Which Home Theatre to go for?

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ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

#107824 20-Aug-2012 14:34

Hi

I have a Samsung PS51D550 51" Series 5 Plasma. Which home theatre system should I go for to play 3d blue rays, stream youtube etc.?

Should I only look at Samsung options or any other brands would be equally suitable?

Thanks
Ankit

1 | 2

1168 posts

Uber Geek

#674581 20-Aug-2012 14:46

Gee, a world of possibilities.

It all depends on you.

The easiest thing to say is that a Samsung system will mean you can control both with the one remote.

Other things you might want to consider:

How much to you want to spend? Probably the biggest factor.
Do you want a system in a box or do you want to upgrade over time?
Are wireless rear speakers important to you? [They were a factor for me]
How loud do you want it to be able to go? How loud will the neighbors tolerate?
How much space do you have?
Is the system mostly for music or mostly for movies?
How many things; TV, Xbox, etc are you planning to plug in? Are you plugging into your TV or sound system?

This is a starting point.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#674585 20-Aug-2012 14:57

ankit816: Should I only look at Samsung options or any other brands would be equally suitable?

Other brands will work with your Samsung TV, you are not limited to only Samsung gear. But if you do go with Samsung equipment, often the remotes will be complimentary, so there could be some small operational benefits to staying with the one brand.

ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

#674591 20-Aug-2012 15:03

crackrdbycracku: Gee, a world of possibilities.

Thanks a lot for the starting questions, here are my answers:

How much to you want to spend? ~$1000 types
Do you want a system in a box or do you want to upgrade over time? don't think incremental upgrades would be highly critical for me
Are wireless rear speakers important to you? Yes, imp for me too.
How loud do you want it to be able to go? How loud will the neighbors tolerate? Not awfully loud.
How much space do you have? - a standard lounge (don't remember size), so 5.1 type setting should be feasible.
Is the system mostly for music or mostly for movies? - Movies mostly.
How many things; TV, Xbox, etc are you planning to plug in? Are you plugging into your TV or sound system? only TV fr now, might get a console down the line. plugging to TV

ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

#674592 20-Aug-2012 15:04

Jaxson:
ankit816: Should I only look at Samsung options or any other brands would be equally suitable?

Other brands will work with your Samsung TV, you are not limited to only Samsung gear. But if you do go with Samsung equipment, often the remotes will be complimentary, so there could be some small operational benefits to staying with the one brand.

Thanks.
Would there be any advantage in performance / compatibility for things like 3D brand-wise?

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

#674601 20-Aug-2012 15:15

ankit816:
crackrdbycracku: Gee, a world of possibilities.

Thanks a lot for the starting questions, here are my answers:
How much to you want to spend? ~$1000 types
Do you want a system in a box or do you want to upgrade over time? don't think incremental upgrades would be highly critical for me
Are wireless rear speakers important to you? Yes, imp for me too.
How loud do you want it to be able to go? How loud will the neighbors tolerate? Not awfully loud.
How much space do you have? - a standard lounge (don't remember size), so 5.1 type setting should be feasible.
Is the system mostly for music or mostly for movies? - Movies mostly.
How many things; TV, Xbox, etc are you planning to plug in? Are you plugging into your TV or sound system? only TV fr now, might get a console down the line. plugging to TV

OK, you should be able to get something that will fulfill your needs around the $700 to $800 mark.

I don't have a particular system to recommend but something like this maybe?

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio-mp3/home-theatre/samsung-ht-e3550-xy-hte3550-5-1ch-3d-home-theatre-system/prod116570.html

I don't know much about this but all brands have something in this range. I have a Panasonic which is similar and around the same price.

The things I have noticed:

Blu-Ray is awesome! If you like movies it is worth it.
Most, maybe all, TV has crap sound because they don't film in surround sound so don't worry too much if you can't plug TV to sound system. Sound system to TV is the important one ... for those Blu-Rays. You can plug most stuff into your TV and then use a digital audio to connect to the sound system.
Tall speakers are important, you don't want them on the carpet. Wireless rear speakers are great.
You don't need a lot of power, you are not going to listen that loud.
Using the same remote for both TV and sound is nice.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

#674609 20-Aug-2012 15:22

crackrdbycracku:
ankit816:
crackrdbycracku: Gee, a world of possibilities.

