HD madness!

[mRx 16]

thanks for all the advice... The whole thing is pretty new to me. But ive spent about 7 hours researching it online.

Ive decided for sure that the TV i want is the sony 40 inch bravia V- series 1080p. As for home theater, im getting a 2.1 home theater in a box philips. It has hdmi input for upconverting to 1080i. Its also progressive scan. It doesnt have optical cable input, though.

But, if im using the HDMI from my HDTV to the system, wouldnt that eliminate the need for a fiber- optic cable hookup?

I have a dumb question for you. How many HDMI inputs does that tv have?

it has 2

[yogib37 3]

thanks for all the advice... The whole thing is pretty new to me. But ive spent about 7 hours researching it online.

Ive decided for sure that the TV i want is the sony 40 inch bravia V- series 1080p. As for home theater, im getting a 2.1 home theater in a box philips. It has hdmi input for upconverting to 1080i. Its also progressive scan. It doesnt have optical cable input, though.

But, if im using the HDMI from my HDTV to the system, wouldnt that eliminate the need for a fiber- optic cable hookup?

I have a dumb question for you. How many HDMI inputs does that tv have?

it has 2

:thumbs:

[rebeccajo 14]

Hmmm.

Whenever we move we will probably be getting some sort of new entertainment system.

I just have one question...does the TV really HAVE to be THAT big for a ' visually orgasmic experience' - LOL.

As a woman I'm here to tell you that size really DOESN'T matter. hahaha

And besides, I never like the looks of those humongous TV's in a house. Wouldn't something a BIT smaller work just as well and be cheaper?

Seriously, I think the sound quality is a BIGGO part of home theater. HD on a decent size screen with emphasis on the sound system makes more sense to me, and might be more aesthetically pleasing in your family room.....

Just my two cents.

[Jenn! 918]

Hmmm.

Whenever we move we will probably be getting some sort of new entertainment system.

I just have one question...does the TV really HAVE to be THAT big for a ' visually orgasmic experience' - LOL.

As a woman I'm here to tell you that size really DOESN'T matter. hahaha

And besides, I never like the looks of those humongous TV's in a house. Wouldn't something a BIT smaller work just as well and be cheaper?

Seriously, I think the sound quality is a BIGGO part of home theater. HD on a decent size screen with emphasis on the sound system makes more sense to me, and might be more aesthetically pleasing in your family room.....

Just my two cents.

He did say 40" though. I don't really think that's too big.

[rebeccajo 14]

Hmmm.

Whenever we move we will probably be getting some sort of new entertainment system.

I just have one question...does the TV really HAVE to be THAT big for a ' visually orgasmic experience' - LOL.

As a woman I'm here to tell you that size really DOESN'T matter. hahaha

And besides, I never like the looks of those humongous TV's in a house. Wouldn't something a BIT smaller work just as well and be cheaper?

Seriously, I think the sound quality is a BIGGO part of home theater. HD on a decent size screen with emphasis on the sound system makes more sense to me, and might be more aesthetically pleasing in your family room.....

Just my two cents.

He did say 40" though. I don't really think that's too big.

You don't? Hmm.

Well I don't really know a lot about today's new systems. Too me that just seems like a lot of TV.

[Jenn! 918]

Hmmm.

Whenever we move we will probably be getting some sort of new entertainment system.

I just have one question...does the TV really HAVE to be THAT big for a ' visually orgasmic experience' - LOL.

As a woman I'm here to tell you that size really DOESN'T matter. hahaha

And besides, I never like the looks of those humongous TV's in a house. Wouldn't something a BIT smaller work just as well and be cheaper?

Seriously, I think the sound quality is a BIGGO part of home theater. HD on a decent size screen with emphasis on the sound system makes more sense to me, and might be more aesthetically pleasing in your family room.....

Just my two cents.

He did say 40" though. I don't really think that's too big.

You don't? Hmm.

Well I don't really know a lot about today's new systems. Too me that just seems like a lot of TV.

Not compared to those 52" monsters!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Ok so im giving in and going HD. Through much sweet talking and persuasion of the wife, shes decided to let me get an HDTV instead of saving for a car or something else useful.

