon myself to stand there for 20 minutes trying to adjust them to look competitive. It couldn't be done! Now I am not sure if these were current models or old stock but no-matter how I set it up they looked like garbage. And my m.o. is when I walk into a big place like that I find the underdog and adjust it until it looks better then anything else in the store FOR FUN. I just couldn't get those Panasonics to that level, not even close.

 

[agarwalro]

LCD's are fine. I wouldn't immediately scream support for one or the other.

Truthfully if someone insisted on a flat panel I would try to sell them one of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824002424

Just look at that border! FUDGE!

$3,739.99 for a 52" may seem like alot but to guarantee no shiny cheap black plastic border and even with the low spec's it may be worth it!

We have these all around my office and they are truly stunning. But, for the price, you can get a 58-65" plasma. IMO, no contest.

 

[agarwalro]

Saying Vizio is better than Panasonic is like saying Saturns are better than BMWs. You will get mocked.

when I walked into Sams club

IMHO, your argument falls flat right there. The only way to truly compare TVs is, to calibrate them in a controlled environment and feed them reference quality signal over the same type of input and all...

That said, sure we all have done in-store "demos" for speakers, amps, what have you. But, these on the spot comparisons are as useful as trying to judge a car's paint job at night. You can tell if the surface is clean, but to make out the flaws you need daylight.

 

[ZeosPantera]

It was still an even playing field. Evey set was getting the garbage HD through component. I will try to be less violent with my opinions throughout.

__________________
Axiom Audio M60, VP150, QS8, SVS PB-12 Ultra
Denon 3806, Parasound HCA 2205
Denon 3910, PS3
Panasonic TH-50PH9UK
Auralex Gramma, Roominators Project2

 

[redass]

It was still an even playing field. Evey set was getting the garbage HD through component. I will try to be less violent with my opinions throughout.

uncalibrated is not an even playing field. it's just a huge question mark.

 

[socalrider]

Decision made...

Okay, I decided to go with a more budget system for now given how small and weird my room is... Got everything but the speakers from Amazon, free shipping & no tax.

Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P42X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV - $620!
Samsung BD-P1600 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player - $250
Harman Kardon AVR-154 5x30W 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver - $200
Cheeta wall mount $25
HDMI cables x 3 $10 or so

And the Speaker Company TSAT 5.1 system for $550.

Also DirecTV Sunday Ticket w/ Superfan...

All in, I think this is a phenomenal system for $1700 or so all-in.

 

[socalrider]

... and I just saved $100 on the DirecTV by getting a referral from a friend. I put it to good use by finding another $100 and changing my Amazon order to the 50" Panny! I'll provide a review in a couple of weeks once it all arrives and is installed.

Anyone have rec's on speaker placement? I'm thinking of mounting the center channel horizontally below the TV (works out w/ my room configuration) after reading the article here on vertical vs horizontal center speakers. Sub will unfortunately have to be directly under that in the center of the room. Rear surrounds are the big question now. Suggestions welcome!

 

[ZeosPantera]

.Rear surrounds are the big question now. Suggestions welcome!

I like them. With their size you may be best off mounting them to the walls at ear or slightly above ear level pointing at each other with the main seating between. That will unfortunately put one in the middle of the wall to the right of where your sitting.

Other suggestion would be at the ceiling or slighty below pointing either strait down or with a slight lean inward.

If the WAF is important I would ask... and then ignore and do whats best.