Help with my new home cinema...

[admin_exported]

Just looking for a little help deciding...

I was looking to upgrade my aging old Pioneer all-in-one DVD home cinema system to a blu-ray one so started looking around. I found a Panasonic SC-BT205 which seemed to fit the bill perfectly, and reading the reviews, looked just right for what I wanted, although this would be harder to upgrade further down the line it ties in nicely with my Panasonic TH-50PX70 TV. I found this system on the Richer Sounds website for a reasonable price but while I was there I foolishly clicked on the home cinema seperates section, where they combine some of the best (in their opinion) seperates and give you a great deal on them. I was lured in by the Onkyo deal which compromised of Blu-ray Player - Onkyo DVBD507, Receiver Onkyo - TXSR607 and 6 Speaker Package - Onkyo SKSHT528 all for £649.95 (which is about what I would like to spend) instead of £1029 (if you beleive that). I wanted to look into in seperate system and found a few others which might be better, but not with the same level of deal as that.

So I can either:

a) go for the Panasonic and risk not being able to upgrade seperately or have as much adjustability

b) go for the Onkyo system an accept that the individuals aren't quite as good as others on the market but comfort myself with the price saving

c) go for a Sony BDP-S360 player (£130) and fit it with either:

1. a Sony STR-DH800 (to save money) or Denon AVR 1910 or Sony STR-DA2400ES (more money but supposably better)

2. the money I save on the receiver (STR-DH800) to go on a good speaker package (Q Acoustics 1010i 5.1 or 2020i 5.1 or equivalant)

3. the money I spend on the receiver will mean I have to cut back on the speakers and get some Jamo A102HCS5's or equivalant

4. use my Dads old Mortdaunt-Short MS 3.10 stand mounted speakers (excellent condition) and buy the other necessary bits seperate

5. any combination of the above or any other suggestions, I'm in way over my head here!

Cheers guys

Diamond

 

[Messiah]

I would go for the Sony BD player and DH800 Receiver with the Q Acoustics 1010i.

Will be a very good system for that money!

 

[Andy Clough]

I'd second that. Both Sony components were Award winners in 2009 and represent fantastic value for money. They'll work a treat with the Q Acoustics speakers.

 

[lobby]

Had a look at that system you found on RS website and it's not very good, the amp is excellent but speakers and blu-ray player aren't neither is the price.I think most forum members will agree, So i would start with a £250 - 300 amp and seeing as the Onkyo 607 is now down to £300 thats you best bet. Speakers Q Acoustic 1010i upgradeable brill price at £350, Add the Sony 360 at £119. Don't forget speaker cable QED micro will be fine, Sub cable QED Performance £30, speaker stands and wallbrackets. 2 hdmi cables again QED, or Chord. This will be probably Closer to £1000 so another alternative buy blu-ray player first and the rest in stages or look for something cheaper. The jamo's are great for first time seperates but you can't really upgrade the speakers unless replacing the whole speaker system, so £200- 250 amp should be fine. Q Acoustics can be added to with 1020i 1030i 1050i if you have the room.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help guys, think I'm going with the Sony BDP-S360, STR-DH800 and the Q Acoustics 1010i's, and I should be happy there.

My only concern was when comparing the Denon AVR 1910 with the Sony on the tech specs, the Denon has video upscaling and video conversion to 1080p, the Sony does not.

How much of a difference will this make if comparing the two side by side when outfitted with the other combination?

 

[Anonymous]

My other question is regarding positioning and mounting?

I'm moving house soon and hopefully this will make it easier to run the cables and set everything up as it's a new build so I have an empty room to wok with. I want my TV mounting on the wall, but don't know the best place to put it, or how to best hide the cables. I'm thinking about running the cables to the rear speakers under the carpet, but don't know how to best hide the others, or how to mount them?

Front, centre and rear speakers - stands or wall mounts and what placing?

I have a layout, but can't figure how to post it here

 

[Anonymous]

Anyone got any ideas on the last two posts?

 

[Anonymous]

I had the same issue as my sofa is against my wall.

So got two MS wall brackets, put them about 6 inches away from the end of my sofa, and about 6-10 inches above my head.

Remember the rear are for effects only, so it wont make a huge difference, but just above the head is the standard from what I read.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi clfno. When you say it's a new build, do you have the opportunity to chase the cables in the wall ? Are any of the walls stud, or are they solid ? If you're starting from scratch, then chasing/fishing and using audio/video faceplates will keep it looking neat.

As regards to your front l/c/r speakers - I'd personally go for stands rather than wall mounting, simply because you might fancy upgrading to floorstanders one day ( there's a high chance this will happen !), and this will negate the need for making your walls good again.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again guys.

It is new build but its almost complete so no chance of chasing the cables into the wall and no stud walls I'm afraid. Will just have to run the rears under the carpet and tidy them up the best I can. Will go for some floor standers for the front left and right speakers, and mount the centre on my cabinet below the TV mounted on the wall.

Can anyone help clear up the issue with the receiver and the upscaling?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Not sure what you want to upscale, but the Sony player will upscale DVDs, so if that's all you're concerned about there's nothing in it between the two receivers.

 

[Anonymous]

In the tech specs it says that the Denon will provide video upconversion and video upscaling to 1080p, whereas the Sony will not do this.

Sorry for sounding dumb but what does this actually mean and what difference will it make to either?

 

[Anonymous]

I'm just going to take it for granted that I won't be ale to see any tangible difference between the two AV receivers with regards to the conversion and upscaling properties and plump for the Sony receiver, I will be saving myself some initial outlay and this will comfort me somewhat, plus I can always upgrade at a later date

 

[scene]

I think this is a wise choice, a which is better at upscaling - Player, Amp or Display - is a very movable feast and can only really be judged on what you find.

You can compare the Sony BD to the Panny screen for upscaling - I suspect that the player will take the crown, but you can never be certain.

If you're unhappy with the Sony as an upscaler, rather than buying a new amp down the line, you could get a good (region-free) upscaling DVD player. (Hey - you can get a re-furbed Tosh XDE-500 for £40!)

 

[professorhat]

clfno1:In the tech specs it says that the Denon will provide video upconversion and video upscaling to 1080p, whereas the Sony will not do this.
Sorry for sounding dumb but what does this actually mean and what difference will it make to either?

See here for descriptions on upscaling and upconversion. Basically, if the Blu-Ray player is the main source, it's not really important as it's likely the player will be a better upscaler than the amp.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks again guys, this has cleared up the issue.

Basically with regards to upscaling I'll leave it to either my TV or the BD as I think they'll be more than competant. I also have a Panasonic DVD-S54EB-K in the bedroom in case I need another option!