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  1. #1
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    When and How do you use your system....

    My wife made an interesting comment to me a couple of days ago. She basically stated how "cool" it was that the family has been really sitting down and enjoying the HT lately. I had not really thought about it before, but she was right. When I first got started, HT was a lonely endeavor. It mainly consisted of me using my system for HT 90% of the time by myself. The other 10% was mostly background music.

    Well things have changed. First off music listening (multi & 2 chan.) is starting to increase dramatically. The wife and I will spend a few evenings per week sitting back and enjoying some tunes. For the first time, my music purchasing is taking lead. Every friday night we blast our favorites and the whole family dances the stress from the week away.

    HT has become a family thing now. We keep a nice supply of goodies and popcorn on hand. Now don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the occasional movie by myself, but I really like the enjoyment the whole family gets out of it now.


    So how about you....

    What is your music/movie ratio?

    When do you listen to music or watch a movie?

    How are you using your system? What about your family?

    Come on.....don't be shy......

  2. #2
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    We hardly ever use our system. But in the mornings, the first thing I do is turn on the music by flipping on the digi-music from the cable co.
    Then when I go out to the kitchen I stop at the living room to flip that system on the same digi-channel. During the days, my dad watches the main TV, all day! Then when I get home, I watch the main TV system. It's tough to catch up on all the HD shows the DVR records for me. Then later, I'll go to the bedroom and watch more shows that, that DVR has saved for me. Then, before sleep, I'll set it on a 90 minute timer for another digi-music channel. On weekends it gets used a little more. Even watch a movie or two.
    Other than that, I never use my systems.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  3. #3
    Suspended markw's Avatar
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    I'd have to say I use various piecs at various times, sometimes all at once.

    Confusing, eh? Well, not really. Here's the skivvy.

    When 'm just idly watching TV, flipping channels out of boredom or for the news. weather and sitcoms and the like, I just use the TV without the Denon. I don't need the "big" sound so I don't even need to turn it on. That's a benefit I derive by using the TV as the video switch.

    When I want to listen to music, which is more often than not, II just use the Denon. There's no need for the TV

    But, when we watch a movie or a "worthy " show on TV, the whole shootin' match is involved, and it all comes together.

    And, yes, Mrsw now expects good sound when we watch movies. It's no longer an option.

  4. #4
    I took a headstart... basite's Avatar
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    music, alot of my spare time is spent on music,
    I sometimes watch movies on the ht system upstairs, most of the time together with my family. I sometimes do watch some concerts (on dvd or so) on my pc though...

    but mostly music
    Life is music!

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  5. #5
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GMichael
    We hardly ever use our system. But in the mornings, the first thing I do is turn on the music by flipping on the digi-music from the cable co.
    Then when I go out to the kitchen I stop at the living room to flip that system on the same digi-channel. During the days, my dad watches the main TV, all day! Then when I get home, I watch the main TV system. It's tough to catch up on all the HD shows the DVR records for me. Then later, I'll go to the bedroom and watch more shows that, that DVR has saved for me. Then, before sleep, I'll set it on a 90 minute timer for another digi-music channel. On weekends it gets used a little more. Even watch a movie or two.
    Other than that, I never use my systems.
    Hey GM, how's everything?

    Looks like your getting some good use out of your DVR. Don't know what I'd do without my 2. Try and give that Titanic a nice workout for me every now and then.

  6. #6
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by markw
    Confusing, eh? Well, not really. Here's the skivvy.

    When 'm just idly watching TV, flipping channels out of boredom or for the news. weather and sitcoms and the like, I just use the TV without the Denon. I don't need the "big" sound so I don't even need to turn it on. That's a benefit I derive by using the TV as the video switch.

    When I want to listen to music, which is more often than not, II just use the Denon. There's no need for the TV

    But, when we watch a movie or a "worthy " show on TV, the whole shootin' match is involved, and it all comes together.

