HDTVs

Nester · Dec 6, 2013

Thanks Forin,

I will look into your suggestions in more detail when I get home. I did take a peak at the receiver and it looks pretty sweet except it lacks Bluetooth which I think is important as I want to play some music off my ipad/iphone as needed.

Here is the site for one of the largest Canadian electronic retailers, does anything seem like a good solution for me?

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/categ...04a098388cen01

how much better is 7.1 vs 5.1, if I am going to start with a 2.1 system does it make sense to get a 7.1 receiver? is there more value (price/quality) in a 5.1 system. I can see myself adding 2 more speakers but 4 more seems unlikely.

I notice you did not suggest a center channel, is this something I should be considering at this phase or just add it later when I go to 5.1 or 7.1?

Sean_sl · Dec 6, 2013

Nester_sl said:
how much better is 7.1 vs 5.1, if I am going to start with a 2.1 system does it make sense to get a 7.1 receiver? is there more value (price/quality) in a 5.1 system. I can see myself adding 2 more speakers but 4 more seems unlikely. ?

7.1 doesn't really add anything (plus it can be a total bitch to setup properly), well placed Side Speakers perfectly position rear sound. You probably do want a 7.1 receiver though as they tend to be better/more feature complete (from what I've seen anyways) and if you want good positional sound for both your PC and couch you probably want one that can do a Zone 2 so you can just switch between alternate channel setups.

Luthair · Dec 8, 2013

Nester - I'm Canadian as well and have pieced together a 5.1 this fall. I bought speakers from Fluance, they are primarily an internet direct brand though Futureshop carries a few models. They're actually based in Canada (Niagra) and pretty well reviewed online, if you're patient they frequently have sales - I went with the XL series. A coupon code they sent me recently for $25 off orders: FRIENDS1.

Also picked up a Klipsch sub and a Sony (#540) receiver from Futureshop/Bestbuy. I wouldn't worry too much about Bluetooth on the receiver, they use it as a differentiator but you can find add-ons for ~$50. The network features are mostly the same, internet radio would be nice to have but too expensive imo.

Edit: At this point unless you see a good sale might be worth waiting for boxing day, at least a few things will be on sale

Kedwyn · Dec 8, 2013

I've got my TV mostly picked out (55 inch sony or samsung for the living room) and I'm looking at 5.1 systems for a new RV we are having built.

My biggest limitation is space. Thus I'm looking at Bose speakers. Now I know they are medicore for what you pay. My question is there a competing brand of similar size that costs less?

Looking at:Amazon.com: Bose? Acoustimass? 10 Series IV home entertainment speaker system - Black: Home Audio Theater

Costco has those for $800 with a decent receiver (not bose since they have issue with DTS and other formats plus they suck)

EDIT:

Found these as well which I think are much better, may see if they can be fit if the cabinet gets adjusted some.

Amazon.com: Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 System Black: Home Audio Theater

My space is limited. Here is a picture of the space (another person's unit but will be fairly similar). 55 inch TV, you can see the speaker space is really small. There really isn't a better space either to put them. That entire wall moves in and out when in motion so placing speakers over top near the ceiling would be difficult if not impossible. I have more pics if you would like to suggest other placement.

Floor plan with speaker location. Notice my leet paint skillz

darkmiasma · Dec 9, 2013

I have the Definitive Technology Pro 1000s for my fronts and rears, and the Pro Center 2000 for the center, and one of their subs ... Great speakers.

The Ancient_sl · Dec 9, 2013

Draegan_sl said:
What's a good, inexpensive soundbar that's worth getting?

OXYMORON ALERT

Joeboo · Dec 10, 2013

While it's obviously not worth buying a 4K TV yet until HDMI 2.0 hits, it's good to see prices coming WAY down already on good 4K TVs

3 grand for 55" Samsung 4K
Amazon.com: Samsung UN55F9000 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV: Electronics

Bodes well for good 4K screens being available at reasonable prices in the next couple years.

Nester · Dec 10, 2013

Are they coming down as they improve production techniques or are the prices coming down because no one is buying them due to lack of content?

Lenas · Dec 10, 2013

Update on the oCosmo 40" I got from Amazon for $249

Got the TV set up last night and for the price I couldn't really be happier. The functionality of the TV is pretty basic compared to what I'm used to, menus feel a little lacking, but it isn't missing anything important. Haven't discovered if I you can unlock any service menus for more settings yet.

My main hesitation after purchase was a long review on Amazon (seemed to know what he was talking about) that mentioned a lot of ghosting and input lag. I'm happy to report that I have no such lag when using the screen as a second monitor to my MBP, using Mini DisplayPort to HDMI. My assumption is that he didn't turn off things like dynamic contrast and noise reduction, which I always turn off by default. Biggest issue now is with no-name sets like this it's hard to find good picture settings somewhere like AVSF.

I have noticed on my cable channels that there is definitely some motion judder or pixelation in fast-movement areas. I didn't notice anything like this when I was playing FFXIV, so I am thinking it's more my cable signal and not the TV. Could be wrong though.

