I need advice!

[petenaz]

OK - I have been researching hard and I think I figured out a few things....

I like the Pioneer Elite 50" and the Panasonic Onyx 50" both because of quality and looks since the TV will be hanging in my living room - (if there is a better option that is less expensive but still quality picture and HD ready that I am missing I would love to hear about it).

I Like the POLK RM20 series speakers, but the RM10 seem OK too - (I also looked at the mirage nanosats which were good, but just a tiny bit lacking in the midrange).

It is the receiver and DVD that I am having trouble with. I looked at and liked the Denon 3805/3806 but the price seems steep. Do I need those options really? I also think the Yamaha 2500 sounds good, but again, I am getting stumped on what options I really need. I want expandability in the future, possibly a second zone, and digital capability. I also liked the self adjusting feature of the Denon since my speakers may asthetically look better "off center" and not at equal distances from the listener (livingroom thing again). I have a small 14' X 19' wood floored livingroom that will have a 13' viewing distance (short width set-up since I can't hang or put a TV down the long axis of my odd l-shaped room). The rear speakers will be high and even with the listener and the fronts will be directly in front, with sub wired to a corner and center under the TV. I am curious if I need such a big receiver (I don't think I need that level of power, but features and expandability in the future might be nice). Any receiver suggestions would be great. I do have an old ONKYO TX-SV70PRO, but I would like to upgrade that to more current formats.

The DVD player I want needs progressive scan and I think should be universal. I looked at the Pioneer elite one, and also read about the denon 2910. Not sure which I should look at, and again, I'm a little lost on whether I should spend the money for those or not.

I'll have HDTV coming in, no XM radio (yet), possibly routing a future computer into the system (or laptop), and I am getting exhausted at looking at all the options. It is hard to talk to any sales reps since they constantly tell me they don't know what the differences are between one brand or another (since they may not carry one of them) or they seem to just not know, and so they opt for the higher end device every time. I want to save money, and would like to keep this deal in perspective. Any help and reality checks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Pete

 

[MACCA350]

Sounds like you need to make a list of your requirements and a list of your wants. Then do some research on receivers to see which ones will fill your needs and others that will fill both your needs and wants. The easiest way to do this is at the manufactures websites as you can see their features listed. Once you have narrowed down your search to a handful of receivers, you can ask the folk here for their opinions and go out and do some demos to try them out and see which appeal's to you.

I have been very happy with my Denon gear.

As far as future-proof goes, there are some new audio formats in the pipeline and may be here in the next year or two that any receiver you buy now will not be able utilize such formats full capability(if at all)

cheers

 

[RLA]

Hello
The new Yamaha RX-V1600 and RX-V2600 should start shipping in the next few weeks. Both of these should be on your receiver short list as they offer plenty of power and have an extensive feature set

As for the display I am partial to the Pioneer panels but 1080p displays are
Now becoming available. If you don’t need flat you may want to look at the new Mitsubishi 1080p DLP or the New JVC 1080p HD DILA

Nothing is future proof, but the new 1080p displays are the next advancement in HT monitor technology

 

[MACCA350]

Be carefull when shopping for 1080p displays as many wont allow an 1080p signal to be input.

cheers

 

[mfabien]

Be carefull when shopping for 1080p displays as many wont allow an 1080p signal to be input.

cheers

No, but they will display in 1080p. I wouldn't expect 1080p Video broadcast transmission in the foreseeable future.

 

[krzywica]

No, but they will display in 1080p. I wouldn't expect 1080p Video broadcast transmission in the foreseeable future.

Knock, knock, hello is anyone home? Hd DVD an Blue Ray are almost here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sure would be mad if I had a set I just bought that had to downconvert 1080P!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MACCA350]

And I believe the PS3 will output 1080p also. I see no point buying a 1080p display that doesn't accept its own resolution to be input.

Could you imagine the picture quality of watching a movie filmed in 1080p --> onto HD media played in 1080p --> and displayed in 1080p, no scaling throughout the process, Thats what I call HD

cheers

 

[mfabien]

Knock, knock, hello is anyone home? Hd DVD an Blue Ray are almost here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sure would be mad if I had a set I just bought that had to downconvert 1080P!!!!!!!!!!

Show me where it says that HD-DVD will be in 1080p...

http://www.dvdforum.org/hddvd-whatis.htm

 

[MACCA350]

The highest quality HDTV [1920x1080] is supported, along with all recognized subsets through SDTV and down to CIF [320x240]. Additionally, streaming Internet video may be synchronized with pre-recorded content.

Its in the link

 

[krzywica]

Its in the link

Thank you.

 

[mfabien]

Its in the link

...and that means it's 1080p and not 1080i?

Not convinced... not at 60fps

see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1080i

 

[westcott]

OK - I have been researching hard and I think I figured out a few things....

I like the Pioneer Elite 50" and the Panasonic Onyx 50" both because of quality and looks since the TV will be hanging in my living room - (if there is a better option that is less expensive but still quality picture and HD ready that I am missing I would love to hear about it).

Have you considered front projection?

 

[petenaz]

I considered many things - here is the room

I attached two pictures of my room set up. Front projection would not really work too well. I also will have speakers slightly offset.

What do you guys think about the Polk RM20 series? I think they are small enough to blend with the room, but carry enough weight to grow into a new home (if that ever happens).

I have been researching some more and I like what I have been reading about the Yamaha RX2600. I think the 1600 is an option if the price tag grows too much, but I may just piece things together slowly with the right componenets instead of comprimising too much. I still like the thought of the Denon 3805 or 6 though. I have to go in and listen to the yamaha and denons side by side with the speakers.

I also think I will look toward the Yamaha C750 if I end up with the Yamaha RCVR. Seems like a good match, but I am not discounting the Denon 2910 yet.

Anyway, that is where I'm at so far. Still pondering but getting closer to a decision. I want upgradability, but I don't need the newest technology. I typically go that way with things and it lasts longer, but this time I think I can hold back a little in an attempt to maintain some level of frugality. Still looking for help if you will give it.