    And, yes, Mrsw now expects good sound when we watch movies. It's no longer an option.
    Hey Mark, I have my system setup the same way. No need to watch the 6am or 10pm news in full surround. I usually give HD channels, sports and American Idol for wifee, the full sound treatment.

    I even have my 2910 hooked that way.

    Hmm....wifee expects good sound.....how do you live with all that pressure

  7. #7
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by basite
    music, alot of my spare time is spent on music,
    I sometimes watch movies on the ht system upstairs, most of the time together with my family. I sometimes do watch some concerts (on dvd or so) on my pc though...

    but mostly music
    Cool. I'd have to say my listening is almost 50/50 now. Well maybe 60/40, with HT having a slight edge. This is still crazy because I use to never sit down and listen to music. Background yes, but never sitting and just enjoying.

  8. #8
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by L.J.
    Hey GM, how's everything?

    Looks like your getting some good use out of your DVR. Don't know what I'd do without my 2. Try and give that Titanic a nice workout for me every now and then.
    Doing well. What's shakin'?
    I do get a lot of use out of the DVR. Too bad it has so many glitches. I often have to unplug it and have it re-boot to clear problems. Whenever I turn it on I have to change the chanel and then back or the sound drops out every few seconds. Lots of visual artifacts from time to time. Both of them do it too. I Googled it and found that many people have the same problems with it. Even found a whole support group with hints on how to fix this and that. But it's this one or no DVR at all from my small local cable company. And too many trees for Satalite.
    My Titanic gets lots of work each week. It's good to get a thump in.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  9. #9
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
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    Hmm, I'd say I'm a good 50/50 candidate. I watch a lot more TV than DVD's these days, I love HD sports and movies, and on-demand service is the greatest thing since HBO.

    My problem is I'm so comfortable upstairs and have my HT setup configured so well that I find I use my home theater system more than I use my stereo system for music these days, even though the 2-ch rig has the better gear. Funny thing, I don't enjoy the music any less...

    Can't part with it though, sometimes my wife doesn't appreciate my choice of music, so I get banished to my stereo/practice room.

  10. #10
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
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    Our HT

    I have a separate stereo system which is what I use for music listening 95%. I'm pretty much the only person who uses it -- their choice, not dictated by me.

    The HT setup, (modest relative to the stereo), is used daily by my wife and me for TV viewing and maybe once or twice a week for DVDs. We also have another TV with a very modest stereo attached; we use this when we can't agree on what to watch on the HT. Both TVs are 27" CRTs sad to report -- my daughter has the best TV in the house, (32" LCD), in her own room, and my wife and I don't get to watch it.

  11. #11
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    I wouldn't mind having a separate room for stereo listening. We have the space but the layout of the house just won't cut it. I have some C-3's in my bedroom, but they are used for background music now. Same goes for my C-9's up front. I use my headphones sometimes too.

    If I want to sit and really listen, my main system is my only really good choice.

  12. #12
    Music / Hi-Fi enthusiast Les Adams's Avatar
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    Every day for general TV viewing and listening to the radio. Serious CD or vinyl listening only happens when the girlfriend and neigbours are out!

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  13. #13
    If you can't run-walk. Bernd's Avatar
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    We have three 2 ch systems in the house. No HT. A basic one in the dining room/office, a recreated 80s system in the Living room ( which also houses the TV) and the main system in the dedicated listening room.I never have background music on. Either I listen or I don't.
    The dedicated room is for my use only. It's where I switch off and the system on.
    My wife watches more TV than me. I can hardly find anything I like to watch. So it's mainly music for me with the odd TV program or film. I very rarely watch a DVD or a Video.
    Time issues mainly and I enjoy the music through the main system so much more than looking at a screen.

    Interesting Topic LJ.

    Peace

    "Let The Earth Bear Witness."

