Bought an upconverting player for the bedroom. TV is 720p with 1080i capability; should I output 1080i, 720p or 1080p from the DVD player?

720p. Progressive > Interlaced. Always.

Anyone here got the Definitive Technology ProCinema 800 speakers or the Aperion Intimus 4B surround system?

I need to replace my current setup (crappy old Bose 601 Series IV towers that don't match my living room and my cat scratched up, even older Bose 301 Series IV bookshelf speakers, an old Infinity center channel that sucks, and no sub-woofer).

I'm hoping to stay in the $1000 to $1500 range and not buy any new tower speakers (because my cat would again use them as scratching posts).

What about Pinnacle speakers? Dell has a couple of sets discounted anywhere from $750-1150 off.

I can't find much online except for comments on people that have owned the same pair for 20 years and wouldn't change them for anything.

Well, I've got $300 in Amazon credit so I was looking to buy from there.

I'll take a look at those Pinnacle speakers. If they're a good enough price, I can use my Amazon credit towards something else at some other point.

The biggest downside with ordering from Dell is that they usually charge you sales tax, which with something like this is an extra $60.

The college I teach for has an EPP account and the money that is saved roughly equates to taxes. I'm interested in getting them as the Sony set I purchased in 1996 finally blew one of the speakers. Let me know what you find out.

Eh, after doing some reading it looks like the speakers they're comparing them too are actually a bit on the lower end. Sure the Dell deal looks kind of ridiculous but I don't think they should have been priced anywhere near their original amount.

If those prices were that amazing for the sound I don't think Dell would be able to keep them in stock.

I wouldn't mind someone who would actually give me a discount for buying their whole bundle. Both the Aperion and the DefTech bundles are not any cheaper than if I just bought each component separately.

I'm all for lower end if I get decent sound. I doubt I'd be able to discern the difference anyway. But I cannot find much that says that Pinnacle is a good speaker set that moves me.

Obviously I don't care if they're cheap if they actually sound great but no one is raving about them sounding like $1500 or $2K sets. So I just don't think this is THE MOST AMAZING DEAL.

I just bought a couple of 12 inch down firing Subwoofers and a center speaker by BIC. These speakers are ridiculously cheap for the sound quality and they are on Amazon. I ended up using my Prime trial and got next day shipping for $4.

BIC on Amazon

I ended up going with the Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000's for my front right/left, the ProCenterr 2000 for my center, and the ProMonitor 800's for my surround left/right and a HSU STF-1 for my sub (living in an apartment I figured I'd save money on the sub and wait until I've got more space to buy something nice).

I've had the whole system hooked up since Monday and it's finally starting to get broken in. I'm really hoping to give it more of a workout this weekend.

So far though I'm really liking it. And I'm definitely appreciating the smaller size of the DefTech speakers vs. the giant old Bose tower/bookshelf speakers I had.

Okay... someone help me. I'm semi-baffled. What is PCM? I understand DD and DTS and all of their differences. Where does PCM come in? I see on my one receiver it displays BOTH PCM and DTS (or DD) at the same time so it's not necesarily a different kind audio all together. On my other receiver it pops up randomly when I play XBOX360 games.

Here's where more of the confusion comes from. A BD will have DD or PCM... but if PCM isn't a different kind of audio then why the separate audio options on a BD?

Is this all useless unless I have HDMI inputs anyway? Should I be looking for a setting (on my BD player or TV) to take advantage of this that I'm unaware of?

Basically, what is PCM and how does it benefit to me?

FYI, I'm working with an older 7.1 DTS/DDII receiver (digital opt in) with no HDMIs.

Layman's terms would be great.

Sorry for the poorly worded explanation below but I'm trying to type quickly:

PCM is basically uncompressed audio format. Essentially it's the same as CD-audio. PCM can come across in a number of different formats: 2-channel (stereo), 5.1 channel, 7.1 channel and (I think) even a variety of sample rates.

On the other hand Dolby Digital and DTS are both lossy compressed audio formats. This means that some sound is lost in the transition to that format (like MP3s). It's not a lot but there is still compression and lost of data.

Now in Blu-ray discs, they can contain raw PCM (unlikely) or Dolby True HD and DTS HD. Those are both upgrades from the older DVD compressed audio formats of DTS and DD and are lossless. That means after they're decompressed they are identical to PCM.

