Sitting on my hands is getting harder every issue and I need (want) to upgrade but to what ?

[admin_exported]

I really want to upgrade my system but I dont want to spend the earth - maybe two and a half grand.

Currently I have.

PD4200 Hitatchi Plamsa, Yamaha RX-V1400RDS, Cambridge Audio DVD 540, Sky HD , PS3 All using component with 5x M&K K5's 2 x M&K K3's & MK K10 subwoofer. The hitatchi seems to run ok at 1080i accepting inputs from the Yamaha on component from SkyHD and PS3.

I want to put the older kit to use in the bedrrom after an update but I have several questions.

Onkyo 875 linked with a Samsung 40" LCD TV 1080P to replace the current panel and run everything at 1080p. The only thing is I am scared of LCD TV's I love my plasma and dont want to sacrifice what I have when I could spend a little more on the TV and not worry about motion blur or pixel drop off (dont know if this happens on TV's but I have seen it enough on monitors)

I really want 1080p and a system that has all the decoding for the new formats. Blu-ray is taken care of through the PS3 but I also need to update the DVD player and going HD-DVD makes sense but I need multi-region as most of my collection is Region 1.

So what TV is as good ? I was thinking the Samsung LE40M87BD but again I dont know if a plasma would come up trumps and if so which Plasma ?

I dont want to change the speakers so I will need a new set for the bedroom but I want something small and discrete - not blaring either and no more than 2 or 3 - possibly evern a sound bar so i dont have to run cables. The other issue is that the PD4200 is so heavy and would need a stand/wall mount - down stairs this is easy as its mounted on an external wall but in the bedroom it would be an internal wall that is not strong enough - but as usual the room is not huge.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated - I dont want to wait for ever as I saw the Onkyo and wanted it but waited until the Sep issue to see the other contenders but still the Onkyo is still my favourite.

Thank you

 

[Clare Newsome]

Sorry, but I think your hands should get a few more pins and needles...
It's not our fault: the TV manufacturers release all their new flagship (ie 40-42in) sets to be in shops for Sept/October and the lead up to Christmas.

That means we're only just now taking delivery of the new-season sets - LCD and plasma; HD Ready and Full HD - and testing them. Early indications show these are the most accomplished flatscreens there have ever been, and I really wouldn't want to you race off and buy something now when a brand-new set would offer more for the money.

If you can hang on until Thursday 20th September (weekend before for subscribers), we'll have in-depth tests of 10 big-brand sets for you, plus a Group Test of affordable upscaling DVD players. And the £400 receiver shootout, too.

As I said, we're testing as fast (but thoroughly...) as we can!

 

[Anonymous]

Well I sat on my hands for as long as I could and ended up buying the Onkyo TX-SR875 which sounds great. I am still waiting for my TV to be delivered a Panasonic TH-42PZ70. I still am in desperate need of a new DVD player. Looking at the reviews I dont want to spend out for a HD DVD Player so is there something out there that a. Must be MultiRegion and b. support at least some of the features in the Onkyo ?

Ideas would be appreciated as I have an extensive collection which I still want to be able to enjoy/

 

[Andrew Everard]

I'd buy a multiregioned Marantz DV7001, me...

 

[Anonymous]

I was hoping not to spend more than £250 - £300 as I was hoping the Onkyo would do the upscaling and I would wait for the format war to end with a victor before I go for a proper blue ray or hd dvd player so I dont mind being a little tight on the dvd budget but am I robbing myself of quality with something like the SamsungHD870 ?

 

[Andrew Everard]

As a stopgap the Samsung would be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you Andrew for information - much appreciated.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Noelly"]

Onkyo 875 linked with a Samsung 40" LCD TV 1080P to replace the current panel and run everything at 1080p.

[/quote]

How do you intend to run everything at 1080p? Sky HD at best is 1080i....

 

[Andrew Everard]

Frankly at that size I'd keep your current TV and stick with 1080i. I don't think 1080p will give you a huge leap in quality, but that's just my 2p's worth

 

[Anonymous]

The reason I should be able to run everything at 1080p is that the Onkyo TX-SR875 has its own upscaller and I can input sky at 1080i and the Onkyo should output 1080p

I do hope so as I have ordered my tv now