3catcircus
Adventurer
Hmm...
The problem I see with HDTV that prevents many people upgrading are:
1. They cost more and there are multiple "HD" formats.
2. I've got satellite and Tivo - a new receiver and dish costs about $1000 - more than a few people are in this boat.
3. It is almost impossible for a non-geek to be able to do the following: save a copy of the movie/sporting event/tv show broadcast in HD onto a DVD.
I'd suggest going to a reputable A/V store (NOT a Best Buy/Circuit City type of place). The low-end of the type of store I am talking about is Tweeter. They will not only know the equipment, but also know whether it is right for *you*.
Don't waste your time on Best Buy or any of those other Big Box stores - the employees know nothing and the equipment they sell is garbage. Spend a lot of time and a little bit more money with a reputable establishment that *only* does A/V equipment. Then, either deal with them, or if tech-savvy, order from a reputable online place like Crutchfield.
Here is my experience:
When we bought our house, the previous owner had plasma tv mounted on wall, speakers mounted in ceiling and all of the electronics hidden in the stairwell to the basement. My wife was sick of seeing all of the wiring and the equipment on a rack in the living room - she agreed that if we bought this house, I could keep the same setup as previous owner. Well - the master bed/bath sold her on the house (giant master bedroom, whirlpool tub *and* shower with 6 body jets...), as did the decor (no re-painting needed) and the hot tub.
I spent about 3 months researching things, looking at equipment reviews, etc. after we signed the contract for the house and prior to closing. I realized that for the amount of money I was willing to spend ($5000), that HD wasn't going to be an option.
1. I needed a flat-panel and wanted plasma.
2. I needed in-ceiling speakers.
3. I needed an IR remote extender to control all of the electronics in the stairwell from outside the stairwell.
4. I wanted a new DVD player.
5. I needed a subwoofer to go with the new speakers.
I finally settled on a 42" Samsung Plasma EDTV - picture was great, low defect/repair rate, and the mounting bracket ($100) was thrown in for free. I settled on a nice, mid-grade DVD player from Sony, speakers from Elan Home Systems (MP525Ws, $450/pair and I needed 2.5 pair), and chose a smallish Velodyne subwoofer - not great, but certainly adequate, considering the performance of the main speakers. I also ended up buying Nile Audio IR extender equipment (main unit, wall-mount IR sensor and enough IR flashers for each of my components.)
I also had to buy new cables (Acoustic Research - *DO* get these from Best Buy - cheaper and better than Monster Cable.) and budgeted 10% of my money for these. Unless you have $Gazillion equipment, you *don't* need $250/meter cable.
Total cost to me: $4500 and some change. There was *no way* I could afford to get a plasma HDTV and also afford a new satellite receiver that did HD and Tivo, as well as the oval 3-LNB dish I would also need and still stay under $5000, so I compromised. Granted, If I had waited 2 more years, I probably *could* have afforded this since HDTV prices are dropping like a rock right now, as is the price of HD-compatible Tivo-equipped satellite receivers, but my wife wouldn't put up with 5 holes in the ceiling, a hole and four lag bolts sticking out of the wall, and no TV...
The problem I see with HDTV that prevents many people upgrading are:
1. They cost more and there are multiple "HD" formats.
2. I've got satellite and Tivo - a new receiver and dish costs about $1000 - more than a few people are in this boat.
3. It is almost impossible for a non-geek to be able to do the following: save a copy of the movie/sporting event/tv show broadcast in HD onto a DVD.
I'd suggest going to a reputable A/V store (NOT a Best Buy/Circuit City type of place). The low-end of the type of store I am talking about is Tweeter. They will not only know the equipment, but also know whether it is right for *you*.
Don't waste your time on Best Buy or any of those other Big Box stores - the employees know nothing and the equipment they sell is garbage. Spend a lot of time and a little bit more money with a reputable establishment that *only* does A/V equipment. Then, either deal with them, or if tech-savvy, order from a reputable online place like Crutchfield.
Here is my experience:
When we bought our house, the previous owner had plasma tv mounted on wall, speakers mounted in ceiling and all of the electronics hidden in the stairwell to the basement. My wife was sick of seeing all of the wiring and the equipment on a rack in the living room - she agreed that if we bought this house, I could keep the same setup as previous owner. Well - the master bed/bath sold her on the house (giant master bedroom, whirlpool tub *and* shower with 6 body jets...), as did the decor (no re-painting needed) and the hot tub.
I spent about 3 months researching things, looking at equipment reviews, etc. after we signed the contract for the house and prior to closing. I realized that for the amount of money I was willing to spend ($5000), that HD wasn't going to be an option.
1. I needed a flat-panel and wanted plasma.
2. I needed in-ceiling speakers.
3. I needed an IR remote extender to control all of the electronics in the stairwell from outside the stairwell.
4. I wanted a new DVD player.
5. I needed a subwoofer to go with the new speakers.
I finally settled on a 42" Samsung Plasma EDTV - picture was great, low defect/repair rate, and the mounting bracket ($100) was thrown in for free. I settled on a nice, mid-grade DVD player from Sony, speakers from Elan Home Systems (MP525Ws, $450/pair and I needed 2.5 pair), and chose a smallish Velodyne subwoofer - not great, but certainly adequate, considering the performance of the main speakers. I also ended up buying Nile Audio IR extender equipment (main unit, wall-mount IR sensor and enough IR flashers for each of my components.)
I also had to buy new cables (Acoustic Research - *DO* get these from Best Buy - cheaper and better than Monster Cable.) and budgeted 10% of my money for these. Unless you have $Gazillion equipment, you *don't* need $250/meter cable.
Total cost to me: $4500 and some change. There was *no way* I could afford to get a plasma HDTV and also afford a new satellite receiver that did HD and Tivo, as well as the oval 3-LNB dish I would also need and still stay under $5000, so I compromised. Granted, If I had waited 2 more years, I probably *could* have afforded this since HDTV prices are dropping like a rock right now, as is the price of HD-compatible Tivo-equipped satellite receivers, but my wife wouldn't put up with 5 holes in the ceiling, a hole and four lag bolts sticking out of the wall, and no TV...
Last edited:
