Got New Plasma- What would you guys get next?

[admin_exported]

Hi guys I've just bought a Panny 37PX80 HD Ready Plasma, and am now thinking of the next step. I currently have a Virgin V box (no PVR) and a DVD player.

I'm keen to have some way of recording TV, so am thinking of V+ with the hard disc recorder. Then perhaps a dvd recorder to back this up, and get the benefit of HDMI upscaling of DVDs. I like the idea of getting some better sound than the plasma's own speakers, but don't want (for the time being) 5.1 with wires going everywhere.

My question is not about particular equipment and model numbers, but more asking for general views about how you guys would go about accessorizing the above. For example:

If I want to record from the cable connection, what's better - V+ box and separate DVD-R, or V box and separate DVD-R/PVR combo? How does Blu-Ray fit in - would it have to be a separate system, or can any of the ones out there perform some of the tasks above.

I'm sure there must be people who've had the same questions, your help is much appreciated!!!

 

[professorhat]

I'd go for the V+ box - recording things using this will be a lot easier than trying to get a separate DVD / HDD recorder to talk to the ordinary V box and record things this way. You can then get a separate DVD recorder if you wanted to archive stuff off the V+ box.

Blu-Ray would have to separate at this time as they're aren't currently any Blu-Ray recorders available in the UK. This may change now that Freesat is available, but I think it'll be sometime till we see them over here. The PS3 is supposed to have PlayTV coming soon which will make it a PVR for Freeview, but you wouldn't be able to use this with your V box so not sure if this is any good for you.

On the sound system, I'd get a basic stereo or AV amp first with a couple of basic standmount speakers. Hook your V / V+ box and DVD player to this for decent stereo sound which will far surpass your TV's sound. Getting an AV amp would allow you to upgrade to surround sound at a later date simply by adding a centre speaker, two rears and a sub if you wanted to.

 

[Anonymous]

That's kind of what I was thinking - it's a bit of a shame that there isn't a good all-in-one solution yet, which records, plays blu-ray and offers surround sound.

I seem to get stuck between two camps

a) getting the best possible now with the intention of keeping it for ages, or

b) going for a cheaper alternative which does the basics I need now, and not worrying about completely replacing it later.

I went for the 37PX80 because it fitted b) whilst actually also fitting a) for the size TV - bit of a no brainer actually. Be great if there were similar no-brainers in the DVD / Blu-Ray / Surround Sound worlds.

 

[professorhat]

Well, there are all in one Blu-Ray surround sound systems available (Samsung has one available now I believe and others are on the way). However, none of these will record as far as I'm aware...