astroglide's home theater: what i own, what i would buy today

[Acein8ter]

I just got the KDS60A2000 for X-mas and love it.

I'm running a Denon AVR-4800, Monitor Audio mains and Cambridge Soundworks for the remainder of the 5.1 system. I'm planning on upgrading everything to Monitor Audio in the future.

I have a cheapo Sony DVD, but will wait for companies to produce a BluRay/HD DVD player that has proven itself.

[gusmahler]

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gusmahler,

Get that mirror out from behind your system!

Otherwise very nice setup.

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Thanks. We'll be getting rid of the mirror very soon. It's a big, heavy mirror that fit in well in my previous house. It was OK in my current house, with the smaller TV. Now, you can't even see the mirror because the TV takes up so much room.

[gusmahler]

WRT to wall mounting, my wife initially wanted a wall-mount a plasma. I pointed out to her that we have 9 components that need some sort of rack, so it wouldn't really save any room.

If I could hide the components in the wall, then I would do wall mount. But we couldn't in our current house, so we went with the DLP.

[astroglide]

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Wishlist: TSU7000 remote control

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i have a prejudice against soft-remotes. i know certain models, including that one, have some programmable physical buttons but the bulk of the navigation still appears to be screen-based. if i can't control it in the dark with tactile feedback, i don't like it. i think it comes with hardcore dvr usage. i need play, pause, ff, and rw to be like extensions of my thought.

[TheWorstPlayer]

Astro (or anyone),

Can you give your ideal setup if you only had, say, $4-5K total to spend on the setup and if 50" was absolutely largest TV you could fit in your space?

I will also be moving into a condo, with limited space and (somewhat) limited budget (mostly by the wife - but whatever).

- TWP

[CrazyEyez]

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i refuse to stretch 4:3 content

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I love you. I get weird looks from people who come over and see me with non-stretched 4:3.

I have a smaller Sony RPLCD, the smaller bush stand, a slightly older version of the Onkyo HTIB, a series 2 tivo...I am a poor man's astroglide.

I recommend the Onkyo packages to everyone I know. I've had mine for ~5 years. It sounds fantastic. I'd guess 90% of the people in the market for surround sound would be ecstatic with it, especially considering the price tag.

[astroglide]

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I have a cheapo Sony DVD, but will wait for companies to produce a BluRay/HD DVD player that has proven itself.

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i think you'll be waiting for a while. if i had some other dvd player i would have no regrets about picking up an oppo today.

if/when microsoft releases the 65nm cpu, hdmi, 120gb "zephyr" xbox 360 i'll buy it in a flash for gaming and hd-dvd.

[astroglide]

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If I could hide the components in the wall, then I would do wall mount. But we couldn't in our current house, so we went with the DLP.

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i like being able to read displays, easily insert discs, etc. i think i was absent on the day this whole techno-embarassment thing was being taught, but it seems to be quite popular with wives. monolithic furniture that opens up to reveal, gasp, a TELEVISION! hiding components too, i don't get it. are they really considered unsightly? i also hate the upscale home trend where refrigerators and dishwashers are given facades and hidden handles to blend in with the cabinets. i like stainless stuff that's usable and right out in the open.

[citanul]

TWP,

What do you want it to do?

1) Is MP3/streaming audio/tv type stuff important to you
2) Do you need a cassette deck?
3) Do you own a lot of CDs?
4) How big is the space?
5) Are you going to use it predominantly for music, or for dvds/gamgin?

Do you need all new equipment, or no?

[TheWorstPlayer]

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TWP,

What do you want it to do?

1) Is MP3/streaming audio/tv type stuff important to you

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MP3 from an iPod would be ideal but is not a deal breaker. Streaming tv I don't need at all.

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2) Do you need a cassette deck?

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What's that? (read: no)

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3) Do you own a lot of CDs?

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Yes, but don't listen to them THAT often. Wouldn't mind having some nice CD playback capability, though. Goes slightly below iPod capability in terms of 'nice to haves'. I.e. would be willing to pay $100 for each capability probably, but not $300 each.

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4) How big is the space?

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22' x 15' but not sure precisely where tv/couch will be located.

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5) Are you going to use it predominantly for music, or for dvds/gaming?

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TV/movies. Maybe slight gaming (haven't played in months, but go in spurts every few months.) Not much music, but would be nice-to-have as mentioned above.

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Do you need all new equipment, or no?

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Generally avoid non-new stuff unless there is a very good reason (like a car).