I am looking to upgrade my home cinema system sometime this year and mightily confused on which direction to go. I have had this set up for quite a few years now and wondering whether I am really missing out on enhanced viewing and listening. I currently have a Pioneer 50in Plasma PDP HDE50, Arcam AVR300, Arcam DV79 and KEF 5005 surround speakers and KEF PSW2500. Currently watching HD TV via Virgin media. I also send music to the system from my pc via the Logitech squeeze box which works quite well. I am not sure whether to hang on for another year and see what develops with regards TV’s as not convinced by 3D and as I was very happy with Arcam may wait to see if they enhance their poorly reviewed Blu-Ray player. My wife stipulates minimalist cables and unobtrusive speakers- the rest is up to me. I am tempted to go bigger on the screen as the room came take it and like the look of the Panasonic 65in plasma but not sure 1920x1080 will look as good as it would on a 50in. I was wondering if screen definitions will increase above 1920x1080 over the next year and keen to get an insight as to how things are developing. Being used to Arcam upgrade options I was caught out by the lack of an Arcam upgrade on the AVR300 and not having HDMI as things developed further was very disappointing. The output quality of the DV79 and Pioneer Plasma was and is pretty good, but ……..the big question is am I really missing out on Blu-Ray performance (visually & sonically) and improved display from a more recent plasma? I am frustrated & confused with the myriad of kit out there now and I am loathed to part with a lot of hard earned money and get a system that will be out of date rapidly and so at a loss as what to do. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
not sure what to do next
- Thread starter admin_exported
- Start date
If you're not too far away you'll see the difference from SD or even upscaled SD to real 1920 x 1080. Don't worry about HD resolution not being up to a 65" screen; it looks great on my 2m wide projector screen at 3m!
You'd also hear a difference in HD audio if you get comparable quality amplification, and haivng demod recently I think sound quality at a price point has definitely improved.
Other people may be able to better advise, but I'm not expecting to see in the UK in the next year any TVs or sources appearing with a higher resolution that 1920x1080. Toshiba are promising no glasses 3D, if that's of interest, but I'm not convinced it will appear. I think if you get a TV with good network and online connectivity it will do you for a good few years.
I also think if you get an HDMI 1.4 receiver you'll be fine with it for a fair few years.
You'd also hear a difference in HD audio if you get comparable quality amplification, and haivng demod recently I think sound quality at a price point has definitely improved.
Other people may be able to better advise, but I'm not expecting to see in the UK in the next year any TVs or sources appearing with a higher resolution that 1920x1080. Toshiba are promising no glasses 3D, if that's of interest, but I'm not convinced it will appear. I think if you get a TV with good network and online connectivity it will do you for a good few years.
I also think if you get an HDMI 1.4 receiver you'll be fine with it for a fair few years.
thanks for your input some useful pointers - much appreciated. Are the KEF 5005 speakers worth an upgrade?
HNorthvel,
Why not consider buying a bluray player with analogue connections so you can get the HD sound into your Arcam receiver? That way the Bluray player does all the work
Why not consider buying a bluray player with analogue connections so you can get the HD sound into your Arcam receiver? That way the Bluray player does all the work
HNorthvel,
Why not consider buying a bluray player with analogue connections so you can get the HD sound into your Arcam receiver? That way the Bluray player does all the work I have a Sony 760 which is sublime for picture and sound quality and has these connections. Why not consider this option as you can use your existing kit and see blurays on your Pioneer plasma?
Best wishes
Chris
Why not consider buying a bluray player with analogue connections so you can get the HD sound into your Arcam receiver? That way the Bluray player does all the work I have a Sony 760 which is sublime for picture and sound quality and has these connections. Why not consider this option as you can use your existing kit and see blurays on your Pioneer plasma?
Best wishes
Chris
Andrew17321
Well-known member
- Nov 12, 2008
- 25
- 3
- 18,545
I also have an AVR300 and I intend to keep it as I am happy with it for surround sound, and if I get a blue-ray player I shall get one with 5.1 analogues out. I was in a Sony shop on Saturday asking about blue-ray players and was told that none of the current sony player have surround analogues out. So I guess we shall be looking at other makes!
Andrew
Andrew
I think that you're absolutely fine with the 5005s. I don't think that they're out of date in any way and if you're happy with the sound then I wouldn't bother upgrading. I heard them when demoing various style speakers a couple of years ago and they were very good.
I think for music especially changing the sub will give you an improvement, but if you're happy then there's no need.
Sorry, yes, should have thought about the option of getting a plyer with analogu outs. It's definitely an option. Though it didn't get great reviews on here, but has elsewhere, I have a Samsung BD-C6900 that has analogue outs and internet connectivity, is well made, and to me is a great performer.
I think for music especially changing the sub will give you an improvement, but if you're happy then there's no need.
Sorry, yes, should have thought about the option of getting a plyer with analogu outs. It's definitely an option. Though it didn't get great reviews on here, but has elsewhere, I have a Samsung BD-C6900 that has analogue outs and internet connectivity, is well made, and to me is a great performer.
reassuring to hear I needn't have to upgrade the whole kit - thanks for the advice and pointers, will keep me occupied a while investigating the blu ray players. Thanks again
If you are happy with your Arcam then keep it as it is a great receiver. Look at something like a Cambridge Audio 650 BD or Oppo 93 blu ray player and as previously stated use the multi channel analogue outputs and let the blu ray player decode the HD audio.
The KEF speakers are still very good and I would say upgrade to a decent blu ray and take it from ther. You may well be more than happy.
Possibly look at a sub upgrade too
I cannot comment on TV's as I know very little about them re spec etc.
Regards
ric71
The KEF speakers are still very good and I would say upgrade to a decent blu ray and take it from ther. You may well be more than happy.
Possibly look at a sub upgrade too
I cannot comment on TV's as I know very little about them re spec etc.
Regards
ric71
If you are happy with your Arcam then keep it as it is a great receiver. Look at something like a Cambridge Audio 650 BD or Oppo 93 blu ray player and as previously stated use the multi channel analogue outputs and let the blu ray player decode the HD audio.
The KEF speakers are still very good and I would say upgrade to a decent blu ray and take it from ther. You may well be more than happy.
Possibly look at a sub upgrade too
I cannot comment on TV's as I know very little about them re spec etc.
Regards
ric71
The KEF speakers are still very good and I would say upgrade to a decent blu ray and take it from ther. You may well be more than happy.
Possibly look at a sub upgrade too
I cannot comment on TV's as I know very little about them re spec etc.
Regards
ric71
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram