HDTV/Home theatre setup questions for a beginner

[Kerouactivist]

Well my parents have decided to get an HDTV and they came to me asking for advice and I really don't know much about it so I thought I would try to get some info here.
They live in a very rural area so they won't be able to get digital cable or over air HDTV signals. So they have decided to get a dish.
It looks like either directtv or dish network are the best options (voom doesn't have enough channels).
Which would you guys suggestion for the best in regards to price and hdtv programming? (They want a bunch of channels and the hbo pack.)

As far as in regards to a tv and home theatre setup my dad didn't even think he need "extra speakers"(aren't the ones that come on the tv fine LOL)
but, if he is going to plop down several grand for a tv he needs get a good sound system. He is still reluctant though about tearing walls up etc. So I really have no idea what the best route for him would be. He is looking to spend 3k-5k for the whole package, more if he decides to go plasma but, I really don't know much about the differences. The problem with my dad is is that he will go to freaking best buy and treat the salespeople there advice like expert opinion. I'm not really much help on the matter though because I really don't know that much about it (can't afford it and if start learning to much about it my credit card will start bleeding from my own impulsive purchases,hehe).
Any help or directions you can give me in any of these issues would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry if this post is kinda a shot in the dark but, I really don't know much about it and my father is really vague in what he wants....

 

[rickn]

Voom offers the most HDTV programming of any. And whatever they do for speakers, don't allow them to get Bose

 

[SSP]

I went to these forums to search for specific models that I was interested in:

AVS forum

HT forum

 

[rudeguy]

what size are you thinking?

for $5k you can get a really nice setup. Tell you dad he doesnt have to tear up walls or anything for surround sound. It sounds like you want a starting point. I really like the DLP sets, samsung makes the best. In his price range your dad could get the 50" Samsung (HLN5065/HLN507.) For the surround, Onkyo makes some really good HTIB's. If you dad did all that he would still have about a grand left, just enough to pick up the new Directv HD Tivo box.

Let me know what you think.

 

[Ameesh]

i would tell them to get a basic dish setup and get voom on top of it, voom i believe costs 9.95 a month so it would be a good add on.

 

[Kerouactivist]

Thanks for the info, I'm not too sure about the size just whatever is the best setup witin the price range, i'll check out the tvs and look around for some onkyo setups

 

[NuclearNed]

I've heard a lot of negative stuff about Voom. Has anyone here actually subscribed to it?

 

[Kelvrick]

I agree with the samsung and the onkyo surround.

Ecost usually has pretty good deals on refurbished ones if you don't want new. A refurbished 6.1 system will put you back like 300 there.

reciever

speakers

or both together, but with weaker sub

 

[MustISO]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
i would tell them to get a basic dish setup and get voom on top of it, voom i believe costs 9.95 a month so it would be a good add on.

Voom is a seperate service that requires Voom's hardware. Voom is $39.94 per mo.

 

[JYDog]

I'd just get them a $1500-2500 Rear Projection w HiDef. Most will do 720P or 1080I. The technology is reliable and costs are at its lowest ever because of competition by Plasma and LCD.

If they choose to hold off for a little bit, LCoS sets will arrive late in the year. LCoS will fil the gap between RP and Plasma/LCD.

 

[Kelemvor]

http://www.hometheaterforum.com

 

[v3rrv3]

From what I remember, you can pick up a really good deal on a Mitsubishi HDTV at Costco if you have one near. I remember hearing you could pick up a 60" or above for less than 2k. Sorry I can't be specific but I don't remember the deal too well. As far as electronics go I would stray far away from Best Buy for a nice home theater. Especially for the audio imo. Unless they carry Klipsch home audio, I can't remember.

- Kevin

 

[Falloutboy]

I would go for a sammy DLP in whatever size you like. my dad got a mitsu 60" rear projection and had it for a week and hated it and returned it in favor of the DLP much brighter screen which is important if you want to watch tv during the day without blacking out your windows and much smaller footprint in the room.

for HDTV I would either do Dish or Voom I like dish better than dierct because they have more capacity for the future, they just sent up one sat thier not even close to maxing out and they have plans for another in a few years. I beleave direct is stuck at 2 and has no plans of adding more. the only thing I like about direct better is NFL sunday ticket but thats mainly because my team is hardly ever on tv

for sound. I would just get a nice onkyo 6.1 setup ( I beleave they have one or like 500 which is quite nice for the money.)

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
I've heard a lot of negative stuff about Voom. Has anyone here actually subscribed to it?

I used to, but cancelled at the end of April. They have easily the most HDTV of anyone, but so far programming is mediocre.

HDCP is enabled on DVI regardless of programming or channel, so be aware of that when choosing a display if you want Voom.

 

[Kerouactivist]

Well I ordered dish network today for my father
Top 180 with locals with cinemax and HBO (good deal when combined under there value pack
distant network chicago pack
one hdtv receiver and two dvr recievers (I don't really think they need two with dvr but, OTW)

Still haven't decided on the tv yet I think we are pretty focused of DLP technology maybe the samsung 50 or 56inch. I also started to consider the Sony LCD line they've got a pretty schweet looking 60inch for about 4k. I dunno about the Lcd's though but, Sears carries them and that is the only place that will deliver to my parents house they live in the boonies, they carry the 50 inch samsung as well but, not the 56 inch so still undecided about that for now.

I think I'm going to have him order an Onkyo setup in the 500-600 dollar range but, I'm still unsure how I'm going to get that setup into a good position with minimal cable showage. I guess I need to read some more about that on the net...

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: bthorny
Well I ordered dish network today for my father
Top 180 with locals with cinemax and HBO (good deal when combined under there value pack
distant network chicago pack
one hdtv receiver and two dvr recievers (I don't really think they need two with dvr but, OTW)

Still haven't decided on the tv yet I think we are pretty focused of DLP technology maybe the samsung 50 or 56inch. I also started to consider the Sony LCD line they've got a pretty schweet looking 60inch for about 4k. I dunno about the Lcd's though but, Sears carries them and that is the only place that will deliver to my parents house they live in the boonies, they carry the 50 inch samsung as well but, not the 56 inch so still undecided about that for now.

I think I'm going to have him order an Onkyo setup in the 500-600 dollar range but, I'm still unsure how I'm going to get that setup into a good position with minimal cable showage. I guess I need to read some more about that on the net...

Congrats on getting the service done. It's not an easy decision.

You may want to wait just a bit on the TV. JVC's HD52Z575 should almost be out, and it's a D-ILA one. D-ILA seriously rocks, so if the implementation is good in this TV, it may be the one to beat. I have a D-ILA front projector that I like a lot (after many LCD & DLP projectors). It'll come in just over $3k for this 52", I'm guessing.

It's difficult to hide cabling, but it can be done. How big is the room?