lsilver
04-11-2007, 07:56 PM
I'm moving in a few weeks, which has given me the opportunity to upgrade my 10 year old home theater system. I'd appreciate feedback on my proposed setup and any specific equipment recommendations.
ENVIRONMENT
2 bedroom apartment on the bottom corner. The building is fairly well built but I still need to be concerned with disturbing my new neighbors. Living room viewing distance to TV is approximately 12 feet. Bedroom viewing distance is approximately 8 feet.
GOALS
1. Good sound/video quality in my main viewing area (living room).
2. Decent sound/video quality in my bedroom.
3. Share TIVO Series 3 between living and bedroom.
4. Improve my DVD video quality (not necessarily HD / Bluray though).
5. Listen to my IPOD through receiver(s) (would be great for both rooms but not necessarily a requirement).
6. Connect TIVO to Slingbox (original aka Classic).
CURRENT EQUIPMENT
1. Yamaha A/V Receiver (forget the model but it was pretty good when purchased 10 years ago - 5.1 DD/DTS)
2. Sony DVD Player (about 5 years old)
3. B&W DM 601 (original) front and center channel speakers
4. Rear speakers by a company that was/is owned by B&W - mounted
5. Magnavox 32" LCD HDTV (ok video, horrible sound but it was free)
6. TIVO Series 3
7. Slingbox (original/classic)
8. Video IPOD
PROPOSED NEW EQUIPMENT (category, not specific model)
1. New A/V Receiver w/min. 2 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output (video/audio), IPOD Connector, min. 6.1
2. app. 50" HDTV
3. New 6.1 speakers
4. New upscaling HDMI DVD
5. RF/IR Universal Remote
6. Various cables
BUDGET
This is a tough one. I really didn't plan on moving so I haven't budgeted anything for a new home theater setup. Plus I have to buy quite a bit of furniture and accessories. I want to spend as little as I can to meet my current goals. My guess is I'll live here for a couple of years and then move into a proper house with a proper home theater room. I figure I'll have to spend around $3k but again, if I can get away with less and still have a decent system that would be great.
SETUP
LIVING ROOM: New HDTV, New A/V Receiver, New Speakers, New DVD
BEDROOM: Existing HDTV, Existing A/V Receiver, Existing Speakers, Existing DVD
SHARED: TIVO Series 3 shared with living room (via HDMI into A/V Receiver) and bedroom (via Component video / optical audio into A/V Receiver) and Slingbox (via S-video, composite audio)
THOUGHTS?
Does this setup make sense given my goals? Any specific recommendations for equipment?
Thanks!
ENVIRONMENT
2 bedroom apartment on the bottom corner. The building is fairly well built but I still need to be concerned with disturbing my new neighbors. Living room viewing distance to TV is approximately 12 feet. Bedroom viewing distance is approximately 8 feet.
GOALS
1. Good sound/video quality in my main viewing area (living room).
2. Decent sound/video quality in my bedroom.
3. Share TIVO Series 3 between living and bedroom.
4. Improve my DVD video quality (not necessarily HD / Bluray though).
5. Listen to my IPOD through receiver(s) (would be great for both rooms but not necessarily a requirement).
6. Connect TIVO to Slingbox (original aka Classic).
CURRENT EQUIPMENT
1. Yamaha A/V Receiver (forget the model but it was pretty good when purchased 10 years ago - 5.1 DD/DTS)
2. Sony DVD Player (about 5 years old)
3. B&W DM 601 (original) front and center channel speakers
4. Rear speakers by a company that was/is owned by B&W - mounted
5. Magnavox 32" LCD HDTV (ok video, horrible sound but it was free)
6. TIVO Series 3
7. Slingbox (original/classic)
8. Video IPOD
PROPOSED NEW EQUIPMENT (category, not specific model)
1. New A/V Receiver w/min. 2 HDMI inputs, 1 HDMI output (video/audio), IPOD Connector, min. 6.1
2. app. 50" HDTV
3. New 6.1 speakers
4. New upscaling HDMI DVD
5. RF/IR Universal Remote
6. Various cables
BUDGET
This is a tough one. I really didn't plan on moving so I haven't budgeted anything for a new home theater setup. Plus I have to buy quite a bit of furniture and accessories. I want to spend as little as I can to meet my current goals. My guess is I'll live here for a couple of years and then move into a proper house with a proper home theater room. I figure I'll have to spend around $3k but again, if I can get away with less and still have a decent system that would be great.
SETUP
LIVING ROOM: New HDTV, New A/V Receiver, New Speakers, New DVD
BEDROOM: Existing HDTV, Existing A/V Receiver, Existing Speakers, Existing DVD
SHARED: TIVO Series 3 shared with living room (via HDMI into A/V Receiver) and bedroom (via Component video / optical audio into A/V Receiver) and Slingbox (via S-video, composite audio)
THOUGHTS?
Does this setup make sense given my goals? Any specific recommendations for equipment?
Thanks!