Worst: If you want the best picture at the price point right now, I think the Pioneer PDP-5071 is about $2000 -$2500. It does not have 1080p like Pioneer Elite 50" Plasma, but it is about $2000 cheaper. If you are willing to drop $4500, the the Pioneer PDP-FHD1 is considered the best TV of the size on the market. Since it wil mainly be for TV and movies, 1080p is not a concern for gaming, and unless you are really interested in Blu-Ray or HD-DVD (which I think will not catch on for at least 3-4 more years) I think the 5071 may be your best bet. If you want to read more on all these issues, go to avsforum.com, it is where I do all my research.

As for sound, the SVS home theatre package mentioned earlier in this thread is supposedly very good for speakers. Alot of issues involving sound depends on your ability to run wire, and whether your wife wants small unnoticeable speakers. My recommendage would either be the SVS package or Mirage Omnisats if your wife wants something not too big.

If you have your choice I would recommend a 5.1 system from AV123.com. In their X-series line you can get a pair of the X-sls or X-mtm towers for your front left and right, an X-cs center, X-ls surrounds, and an X-sub. If you call them they will do custom packages and you could probably get this for between $900-$1100. These are all substantial nicely finished speakers, but even the rear surrounds would be big and have to have stands or be mounted.

Then you just need a receiver to push it. For AV123, they would be able to tell you what recievers pair well with the speakers. My choice would be the Harmon Kardon AVR-247 ($500). Onkyo and Denon recievers are also very good.

If you need links to any of these products or any more questions, let me know.

Wow, thanks for all the info. I admit a lot of it kinda went over my head, but I'll check out AV123 and read a bit on avsforum and will come back with further questions if I have any. Probably the next thing to do is just to talk to the future wife about her precise objections to things. Thanks, guys.

I came close to buying the 50" Vizio for $1400 at Costco but then saw several pallets full of the Panasonic TH-50PX60U 50" Plasma hiding behind a display of giant bags of trail mix. The Costco price was $1750 and I'm paying $60 to get it delivered tomorrow. For some reasons I never saw the 42" version of this model line Panasonic at Costco but they did have the 37" version for about $900.

As I think noted elsewhere in this thread this family of models got very good reviews on CNET and other sites but apparently is being replaced by a new series of Panasonic's at a higher price. The Costco price is being more or less matched by several online sellers but I was wary of buying online for an item this large (one said they ship to the curbside and no further!).

I plan on using it mostly for DVD movies and will try to continue to slide on subscribing to cable or satellite TV. I live in line of sight to Mt. Wilson (all the LA area stations broadcast from there) and get good UHF with an indoor Terk and Phillips antennas on the 25" CRT I now moved to the bedroom. If I have luck getting the main broadcast channels HDTV (which is broadcast over UHF, check out antennaweb.org for your local broadcasts) I'll post my experience.

Costco also had a 52" Mitsubishi 1080p DLP TV with stand for about $1350 but that was just too big for my corner and seems small for a DLP.

Great thread Astro, a pleasure compared to the eye glazing mess on the AVS forums.

~ Rick

plasma = bigger

lcd = smaller


they're not really in competition with each other - the smallest plasmas available are around the same size as the largest lcds.

LCDs are (generally) better at displaying static images (eg, computer games); Plasmas are (generally) better at displaying fast moving images (eg, sport). However, size is a far more influencing factor - figure out how big you want your screen to be, and then purchase whichever technology fits your size.



Also, generally, i think that it would be sub-optimal to spend $4,000 on a display, and $400 on sound - unsurprisingly, for that sort of price ratio, you'll have a vastly better display than sound, and i think you will notice it.

Im in the market for a TV, Ive sifted through a bunch of different things, and have an idea of what I want. I have a budget of 2500. My bedroom is about 20x20, but there is a ton of stuff in there, nad not too much room. I can wall mount it, or put it on a stand. My room is pretty bright. I want an LCD. Off the top of your heads what is the best option?

If you are going to sit within 10' or use it as a computer monitor I would get the LNT-4665f or 4661f ($2300 on Amazon). Both are 1080p, only major difference being that the 65f has a glossy screen which produces a more eye-poping picture, but is more prone to glare. The 61f has the standard matte LCD screen. IF you are not as concerned with size and will be sitting further than 6" away, the 40" 720 p Samsung LNT-4053h is only $1400. I would go 46" for sure if you are going to be veiwing from further than 12".

[/quote]

plasma = bigger
lcd = smaller

they're not really in competition with each other - the smallest plasmas available are around the same size as the largest lcds.

LCDs are (generally) better at displaying static images (eg, computer games); Plasmas are (generally) better at displaying fast moving images (eg, sport). However, size is a far more influencing factor - figure out how big you want your screen to be, and then purchase whichever technology fits your size.

Also, generally, i think that it would be sub-optimal to spend $4,000 on a display, and $400 on sound - unsurprisingly, for that sort of price ratio, you'll have a vastly better display than sound, and i think you will notice it.

[/quote]

This is not so much true anymore. LCD's are pretty comprable in price from the 42" to 50" range considering their feature set. Major difference is that smallest plasmas (42") are not 1080p whereas LCD's can be. Smallest 1080p plasmas are 50". LCD's are considered better for bright evnvironments b/c they have less glare. Plasma's currently produce an overall better picture all other things being equal.

But if you want bigger than 50" (or an affordable 50" TV) plasma is the best bet. If you want under 42", you have to do LCD.

Hopefully as LED Backlighting and 120 hz technologies become comonplace over the next year, LCD's will have as good a picture without fast motion problems.

thanks just ordered the 65f, 2350 including shipping which aint to bad. I went with teh glossy finish because I can always put up curtains I guess.

I'll post in more detail if anyone shows interest but despite the fact I'm 24 miles out from the broadcast towers on Mount Wilson and am using a $35 or so Terk indoor antenna on my first night I got every HD and digital and high-def station almost perfectly. I also got free stations associated with the local network stations I didn't even know existed (such as the LA's NBC affiliates version of the weather channel, there isn't even weather in LA!)

Also I can't imagine a better 50" Plasma for well under $2000 than this Panasonic.

~ Rick

Great thread. Can I get some advice?

I have an old Sony receiver STR-DE335, and a DVD player I bought a few years ago for about $125 or something, and a 15-yr old Onkyo CD player. Should I scrap everything for a Home Theatre in a box setup, or should I keep what I have and just get some speakers? My TV is average now, but I will be upgrading to a new one eventually. I live in a duplex with vaulted ceilings but it's only about 900 sq ft.

If you are truly concerned about sound I would not do the HTiB route. What is your budget, and what will the system be primarily used for.

Under $1000 without the TV. It will just be for movies/I-tunes for me and a guest or two. I won't be hosting parties or anything.

I would reccommend buying a good set of new speakers and running them from the current reciever until you can afford a new one. Mirage Omnisats and the SVS Package are both good if you want more compact speakers. If you don't mind larger speakers for better sound, I like AV123's X-series.

If you listen to music alot, the larger bookshelf speakers will be much better.

You may even be able to afford a package and the Panasonic SA-XR55 or XR57. This reciever is considered one of the best at its price point and unless you are interested in waiting for a $500 Onkyo, Denon, or Harmon Kardon reciever, would probably be your best bet.

jws43yale-
Thanks for your help. I will check those speakers out. Why is the "Home Theatre in a Box" option recommended so much in this thread if it's not good for music? Is it mainly for movies/DVD sound?

Yes, HTIB is a simple way to get 5.1 speaker surround sounds, but the speakers are not big enough to accurately produce full frequency ranges. They are fine when you just want the immersive sound experience during movies, but can't output stereo sounds like true good bookshelf speakers can. It is fine for music, but won't be anything special whereas good bookshelf speakers as part of a surround sound system can be better than anything you have heard.

I need a new remote, and was looking at the suggestion that astroglide suggested (logitech harmony 670). I have a few questions that I cant find the answer too:

1. I have my xbox setup as my media center and want to get rid of my xbox remote, will I be able too?

2. I have a logitech z2770 audio system for my computer, will I be able to control that?

3. If not, does it have the feature where I can point my remote at it, and it will learn the buttons and frequencies and let me assign them to buttons on the logitech?

I can't answer those questions for the Logitech remote. But I have a similar remote: the Home Theater Master MX-700.

The answer to all three of your questions is yes for the MX-700. I have an Xbox 360 and I don't even know where the remote is because I've only been using the MX-700. I have no personal knowledge for question #2, but since question 3 is yes, then it will also control the audio system (assuming the audio system has a normal remote control).

guids, it should work with anything that uses IR. most stuff is in their database already, but incase it's not the remotes do have a learning mode.

Time for my monthly bump of this thread. I am finally going to actually be ordering my new setup soon.

Room is 22' x 15', but will be viewing the short way. Will use mainly for movies and sports. Budget is $5K or so.

Currently planning on:

Pioneer 50" Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV Model: PDP-5080HD

Onkyo TX-SR505 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver ( Black )

x-cs 5.1 system from AVS with the upgrade to the Rocket ULW-10 Subwoofer

As for DVD player, astro's rec looks good to me: OPPO DV-981HD

Think this should run me like $3K for the TV, $1.5K for the audio, and the last $500-$1K for the DVD player, remote and TV stand.

Any thoughts on different items, where to purchase, cables, anything else greatly appreciated.

http://www.everything4electronics.co...w.aspx?ID=2181


Id go with that for your TV, its what I got and I love it, about 1k cheaper, better resolution, etc.

I don't think the wife wants a huge TV in the middle of the living room. It's the room you are in right when you walk into our place and she doesn't like that idea... but thanks for the rec and I'll discuss it with her as an option...

Onkyo TX-SR505 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver ( Black )

I just got the Onkyo TX-SR605 for $100 more at Circuit City by ordering through the web site and picking up in a local store. This was equal to the best price I could find online and is probably worth the extra $100 according to the AVS forums.

Gotta go otherwise I'd link to some discussions/reviews.

~ Rick

sweet. thanks.

TWP,

Check out www.av123.com email their customer service reps, tell them your budget, etc. Also, bounce ideas on head-fi.org; it's well known for it's audiophiles who get wet for cans.

TWP,

Just wanted to 2nd Rick's opinion. You should definitely spring for the new Onkyo that has the true HDMI v1.3, not just the passthru like the model you listed.

Amazon actually has a pretty good price.