Thanks a lot for the starting questions, here are my answers:
How much to you want to spend? ~$1000 types
Do you want a system in a box or do you want to upgrade over time? don't think incremental upgrades would be highly critical for me
Are wireless rear speakers important to you? Yes, imp for me too.
How loud do you want it to be able to go? How loud will the neighbors tolerate? Not awfully loud.
How much space do you have? - a standard lounge (don't remember size), so 5.1 type setting should be feasible.
Is the system mostly for music or mostly for movies? - Movies mostly.
How many things; TV, Xbox, etc are you planning to plug in? Are you plugging into your TV or sound system? only TV fr now, might get a console down the line. plugging to TV

OK, you should be able to get something that will fulfill your needs around the $700 to $800 mark.

I don't have a particular system to recommend but something like this maybe?

http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/audio-mp3/home-theatre/samsung-ht-e3550-xy-hte3550-5-1ch-3d-home-theatre-system/prod116570.html

I don't know much about this but all brands have something in this range. I have a Panasonic which is similar and around the same price.

The things I have noticed:
Blu-Ray is awesome! If you like movies it is worth it.
Most, maybe all, TV has crap sound because they don't film in surround sound so don't worry too much if you can't plug TV to sound system. Sound system to TV is the important one ... for those Blu-Rays. You can plug most stuff into your TV and then use a digital audio to connect to the sound system.
Tall speakers are important, you don't want them on the carpet. Wireless rear speakers are great.
You don't need a lot of power, you are not going to listen that loud.
Using the same remote for both TV and sound is nice.

Thanks a lot for this.

Regarding the wireless rear speakers, I believe you need to still connect the 2 speakers to a single receiver through a wire? And this receiver will need to be plugged in to AC power? If this is true, whats the best way to hide out the wire connecting these rear components?

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

#674621 20-Aug-2012 15:30

Yeah, I guess it isn't truly 'wireless'. I have found the best thing to do is put the second set of speakers at the back of the couch, that way the wire runs under the couch, the receiver hides under there as well. My problem was that running wires from the head unit to the rear speakers would have meant that they went across a doorway and across an access way to the couch. This would have ended badly sooner or later.

The wireless speakers allow you to set up to areas at the front and back of the room with a clear space in between. It's better but not yet perfect.

On the subject of wires think of where they are all going to go before you buy, probably want a cabinet to hid them behind. It is amazing how many things get cabled in. There are these nifty command hook clips you can get which open and close, invest in some.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

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ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

#674623 20-Aug-2012 15:36

crackrdbycracku: Yeah, I guess it isn't truly 'wireless'. I have found the best thing to do is put the second set of speakers at the back of the couch, that way the wire runs under the couch, the receiver hides under there as well. My problem was that running wires from the head unit to the rear speakers would have meant that they went across a doorway and across an access way to the couch. This would have ended badly sooner or later.

The wireless speakers allow you to set up to areas at the front and back of the room with a clear space in between. It's better but not yet perfect.

On the subject of wires think of where they are all going to go before you buy, probably want a cabinet to hid them behind. It is amazing how many things get cabled in. There are these nifty command hook clips you can get which open and close, invest in some.

Yeah your setting with the couch and rear speakers is ideal but unfortunately mine is trickier.
I have 2 1 seater couches split in between via a doorway, so I am wondering what's the best way to run the wire across without becoming a trap for the door way

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

#674628 20-Aug-2012 15:43

Hard to say without seeing your house but you could set them up along the rooms back wall. All you need is a power supply. That way you can run the necessary wires along the wall where people won't trip on them.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#674788 20-Aug-2012 20:40

As a firm believer in the phrase 'friends don't let friends buy home theatre in a box'...
I would suggest purchasing an audio visual receiver, BluRay player and two bookshelf speakers.
(Personally though, I'd buy a PS3 and use that as my BluRay disc spinner)
Then, as time allows, pick up a subwoofer, followed by a centre speaker.
Once that's dialed, you can look at adding rear speakers.
Not only will you end up with far less distortion, you'll also have a system that will grow with you over time... and not junky plastic speakers that sound poor, cannot be upgraded or (in most cases) replaced if they are knocked over...

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#674808 20-Aug-2012 21:26

crackrdbycracku: Yeah, I guess it isn't truly 'wireless'. I have found the best thing to do is put the second set of speakers at the back of the couch, that way the wire runs under the couch, the receiver hides under there as well. My problem was that running wires from the head unit to the rear speakers would have meant that they went across a doorway and across an access way to the couch. This would have ended badly sooner or later.

