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162.119.238.161
and suggestions from person setting it up, with installation additional:
(I looked up on line Amazon prices)
Onkyo NR TX 717 (Amazon 599)
Sony Bravia LCD 46 or 55 inch (Amazon 895 and 1350 approx)
Sony Bluray player (around 105 to 150)
Any yays or nays?
Follow Ups:
Thanks for your input, it really helped me decide, but I haven't installed as I have an important test to study for first. Nov 3rd will be the date we install.
I might sneak a listen to the Denon or use the BluRay to play a disc or two.
I got a TC-P50UT50 50" plasma, retail $1,099, street price under $900
My package from an online retailer that has a local store
included Panasonic DMP BD 220 Bluray player, 2 set of (Samsung) 3D glasses thrown in, and a HDMI cable for under $1000.
Because of my concerns re Onkyo's HDMI circuit board issues (see Amazon's customers comments on the TX NR 616 especially), I forsook the price and features of that unit and the 709 and 717, and went with the Denon AVR 1913, 7.1, with enough features for me and reputedly excellent sound.
I went w Panasonic, plasma, tried to integrate the brands (at least w TV and BluRay) and went with sound over all the latest features.
Especially thank Joe Murphy Jr, MDavis and Hornlover, esp. if the system works out next month. I know it will be nice.
Congratulations and of course it will work out! You got a great plasma tv and Blu-ray player and for music Denon, Marantz and Pioneer are all good choices. As already mentioned, be sure to get one of the calibration discs available and do a calibration to get the best out of your display, most of them come fairly to greatly out of cal. Enjoy!
I'm sure you will enjoy the system. I second the recommendation to calibrate the plasma. You may be able to goggle the settings, as a lot of review sites may have the calibrated settings online.
there are LOTS of a/v receivers that don't do 3D cheap on Craigslist these days as everyone (like me) has to ditch their non-3D/non-hdmi capable receivers.. Even hdmi receivers that don't have the latest 1.4 hdmi 3D version are in good used supply.
if you do get a 3D tv, then you'll need a v1.4 hdmi receiver. Plenty of those around at about every price range.
Has a fast processor for faster loading.
3D capability, not that I use it.
Dual HDMI out, nice to have.
Very nice DVD to HD upscaling, surprising, in fact.
Nice interface to Netlix, etc. etc. etc.
The player is so good, it's boring. Does everything right.
We'll have to agree to disagree about global warming until the next global cooling scare comes along
Search walmart.com for a 60" Panasonic TC-P60U50 plasma: it's $948 + tax and can be delivered to your nearest store.
Get the Spears&Munsil Blu-ray calibration disc. No display should be used without at least a simple calibration from the user. You can find it online for about $25.
Pre-order an oppo BDP-103 from oppo Digital's website: price is $499 + shipping. Get on their waiting list to be notified.
Get your HDMI cables (and a 2-port or 3-port passive HDMI auto-switcher if you will be using more than two HDMI or DVI devices) from monoprice.com.
All of the above should come in at under $1625.
The Sony players will handle BD, CD, SACD, mp3, and I don't know what else. Many of them stream Netflex and other services wirelessly. Over HDMI, nobody will be able to detect any difference between the video and audio outputs of these two players.
I was going w Sony bdp 590 then thought 790, eventually went w Panasonic to mate best w Panasonic TV, simplifying remotes, maybe.
I play SACD and DVD A (1 disc only) thru my Pioneer Elite universal (old tech, still sounds good and works very smoothly).
Right now Amazon has this display for $900, free shipping and an $18 Amazon Rewards credit (so the total price is $882).
Thanks, I respect your opinion here. I was going to reply to you.
I am trying to stay within 46 to 50 inch size, since it saves me money and the room is quite small.
From reading opinions here and other places, I get the idea that Panasonic is the way to go, so I am looking at their Viera series. I am trying to decide between the non 3D and 3D 50 in entry level plasma (about $239 more).
And, what do you feel about Plasma vs LED vs LCD debate?
Seems in my darker room (after 11 am, sun is above or on the other side of the home), LCD is the choice.
Plasma still beats LED LCD sets. Consumer reports has plasma sets in first place in EVERY size category that plasmas exist. In some sizes, such as the 50" class, and the 65" class, plasma sets are in the top 4 or 5 recommended spots. Once you get used to a plasma, you will easily see the shortcomings of LCD's.