  14. #14
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bernd
    We have three 2 ch systems in the house. No HT. A basic one in the dining room/office, a recreated 80s system in the Living room ( which also houses the TV) and the main system in the dedicated listening room.I never have background music on. Either I listen or I don't.
    The dedicated room is for my use only. It's where I switch off and the system on.
    My wife watches more TV than me. I can hardly find anything I like to watch. So it's mainly music for me with the odd TV program or film. I very rarely watch a DVD or a Video.
    Time issues mainly and I enjoy the music through the main system so much more than looking at a screen.

    Interesting Topic LJ.

    Peace


    Hey Bernd thanks for your reply. I can tell that you have a true love for music.

  15. #15
    test the blind blindly emorphien's Avatar
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    I have a stereo and a home theater. The stereo is 100% music and my usage really depends on my mood, stress and how much time I spend at home rather than on campus working on whatever. Sometimes it's background music, probably 70% of the time right now, and the rest of the time I'm paying full attention to it.

    The HT is probably 95+% home theater and the rest music. We don't use the TV speakers so whenever someone watches TV, fires up the Xbox, watches a DVD or whatever, the HT is on. It gets more play time than my stereo does a lot of the time.

  16. #16
    Suspended topspeed's Avatar
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    My main rig is on most of the time we're at home, although I'm not usually the one watching/listening to it. While I prefer music, I simply don't have the time to sit down and listen to tunes at volume levels I like unless it's the weekend and/or the wife and kids are gone (which is rare). I used to have more time, but with the boys now in multiple sports...volunteering Dear 'ol Dad as coach no less...finding the moments to sit and critically listen are becoming more and more rare. 'Course, this really isn't a problem. Choosing between spending time with the boys and spending time with my rig isn't much of a choice, is it?

  17. #17
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    I am a victim of circumstance right now,I broke my heel last Sept. and have been off work since then,just had surgery two weeks ago so I'm down another 3 or 4 months,since then I have really gotten to know my system by myself,you would think I would be in heaven but I sure would like to sit with my wife and watch some movies but alas she doesn't see the importance,or the big deal.She does watch concerts with me once in a while,and the kids are grown and gone.So I'm officially inviting anyone close to come over any time and watch movies or game with me
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  18. #18
    Suspended PeruvianSkies's Avatar
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    both...

    My setup is used for just about everything, TV, movies, music, etc. What I love about my setup is that it's capable of doing both 2-channel well and also 5.1 surround. I listen to quite a bit of multi-channel music, so it's important to have all channels ready for music playback, but also 2-channels for CD applications. I typically don't use the full 5.1 for TV, unless it's a channel on HD that is broadcast in 5.1.

  19. #19
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by powerlord
    I am a victim of circumstance right now,I broke my heel last Sept. and have been off work since then,just had surgery two weeks ago so I'm down another 3 or 4 months,since then I have really gotten to know my system by myself,you would think I would be in heaven but I sure would like to sit with my wife and watch some movies but alas she doesn't see the importance,or the big deal.She does watch concerts with me once in a while,and the kids are grown and gone.So I'm officially inviting anyone close to come over any time and watch movies or game with me
    Sorry to hear that. Hope you get better soon.

    Well nows a good time to take in some longer films. LOTR, Ben Hur, Dances with Wolves perhaps. Just a few of my favorites.

    Don't feel bad about the wifee thing. Mine will sit through a disney or comedy anytime, but won't bother with classics or action. I'm still trying to get her to watch Ben Hur with me.

  20. #20
    Class of the clown GMichael's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by L.J.
    Sorry to hear that. Hope you get better soon.

    Well nows a good time to take in some longer films. LOTR, Ben Hur, Dances with Wolves perhaps. Just a few of my favorites.

    Don't feel bad about the wifee thing. Mine will sit through a disney or comedy anytime, but won't bother with classics or action. I'm still trying to get her to watch Ben Hur with me.
    Ditto, my wife won't sit through much more than American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. The only good thing is that the kitchen is kinda the same room anyhow. She's always in there doing something.
    WARNING! - The Surgeon General has determined that, time spent listening to music is not deducted from one's lifespan.

