Newbie

[Matt34]

Well, I'm making some progress finally. I'm picking up Brian's Pronto remote(sending payment today) and now debating on what I'm going to get next. I have $700 to spend and I've narrowed it down to 3 choices.

First option: Get the 1015tx and the 588 first.

or

Second option: Hold out till next month and get the Bic Acoustech 5.1 set.

or

Third option: Put the money in savings and get it all at once. Which could be 3-4 more months.

I am leaning towards option 1, just because of all the hype I've heard of this receiver I would like to hear the difference between my decade old 505S(pro-logic) and dobly digital utilizing the same speakers as a reference.

 

[Matt34]

Oh, one more question, is the Pioneer DV-588A-S still a good buy or is there something else I should also look at for under $200?

 

[rgriffin25]

The price is a bit higer than $200 but I would say check out the Denon 1920 DVD player. It has all the features of the Pioneer and better build quality. Another quick tip would be to get a stilus to use with your pronto remote. The touch screen buttons are a little difficult to use without one.

I would get the receiver and DVD player first, you can always use your speakers until you can afford new ones. I think going to Dolby Digital and DTS will give you the biggest improvement. Speakers need to be researched and listened to. Take the time you are saving for speakers to shop around and see what is out there.

I do agree with the other guys on the BIC speakers, for the price they are hard to beat!

Good Luck!

 

[brian32672]

Another quick tip would be to get a stilus to use with your pronto remote. The touch screen buttons are a little difficult to use without one.

Actually he will be getting the remote from me.
A stylus is not needed, and may be a bad idea.
The good thing with the pronto is you can choose the size (and placement) of the button. And as long as you don't go crazy and put buttons any closer than 1/10" from each other you will be fine. I have used the remote fingers only, and I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, had one missed button press. The main thing, is the TSU3000 has 20 hard buttons, with excellent backlighting. Use the hard buttons for your common uses, like volume control, and play/pause, etc...
Also a stylus may be bad for 2 reasons I can think of at the moment. One, you may be a tad drunk and take a hard stab, and crack the lcd screen. Two, same thing but this remote is not recommended to allow little children to use. Because, if they feel like they have the use of it specially with a stylus. Then one day you may come home to find the child wanted to play patty-cake with the stylus and remote.
I'm not saying its a remote that can't take a beating. But just use common sense, it is not a toy. (well, not a child’s toy)
Anyhow, I did not get to send it today, but I am up right now. 2:26am EST and will package it for shipment tomorrow afternoon.

You are computer savvy, but you will/may have questions. So feel free to call after 9:00pm.

 

[rgriffin25]

Actually he will be getting the remote from me.
A stylus is not needed, and may be a bad idea.
The good thing with the pronto is you can choose the size (and placement) of the button. And as long as you don't go crazy and put buttons any closer than 1/10" from each other you will be fine. I have used the remote fingers only, and I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, had one missed button press. The main thing, is the TSU3000 has 20 hard buttons, with excellent backlighting. Use the hard buttons for your common uses, like volume control, and play/pause, etc...
Also a stylus may be bad for 2 reasons I can think of at the moment. One, you may be a tad drunk and take a hard stab, and crack the lcd screen. Two, same thing but this remote is not recommended to allow little children to use. Because, if they feel like they have the use of it specially with a stylus. Then one day you may come home to find the child wanted to play patty-cake with the stylus and remote.
I'm not saying its a remote that can't take a beating. But just use common sense, it is not a toy. (well, not a child’s toy)
Anyhow, I did not get to send it today, but I am up right now. 2:26am EST and will package it for shipment tomorrow afternoon.

You are computer savvy, but you will/may have questions. So feel free to call after 9:00pm.

I have the pronto 3000 sitting in front of me on my desk. I install quite a few of them at work. They are nice, and fun to configure, but I would defintately recommend a stilus. For my own personal use I use the Home Theater Master MX-500. You can't use the pronto with one hand and I prefer hard buttons over the touch screen. Just my opinion most people really like the pronto.

