New Home Cinema Set up. Help needed, Advice appreciated

[admin_exported]

Hello all,

I will apologise now as I am a total newbie, when it comes to set-ups and have little or no knowledge about the brands.Please bear with me and I will try and explain what I am trying to do. I am looking to have a home cinema type set up in our new lounge and can do with all the help and advice you guys could offer.

In a nutshell - looking to get a 40-42" LED on the chimney breast wall. The fireplace 'hole' will have shelving for Virgin Box, DVD/Bluray and will have dark glass doors to hide everything. Connections from all the boxes sitting in the fireplace will go through the chimney to the back of TV, hence hopefully no wires on display.

Somebody once mentioned the idea of getting a Media Center. I was thinking of connecting my virgin broadband cable from the wireless router to the Media Center. That way I could wireless stream the music and movies from my Laptop to play on the TV. Sorry to sound stupid but, What else can a Media Center do for me? Can I record TV programmes on it. Do they come with memory or do I need to get a separate 1 Tera or 2 Tera Hard disk. I.E. can I use it to also work as Virgin or Sky + box, without having to pay Virgin a monthly fee?

What sort of features should I be looking for in a Media Center? Is there an alternative to Media Center/Memory?

In terms of sound, Are all-in-one systems are a no go when it comes to quality. What should i be looking at? I'm really sorry to sound so pathetic. An amp and a good 5.1 system? In terms of space, I think It'd be better suited to have two tall speakers either side. How could I avoid Spaghetti?

For TV, is 3D TV worth it? Is there enough content out there? Personally I find the idea of sitting in our own lounge with a pair of glasses a bit weird. Would having a Internet TV eliminate the need for Media Center completely? I.E. Can I wirelessly stream music, photos/slideshows and most importantly movies straight from my Laptop to watch on TV?

I know Im asking some broad general questions, but even if you could point me in the right direction it would be a great start. Any help, advice, suggestions or opinion you guys can offer is highly valued and greatly appreciated

 

[f1only]

Your budget for all of this is going to be?

 

[Anonymous]

GBP 1500 - 2000

 

[bigboss]

A few TVs have the ability to stream media from your laptop ot your TV. Another option is a PS3, which will also work as your blu-ray player, although many of the current blu-ray players also have the ability.

3D or not is a personal choice. I do not see a need for 3D at home for myself for the next 3-4 years.

For best sound performance, a separates system (an amp & a good 5.1 system) is the way to go. You can have wireless rear speakers if you want.

Does your budget include the TV as well?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, upto and around 2k including TV.

I've looked at a few Media Center's since my original post. The top end ones which seem to provide HD video and sound cost more than my total budget alone! Also I'm not sure if I really need a high spec computer as such in my living room.

I just need a box that will allow me to wirelessly stream music, and video from my laptop and upscale the sound and video quality. (Does a HD LED TV do the video upscaling anyway?) And I need it to work as a PVR as well. Would it be better to get these as separates?

I appreciate all your comments opinion and advice

 

[Anonymous]

P.S. I didnt mention before but I'm not really bothered much about gaming