  21. #21
    Oldest join date recoveryone's Avatar
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    My system is in use daily mainly for general TV watching in HD and DVD viewing, but since I brought the Squeezebox I have been playing more music in the house which is the way I like it. I grew up listening to music more than watching TV and my wife is the opposite. I like music as background and she preferred the TV as background. something thats been a long debate in our house for years. Now with HD, she tries to sit there and tell me there no difference to her and wonder why I get frustrated when she watching SD channels of the same ones we have in HD.

    The Kids are a whole another story, they have the big screen syndrome. most of the channels they watch are on the lower band (under 100) but they always trying to get downstairs to watch cartoons or music videos ( Not happen here) The wife at times thinks I'm selfish, but I try to explain time after time that the Big screen is not a everyday all day TV. Then she say something along the lines of you shouldn't have brought it then. But then again thats the difference between thinking the TV is there to be watched or watch you (background sounds).
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  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    My system is in use daily mainly for general TV watching in HD and DVD viewing, but since I brought the Squeezebox I have been playing more music in the house which is the way I like it. I grew up listening to music more than watching TV and my wife is the opposite. I like music as background and she preferred the TV as background. something thats been a long debate in our house for years. Now with HD, she tries to sit there and tell me there no difference to her and wonder why I get frustrated when she watching SD channels of the same ones we have in HD.

    The Kids are a whole another story, they have the big screen syndrome. most of the channels they watch are on the lower band (under 100) but they always trying to get downstairs to watch cartoons or music videos ( Not happen here) The wife at times thinks I'm selfish, but I try to explain time after time that the Big screen is not a everyday all day TV. Then she say something along the lines of you shouldn't have brought it then. But then again thats the difference between thinking the TV is there to be watched or watch you (background sounds).

    Same here,I listen to music all day long because of my vast cd collection and i'm a musician,then at night I'll try and get the wife to watch a movie,she'd rather watch Deal or no Deal or american idol,or sitcoms.She has told me often she would be happier with a standard 32 in. tv and no stereo "stuff"!!!! She says it takes up too much room and it's too loud,lucky her.I can't see not having a good entertainment system in the house.
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  23. #23
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by recoveryone
    My system is in use daily mainly for general TV watching in HD and DVD viewing, but since I brought the Squeezebox I have been playing more music in the house which is the way I like it. I grew up listening to music more than watching TV and my wife is the opposite. I like music as background and she preferred the TV as background. something thats been a long debate in our house for years. Now with HD, she tries to sit there and tell me there no difference to her and wonder why I get frustrated when she watching SD channels of the same ones we have in HD.

    The Kids are a whole another story, they have the big screen syndrome. most of the channels they watch are on the lower band (under 100) but they always trying to get downstairs to watch cartoons or music videos ( Not happen here) The wife at times thinks I'm selfish, but I try to explain time after time that the Big screen is not a everyday all day TV. Then she say something along the lines of you shouldn't have brought it then. But then again thats the difference between thinking the TV is there to be watched or watch you (background sounds).
    I bet your lovin' that Squeezebox. This is on my list of potential future upgrades.

  24. #24
    Da Dragonball Kid L.J.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by powerlord
    Same here,I listen to music all day long because of my vast cd collection and i'm a musician,then at night I'll try and get the wife to watch a movie,she'd rather watch Deal or no Deal or american idol,or sitcoms.She has told me often she would be happier with a standard 32 in. tv and no stereo "stuff"!!!! She says it takes up too much room and it's too loud,lucky her.I can't see not having a good entertainment system in the house.
    Powerlord, have you tried taking in a chick flic or two with wifee?

    She may come to appreciate your system more. I pick up a DVD every now and then just for her.

  25. #25
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    I have tried the chic flick,kid flick and no dice.I don't know if she's just scared of the technology or what,it took years for her to finally get a cell phone,me and the youngest daughter had our cells for at least 5 years before she would try it.Now concerts are different,if i have a good one she will pop a top and settle in for it.
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