LCD or OLED? - The TV Thread

[WTF]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I'm looking for about as cheap as possible. Lol. Seriously, I'm married w 2 little ones under 4 years old, I just want something that will let me have a retreat. As long as I can hear somewhat, I'm good. Lol.

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

What's the best for the money HTIB? Guys, I'm not looking to have an amazing super ultra setup, just something that I can go down to the mancave, sit back in the recliner, and watch my football. Doesn't have to be anything crazy. I'm just going the projector route, as I finally have room, I always wanted one, and I'm treating myself to something finally

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I think this is why we're asking you to not shell money on an HTiB. If you want sound, a soundbar + subwoofer would do just fine.

Otherwise, you can get two large towers, or two bookshelf speakers, a center, and a subwoofer with an AVR.

My opinion? Find a receiver and subwoofer somewhere in a store or online, and find two bookshelf speakers and a center channel on Craigslist. I'm sure you can find a Polk CS10 somewhere on the cheap, and bookshelf speakers are a dime a dozen if you don't need new ones. You'll still be at $600, but that's significantly better than an HTiB IMO.

Maybe my suggestions for where to buy things weren't the best, but just start by treating yourself with a good mid-level receiver and work from there. You want that thing to work for a while.

My final suggestion, as I said before, is a soundbar-subwoofer combo. Could ring you up to as cheap as $100, but maybe around $200 for a decent one (I got a $600 one for $340 last Black Friday).

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I'm looking for about as cheap as possible. Lol. Seriously, I'm married w 2 little ones under 4 years old, I just want something that will let me have a retreat. As long as I can hear somewhat, I'm good. Lol.

C'mon....throw out a number....$200 $250? $300? $400? $500?

I'd give this a serious look at $300 shipped.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DHT-1312...=operasport-20

5.1 surround sound, 5.1 receiver than handles lossless audio tracks, a powered sub , and universal wiring to allow you to upgrade. Denon also gives it a 2 year warranty. You could always upgrade down the road if you get the itch...

You'd need to pick up a spool of speaker wire.

If you just need better than projector/tv speakers.....this Sony sound bar + sub is $140 new. (Refurb'ed from Sony at $115 shipped)

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTCT60-So...with+subwoofer

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I think this is why we're asking you to not shell money on an HTiB. If you want sound, a soundbar + subwoofer would do just fine.

Otherwise, you can get two large towers, or two bookshelf speakers, a center, and a subwoofer with an AVR.

My opinion? Find a receiver and subwoofer somewhere in a store or online, and find two bookshelf speakers and a center channel on Craigslist. I'm sure you can find a Polk CS10 somewhere on the cheap, and bookshelf speakers are a dime a dozen if you don't need new ones. You'll still be at $600, but that's significantly better than an HTiB IMO.

Maybe my suggestions for where to buy things weren't the best, but just start by treating yourself with a good mid-level receiver and work from there. You want that thing to work for a while.

My final suggestion, as I said before, is a soundbar-subwoofer combo. Could ring you up to as cheap as $100, but maybe around $200 for a decent one (I got a $600 one for $340 last Black Friday).

Under ideal conditions, you'd want to piece it together. Sounds like he wants it done in one shot. If he's wanting just stereo sound then a soundbar+sub is an option.

IMO, a sound bar+sub is gonna pale in comparison to the "right budget" 5.1 system (which can handle lossless audio).

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Under ideal conditions, you'd want to piece it together. Sounds like he wants it done in one shot. If he's wanting just stereo sound then a soundbar+sub is an option.

IMO, a sound bar+sub is gonna pale in comparison to the "right budget" 5.1 system (which can handle lossless audio).

I don't disagree. My 5.2 system blows my soundbar out of the water, and it's not even close. Then again, I spent a little more money to piece it together.

However, I just don't think an HTiB is the right option either. This is coming from a guy who's owned two of them. Once you want to/have to upgrade, almost none of the pieces of your HTiB are worth anything. This includes the AVR.

WTF, buy your speaker wire from Monoprice. The smaller the AWG (12 being the smallest you'll get from there), the sturdier the wire and conductivity... and this is important. You can get banana plugs from there too.

[WTF]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Thanks fellas. I'll check out the links when back at the pc. Realistically, I'd like to stay sub-$300.

Ive been scouring Craigslist and found an onkyo gold receiver on the cheap. Have to do a little further research.

[authentic]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I almost entirely agree with Blzer. Whether you do two towers or bookshelfs, get something that you can at least upgrade in the future "if" you ever want to. Once you buy an HTIB, you're done upgrading, you're system is final. Polk bookshelf speakers are $99.99 for a pair right now. The Yamaha 5.1 receiver is $219.99 at Best Buy right now. The subwoofer will cost you, but you could always do a cheap Sony for $109.99 or a Pioneer for about the same price. Don't limit yourself or settle on something that can't be upgraded. It's always results in buyers remorse in the future.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

I almost entirely agree with Blzer. Whether you do two towers or bookshelfs, get something that you can at least upgrade in the future "if" you ever want to. Once you buy an HTIB, you're done upgrading, you're system is final. Polk bookshelf speakers are $99.99 for a pair right now. The Yamaha 5.1 receiver is $219.99 at Best Buy right now. The subwoofer will cost you, but you could always do a cheap Sony for $109.99 or a Pioneer for about the same price. Don't limit yourself or settle on something that can't be upgraded. It's always results in buyers remorse in the future.

He said he's looking to spend around $300. You're already up to $430 ($465 after taxes) and will eventually need a center channel and the 2 rear surrounds (another what? $150-250 minimum)


Another option. Find your AVR...then add a Yamaha 5.1 speaker package for $150 (Someone in the AMZ marketplace is selling a "like new" set for $122 shipped)
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-SP18...=operasport-20

Why? You're already going to be paying $100 minimum for a powered sub....go ahead and get the other 5 speakers for $50 (or $22)....you now have surround sound. Then upgrade the speakers down the road if you wish or when more cash is available.

Either way, you definitely need a powered subwoofer. A sub makes all the difference, IMO.


PS-- The Polk bookshelf speakers have been $50 on Black Friday at Best Buy for the past several years. I got a pair 2 years ago.

Something else to consider if you want floor standers ($200 shipped) http://www.amazon.com/Jamo-426-HCS-W...=operasport-20

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Actually, what GAMECOCK said was a good idea.

WTF, I have a Harman Kardon 5.1 system that I don't use anymore. You'll have to buy the AVR yourself, but name your price and it's yours. Seriously, I've been trying to sell it for a while now, and I nearly forgot about it. Sub and all.

Please consider it. Here's the system:

http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-...=operasport-20

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Actually, what GAMECOCK said was a good idea.

WTF, I have a Harman Kardon 5.1 system that I don't use anymore. You'll have to buy the AVR yourself, but name your price and it's yours. Seriously, I've been trying to sell it for a while now, and I nearly forgot about it. Sub and all.

Please consider it. Here's the system:

http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-...=operasport-20

Nice gesture, Blzer.

[XtremeDunkz]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-UN55EH...11&keywords=tv

thoughts on the 50 inch?

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-UN55EH...11&keywords=tv

thoughts on the 50 inch?

What are you going to use it for?

[XtremeDunkz]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Gaming, Movies and Sports, so everything I guess lol

[Blzer]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

Gaming, Movies and Sports, so everything I guess lol

As for gaming: Lag isn't bad, but Game Mode only helps it by a few milliseconds. With it on, it probably gets right around 30ms.

As for movies: For an LED, black levels are pretty good after moderate calibration. There is still the trade-off between deeper blacks and better shadow detail, though.

As for sports: There are some motion artifacts that aren't prevalent on the higher-end models this year, but at 240Hz I think it ends up being okay. Might not like the soap-opera effect though, even with sports.

Only real con is that screen uniformity isn't perfect, but I don't think it's noticeable unless you're looking for it on a solid color (gets darker around the corners).

For that price, it sounds like a good TV. What's your viewing distance, though? You might want to check out the 55-inch model if you're further than seven feet away, depending on what kind of experience you're trying to get.

[authentic]

Re: Plasma or LCD? - The TV Thread

He said he's looking to spend around $300. You're already up to $430 ($465 after taxes) and will eventually need a center channel and the 2 rear surrounds (another what? $150-250 minimum)


Another option. Find your AVR...then add a Yamaha 5.1 speaker package for $150 (Someone in the AMZ marketplace is selling a "like new" set for $122 shipped)
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-NS-SP18...=operasport-20

Why? You're already going to be paying $100 minimum for a powered sub....go ahead and get the other 5 speakers for $50 (or $22)....you now have surround sound. Then upgrade the speakers down the road if you wish or when more cash is available.

Either way, you definitely need a powered subwoofer. A sub makes all the difference, IMO.


PS-- The Polk bookshelf speakers have been $50 on Black Friday at Best Buy for the past several years. I got a pair 2 years ago.

Something else to consider if you want floor standers ($200 shipped) http://www.amazon.com/Jamo-426-HCS-W...=operasport-20

Jamo is good stuff. Owned by Klipsch, so it has good support around it. Never heard those floorstandings before though. I never like to do things this way though. I quit spending 100-300$ on surround sound a long time ago. You'll always buy a new one. That's just me though. Now, with my MartinLogans, I'm done for a LONG time.