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10/25/2005 10:56:27 AM · #1 |
Just wondering if anybody has any comments on the subject.
I'm going to start building an "entertainment system" after we get moved into our new house after Nov 30. The new house has a good-sized, finished basement which I'll be using.
I want to start with a nice, big rear projection TV about 60". I'll probably be buying from the Future Shop / Best Buy, as they are nearby & have a good selection, though there are a few other, smaller shops in Burlignton/Hamilton. My main peeve about these TV's is that some of them have a highly-reflective screen, so you can see yourself. I prefer the matte screens. We've got digital cable & a high-def package available.
I'm not solid on budget yet. I guess around $4,000 CAN maybe?
I want a TV with an eye to my later additions, such as a proper surround sound system. I'm also toying with the idea of buying or building a PC with Microsoft Media Center on it, which I'm guessing will obviate the need for DVR.
Anybody here use MCE?
Any comments/advice?
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10/25/2005 11:03:59 AM · #2 |
I'd take TiVo over a MS Media Center. The last thing I want is for my TV to crash, need updates, need patches, need to be rebooted, etc.
Just my 2c. |
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10/25/2005 11:11:21 AM · #3 |
i have a 57 inch High Definition Toshiba. cost 1999.99 at best buy, so for 4000.00 you can get alot besides the TV. Doesnt your cable company offer a digital video recorder? ours does, I love it! i have the MS media center for my computer that i just bought in June bought i dont even use it since i have the DVR. also remember all of the cables you will have to buy. i spent around 300.00 in cables for the best video quality and sound. The monster cables are way better than the cheap stuff the cable company gives you.
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10/25/2005 11:16:39 AM · #4 |
ON ANY of the big screen non-plasma types they use a light bulb to make the picture big and bright. this bulb lasts about 2000-2500 hours and costs $250, sometimes more. In my house, that'd last less than a year! I hear that if you buy the service agreement it is covered, but i'd be darned sure of that. the DLP or LCD projectors use the same technology and bulb price is the same.
if you get Tivo (i've had it for 3 seeks or so) you'll LOVE it. THe cost is $13.95 a month if you want to use it. some can be used for free, but with very limited capabilities (like 3 days of programming instead of 2 weeks). I got a toshiba RS-X20 (or is that RX-s20)., Anyway, it is a 120Gb unit wiht a DVD burner built in. Right now (thru dec 31) if you get a Tivo box you get $150 rebate (worth 1 year's service) The lifetime Tivo at $300 sounds good, but it is registerd to the actual unit, so if the unit goes belly up, so does your subscription.
My unit and moany others can netork wirelessly to the 'net and your home computer, so you can move content fromthe PC to the Tivo unit, or from Tivo unit to tivo unit (if you have more than one). So now i can play my MP3 that are on my PC on my home entertainment center! Kinda cool, a mega-juke box if you will.
The media center PC's biggest advantage is it can get teh program guides for free, so you save the $13 a month, and it can record anything even without a subscription, just like a basic VCR. Also, the PC will have to be kept very close to the TV. I was thinking of goind this way as i have an older space PC, and you can do the LINUX version of a DVR for basically free, but i don't want to stinkin PC in my living room.
I have a panasonic home theater (with 5 disk DVD changer). I like it very much, but want more watts. I got it cause the wife wanted the small wspeakers and for $300 it was a deal, and our first DVD player too. 500 watts is not enough (for me). But then we have little kids, and i like to rock the house just like a big action movie rocks a movie theatre. |
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10/25/2005 11:20:14 AM · #5 |
Slippy,
I just bought (4 months ago) a Samsung 50" DLP HDTV. I'm pleased with the performance. The screen does reflect a little of the ceiling lights when the screen displays black or dark gray, but it's only bothered me a couple of times. My research showed that the Samsung is among the best, if not the best, for DLP. The 50" was about 3 grand.
Keep in mind that regular cable TV will look much fuzzier than on a standard TV. Best Buy had (maybe still does have) a kit from various cable suppliers that gets you a deal on the HD cable receivers.
Also, do a search on viewing distance. 60" inch is a big TV and if you don't have enough distance between you and the TV, you will move your head around quite a bit to see things happening. It's like sitting too close to a big movie screen.
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10/25/2005 11:21:38 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by eslaydog:
I'd take TiVo over a MS Media Center. The last thing I want is for my TV to crash, need updates, need patches, need to be rebooted, etc.
Just my 2c. |
Look into a real projector and a screen this way it's portable, your size can vary and you can get screens that are flat or reflective. This is the way I am going. If u want to do some window shopping we are in the same area.
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 11:50:00. |
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10/25/2005 11:21:42 AM · #7 |
I have the same TV as queenbeez and I love it. Got it for cheaper at a huge sale at bestbuy before christmas.
I have TIVO through direct TV and HATE watching TV any other way. An hour long show in 45 minutes, leaving me 15 minutes to do anything else. Like run in and hit the update button. :)
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10/25/2005 11:27:10 AM · #8 |
Go Mitsubishi mine has been going strong for 4 years.
//www.mitsubishi-tv.com/televisions/types.asp?id=6
CRT Projection TVs
Mitsubishi continues to offer the industry's highest performance CRT rear projection HDTVs. These Digital Cable Ready HDTVs are the ideal way to start enjoying everything digital. These TVs feature Plush™ imaging which converts lower quality analog and digital pictures into near-HDTV quality. In addition, PerfectColor™ technology lets the viewer create the perfect color palette through its six way independent color control.
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10/25/2005 11:31:41 AM · #9 |
i agree i would much rather record it, also get something with wheels! The smaller ones have tv stands but they dont come with the tv's.. the small tv's with no stands are extremely heavy!
Originally posted by dahkota:
I have the same TV as queenbeez and I love it. Got it for cheaper at a huge sale at bestbuy before christmas.
I have TIVO through direct TV and HATE watching TV any other way. An hour long show in 45 minutes, leaving me 15 minutes to do anything else. Like run in and hit the update button. :) |
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10/25/2005 11:34:00 AM · #10 |
| I like JVC and Mitsubishi for rear projection tvs.Try to find a one that uses Glass lenses vs Plastic if you want the tv to last a long time. Mitsu is only one I know that uses glas, the rest (including JVC) use plastic and can warp a little over time due to the heat. Also the times mentioned above for bulb time applies to a projector not a rear projection tv, those work diffrently. Most HDTV systems now have good speakers built in and have the option of having the speaker in the tv act as a center channel only while your audio tuner does the rest. Also look out for cables. Best Buy will push Monster cable all the way, while I will not dispute the quality of Monster cable, but the cost is way overbord. They have other gold plated insulated cables that are much cheaper and are quite good ( and unless your streching the cable 40 feet past a radio transmitter ect you prolly wont see a diffrence) |
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10/25/2005 11:50:04 AM · #11 |
I heartily recommend looking at the Samsung DLP televisions. Spectacular quality. I'm very impressed with mine.
And ReplayTV is wayyyy better that TiVo (I currently have three ReplayTV's networked in the house... and can watch anything recorded on any Replay from any other Replay, or even on any networked computer using DVArchive. DVArchive also lets you view the program guide, schedule shows, etc.)
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 11:53:45. |
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10/25/2005 11:52:43 AM · #12 |
| While i have not read any reviewson Monster cable, over at the Tivo forums where there are many technogeeks, the monster cables are universallythought of as junk, and overpriced junk at that. Marketing hype and a cool name is what you get. |
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10/25/2005 12:02:14 PM · #13 |
Save your money and hold out for Organic Light Emitting Diodes television otherwise known as 'electronic paper'. Just hitting the market in small formats like phones, and music players.
Best thing to watch television on when they make television viewer sized versions. Ultra paper thin, high contrast, multi angled viewing, and may cost an arm and a leg when they first introduce the darn thing.
There are still a few hurdles to overcome with the technology, but the big companies are getting close.
Don't buy plasma, whatever you do, it is just not worth it.
OLED
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 12:04:24.
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10/25/2005 01:01:48 PM · #14 |
//www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ - hit the forum sections and learn all you ever wanted and way too much more.
I used the site extensively when I was building my home theater (front projector, 120-inch hi-Def (I could get my PIP screen to be about 60" if I were so inclined) :-).
One warning: Never, and I mean never ever, visit the site again after you buy your stuff....the latest and greatest is always touted and you will be left wanting even with new stuff on your shelves...use the site for research, buy your components and then delete the bookmark to the site....trust me. |
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10/25/2005 05:44:52 PM · #15 |
Thanks everyone! :-)
Originally posted by EddyG:
I heartily recommend looking at the Samsung DLP televisions. Spectacular quality. I'm very impressed with mine.
And ReplayTV is wayyyy better that TiVo (I currently have three ReplayTV's networked in the house... and can watch anything recorded on any Replay from any other Replay, or even on any networked computer using DVArchive. DVArchive also lets you view the program guide, schedule shows, etc.) |
Eddy, my cable company (www.cogeco.ca) offers DVR, but it looks like ReplayTV is a much better deal, sheesh, chalk it up to my cable co. gouging everyone.
Some nice options. I think choosing the TV might be the easy part. The fun part will be deciding on what I want to do for a solution to record, play music/AVI's, show photos, and browse the Internet.
LOL, Matt!
:-D
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10/25/2005 06:13:16 PM · #16 |
I just purchased an RCA Scenium 50" DLP HDTV from Sam's Club for $1995 that included a stand ($2-300 ?). It has a beautiful picture, and the size seems about right for my needs. Any bigger would make me feel like I'm on the front row of the theater.
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10/25/2005 07:04:35 PM · #17 |
I would strongly suggest buying the extended service plan from whoever you choose to go with. Big TV's are expensive to repair.
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 19:05:14. |
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10/25/2005 09:01:27 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by Patents4u:
//www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ - hit the forum sections and learn all you ever wanted and way too much more.
I used the site extensively when I was building my home theater (front projector, 120-inch hi-Def (I could get my PIP screen to be about 60" if I were so inclined) :-).
One warning: Never, and I mean never ever, visit the site again after you buy your stuff....the latest and greatest is always touted and you will be left wanting even with new stuff on your shelves...use the site for research, buy your components and then delete the bookmark to the site....trust me. |
Ditto! Great place to learn what to buy, but then you do need to stay away. |
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10/26/2005 06:41:46 PM · #19 |
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10/26/2005 11:59:33 PM · #20 |
[quote]And ReplayTV is wayyyy better that TiVo (I currently have three ReplayTV's networked in the house... and can watch anything recorded on any Replay from any other Replay, or even on any networked computer using DVArchive. DVArchive also lets you view the program guide, schedule shows, etc.) [/quote]
BETA MAX was wayyyyyyyyyy better than VHS. ;)
Message edited by author 2005-10-27 00:00:16. |
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10/27/2005 12:30:56 AM · #21 |
I have a 42" Mitsubishi rear-projection TV and love it.
(1080i) HD display capability, theater-ratio 16:9 widescreen and 2-tuner picture-in-picture - even decent speakers built in. |
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