HTPC Final Recommendations

Printable View

09-24-2005, 01:12 AM
hongsc

HTPC Final Recommendations

For HDTV I thinking of an LCD TV but the slim CRT quality looked much better to my eyes at least so:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Samsu...oductDetail.do

Hopefully less than $800 for open box plus coupon if I can find one.

For speakers the Athena Micra 6

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...onics&n=507846

For receiver the HK AVR 235 How much do they go for on Ebay? My budget is around $200!

Samsung Progressive scan DVD player
Either LG Or Philips divx player can't decide?

For HDTV tuner
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/ATSC5Gold.aspx

And finally I need an OTA HDTV indoor antenna which one? I heard Radio Shack was pretty good.

I think that's it can anyone recommend something better for the money or anything I forget? I'm looking to order most of it by next week. Thanks in advance!

P.S. Can someone recommend cheap speaker stands?
09-24-2005, 09:04 PM
Hammerstein

I love that Samsung CRT. Worked selling TVs this summer, and it was one of my favorite, so I think you have a good choice there.

Only LCD I know of that's generally the same cost is an so-so Magnavox 26 incher that has the same MSRP. It does have a VGA in, though.

My understanding is the Athenas are nice, in general, too, though I'm afraid I'm not familiar with HK receivers.

Lastly, if you go with an external DVD player, I suggest you get an upscaling one, so that you can use standard DVDs at 720p/1080i modes on your HDTV. It's not necessary, but it does improve quality slightly on HDTVs. Try the Samsung HD-850. Toshiba and Sony also make some that I know of that should be pretty good, and, there are, of course, higher end options, but I don't know them very well.

Not up on HDTV on-air stuff otherwise, but best of luck!
09-24-2005, 10:30 PM
I4one

i haven't read everything posted - but realize that intel/ms/amd/riaa/mpaa and WMP | DRM | TCPA | DMCA are slowly encroaching - to the point where you won't be able to watch hdtv nor blu-ray disks without their copy protection deciphering encryption between the 2 hardware devices (monitor and pc)
09-24-2005, 11:51 PM
hongsc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammerstein

I love that Samsung CRT. Worked selling TVs this summer, and it was one of my favorite, so I think you have a good choice there.

Only LCD I know of that's generally the same cost is an so-so Magnavox 26 incher that has the same MSRP. It does have a VGA in, though.

My understanding is the Athenas are nice, in general, too, though I'm afraid I'm not familiar with HK receivers.

Lastly, if you go with an external DVD player, I suggest you get an upscaling one, so that you can use standard DVDs at 720p/1080i modes on your HDTV. It's not necessary, but it does improve quality slightly on HDTVs. Try the Samsung HD-850. Toshiba and Sony also make some that I know of that should be pretty good, and, there are, of course, higher end options, but I don't know them very well.

Not up on HDTV on-air stuff otherwise, but best of luck!

Thanks for the help! I don't think Sony is an option because of price and I don't like Toshiba. I guess this is a confirmation on the Samsung. For the TV a $1000 or less is my budget. I'm guessing the other Samsung is more expensive. The LCD TVs that looked great were the Sharp and the Sony but both were too expensive. I believe the divx players upscale so that shouldn't be a problem.
09-25-2005, 12:42 PM
Hammerstein

Quote:

Originally Posted by I4one

i haven't read everything posted - but realize that intel/ms/amd/riaa/mpaa and WMP | DRM | TCPA | DMCA are slowly encroaching - to the point where you won't be able to watch hdtv nor blu-ray disks without their copy protection deciphering encryption between the 2 hardware devices (monitor and pc)

It's already here to some extent. After all, the HDMI connector that you need to use on an upscaling DVD player to take advantage of the upscaling is encrypted and goes directly from the player to the TV carrying both audio and video signals. Meh.

