new system thats idiot proof.

[farawaydave]

hope someone can help me? I'm a navy type and as such am away a lot saving the world so you can all enjoy AV in peace and security. Need a bd system for the family (me really),all ready got the 1080 plasma (th42pz80). would like something more than all in one system but needs to be pretty simple to set up and not need much tweeking. I can run the server on a type 42 destroyer so this should be a walk in the park ,however I wont be there after initial set up. you see my problem. budget £1000 ish thanks

 

[Andy Clough]

Would you (and the family) be happy with a 2.1 system, or are you looking for a 5.1 set-up? Alternatively, would you consider an all-in-one soundbar for convenience?

 

[farawaydave]

lets be brave and say 5.1 or even 6 or 7

 

[Andy Clough]

OK, you could go with the Samsung HT-BD2 which is a 7.1 home cinema in a box system which is good value at £775 (or less if you shop around) and will deliver fine Blu-ray pictures.

Otherwise it's a case of building a separates system with a surround amp/receiver, separate Blu-ray player and speaker package. You could put together a Panasonic DMP-BD35 Blu-ray player (£300), Yamaha DSP-AX763 receiver (£400) and Jamo A102HCS5 speaker package (£250) which will fit your budget and leave £50 for cables.

 

[Sorreltiger]

Regardless of what you choose, I would heartily recommend the Harmony One remote. ÿSelecting 'Watch TV' or 'Watch DVD' should be easy enough for the most technologically challenged. ÿIt works like a dream with my family (youngest = 7).

 

[farawaydave]

I like the sound of (no pun intended) the seperates system but is this or any other amp really simple to use i.e. can the settings be changed by the less tech minded amongst us or will they just totally screw up the settings and have to wait for me to sort it out?

 

[Andy Clough]

You could set it all up while you're at home, tell the family not to change the settings while you're away (!) and as suggested get a Harmony One remote programmed with a set of micros so all the family have to do is choose 'watch TV', 'watch a movie' or whatever to activate the system.

I too use a Harmony remote at home and it makes life much simpler. I haven't had to touch any of the settings on my TV, AV amp or player in ages (and nor has anyone else).

 

[pete321]

Andy Clough:

You could set it all up while you're at home, tell the family not to change the settings while you're away (!) and as suggested get a Harmony One remote programmed with a set of micros so all the family have to do is choose 'watch TV', 'watch a movie' or whatever to activate the system.

I too use a Harmony remote at home and it makes life much simpler. I haven't had to touch any of the settings on my TV, AV amp or player in ages (and nor has anyone else).

Couldn't agree more about the Harmony One, I snapped one up from Amazon recently for the ridiculous price of £72 delivered! But it's still a bargain at twice that.