Since the sound is basically identical, it doesn't matter how/where it's decoded. So some Blu-ray players will convert from those to PCM before sending it on to the receiver and others can send the raw DTS HD or Dolby True HD or whatever to the receiver and let it decode it. It generally shouldn't really matter (short of the Blu-ray player generally being able to do some mixing of menu sound effects and that kind of thing if it's sending PCM) it's going to happen somewhere and there isn't any loss of audio quality when that's happening.

So basically the benefit is that PCM is uncompressed.

Unfortunately for your case, no PCM higher than 2-channel can be sent over optical (generally because of lack of encryption on the connection but I think also for bandwidth issues) so if you're getting audio that way, your best bet is older 5.1 DD or DTS.

The next best option (if you don't have HDMI) would be if your Blu-ray player has 7.1/5.1 analog out and your receiver has 5.1/7.1 analog in that would generally be better than the optical connection.

I kind of have the same set up, I have optical going in since my receiver does not support HDMI...

Very helpful Mr. Nachos. Last question; is PCM a mix all it's own? DDHD has it's specific kind of mix (front loaded) and DTS has it's own (louder surround)... does PCM mimic these or does it have it's own generic mix?

Ah... I got it. PCM was the original "lossless". The Casino Royale BD was originally released with PCM 5.1 and Dolby 5.1. The newer disc was released with Dolby TrueHD and did away with the PCM entirely and reviews claim the mix for the Dolby TrueHD is better. So I guess it just took Dolby and DTS a little while to throw their hat into the lossless ring and now we're (well YOU'RE, I have no HDMI) able to get lossless and the proper mix. I'm glad things need to be so complicated. haha

Alright so im looking into getting a new tv....for a price. So i have narrowed it down to two tvs.

The Sharp LC-60LE810UN
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sharp+-+... lcd&cp=1&lp=2

The LG 55LE5400
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+55%...ract_desc=null

The sharp is of course bigger however it is edge lit and im sure the black levels aren't great. The LG is smaller but the black levels are probably better do to actually being true backlit. The problem is that there doesn't seem to be much info on these sets on the net. And jsut so everyone knows I asked this stuff on the AVS forums but it's a thread that it seems like no one checks. So if anyone has these or knows something and can help me out that would be great, thanks.

I seem to be having a problem with 2 of my WB blus in the audio department. Both The Matrix and Batman Begins won't switch over the TrueHD, and simply default back to DD 5.1 even when TrueHD is selected. These are the only 2 titles I have this problem with, and there doesn't seem to be anything on the net about audio issues.

Any ideas guys?

I just had to:

LOL. That pic almost made not post this, but I just spent $2800 on a 55" Samsung LED tv (UN55C8000) today from Amazon. Came with a free $300 3D starter kit, which is no big deal to me.

But also came with a free $200 3D capable BluRay player. I already have one of those, so... I know what my parents are getting for Christmas!

Scheduled sshipping was free and no tax, so that's pretty awesome too.

Not sold on the whole "3D at home" thing, but I figured if I was gonna spend 2500 on a regular LED, I might as well just spend the extra cash to have the best one. And it's always nice to have that option, too.

I'm pretty excited. Can't wait till it gets here. Definitely an upgrade from my dinky 32" Samsung LCD. It'll be nice to actually sit on my couch which is 8 feet away and relax while I watch TV or play games and not just be sitting in a computer chair super close. Now to upgrade my surround receiver and speakers . . .

I'll be the first guy to jump on the 3DTV bandwagon once I don't have to wear glasses. Until then, no thanks.
Edited by dontEATnachos - 10/3/11 at 9:09am

That's the thing. Because I usually wear my glasses instead of contacts. So wearing glasses over glasses just sucks. And switching to contacts just to watch a 3D movie would be a huge pain in the ass. It's annoying enough in the theater.

But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little excited about 3D gaming. Killzone 3 should be awesome.

3D gaming (at least in the current generation) is not something I'm excited about at all. The stereoscopic nature of 3D means that you've either got to halve the framerate or the resolution to be able to render the scene twice in the same amount of time.

Games have a hard enough time running at 30fps in 720p, I can't imagine them rending at double that and still looking good. We'll need next-gen hardware (or a decent PC) before it really looks that impressive. Even the stuff you read about it on the gaming websites says the same thing.