My sound system is truly geriatric and there were no sensible wireless speaker options available when I put it in (it's on the upgrade list once I sort a HTPC). In fact it's not even 5.1, it's ProLogic and truly ancient. Anyway, I had the same issue and in the end went for a much lower tech solution. I allowed a couple of extra inches in length onto the two wires for the rear speakers, then cut them and soldered RCA plugs and sockets onto the ends.

When I use it as a stereo I have the wire to the rear speakers unplugged, coiled away, and tucked discretely behind the couch. When I want the rears I uncoil across the dining room doorway, put a mat on top to prevent trips, and connect the plugs. Simple, effective and, at an all-up cost of less than $10 plus 10 minutes soldering, very cheap as well.

The main reason I haven't updated it yet is because it works and, while it's not the best system on the planet for home theatre surround sound, quality wise it does a fantastic job of playing music.

ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

#674999 21-Aug-2012 10:13

Dunnersfella: As a firm believer in the phrase 'friends don't let friends buy home theatre in a box'...
I would suggest purchasing an audio visual receiver, BluRay player and two bookshelf speakers.
(Personally though, I'd buy a PS3 and use that as my BluRay disc spinner)
Then, as time allows, pick up a subwoofer, followed by a centre speaker.
Once that's dialed, you can look at adding rear speakers.
Not only will you end up with far less distortion, you'll also have a system that will grow with you over time... and not junky plastic speakers that sound poor, cannot be upgraded or (in most cases) replaced if they are knocked over...

Hmm.. never thought so deeply about the cons of buying a HT in a box.. Thanks for sharing these, will re-think my approach.

Poll

343 posts

Ultimate Geek

#675017 21-Aug-2012 10:48

I've travelled the same path, started with a little htib, bought a bluray player (ps3) for high def movies and realised my htib couldn't take inputs from other sources so no surround sound.
Went for components, I've since upgraded my front speakers to Floor standers, centre channel and sub are next on the cards.
Hdmi inputs is important. I started with just ps3 as input, I've now got all 4 inputs on my amp filled up and ideally could do with more.
Separate components allows you to be future proofed and problem proofed, if something breaks you replace that one item rather than everything and you can upgrade individual parts.
For freeview these days it can send 5.1 sound back over the Arc (audio return channel) on hdmi so you don't need an extra cable so long as your tv supports Arc and the amp does as well.

ankit816

147 posts

Master Geek

#675020 21-Aug-2012 10:58

Poll: I've travelled the same path, started with a little htib, bought a bluray player (ps3) for high def movies and realised my htib couldn't take inputs from other sources so no surround sound.
Went for components, I've since upgraded my front speakers to Floor standers, centre channel and sub are next on the cards.
Hdmi inputs is important. I started with just ps3 as input, I've now got all 4 inputs on my amp filled up and ideally could do with more.
Separate components allows you to be future proofed and problem proofed, if something breaks you replace that one item rather than everything and you can upgrade individual parts.
For freeview these days it can send 5.1 sound back over the Arc (audio return channel) on hdmi so you don't need an extra cable so long as your tv supports Arc and the amp does as well.

Thanks for highlighting the practical problems with lack of input options in HTIBs, will need to carefully fish for this as a must have feature.

minimoke

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#675080 21-Aug-2012 13:24

Dunnersfella: As a firm believer in the phrase 'friends don't let friends buy home theatre in a box'...
I would suggest purchasing an audio visual receiver, BluRay player and two bookshelf speakers.
(Personally though, I'd buy a PS3 and use that as my BluRay disc spinner)
Then, as time allows, pick up a subwoofer, followed by a centre speaker.
Once that's dialed, you can look at adding rear speakers.
Not only will you end up with far less distortion, you'll also have a system that will grow with you over time... and not junky plastic speakers that sound poor, cannot be upgraded or (in most cases) replaced if they are knocked over...

+1. You've got a nice telly, why not match it with nice sound?

You may think you are getting out of your budget but you can pick up very good second hand AV receivers off trade me for a good price. They will still look new but sound a whole lot better than an out-of-the-box 5.1 system. Some receivers have a remote that “learns” your other remotes functions so you only need the one remote.

Likewise your speakers - there are some very good ones out there without having to go brand new. Having the rears is a nice to have – but in reality most of the audio action is coming out of the left and right speakers with most speech coming out of the centre speaker. Get good left and rights and you won’t miss the centre speaker so much.

A cheapy sub will add an extra dimension with your movie listening – especially if you are into the blockbusters. I think I paid $5 for mine off trade me. Its had a bit of modding and its no Velodyne but it serves its purpose well.

And don’t forget the blue ray – well worth it. Just make sure it will do YouTube if this is a priority.

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