While I believe there is a minimum size display for a certain size room, I do not believe there is a maximum size display for a certain room size. In other words, if you can go "big", there's no reason to go "small" if there aren't roadblocks to doing it (eg, financial restrictions, entertainment center or cabinet restrictions, maximum shelf weight support, etc).
I am not a fan of 3D -- not for displays in the home nor in the theater. The technology is just not there yet. Now, a side benefit to a 3D display is that there are several pieces of display hardware that have to be improved upon vs those same pieces of display hardware for showing 2D material. In other words, there is a slight benefit to having 3D hardware when you watch 2D software. That improvement will vary from brand to brand and from model to model in a company's display line. Is it worth it? Only the viewer who compares numerous displays can decide the answer to that question.
LED LCD is generally favored over LCD. The LEDs used in LED LCD's backlight technology usually do a better job with light than the normal light source for common LCD displays. Within LED LCD displays is also the option of backlit vs edgelit: at this time, backlit is perceived to be the better option.
I prefer plasma technolgy to DLP, LCD and LED LCD for numerous reasons. For one thing, while the actual technology is different than CRT, plasmas generate light and it's generated right at the glass (it's an emissive technology, the other three are more or less filter technology applied to a light source). And that light generation, because it uses phosphors, more closely resembles CRT light. As long as the display has a proper calibration, the light generated looks purer with regard to colors.
I would suggest that you do some reading on the current plasma models. AVS Forum is a good place to get plenty of material that will help you understand the different display technologies. Just be aware that everyone has their biases and that bias tends to want to push you in a certain direction. Audio is another story: I cannot recommend the site due to the fact that there are a handful of members there who clog up the forums with the notion that all amps, DACs, cables, CD players, transports, etc sound the same.
I also recommend a Panasonic plasma. Best in picture quality. I'm still captivated by our 50" plasma, and its 5 years old now. Haven't even gone the Bluray path yet, as Panasonics image processing makes standard DVDs look so good, they look like HD (at least, better than going to the theater). The newer Panasonics are even better.
Looking at Panasonic VIERA® 50" Class U50 Series Full HD Plasma HDTV, mated to an Onkyo receiver (717 vs 616, the latter w problems with main HDMI hook up, but has enough power for me and closer to my budget) and a Sony Blu Ray player. Is that OK, this is mod of initial proposed system.
I think you will be very happy with the Panasonic VIERA Plasma and Onkyo receiver. I wouldn't worry about a difference of 10W/CH, power is over rated. To double the volume you would need 4 times the power so another 10W/CH is pretty negligible. Not sure what you mean by the HDMI, both models are the same.
That should make for a very satisfying setup.
You might want to stick with one brand, if you aren't concered with having each component being best in class or if you're not a videophile. If you just want something for everyday viewing consider the following:
I purchased a Sony LCD, a Sony Receiver, and a Sony DVD player for primarily one reason (in addition to my previously good experiences with Sony TVs) something Sony calls "Bravia Sync". Bravia Sync is Sony's way of having all the devices talk to oneanother. The payoff is that you can reduce the number of remote controls you need to operate the system. In fact, for everyday viewing I can get by with just one remote, the universal cable remote from Comcast. It controls the cable box and the TV which in turn controls the Receiver. Makes my daily life simpler.
I suspect other brands may have similar offerings, although I haven't looked.
The Onkyo TX-NR717 is an excellent receiver, Onkyos and Integras are one of the best in their respective price ranges. You might also want to compare it to the TX-NR809, TX-NR616 and TX-NR709 on Onkyo's web site.
For the display I would suggest you look at one of these Panasonic plasmas and read the reviews. In this price range you'll get a better picture, black levels, contrast, response time, viewing angle, etc. Prices are retail, you should be able to find lower street prices.
TC-P50ST50 50", retail $1,400 <------ Best
TC-P50UT50 50", retail $1,099
TC-P55UT50 55", retail $1,399
The Sony BDP-S590 and the Panasonic DMP-BDT220 are both excellent Blu-ray players and both retail for $150.
My colleague at work has the 709 and felt it has more versatile Audyssey.
the 717 is newer and slightly more powerful.
AS for the TV, I read some reviews after I posted, and several folks recommended Panasonic also. That agrees with you.
Thanks for your quick and clear answer.
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