Not to say that I don't think 3D gaming could be interesting, it just seems like we're just a generation too early in TV's and consoles to execute it well.

Yes im finally close to completing mine.

 

 

Sharp LC60LE810UN 60 inch LED LCD (not 3D, sorry im not getting that ever if I can help it)

PS3

Pioneer VSX 921-k 7.1 receiver 

Polk CS10 Center

Polk Monitor 50 Tower Speakers for Fronts

Polk Monitor 30 for my side Surrounds

 

I still have to replace the back surrounds which will be the Polk Monitor 30's when I get the 100 bucks together and I still have to replace the subwoofer which im thinking will also be a polk. I have fallen in love with the brand.

So, I finally completed my home theater system and I just have one question:

 

Does ANYTHING actually have a 7.1 mix?  The closest thing I found is the 6.1 mix on my old Star Wars DVDs.

 

What's the point of these new AV receivers (7.1, 7.2, 9.2??!!!!) if everything is still in 5.1?

There haven't been any DVDs that have had a audio track with 7.1 discreet channels, but certain blu-rays like Hellboy II do.

Yeah I know almost everything is 5.1 but there are some good ones out there.

 

BLU-RAYS FROM MY COLLECTION WITH 7.1

Thor

Hellboy 2

Way of the gun(and tons of other Lionsgate titles)

Mimc Director's Cut

Punisher Warzone(I know, I know but it is 7.1)

Golden Compass

3:10 to Yuma

Friday(Oddly enough)

Kick Ass

Pan's Labyrinth

Rambo(both cuts)

Termintor 2 (6.1)

Descent

Scarface

 

A slightly bigger list

http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/search.php?keyword=&studioid=&videocodec=&disc=&year=&audio=7.1&subtitles=&submit=Search&action=search

That's the most random list of titles that I have ever seen.  I guess I haven't watched Semi-Pro until I have watched with 7.1 surround. 

 

And it turns that I have a couple of those Blus on the list (Kick Ass and Way of the Gun.)

 

ETA: And thanks guys for the heads up.

Yea, I'm planning on getting a new TV, upgrading my 42 for something larger.  But I don't know if I should get a 3d TV.  The only reason I want it is, because supossedly Uncharted 3 is suppossed to be amazing in 3d.  Like seriously great.

 

But obviously, 3d gaming is pretty much dead.  3d TVs did not catch on so Sony isn't going to continue to spend tons of money making 3d games.  The few that will be released will be all that comes out in terms of 3d gaming, so it'd be a bit of a waste.  3d sports is something that might interest be though.  So I'm not sure.

Supposedly, ESPN is already giving up on their 3D network.  That might put a damper on future 3D sports offerings.

 

http://www.businessinsider.com/is-espn-already-giving-up-on-3d-tv-2011-9

Placement of 5.1 and 7.1 actually has some variances.
http://www.ecoustics.com/electronics/products/articles/129023.html

If you're OCD, you'll notice the difference of 5.1 in a 7.1 setup. While I bought a 7.1 receiver, I set up 5.1 since more titles are that way.

So my PS3 seems to be biting the dust. I'm currently debating buying another PS3 or just switching to a stand-alone Blu-ray player. The reason I'm considering is 1) Cost ... saving $100-150 would be nice 2) I want to be able to watch Amazon Prime Instant Video on my television.

It seems like there are 4 different companies that do stand alone Blu-ray players that also do Amazon video (full list here): LG, Panasonic, Sony, and Vizio. I'd lean towards the Panasonic DMP-BDT110 ... but before I went out and did a ton of reading was wondering if anyone here had experience with any of the stand-alone players.

I find 7.2 to be amazing, myself. 

 

OVERLORD CAVE

 

I use Audyssey DSX with extra high front channels, and it makes a huge difference in terms of sound stage presence. I really didn't think the second subwoofer and highs would add that much, but it does.  Teamed up an Onkyo 3008 and 50 inch 3d Panasonic plasma Viera with a JBL PS120, an NHT Super 10, Infinity Primus 362s as fronts, an Infinity Primus PC351 as a center, with Infinity Reference 2000.2s for highs and Boston CR9s for rears.