I am sure he will be quite happy!

 

[Matt34]

I've researched a few but just for the price I got it at I think I'll be more than happy with the Pronto.

I love to tinker so I think the Pronto will keep me occupied for at least a couple months.

 

[rgriffin25]

I've researched a few but just for the price I got it at I think I'll be more than happy with the Pronto.

I love to tinker so I think the Pronto will keep me occupied for at least a couple months.

Don't get me wrong, the pronto is a very cool remote and incredibly versatile. I am sure that you will enjoy it.

 

[brian32672]

I see a lot of people who seem to like the Harmony remotes????
I guess, I like more customizing to be available and also not on a 1" x 1" screen.
Even if it is a color screen. Heck I think these screens are much nicer...
Anyhow, here are some TSU3000 screens...

 

[Matt34]

First piece of my "new" system is on it's way. Ordered it from Vanns but was on backorder.

SKU Description Price Qty Subtotal
480386568 Pioneer DV-588A-S $ 129.95 1 $ 129.95
Subtotal: $ 129.95
Shipping: $ 0.00
Tax Subtotal: $ 0.00
Grand Total: $ 129.95

Hopefully I'll have a H100 enroute next week from a certain someone on this forum. I'm working on getting a new reciever by the end of the month too. After that it's down to just getting the remaining speakers.

 

[Matt34]

Time for an update.

Got the HSU VTF-3 MkII today via the Dukester!!! Thanks again Duke!

All I can say is WOW! After a quick setup(20hz tune, one port plugged), placement and then a run of a DTS demo disk, it really fills this big room of mine with clean, crisp bass. Right now it's behind the new couch(really the only place large enough) so I'll have to make it work.

I think it would be unfair to do a comparison with the PB-10 I had due to different receivers being used (old one was pro-logic) but it's a huge improvement. I may do a more indepth review a little later.

Also got a new remote today, a Harmony 659(setup was all of 10 minutes). There's nothing wrong with the pronto, it's just a little more involved to setup and I don't have the time or patience to do it. My wife was the main factor in getting the new remote also, she didn't like the LCD touchscreen at all.

 

[Matt34]

Ordering the Acoustech HT-75s today too.

 

[brian32672]

There's nothing wrong with the pronto, it's just a little more involved to setup and I don't have the time or patience to do it. My wife was the main factor in getting the new remote also, she didn't like the LCD touchscreen at all.

Too bad, I thought it was great. But I love controling things with the computer.
So I like full customization - via computer.
Anyhow, I'm sure it would be easy to sell. (granted you kept all original boxes)
At least you can keep the DTS demo disc I gave.
That alone was a 35.00 value.

Glad to hear, that the VTF-3 worked out well....
Now, just wait for that Turbo..........................

Ordering the Acoustech HT-75s today too.

You shouldn't be disappointed, I had went and listened to the Klipsch F1, F2, F3, and Quintet systems.
Well actually listened to them again, this time I had spent much more time. Almost 2 hours.
The F1, F2, and Quintet IMO are garbage....
Now the F3's at least had decent midrange and could actually image pretty good.
But still the Acoustech's IMO are way better, and a much better bargain....

 

[Matt34]

Can't wait to finish up the audio portion of this upgrade. Then I can start working on the wife in regards to video, ie....we need front projection.(Already throwing in suttle hints)

Have the Pronto on ebay with a few hours left and yes kept the boxes.

Just watched WOTW, alien intersection scene. Holy smokes, I had to turn the volume down, all of my wife's Swarovski Crystal in the shrunk was vibrating and I didn't want it to break.

 

[Matt34]

My redneck front projection setup.(my Iowan roots are showing through on this one). I'm stoked though, guess that's all the matters and got a hell of a deal on the infocus 4805.

106" GreyWolf manual retractable screen hung from the ceiling.

Retracted

The projector. Currently on the coffee table until my ceiling mount arrives.

 

[Matt34]

Here is the mount I ordered.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5868123393