Video Asylum

Posted by RAW (i) on July 24, 2001 at 00:14:18

In Reply to: time to come out of stone age need help on home theater posted by plugs on July 20, 2001 at 18:39:35:

Here's a list of items to think about.

Must have a good TV (on average a TV will last 10 years and with HDTV already here it must be a consideration). Look at the Mitsubishi front projection WT-46809. It's HD upgradeable when your ready to watch HD programmin and has component inputs (all you'll need is the HD tuner). On the net I found the cheapest price at $2600.

Then there is Samsungs (I think LCD) progressive scan 40" TV that was $2050. Progressive scan is good because of picture quality enhancements, however, it's not really an HDTV but will output a beautiful picture nonethelss (has component inputs).

I recently bought a quality DVD player (5 disc carosel) for $390. It was a Pioneer Elite DV-C36. Kicks butt and it's progressive scan with component outputs (will play Dolby Digital and DTS).

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V795 (on the net around $520) or the RX-V620 (about $400 on the net). Also look at Harmon Kardon's AVR 510 (about $500-$600) and AVR 210 (about $400). I would lean towards the more expensive units personally because they are better. As for brand, I'll let you make that decision. Some here may offer their opinoin.

Subs: One of my favorites M&K MX-150 (around $1,100 on net), a huge WOW factor!! However, for price considerations, I was impressed with Definitive's PFTL+ which is about $700 (may find cheaper).

Speakers are tough to recomemd because each person has a differnt taste. I recommend you goto a special HIFI store and liten to them with YOUR music or dvds. Klipsch, Definitive, M&K, Atlantic Technology, Paradigm (recomend a few).

You'll also need 1 or 2 component cables for the video (pending how you wire your system and which receiver you go with), 1 digital cable, and one sub cable (Monster M-351), and some speaker wire (make the fronts equaly length, and the backs equal to each other).

As for your rooms, go with "13x17 or 13x24" The 15x15 is accoutically a bad room.

Play with your numbers and have fun shopping. There's a lot of information on the net and I know there are plenty of people here that will give their opinions.

To further enhance the system. Try to treat the room some accoustically if possible.