 

LIVING ROOM

 

By comparison, the 65 inch Mitsubishi 3d DLP in the living room with the Onkyo 808, Onkyo HT3200 rears and subwoofer (probably the best budget "in a box" speaker set of all time), NHT Super Ones as fronts with a matching VS-2a center is noticeably lacking in both bass and front sound stage definition.  A good example is during any modern Blu-Ray mix of a rain/storm sequence ... the drops of rain and accompanying sounds from the high channels thanks to Audyssey DSX is amazing. 

 

 

Strangely enough ... considering I have those two setups, plus a bedroom system that's dual amped to the center channel of the HT3200 ... when I listen to music it's usually in my office ... where I stream music my phone onto a Sony DB830 with the fronts from the HT3200.  I purchased that db830 over 10 years ago and I still have never heard a two channel receiver anywhere near it's price range I liked better.

 

 

Edited by Overlord - 10/5/11 at 10:49pm

Doing the a little upgrading for Christmas. 

 

Fronts:Polk Monitor 70

Center:Polk CS2

Surrounds:Polk Monitor 50

Surround Back:Polk Monitor 30

Subwoofer:Polk PSW505

 

the 70's and the PSW505 don't arrive until Thursday but I can't wait to hear it.

Don't know if you've bought anything yet--I bought a Toshiba from Best Buy for $99 (actually paid $50 because I had a gift card).  It has all the Netflix, Blockbuster Online, Vudu, Pandora, etc., stuff on it.  Working fine so far.  Just kind of slow sometimes on the "power on to disc menu" as compared to a standard def DVD player.  I did ask the guy what the difference was between players that were "WiFi ready" and "WiFi built-in", which simply means that the "ready" has you plug in an ethernet cable or a wireless adapter.  Built-in means that it already has it built into the DVD player and you just need to connect it.  Usually the price difference is like $10.  Why you would buy the ready and not the built-in, I don't know.

Well if the BD-Live is really important to you, then yes WI-FI built in is a must, otherwise if you don't mind 720p, a Roku LT and a cheaper blu-ray player are a great combo.

In fact, a lot of streamed content maxes at 720p.

So,  I have a question, and I thought this would be the place to ask it.  I recently bought an HD-tv, a samsung plasma.  I know next to nothing about them, to be honest.  The clerk at the store I bought it informed me it was 1080p, but I just happened to check out my receipt recently, and it says it was a 720p samsung.  BUT, when I turn the tv on, each time it reads- 1920/1080.  Needless to say, I'm confused.  Any answers would be much appreciated.

What's the model number?

Number on the back is PN43E450, which when I googled it comes up with 720p tv's.  What's the significance of the 1920/1080 when I turn my ps3 on?  

It may just be the TV informing you that the native signal coming from the PS3 is 1080p... which the TV will convert down to 720p.  

That's almost certainly what's happening. A former roommate of mine used to have a Vizio that would tell us the PS3 was a 1080p signal, but it would stay firmly at a 720p resolution.

Yea, I checked the serial number, it was 720p.  The guy who sold it to me explicitly told me it was 1080p.  But I took it back and they're delivering a new model, so no biggie.  Thanks for the help guys.

Can't believe that 720p TVs still exist.  They should be outlawed at this point.

I'm not all that knowledgable on the subject, is there really that much of a difference?

Honestly, I don't think there's much of a difference at display sizes below 50 inches.  Maybe even more.  But I'm sure people would disagree with me there.

It's a sliding scale of distance/pixels per inch that is also dependent on vision.  Low res displays drive me crazy though.  Personally I wish every display was Apple's Retina display quality.

 

I'm still frustrated that computer monitors have basically stayed at the same resolution for the past 5 years.  Although I have hope that'll change with the new Macbooks.  Rumors are that OSX Mountain Lion is going to support a 'hi-res' mode like the iPad 2/3 does.

Thinking of going 3D projector...

...just bulbs are so expensive.

Hey guys, I wasn't sure where to post this so I thought I'd try here and if I'm in the wrong thread. Apologies. I need to pick up a new tv and I was wondering if I could get some recommendations. So my new apartment is pretty small, the price of living in Hawaii, and I'd like to keep it 42" and under. I don't do 3D or anything, at the most it's just me and friends or a date hanging out and watching movies or gaming. Given I might be moving back to the mainland in the next few months I'd prefer to keep the cost down too but I'm pretty flexible.

 

So tv, 42" and under. Movies and gaming mostly. I've got a Bose surround sound system setup but to be honest I hardly ever use it.

 

FIRE!