Also, the Samsung is a good choice, because my understanding is that it comes with a HDMI cable. Saves you a little money there.
10-10-2005, 01:49 AM
hongsc

I was set to get the Samsung slim crt until I realized this thing weighs over 100 lbs. and the nightmare of getting a refrigerator up a flight of stairs into my new apartment, so no crt. I'm looking at 26" LCDs at the moment at CC and BB and can't decide between the Sharp and Samsung model. I believe neither has a digital tuner built-in and I bought a Radioshack HDTV antenna, which got good reviews. I have digital cable right but I will cancel it when the promotion is done so I just want local OTA HD channels. I looked at antennaweb and it seems I should be okay. I just need to buy a digital tuner in a couple of months. Is it a good idea to purchase on-line and/or refurbished since its a lot cheaper? I also have a coupon from CC for a $100 off. Any help would be appreciated!

P.S. I'm looking to purchase ASAP because coupon expires on the 15th.
10-10-2005, 05:17 AM
Hammerstein

Both the Sharp Aquios and the Samsung LCD TVs are /very/ nice, so I understand the difficulty. You should go wth the one that you like better, IMHO, instead of preferring one particular brand in this case.

In terms of HD tuners, not sure what's good, but it does seem that CC has a fairly nice selection so that'll give you a chance. Plus, with a coupon you might pay as little as $100 plus tax which isn't too bad in my book. Myself, I'm not very fond of refurbished stuff, but if it comes with a good warranty, you could certainly give it a shot if the savings are good.

Good luck!
10-13-2005, 02:59 AM
hongsc

It looks like I finally found it the Sharp LC-32DA5U AQUOS 32" 16:9 HD LCD Panel TV for a little over $1300. I'll order it by Friday. I can't wait to get it as this will probably be my last purchase for a while:(. I'm done upgrading....
10-23-2005, 06:37 AM
hongsc

I got the Syntax Olevia 27" LCD TV instead and using with Charter cable at the moment picture quality is okay not bad but not spectacular either. The colors look a little washed but so did the 42" plasma Samsung panel I hooked up through component. The Syntax looked beautiful with the OTA HDTV tuner from Radio Shack too bad no QAM, which I am returning along with the cables I bought what a rip off and getting the 30% friends and family for the RS tuner for $63. I had some questions I can get the 32" for a little over $300 more is it worth it? I'm buying a HDMI to DVI, RCA, Optical Toslink, and component from monoprice to use with the TV and HT components. Is 6 ft plenty or should I get longer ones? I listened to the Micras and they sound okay but I feel I can get something better for the money maybe. Are the Micras considered substantial for HT use in a 1 bdr apartment or should I get something like the Polk speakers RS15 for now and upgrade later if need be? Is it worth it to get 5.1 or can I get away with 2.1 and combo it with Dayton 12" for DVD movies and divx TV episodes? I fear the move with all this heavy stuff again because of the rush move and neighbors complaining. I blasted the MX5021 and got a couple of bangs already. I can only imagine a HT setup.

P.S. The receiver would be the HK AVR 235.
10-23-2005, 07:16 AM
Hammerstein

Slow down :eek:

You know, if you're using normal cable on a HDTV it's only going to look so-so no matter what. If you're using digital and it doesn't look right, then either your provider is bad or your digital cable box isn't very good.

I don't have any knowledge of the Syntax TVs, so I can't really help you on that mark. I'm not familiar with them at all. Personally, I can't tell you if a 32" is even worth it, except that larger size is usually something that attracts people.

I think that if you would like someone who has more knowledge to answer you, it'd be helpful if you did slow down and kind of explain more clearly what you've done and what you want.
10-23-2005, 05:05 PM
hongsc

Sorry it was a late post. The LCD TV got pretty good reviews so I think the 32" is what I'm upgrading to and I like it a lot especially the price. The LCD TV is HDTV ready and the box I bought does only OTA and not QAM, so I guess that's why the picture quality is so so on digital cable. Is 6' cables enough or should I get 12'? The speakers I'm not sure about if the Micras are for me after a listen I'm not that impressed. I'm thinking of just going 2.1 instead and adding speakers later. Is this a good idea? I really don't like it messy in the living room with speaker stands and wires so would I be missing much without the 5.1 most of the stuff being watched would be divx TV episodes. I hope that clears things up. I currently have the LCD TV, OTA HDTV box, Philips divx player and RS antenna.