Now ive learned that it wont be good for sh!t unless i watch the HD broadcasted programs. But my question is with the DVDs. Does anyone have a dvd player with the HDMI input, that upconverts dvds to 1080p? Im getting one and i wanna know how it looks on the HDTVs.

I know it will look better when i get a blu-ray, or hd dvd player, but i am wondering if using the HDMI input on a dvd player will make regular dvds look better.

I feel like a young boy again, i am so excited. The set up is gonna be a 40 inch Sony bravia LCD 1080p HDTV, with a sony 2.1 home theatre with HDMI input. A visually orgasmic experience.

Don't go blu ray...HD DVD is the way to go. Blu Ray will be the new Beta Max.

Will your new DVD player have progressive scan? Also, you'll want to get an optical cable for your home theatre sound system.

I wouldn't buy either of the new HD formats at the moment, its far from clear which way it will go. Sony is in a much better position now than they were before - they own a huge movie production company who's subsidiaries include MGM/UA - that means the entire MGM / United Artists back catalog are owned by Sony. That is a lot of movies...

Similarly the following studios / manufacturers support Blu-Ray

* Apple

* Dell

* HP

* Hitachi

* LG

* Mitsubishi Electric

* Panasonic

* Pioneer

* Philips

* Samsung

* Sharp

* Sony

* Sun Microsystems

* TDK

* Thomson

* Twentieth Century Fox

* Walt Disney

* Warner Bros.

HD DVD is promoted notably by:

Toshiba

NEC

Sanyo

Microsoft

Intel

In terms of major studios, HD DVD is currently exclusively backed by Universal Studios, and is non-exclusively backed by Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. (including subsidiaries HBO[16] and New Line Cinema)[17], Warner Music Group, The Weinstein Company (through Genius Products)[18], Image Entertainment (including Discovery Channel)[19] , Magnolia Pictures[20], Brentwood Home Video, Ryko, Koch/Goldhil Entertainment[21], and Studio Canal. It is rumored that Hewlett Packard may support HD DVD, but as of now, they are part of the BDA Board of Directors, making it impossible for HP to support HD DVD in the foreseeable future.

What is looking likely is that there will be HD players that support both formats.

[bcartr 0]

Ok this is my first post here, but darn if I am shocked.

You are going to spend your money on a home theater system? I understand your under 25 but come on, spend the money on getting that vehicle for her.

Are you folks really going to watch that much TV.

I am saying that from experience. I have a lady, however I am just currently in the K1 process, actually sending it out this week.

I already own a 62" Mistibushi HDTV with DirectTV HD DVR, Sony DVD player(yeah with HDMI), Sony stereo reciever as well as a Bose 5.1 surround sound system. But if I knew what I was getting myself into, I would have saved all that money to get her a car when she arrives.

Yeah I watch TV, and its great for Football on HD, well sports in general, but even being alone right now, I dont watch it that much. So it is a huge expense when you look at what a car could do for your new found wife and yourself, it could be a better investment.

Not trying to stir the pot, but just giving you some advice on what I have encountered, and thats without the wife.

Regards,

T.

[tom&tata 2]

Hmmm.

Whenever we move we will probably be getting some sort of new entertainment system.

I just have one question...does the TV really HAVE to be THAT big for a ' visually orgasmic experience' - LOL.

As a woman I'm here to tell you that size really DOESN'T matter. hahaha

And besides, I never like the looks of those humongous TV's in a house. Wouldn't something a BIT smaller work just as well and be cheaper?

Seriously, I think the sound quality is a BIGGO part of home theater. HD on a decent size screen with emphasis on the sound system makes more sense to me, and might be more aesthetically pleasing in your family room.....

Just my two cents.

He did say 40" though. I don't really think that's too big.

You don't? Hmm.

Well I don't really know a lot about today's new systems. Too me that just seems like a lot of TV.

Not compared to those 52" monsters!

