Question:
As the thread says I am starting from scratch to identify what to buy. Can anyone offer some guidance as to what distinguishes the good bad and the ugly?
Whats your budget ?
How big is the room ?
Do you want DD5.1 / DTS/Pro Logic II ?
Do you want separates or an all-in-one ?
Could do with a little more info
Hi Tyler
Well I did say I was a complete novice! What is the difference between DD5.1 / DTS/Pro Logic II ?. The room is 18ft long by 12ft and viewing will be across the width due to the design. I presume that seperates will mean wires to be hidden which I am reconciled to but was not aware of all - in - one. I presume that will diminish the sound quality?
In terms of budget I'm not one for spending on the very best just because it exists and I might be able to afford it.I tend to err on the side of what makes economic sense in relation to the quality or features offered (when I understand what's being offered of course) so I suppose that translates being careful with what I spend but not stinting if the extra can be justified. Sorry if that confuses the issue but I really am starting from scratch. To put things in perspective I am looking at the sound system to go with a Hitachachi 32in plasma screen.
Hi,
Best make a list of exactly what you need, ie: dvd player, amp, speakers, etc, and then try and come up with a ceiling for how much you want to spend in total. Easier said than done but there are so many choices that you really need to set limits on what you want to spend in order to start whittling down the alternatives.
Do you already have the Hitachi plasma? Is a rear projection TV or a home cinema projector an option? There are still a few PTAE-100's kicking around for £700-800 which for the money blow plasma's out of the water, well for me anyway :)
DD and DTS are rival multi-channel formats, DD is Dolby Digital, DTS is Digital Theatre Systems. Ask which is better and you'll never get an answer to your original question here ;) , but for some more info see this thread (http://Here.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=78891) Dolby PLII creates a pseudo multi-channel output from a stereo source, (I *think*), so consideration as to whether or not you need that may come down to how much stereo tv broadcasting you watch...
HTH
Charlie
Hi phmc and welcome to The Forums! :)
Have a look at this http://www.dolby.com/ht/ as there are numerous gems of info to pick up. You will either be relatively sorted or more confused than you were before ...
EDIT: You might like to take their views on DTS with a pinch of salt though, as they are naturally going to say it's not as good as Dolby.
I don't see any point in debating whether DTS is better than DD, or the other way round when, I would imagine, most of the newer amps can now decode both.:)
If your starting from scratch then you will need the following:
DVD player
Amp
Speakers
speaker cable
interconnects (scart leads etc)
TV/projector/Plasma screen
Some DVD players can decode the DD/DTS signal but from what I've read they are never as good as a seperate amp.
For speakers you will need to decide whether you want floor standers, book shelf speakers or maybe something more discreat like the Kef eggs.
You will also need to decide if you want to go for a 5.1 set up or 6.1 (an extra rear centre speaker). If you go for the 6.1 set up it will limit the choice of amp a little bit as not all amps can a decode 6.1 signal.
You can get flat speaker cable which can go under the carpet which will hide the cableing for all the rear speakers, and front if neccessary, if your worried about all the wire's showing. If you haven't got carpet in the room then this won't be of much use to you.:D
Many thanks to you Tyler Charlie Snodge and Snoopy for your advice. Think I need to go away and digest for now. Thanks again. I may be back!
Answers:
Whats your budget ?
How big is the room ?
Do you want DD5.1 / DTS/Pro Logic II ?
Do you want separates or an all-in-one ?
Could do with a little more info
Answers:
Hi Tyler
Well I did say I was a complete novice! What is the difference between DD5.1 / DTS/Pro Logic II ?. The room is 18ft long by 12ft and viewing will be across the width due to the design. I presume that seperates will mean wires to be hidden which I am reconciled to but was not aware of all - in - one. I presume that will diminish the sound quality?
In terms of budget I'm not one for spending on the very best just because it exists and I might be able to afford it.I tend to err on the side of what makes economic sense in relation to the quality or features offered (when I understand what's being offered of course) so I suppose that translates being careful with what I spend but not stinting if the extra can be justified. Sorry if that confuses the issue but I really am starting from scratch. To put things in perspective I am looking at the sound system to go with a Hitachachi 32in plasma screen.
Answers:
Hi,
Best make a list of exactly what you need, ie: dvd player, amp, speakers, etc, and then try and come up with a ceiling for how much you want to spend in total. Easier said than done but there are so many choices that you really need to set limits on what you want to spend in order to start whittling down the alternatives.
Do you already have the Hitachi plasma? Is a rear projection TV or a home cinema projector an option? There are still a few PTAE-100's kicking around for £700-800 which for the money blow plasma's out of the water, well for me anyway :)
DD and DTS are rival multi-channel formats, DD is Dolby Digital, DTS is Digital Theatre Systems. Ask which is better and you'll never get an answer to your original question here ;) , but for some more info see this thread (http://Here.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=78891) Dolby PLII creates a pseudo multi-channel output from a stereo source, (I *think*), so consideration as to whether or not you need that may come down to how much stereo tv broadcasting you watch...
HTH
Charlie
Answers:
Hi phmc and welcome to The Forums! :)
Have a look at this http://www.dolby.com/ht/ as there are numerous gems of info to pick up. You will either be relatively sorted or more confused than you were before ...
EDIT: You might like to take their views on DTS with a pinch of salt though, as they are naturally going to say it's not as good as Dolby.
Answers:
I don't see any point in debating whether DTS is better than DD, or the other way round when, I would imagine, most of the newer amps can now decode both.:)
If your starting from scratch then you will need the following:
DVD player
Amp
Speakers
speaker cable
interconnects (scart leads etc)
TV/projector/Plasma screen
Some DVD players can decode the DD/DTS signal but from what I've read they are never as good as a seperate amp.
For speakers you will need to decide whether you want floor standers, book shelf speakers or maybe something more discreat like the Kef eggs.
You will also need to decide if you want to go for a 5.1 set up or 6.1 (an extra rear centre speaker). If you go for the 6.1 set up it will limit the choice of amp a little bit as not all amps can a decode 6.1 signal.
You can get flat speaker cable which can go under the carpet which will hide the cableing for all the rear speakers, and front if neccessary, if your worried about all the wire's showing. If you haven't got carpet in the room then this won't be of much use to you.:D
Answers:
Many thanks to you Tyler Charlie Snodge and Snoopy for your advice. Think I need to go away and digest for now. Thanks again. I may be back!
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