Where to Begin with Home Theater, Need advice

[Larry G]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the whole home theater thing. I would like to purchase a system, but need some advice.

I would like to be able to purchase a system where I could listen with stereo headphones. I know that listening on the computer with PowerDVD is great because with the proper settings and tweaks, you can get amazing sound.

Also, which ones have DTS decoding capability? DTS is simply awesome, no other way to say it.

Also, does anyone have an LCD/DLP projector with their systems, and which ones are the best and the best value for money, best for a first time purchaser, etc.

My father has an HDTV CRT set, and it is simply amazing, but even he is basically a newbie at the whole thing.

Also, should I wait for HD-DVD/BluRay or not? I know that 480i DVDs done with progressive scan on an HD set is pretty darn close to HD, though of course it isn't.

Thanks in advance,
Larry

 

[jaxvon]

Welcome!

It seems like you already have some great ideas. However, before I (or anyone else for that matter) can give you solid recommendations of what to look at or consider, please answer these questions:

What is your budget?
How big is your room?
What % do you listen to music, watch movies?
Is there any wife acceptance factor? If so, what are the requirements?

 

[Larry G]

Thanks for the welcome, Jaxvon.

At the moment, my requirements are small. My mother passed away over the summer after a long illness. I was her caregiver. I'm currently living with my dad and his wife until I can get on my feet.

So in the interim, basically I'm wondering if I can purchase a receiver (home-theater) simply to use with headphones and get the same (or hopefully better) sound as I would watching on a computer with something like PowerDVD with headphones. Power DVD, given the proper tweaking and add-ons can have awesome sound, either with headphones or with the proper high-quality speakers. I recall listening with TruSurroundXT, I believe it was called. Can you get an equivalent sound with headphones on a home-theater receiver?

When I move to my own place, with the high prices around here, I expect it will be an apartment, so I'm looking for something that can have great sound, but that can be tweaked so the base (which is the main culprit for complaints from others, but also something cool to listen to *grin*) can be lessened. I'm guessing this comes from the sub-woofer. (This kind of knowledge is where I need help/advice).

So a modest budget, but I'm definitely planning on purchasing a DLP/LCD projecter and home-theater of some kind. Am also wondering if they can all decode DTS, or just some models? But also want best value for the money, even if that means spending a little more.

Also wonder about models that don't require as much wiring as home repair/maintenance is not my strong suit, *grin*.

Thankfully, there is no wife acceptance factor. I feel very sorry for what my poor dad must endure in that department.

Larry

 

[Larry G]

Okay, so I really would appreciate any advice you all could give me on being a novice to home theater.

In the interim, would purchasing a low-end receiver, allow me to have the same sound via headphones that something like PowerDVD with one of its stereo add-ons will on a computer. Watching on a PC is cool, but it's also nice to be able to sit in your easy chair and watch a good flick in full surround. I can actually currently listen with headphones on my Sony Vega CRT 4x3 TV, but it's not at all the same as listening with Dolby or DTS or anything like that.

In the long term, after I move into my own place, I'm thinking it will be an apartment.

What systems have the best quality for a modest price? Which ones are wireless. Are there any particular headphones that have good quality? I listen to music about as much as I watch movies.

About an LCD/DLP projector? What should I look for to get the most bang for my buck?

Thanks in advance for any help you could give this newbie,
Larry

 

[audio ninja]

Hi Larry,

I'm not familiar to the PowerDVD program and am not sure what type of adjustments you can make in regards to sound reproduction, but I do listen to music on my computer with audigy 2zs sound blaster sound card, which is THX certified. THX only certifies products that meet high standards of quality. Windows media player 10 has an enhancement called SRS WOW effects, which I believe are similar to TruSurroundXT. It makes the sound disperse differently creating a more open and spacious sound.

Do you want to buy a 5.1 system(5 speakers with a subwoofer), receiver, dvd player, and TV? And also want the ability to plug in headphones and hear virtual surround with your headphones??

