Another home theater thread

[arsenal]

So the time has finally come for me to step into the world of home theater.
Currently, I have a 36" tube. Got a nice vacation pay out from my last employer, so i am going to splurge a bit.

TV:
This is the TV I am pretty much set on:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t....html?tag=rnav
For the price, I don't think there is a better TV out there.

Noticed this receiver on the Best Buy website today:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...gon=&langid=EN
It's currently on sale (until the 19th), is this a good receiver? I honestly know nothing about them. It looks like it does 7.1, 3 HDMI, 3 Optical inputs, and 1 HDMI, 1 Optical outputs.
Looking at the visions site, it looks like this is a decent price for the receiver. I know pioneer is decent quality.

The speakers if anyone has ideas, I am pretty clueless when it comes to those as well. I kind of read over at one of the audio video forums that speakers are kind of personal preference.

I was previously thinking of purchasing everything from visions, and see if they will move on the price at all. But that receiver looks to be a pretty decent deal.

Cables and such I will get from monoprice, once I get all the components and figure out exactly what I have and what I need still.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by arsenal

Cables and such I will get from monoprice, once I get all the components and figure out exactly what I have and what I need still.

I would go and order 4 HDMI cables from monoprice right now so you don't feel tempted to run out and buy them while you are waiting for them to arrive once you get your stuff.

[ken0042]

Have you factored in getting an HD box for Shaw/Bell/Star Choice?

Because there is no point in buying a $2000 TV over a $1200 one if you aren't going to get an HD box. Better to get the $1200 TV, $600 on the box.

HD box + low end HDTV>>>>>> SD box + high end HDTV.

[arsenal]

yup. Going to get the HD box from shaw as well.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by arsenal

TV:
This is the TV I am pretty much set on:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t....html?tag=rnav
For the price, I don't think there is a better TV out there.

Last winter, I bought the 65" version, the 65PZ750U. This year's 800U's are supposed to be even better. You might consider the 850u's since I think they have 24p processing, and the 800's dont.

I love my TV, but, I do have one complaint about it; when using it as a PC monitor, there is a minor problem. If there is a super dark color (like a title bar) on a white backround, the white shades a little darker on either side of the bar. It doesnt happen during media watching however, its the static image and contrast that causes it. Hopefully, that is improved this year. Aside from that, the TV has been perfect.

I bought mine at Vann's, in Kalispell Montana. It was $4500 US at the time, and $9,000 Cdn here. With the par dollar, it was a total no brainer. There was no duty because Panasonics are made in Mexico. Depending on what prices you are finding here, you might consider a trip to Kalispell. They have it listed at $2000 US.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/ca...l-televisions/

[the lemming]

I'm not much of a techie but last year around Christmas time I bought the Panasonic TH50PZ77 and it has been great. I did a fair amount of looking around with my brother, who is big into electronics, and the Panasonic seemed like a no brainer in terms of bang for the buck. Mind you I was limiting myself to getting a plasma screen. The whole plasma vs. lcd is another debate.

As far as the receiver goes, I know even less about those then TV's. I bought my brother's old Pioneer Elite Series receiver and DVD player off of him. They have both been more then adequate for my needs.

Not sure I've provided much assistance but I just wanted to weigh in that in my humble opinion you look to have picked out two pretty nice pieces of equipment.

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by Draug

Last winter, I bought the 65" version, the 65PZ750U. This year's 800U's are supposed to be even better. You might consider the 850u's since I think they have 24p processing, and the 800's dont.

I love my TV, but, I do have one complaint about it; when using it as a PC monitor, there is a minor problem. If there is a super dark color (like a title bar) on a white backround, the white shades a little darker on either side of the bar. It doesnt happen during media watching however, its the static image and contrast that causes it. Hopefully, that is improved this year. Aside from that, the TV has been perfect.

I bought mine at Vann's, in Kalispell Montana. It was $4500 US at the time, and $9,000 Cdn here. With the par dollar, it was a total no brainer. There was no duty because Panasonics are made in Mexico. Depending on what prices you are finding here, you might consider a trip to Kalispell. They have it listed at $2000 US.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/ca...l-televisions/

Just checked vanns, looks like it is only about $200 less. I probably can barter the visions guys to around that price. So given that, it probably isn't worth the trip. Thanks for the link though.

