Home Cinema System

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:51 pm

I'm going to start buying from Primark and Matalan.

zole · Post by **zole** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 12:45 am

Start?

Id say go matalan its got to be better than primark.

Night · Post by **Night** » Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:40 pm

Baphomet wrote:I love you Night

*lub*

Angus · Post by **Angus** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 2:32 pm

Ok chaps, so im startin my system now.

I have the 360, about to get PS3 (thanx staff discount) so now im onto the TV.

I have a £500-£700 budget but ive no idea what I should be looking for, par the obvious of HD, fairly large and a wish of 2 HDMI ports minimum.

Is there anythin else I need to look for? Ports for speakers etc?

Ill list a few TVs ive seen and you can see if im on the right lines, or just point me to where I should be going.

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/c ... ll&tm=null

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-KDL40V3000 ... 190&sr=1-2

The only difference I can see is 1080p and built in freeview, is that worth my extra £150? Or is the price due to the brand? Also is 40" gonna be to big for console gaming? Namely online?

Also for a speakers system, I wasnt wantin to go to high, but is this where I should be aiming?

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/c ... &sm=4&tm=3

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:40 pm

http://www.dixons.co.uk/martprd/store/d ... oid=-21226

Samsung LE40a559p
Buy this TV. No really, buy it; you won't currently find it cheaper anywhere else either.

Replacing the M8 Series, the new Samsung Series 5, delivers full HD 1080p with a contrast ratio of 30:000:1 and 3 x HDMI. It consistently delivers supreme imagery, which looks great on any backdrop. Picture Enhancement - DINe Plus
Contrast - 30,000 : 1
Sound type - SRS Trusurround
Inputs - 3xHDMI, 2xSCART, 1x Component
Visible Screen Size - 40"

Night · Post by **Night** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:46 am

http://www.avforums.com/

All the info you need for making decisions on AV gear is here.

Night · Post by **Night** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:00 am

Villa wrote:Replacing the M8 Series, the new Samsung Series 5, delivers full HD 1080p with a contrast ratio of 30:000:1 and 3 x HDMI. It consistently delivers supreme imagery, which looks great on any backdrop. Picture Enhancement - DINe Plus
Contrast - 30,000 : 1
Sound type - SRS Trusurround
Inputs - 3xHDMI, 2xSCART, 1x Component
Visible Screen Size - 40"

Sales blurb. There's no substitute for going and watching the set yourself as picture choice is very personal. Make sure you check out broadcast tv, sky, HD DVD and game content. Don't just let them play you animated DVD moves.

The settings are also critically important for a decent picture and make a massive difference, you never end up watching content with the factory default settings.

If you absolutely have to make the decision without getting off your ass then read real reviews on avforums and buy some of the mags and see how they rate it (they use technical tests aswell as visual), home cinema choice, what video and tv etc

I don't like the Samsung sets myself, primarily for the ergonomics and the panel properties.

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:11 pm

Night wrote:
Villa wrote:Replacing the M8 Series, the new Samsung Series 5, delivers full HD 1080p with a contrast ratio of 30:000:1 and 3 x HDMI. It consistently delivers supreme imagery, which looks great on any backdrop. Picture Enhancement - DINe Plus
Contrast - 30,000 : 1
Sound type - SRS Trusurround
Inputs - 3xHDMI, 2xSCART, 1x Component
Visible Screen Size - 40"
Sales blurb. There's no substitute for going and watching the set yourself as picture choice is very personal. Make sure you check out broadcast tv, sky, HD DVD and game content. Don't just let them play you animated DVD moves.

The settings are also critically important for a decent picture and make a massive difference, you never end up watching content with the factory default settings.

If you absolutely have to make the decision without getting off your ass then read real reviews on avforums and buy some of the mags and see how they rate it (they use technical tests aswell as visual), home cinema choice, what video and tv etc

I don't like the Samsung sets myself, primarily for the ergonomics and the panel properties.

The set that I mentioned has had numerous good reviews and considering it's relatively cheap price tage (under £600) it's something you can't go wrong with it.
Unless of course you are made of money and can choose to be discerning with your multi thousand pound TVs.

The guy gave a price range, and the TV I quoted is probably the best all round, everything taken into consideration.

Post by **Benn** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 1:21 pm

It's still good advice, different TVs at any price point are best compared by himself if possible before buying

Night · Post by **Night** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:49 pm

All I'm saying is that 600 quid is a lot of money and it's worthwhile being as sure as possible that you'll like the set and be happy with it once you've got it.

Little things like onscreen menus, remote controls etc can make a difference to enjoyment, if things like that bother you.

Zim Zum · Post by **Zim Zum** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:21 pm

I've got a 40" Samsung M87 and I'm happy with it. It isn't exactly the top choice of AV enthusiasts but is probably the single best value TV out there. It has lots of inputs, supports 1080P on all the HD ones and has an excellent picture. As with any heavily produced electronic item, reliability has been a mixed bag. My one for example won't accept 1080P over VGA even though it should, although I'm due to call Samsung out to do a firmware update to cure it.

Out of all TVs at the moment, Panasonic seem to be the sexiest but they are pricey too.

Villa · Post by **Villa** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:17 pm

Just placed an order for -
Samsung HT-X310R Home cinema

Samsung le40a656 TV

Both items have had very good reviews everywhere.

£890.08 all inc.
This is significantly cheaper than anywhere else.
I think I saved almost enough money from that deal to justify buying a PS3 (But I enjoy the "stop being a cock and buy a 360 like the rest of us" comments so I'll hold off for a few more weeks).

Toki · Post by **Toki** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 11:46 pm

VILLA YOU MAKE ME SO MAD

Post by **Calix** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:16 am

Yeah Villa, spend 6 years complaining no one ever plays games with you, then buy a console barely any of us own. GOOD IDEA.

Night · Post by **Night** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:16 am

Halo3 on Xbox is awesome .. been playing multiplayer Slayer with my kids and they love it .. future fraggers for sure

Gratz on the purchase Villa .. looks like a good deal.