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General discussion

New Home Theater Help

by keturahs Sep 3, 2008 2:34AM PDT

Hi -
I have read so many reviews of equipment and so many forum strings and my head is spinning so I am just going to put this question out there and hopefully I will get some simple answers that will help me out. We have just finished our basement and our buying a home theater system. We are fairly certain that we want to buy a 52 in Sony Bravia LCD. The basement is pre-wired (component cable only, not HDMI) for TV/Receiver/5.1 surround sound. So on non-TV parts (speakers, recevier, sub) I would like to spend around $1500-$2000. I would like to be able to wall mount front L/R and center speakers and ceiling mount rear speakers. Ideally I would like the ceiling speakers to be white and the front speakers to be black. Would also like a DVD -not necessary to have blu-ray, especially since we dont have HDMI connection. So a receiver with a DVD player would be ideal. Finally on the HDMI issue - I would like all the components to have HDMI input/outputs as we will probaly eventually go there. Also - what is thoughts on an HDMI balun?
Thanks!

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
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Lets start with baluns.
by jcrobso Sep 3, 2008 6:46AM PDT

I have used them for analog audio, video and VGA with great success!
For HDMI I would recommend and active Cat5/6 converter, the down side is the cost about $400 for a pair. You can get active extenders/equalizer for $167. www.mcmelectronics.com #33-10450,33-10451 or 33-10445.
As for speakers spend some listening to speakers. Also do you want build in speakers or wall mounted. John

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h.d.m.i. is so important
by stewart norrie Sep 3, 2008 7:05AM PDT

Sorry componit vidio cables is going to give you a horrible picture, and why not blue ray I bought a Sony blue ray player when they first came out $930 now I have seen blue ray players going for as little as $299 Blue ray with your Sony will melt your eyes along with hi-def cable or satellite you will be in heaven best set up would be run h.d.m.i. from player and ssat using h.d.m.i. then run audio usiong optical audio cables forget ceiling speakers and invest your life savings on a sweet 7.1 speakert system remember just change inputs on t.v. and amp I like all my componits to run direct stewqeee

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HDMI
by keturahs Sep 3, 2008 7:25AM PDT

Please correct me if I am wrong as I am just learning this but isn't the only thing that HDMI cable really show well is a Blu Ray disc? That is, isn't that the only thing in 1080p which is really the only thing HDMI does over component? It is my understanding that we will still get 1080i with component cable and upconverting DVD and that it wouldn't matter for TV viewing component or HDMI?

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Hello
by jostenmeat Sep 3, 2008 8:16AM PDT

1. No.

2. Yes and no.

3. Yes. No.

Hahahaha, funny huh. Ok:

1: Yes, for our purposes, Bluray is the only thing with NATIVE 1080p output.

2: Since DVDs can be scaled to 1080p, NOT native, it still is considered a 1080p signal.

3. On one hand yes, if you are talking about TV broadcasts. OTOH, not with upscaling DVD players due to HDCP implementation. Now . . . IIRC, the older Oppo 970 was hacked by some consumers to allow 1080i upscaling via the component connection. Otherwise, for any other player that I know of, best is 480p via component connection.

Hope this helps.

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also in regards to your first post
by jostenmeat Sep 3, 2008 8:39AM PDT

if its a dedicated basement, I would definitely go with a projector.

If PJ is a no-go, then definitely a plasma.

I don't like LCD flat panel. It would be my very last choice.

Id in fact prefer a rear projection like those Sony if they could still be found. Maybe a nice fat 70" XBR-2. Grin

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thanks jostenmeat
by keturahs Sep 3, 2008 9:25AM PDT

one last question - any thoughts on a HDMI baylun?

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Stewee, I'm glad your HDMI is serving you well, but I can't
by NM_Bill Sep 4, 2008 1:55AM PDT

agree with a blank statement that component video cables are going to give you a horrible picture.

Depending of the particular equipment, component video cab be a fine connection, as well as poor manufacturer HDMI implementation can cause horrid results.

Remember, "The Perfect Vision", now part of playback free online mag, did direct comparisons a year or so ago of component vs. HDMI, (with several common brands of equipment) & in all cases, the component connections provided better results.

In the meantime,I assume maker implementation has made strides for better HDMI results. I have always advised anyone try both connectors to see which is better for them.

What's up, Stewee? You've been pretty quiet lately. I hope you've both been taking better care of yourself by doing things like quitting smoking. You either kill the addiction or it will eventually kill you.

Anyway, I hope you've been very happy with your viewing & listening pleasure.

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(NT) Excuse me. Help. What is/are a balun or baylun?
by NM_Bill Sep 4, 2008 1:45AM PDT
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Baluns
by keturahs Sep 4, 2008 2:38AM PDT
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I don't know, sorry
by jostenmeat Sep 4, 2008 1:39PM PDT
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