A $1,000 is a doable amount to start with in regards to the receiver and speakers. Did you plan to spend more or less than this?

The price of the TV will depend on many things, what size do you want? A decent 32" LCD goes for around $1,000

I'm right there with ya, DTS is awesome; it has around 4 times the quality/detail of sound as a disc recorded in Dolby. Just about every new receiver and DVD player that's available for purchase at an electronics store has Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. In order to benefit, you will need a digital connection. Did I lose you? No worries. An analog connection uses the red/white RCA cables. You need a digital coax cable or optical cable (aka toslink). These cable transmit all of the sound information in one cable. I have bought some of mine from Impact Acoustics, a highly recommended cable company by audioholics.com. Visit this link: http://www.impactacoustics.com/product_list.asp?cat_id=902
The Sonicwave series are your better choice.

As far as projectors, don't follow them too much. I don't have the money or space for a projector and a giant screen. I have a LCD TV. LCD prices have dropped immensely. They do not produce as dark of blacks as your CRT set but the clarity is excellent and can produce very vibrant colors.

 

[Buckle-meister]

...DTS is awesome; it has around 4 times the quality/detail of sound as a disc recorded in Dolby.

Presumably you refer to the former being around 400% audibly better than the latter? After all, what does it matter what the bitrate is if the difference is inaudible right?

If dts was 400% audibly better than Dolby Digital, do you honestly think that Dolby Digital would be the mandatory audio format on a DVD and dts the optional? A comparison cannot be made between the two on the grounds of bitrate alone as they both adopt different codecs.

 

[jcPanny]

New HT

Any entry level $200 receiver will perform the Dolby and DTS decoding you want. For entry level models, check out the Yamaha HTR-5840, Onkyo 502/503 and HK AVR-235.

For front projectors, check out projectorcentral.com for more information and reviews. The 720P LCD projectors are getting inexpensive with models like the Panny AE900U and Sanyo Z4 in the $1700-1550 range after rebate.

 

[audio ninja]

Presumably you refer to the former being around 400% audibly better than the latter? After all, what does it matter what the bitrate is if the difference is inaudible right?

If dts was 400% audibly better than Dolby Digital, do you honestly think that Dolby Digital would be the mandatory audio format on a DVD and dts the optional? A comparison cannot be made between the two on the grounds of bitrate alone as they both adopt different codecs.

Didn't say it was better than Dolby Digital and I agree that the difference may be inaudible. I just happen to really enjoy enjoy DVD's recorded in DTS and DTS-ES as opposed to DD. Suppose "sound quality" is equal, I just happened to enjoy the way DTS mixes sound in the particular music/movies I've played.

I bet it's more expensive to have a disc recorded in DTS than Dolby Digital. Based on their website, their sound offers more flexibility and may be chosen only if the discs intended audience would benefit.
http://www.dts.com/cinema/dts-advantage.php

 

[The Chukker]

No advice to give you (the other more qualified members here will assuredly do that), but I wanted to offer my condolences in regards to your mother.
Sincerely,
Chukker

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I suggest a Kenwood or a Denon 5.1 HTiB setup for $400. They're not terrible for a starter system, and the subwoofer (the weakest link by far) is easily replacable with a quality unit (HSU Research, SVS, Velodyne, Axiom, etc etc) when you get the scratch saved up. Then get a radioshack SPL meter ($30), and a set-up DVD (such as Sound&Visions $15 dvd) and you'll be all set to enjoy DTS & DD surround spectaculars.

You'll want a Blu*Ray or an HD-DVD player, but until connection requirements are finalized and on the shelf I'd hold-off on buying a TV or projector. (Such is the fate of everyone with a component-only or DVI equiped TV that can't watch HD-DVD).

Yes, most recivers have headphone output, but you'll get only stereo or "Dolby Headphone' if you're lucky. Remember most recievers have 1/4" headphone plugs, most computers have 1/8" (aka. minijack), so you'll need an adaptor or new 'cans.

My personal favorite headphones are Sennheiser HD-600 & HD-650's.