Credit Crunch Cinema!

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Bes

Bes

Bes

Soldato
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Forgive my alluring alliteration, but I have misled you all slightly with the title... I'm merely after a budget living room setup for my new pad... (Not just films)

Seeing as I am paying for it all, the GF gets no say whatsoever (and that's the way it should be :D), so I am proposing two systems...

Firstly, sound shall be provided by my delightful AudioLab HiFi and JMLab floorstanders... I am sticking with a 2.0 setup for now because I am going to need to spend a fair bit to get the rest of the sound system up to scratch....

So for now, I am looking to sort the screen and some kind of input device out initially. We shan't be getting Sky on account of it being an utter waste of money, so freeview and some form of media player is the way forward for me...

I need advice on what media player to invest in, and possibly a freeview reciever too:

System I

Panasonic TH-42PX80B £628
DVD/ Blu Ray device £?

System II

Optoma HD700X LCD Projector & Screen £429.99
~26" Sharp/ Sony/ Hitachi TV w/ freeview £250-ish
DVD/ Blu Ray device £?
Freeview box for projector £?

Which of the two systems would you go for and any suggestions for the missing components?

I would like to know whether you think the combo of PJ and small TV is better than the single 42"-er too?

Thanks for any suggestions
 
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Bes said:
System I

Panasonic TH-42PX80B £628
DVD/ Blu Ray device £?
Click to expand...

The 42PX80B is down to £599 + 10% for 5yr warranty. It's the best 42" for SD and I'm hopefully going to pick one up on Thrs.

It has a built in Freeview tuner but if you were to buy a PS3 for Blurays then you could also add the Sony PlayTV for £60 which would give you a Freeview PVR.

Another option would be to go for th Sony KDL-42V4000 LCD + Bluray player + 5yr warranty deal for £699 which everyone seems to be doing. The deal originally included an older spec Bluray player but it seems these are now out of stock. Some stores are now including the updated Bluray player and some are even swapping for a PS3 !!!

The Sony is a 1080 screen though and apprantely doesn't do a very good job of upscaling SD.
 
Thanks for the suggestion, but I am thinking I would rather stick with a Plasma screen for now.

So the PS3 & Sony PlayTV gives you a PVR function as well as a Blu- Ray player (and games console)? That seems rather good value if true....
 
So would you say a total budget of under £1k max.

Obviously a projector would be great, but then if you spend a lot of time watching during the day, or have a lot of light coming into your room, coupled with 60-70% 26incher and 30-40% proj usage would it really be worth it.

Also how far away do yoo sit from the proposed screen, and will you also be plugging in your hi-fi, if not, then I recommend you do?

The px80 is a great price, of what about picking up maybe a larger PZ80 / 81 (freesat tuner) in 46 inch size ? Can't honestly remember if it is within your budget.
 
Yes the hi fi will be going into the screen- viewing distance will be circa 10ft.

The PZ80/81 is the 'higher' definition version of the PX80, correct? If so, I don't think I will go for this, as it is simply too expensive, and with too little benefit.

To be honest, we're not massive TV people, for us it's mainly the news and films/ episodes of Lost or whatever- so I guess from that point of view, a projector option sort of makes sense maybe?
 
Bes said:
Yes the hi fi will be going into the screen- viewing distance will be circa 10ft.

The PZ80/81 is the 'higher' definition version of the PX80, correct? If so, I don't think I will go for this, as it is simply too expensive, and with too little benefit.
Click to expand...

Ah kk about the same as me. I don't know what you are like, but even at my 10ft my 50 can sometimes feel a little small when watching an epic film say transformers or independence day. I upgraded from a 42 as it was too small at this distance and just didn't do it for me anymore, upgraditis = :(;)

I only recommended the PZ range because they go up to 46inches, but for the same price you get get a projector and a PS3, and possibly a small LCD. So scratch that one :D

To be honest, we're not massive TV people, for us it's mainly the news and films/ episodes of Lost or whatever- so I guess from that point of view, a projector option sort of makes sense maybe?
Click to expand...

Definately go for the projector. Streaming lost/tv programs is easily done through a PC/PS3, then films also off the PC/PS3, into a nice BIG screen and great stereo setup. 26inch shold be fine as your not really tv people, s I think I have answered how you already have :D

I can't recomend a PS3 enough. Blu-rays (if you get into them) look fantastic off it, and it is the fastest loading player out there, dvd-upscaling is sensational and can only be beaten by a dedicated upscaler (say an opp, but more £££), plus streaming off a linked pc/laptop is a joy and easy to use.

For a freeviewbox, surely even a cheap LCD will come with one, then just get another freeview box for the projector. They can be had dirt cheap nowadays. Also think about a universal remote to control everything (bar the PS3 which needs a blutooth- IR converter like the IR2BT).

We expect pics when setup :p
 
What about one and two? :-) A LCD or plasma for TV, gaming and browsing. Then a projector with drop down screen that goes in front of the lcd/plasma for movies.
 
Dont suppose you live near newcastle? im letting my optoma hd65 go for 350 quid, but cant be assed to deliver lol
 
Moving to Leeds soon mate, so I'll keep it in mind ;)

Why are you selling by the way just out of interest? Don't you like it?
 
Yep!

Projector needs its bulb replaced every 2-3,000 hours use, 3hours daily use 2-3 years, cost 100 notes each for that make & model. Plasma No bulb but smaller screen.

I've got a Projector too (Sanyo Z3) the 'wow factor is a fair bit more than a plasma but at the end of the day its your choice.
 
I won't even use it for 10 hrs a week, let alone 3 hrs a day, so no problem there... £100 is very cheap for a projector bulb anyway IMO.
 
Bes said:
I won't even use it for 10 hrs a week, let alone 3 hrs a day, so no problem there... £100 is very cheap for a projector bulb anyway IMO.
Click to expand...

Bulbs are closer to £250. I would only use a bulb type projector for movies, for normal TV you'll go through bulbs much sooner.
 
Bes said:
Moving to Leeds soon mate, so I'll keep it in mind ;)

Why are you selling by the way just out of interest? Don't you like it?
Click to expand...

I love it, but i split with my girlfriend and im now back down my mothers house, dont really have anywhere to use it.
 
OK so forget the screen for now....

For media playing, am I best of going PS3+ PS3 Play (DTV tuner/ recorder) or a seperate tuner and Blu Ray player/ DVD upscaler?

Will Blu Ray look as good on a 720p solution as a 1024p solution from a 12ft or so viewing distance?

Thanks
 
Ok so after some more reasearch I am:

-Going to use a 21" CRT for every- day viewing for now
-Get a projector for movies/ etc

But I want to know:

-For DIVX, etc playback should I get a PopCorn Hour, or can a Playstation 3 do this just as well?

-If I don't get a PS3 to do the above, what is the best thing to do for a Blu- Ray/ DVD upscaler for the projector?

Thanks
 
a ps3 should be able to play your divx fine.

i play all mine on my xbox 360 which is of a similar media capability i guess :)
 
Bes said:
Will Blu Ray look as good on a 720p solution as a 1024p solution from a 12ft or so viewing distance?
Thanks
Click to expand...
my 42" 720p screen won't really look any worse that a 1080 one from 2.5m. If you're heading toward 50" then maybe it will make a difference.

PS3 does divx and xvid fine.
Are you able to black out your room to use with a projector?
 
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