What does 24p processing get you?
I did look at the 850U, but what sold me on the 800U is the THX certification. Plus I saw THX on the 58" version in visions, and it was amazing.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by arsenal

What does 24p processing get you?

In a nutshell, simply, it is the abilty to show 24 frames per second, just like the theatres do with traditional film, and like movie transfers to DVD and Blu-ray do.

Generally, most TV's display at 30 frames per second. So the DVD's that are coded at 24 frames per second need to be scaled. The effect is most noticable on a slow panning shot; you see a chop-chop-pause, chop-chop-pause sort of effect on the panning. 24p displays the frames evenly, so you get chop-chop-chop without the pause, making it harder for your eyes to detect the frames.

[You Need a Thneed]

Me and my wife are considering getting an HD flatscreen TV, but we don't have a lot of room, so we o=would be looking at about a 32", maybe a 37". Anyone know of a good value TV in that size? Is 1080p worth getting on a smaller screen? Where is the best place to buy such a TV?

Also, we were thinking about using our Airmiles to subsidize the price of the TV, we could get about $300 or so worth of gift cards, but the only places I can get gift cards for that sell TVs are HBC (Bay or Zellers) and Staples (Do they sell TVs?). Does anyone have an idea on how I can get my value out of my Airmiles?

[Meelapo]

Originally Posted by arsenal

So the time has finally come for me to step into the world of home theater.
Currently, I have a 36" tube. Got a nice vacation pay out from my last employer, so i am going to splurge a bit.

TV:
This is the TV I am pretty much set on:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-t....html?tag=rnav
For the price, I don't think there is a better TV out there.

Noticed this receiver on the Best Buy website today:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...gon=&langid=EN
It's currently on sale (until the 19th), is this a good receiver? I honestly know nothing about them. It looks like it does 7.1, 3 HDMI, 3 Optical inputs, and 1 HDMI, 1 Optical outputs.
Looking at the visions site, it looks like this is a decent price for the receiver. I know pioneer is decent quality.

The speakers if anyone has ideas, I am pretty clueless when it comes to those as well. I kind of read over at one of the audio video forums that speakers are kind of personal preference.

I was previously thinking of purchasing everything from visions, and see if they will move on the price at all. But that receiver looks to be a pretty decent deal.

Cables and such I will get from monoprice, once I get all the components and figure out exactly what I have and what I need still.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated thanks.

The receiver you quoted is the one I have and it is great. I would go with it since it's at an excellent price point (I was able to get mine for $399 from Best Buy a month ago).

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Me and my wife are considering getting an HD flatscreen TV, but we don't have a lot of room, so we o=would be looking at about a 32", maybe a 37". Anyone know of a good value TV in that size? Is 1080p worth getting on a smaller screen? Where is the best place to buy such a TV?

Also, we were thinking about using our Airmiles to subsidize the price of the TV, we could get about $300 or so worth of gift cards, but the only places I can get gift cards for that sell TVs are HBC (Bay or Zellers) and Staples (Do they sell TVs?). Does anyone have an idea on how I can get my value out of my Airmiles?

Here's a Viewing Distance Calculator.
At 32" you probably won't need 1080p but it depends on your viewing distance. Pay attention to the THX recommended viewing distances. They are a lot closer than you may be use to watching a CRT TV, so you may be able to go larger than you think. I sit about 4' away from a 32" 720p screen in my computer room and I think a 37" at 1080p would work fine also. Remember bigger is better, although it may take a little while to get comfortable with it.

http://myhometheater.homestead.com/v...alculator.html

I'd go and look at some TVs and stand at the distance you plan to watch at home and see if the picture is clear and comfortable for you.

Sony, Samsung and Sharp are considered the top three LCDs but LG and Toshiba have a decent rep also.

Here's a great deal today on a 42" plasma but look around.

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...gon=&langid=EN