Well....this monster is sitting in our living room. And it is A LOT of TV. I like it but my wife does not appreciate it as much as I do

[Robor007 0]

I would definitely do some more research before you spend the money. This is a great site but it's not a Home Theater forum. I'd recommend Home Theater Forum and AVS Forum as good places to start. I'm far from an expert but I do have a nice budget system of a Sony 50" LCD (1080i), Yamaha receiver, Klipsh mid/fronts, Mirage S12 sub, and cheap KLH rears. Stay away from Bose. For the same money you can get far more performance out of a brand that doesn't spend a fortune on their marketing.

Do not bet your money on either HD-DVD or BluRay right now. The players are still expensive first generation machines and any speculation on which format will win is just that, speculation. As someone said, there will surely be players capable of playing both formats out in the future. As far as DVD players that do an upconvert... I had a decent progressive scan DVD player that didn't upconvert. I gave it to my mom and got a Denon that did upconversion to 1080i and I wasn't impressed. I did not try a side-by-side comparison or put the same DVD in each player and compare them on different inputs but I swear I couldn't tell a difference. I have an XBox360 and I picked up the HD-DVD add-on drive. That looks *amazing*. However, I would not have invested more than the $200 cost of the HD-DVD drive just because the format wars are far from over. Also keep in mind that there really isn't that much available in HD-DVD/BluRay yet.

[rclouse 0]

I'd stay away from Sorny. IMHO their products are overpriced and their quality has gone downhill. I bought a 32" Sony TV a while back, paid $200 more than the other TV I had my eye on, and the thing died in four years.

Make sure you don't get a TV too big for your room. Friend of mine got a 52" TV, but the way his living room is set up the TV is only 6' from the couch.

I'd make sure I got the 1080P with a DVI interface. You can hook it up direct to your computer, have a giant 1920X1080 monitor.

Also, make sure you're getting a TV with an ATSC tuner. Don't get one that says "HD Ready" or "HD Monitor". Then you can't watch over-the-air HD broadcasts, you'll have to spend more $$$ for a tuner.

Good luck!

[Hornet 2]

I'm getting a JVC HD-ILA 61" delivered tomorrow! I've been looking for months.

Talked to a guy I went to school with that's been installing high end Home Theaters for years. I'm talking high end, $20,000 and up some way more than that.

He recommended the JVC HD-ILA He's real picky so I trust his opinion.

He said DLP's are nice but some people see the rainbow affect, like he does and to many moving parts with all the mirrors inside. Reliability long term is a worry.

Worst risk is the lamps right now. But I got a 2 year warranty since shipping was free.

The lamps should improve in time, hopefully.

Can't wait to see my sons XBOX-360 hooked up to in downstairs in our theater room!!!

I've heard positive and negative about every brand out there. Some more than others.

Roll the dice!

[mawilson 2,133]

Ok this is my first post here, but darn if I am shocked.

You are going to spend your money on a home theater system? I understand your under 25 but come on, spend the money on getting that vehicle for her.

Why are you comparing TVs and cars? The most expensive LCD TV is way cheaper than a new car.

Are you folks really going to watch that much TV.

Yes! LOL

[bcartr 0]

Ok this is my first post here, but darn if I am shocked.

You are going to spend your money on a home theater system? I understand your under 25 but come on, spend the money on getting that vehicle for her.

Why are you comparing TVs and cars? The most expensive LCD TV is way cheaper than a new car.

I am not comparing TVs and cars, the fact that this guy is already spending money he does not have, (based on him waiting on his tax return) was just an observation. It does not have to be a new car, but dont you think folks should look ahead with the Family in mind?

Are you folks really going to watch that much TV.

Yes! LOL

Umm ok....

[dalegg 143]

He is sold on the 1080P picture based on DVDs, and although it is very impressive, I wouldn't do it yet. It'll be years before Cable or Satellite broadcast in 1080P and I'm just too damn lazy to use a DVD player all the time. You can get fantastic 720P/1080i sets now for less than half the cost because of this 1080P craze. But that's just me.

Yes, go HDMI into your set, and as long as your surround receiver has a digital coaxial input and is no more than 10 feet away from whatever is running into it- TV, VCR, Cable or Sat- you can use a simple $2.00 RCA cable instead of a $70 HDMI cable or $20 optical cable.