TL;DR purchase was def. worth $249 would buy again.

Joeboo · Dec 10, 2013

Nester_sl said:
Are they coming down as they improve production techniques or are the prices coming down because no one is buying them due to lack of content?

No clue honestly, maybe a little of both? I wouldn't be surprised if companies are trying to offload current 4K TVs as they will be rendered obsolete once HDMI 2.0 starts being built in to new models. Nobody will want these 30hz capped models.

Nester · Dec 10, 2013

Tell me more about HDMI 2.0,

I have yet to hear about this. What does it do (perhaps the obvious) and does it make 4k obsolete already ?

spronk · Dec 10, 2013

hdmi 1.2 allows 4k resolution but doesn't have enough bandwidth to do more than 30hz at 4k rez, so current 4k TVs are pretty shitty over hdmi - in store / trade show 4k displays are generally using DVI or DisplayPort to get full 60hz @ 4k. With HDMI 2.0 you will be able to drive TVs at 4k and full 60hz.

Joeboo · Dec 10, 2013

and HDMI is nothing new as far as cabling or anything, all current HDMI cables will remain the same, it's just new hardware that needs to be inside the TV/monitor

Jysin · Dec 10, 2013

spronk_sl said:
hdmi 1.2 allows 4k resolution but doesn't have enough bandwidth to do more than 30hz at 4k rez, so current 4k TVs are pretty shitty over hdmi - in store / trade show 4k displays are generally using DVI or DisplayPort to get full 60hz @ 4k. With HDMI 2.0 you will be able to drive TVs at 4k and full 60hz.

I thought I had read the current work around is simply 2x HDMI cables.

That said, I would absolutely wait until this tech has matured and come down in price. Hell, there's hardly any 4K media available anyway.

Joeboo · Dec 10, 2013

I think that workaround only applies to computers using a 4K display, as most graphics cards now have 2 video outs. Wouldn't really work for a TV with a cable box or Roku or game system as the video source

mkopec · Dec 10, 2013

Lenas_sl said:
Update on the oCosmo 40" I got from Amazon for $249

Got the TV set up last night and for the price I couldn't really be happier. The functionality of the TV is pretty basic compared to what I'm used to, menus feel a little lacking, but it isn't missing anything important. Haven't discovered if I you can unlock any service menus for more settings yet.

My main hesitation after purchase was a long review on Amazon (seemed to know what he was talking about) that mentioned a lot of ghosting and input lag. I'm happy to report that I have no such lag when using the screen as a second monitor to my MBP, using Mini DisplayPort to HDMI. My assumption is that he didn't turn off things like dynamic contrast and noise reduction, which I always turn off by default. Biggest issue now is with no-name sets like this it's hard to find good picture settings somewhere like AVSF.

I have noticed on my cable channels that there is definitely some motion judder or pixelation in fast-movement areas. I didn't notice anything like this when I was playing FFXIV, so I am thinking it's more my cable signal and not the TV. Could be wrong though.

TL;DR purchase was def. worth $249 would buy again.

Thats good to know. I got the same set for the kids for xmas. But its still boxed up obviously.

jeydax · Dec 10, 2013

I ended up a receiver + set of 5.1 speakers for free for helping my coworker set up his two new TV's on Sunday. They work just fine so I'm out of the sound bar market.

I did set up his Samsung (unsure of exact model) soundbar + wireless speaker. The setup was very easy although it won't default to HDMI when it fires up which is annoying. It defaults to D.IN which means the TV doesn't recognize the signal from the Bar. It has a HDMI cable running from his Satellite receiver into the Bar, and from the Bar into the TV.

At any rate, the sound bar he has sounds great as far as I'm concerned. Not top notch but it sounded good.

Jysin · Dec 10, 2013

joeboo_sl said:
I think that workaround only applies to computers using a 4K display, as most graphics cards now have 2 video outs. Wouldn't really work for a TV with a cable box or Roku or game system as the video source

None of those sources would output 4K, regardless of framerate.

Also to note, pretty much all movies are displayed at 24 frames so the 30 frame limit wouldnt matter much. Once Cable / Satellite providers start offering 4K (sports / documentaries particularly), then I would want a full 60+ fps.

Joeboo · Dec 10, 2013

Right, but future versions of roku, cable boxes, game systems, etc will be 4K compatible, and chances are good that they still won't have 2 video outs, so you really don't want to be stuck with a 4K TV where that is the only solution.

Also ideally you want 120hz, as it is the lowest evenly divisible refresh rate for both 24hz movies and 30hz broadcast TV. 30hz and even 60hz can cause fast-moving scenes in 24fps movies to look blurry or jerky to some people. Regardless of resolution, I wouldn't get any TV less than 120hz unless it's just a cheap extra for a bedroom or something. Definitely not as my primary viewing TV.

kd5ddo_sl · Dec 13, 2013

What about some of the specs such as contrast ratio. Most salesmen say it is just a gimmic or marketing and is un verifiable.

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