Video Asylum

Posted by David Aiken (A) on June 09, 2008 at 15:51:03

In Reply to: RE: Thanks... posted by PAR on June 09, 2008 at 10:41:34

I run separate 2 channel audio and 6.1 HT systems. In many ways it wasn't a deliberate decision to do that. The TV was always in a different room and we never had a DVD player but after my wife died I added a DVD player and the HT system simply started growing from there. It isn't in an ideal room or layout for the best surround sound but the room with the audio system would be worse given it's L-shape and smaller size. I've acoustically treated that room in ways I can't treat the room with the HT system and I can't fit the HT system comfortably into the audio system's room so they stay separate.

What I can say is that if you're prepared to go with a smaller screen in a different room, adding a couple of reasonable speakers and a sub, along with a DVD or, preferably these days, a BD player to it can give you a surprisingly good experience. I sit 2 metres from an 80 cm screen and I enjoy that system immensely. I could certainly argue that bigger is better, especially for screen size, but for 1 or 2 people what is really a quite modest HT system as far as screen size goes gives a lot of pleasure. Just make sure you pick a screen with good picture quality and that the speakers and amp are reasonable. It won't sound as good as your audio system but with the picture taking a lot of your attention you won't really notice the difference in sound quality to your stereo setup most of the time. About the only time I notice the difference in sound quality is when I use the tuner in the receiver to listen to radio or try a CD in that system for comparison.

There's certainly a place for good quality modest scale video setups and they can be a lot more enjoyable than many people who have been 'wowed' by much bigger screens think. Just sit a lot closer so the screen takes up the same viewing angle as a bigger screen does at its appropriate viewing distance and it's quite easy to be 'wowed' by a good to high quality smaller screen.


David Aiken