Building a home cinema from scratch

J

JonesY

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Hi,

I'd like to build a home cinema from scratch and I need some advice please.

I'll try and give as much information as possible, hopefully it'll help you point me in the right direction.

Parts required to complete the home cinema puzzle:
TV
Audio/Video receiver
Sub woofer and speakers
Media player

Budget: R10-12k

My existing setup:
54cm Sony CRT - 17 years old :wtf:
Basic DSTV decoder (RCA/RF ports only)

I stay in Cape Town (shops, shipping etc.).

Here's an illustration of my TV room:
a3hvsp.jpg

3.7m x 3.7m TV room
Closest viewing distance: 0.5-1.5m (depending on the size of the TV and how it's is placed)
Furtherest viewing distance: 2.5-3m
There's decent in-door lighting coming through the entrance and arch. There's bright outdoor lighting at the window/door section depending on the weather outside.

I'm forced to place the new TV in the top right-hand corner of the TV room, unfortunately.

What TV would you recommend? LED/LCD/Plasma, name brand, best picture quality (engine, lighting etc.), size, features, 'new-tech'. Preferably Sony, I like the brand... unless other brands are marginally better.

How should I place the flat panel? Mount it on the wall diagonally or on a cabinet?

The TV will be used for movies (1080p, 720p, avi, mpeg etc.), sports and other analogue channels on DSTV. I might want to add a gaming console in the future (a very big maybe though). The TV will be on most of the time, it'll only be off when we sleep haha

The TV doesn't necessarily have to be able to play most formats because I'd like to get a media player for that purpose. Network connectivity for youtube videos will be a plus.

I read that 3D screens have better picture processing ability. Will I need a 3D TV for my use? because the price difference is HUGE. Will it improve picture quality drastically, is it worth it?

I'd like the TV to be future proof as well, for the up coming digital era.

Sony Centre in Canal Walk says their Sony Bravia 32" 3D Full HD KDL-32EX720 is on special @R7999 (is that price 'special' or is it all lies?) lol

Sjoe, that covers the TV! haha


Now for the rest of the home cinema puzzle..


What A/V receiver would you recommend? With sufficient ports for my setup and a bit more for future devices. One that'll fit in my budget because the ones that I've come across are extremely expensive. Maybe for a 2.1 channel sound system (stereo :D?).

What sub woofer/speakers would you recommend? The TV room is fairly small so it doesn't have to be very powerful sound - I like good quality sound though :)
What speaker setup would you recommend? 2.1/5.1 or 7.1? I'm not fond of too many cables all over the show, so 2.1 channel sound would be preferable unless there's an easy way to set everything up that I'm unaware of.

What media player would you recommend? I found an Asus device that has USB3.0 functionality, for when I want to copy movies from my PC at decent transfer rates. It has a LAN port so I can connect it to my network for streaming if need be.
Someone told me that I can just get a Blu Ray player and connect an external drive to it (USB port) - sort of the same as a media player but I'll be able to watch Bluray/DVD as well, is this true?

Apologies for all the noob questions, any information will be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I would recommend the Samsung 43D450 plasma, they go for about R5k, but the window might cause some reflections on the screen. But your current CRT will probably suffer the same problem if it is an issue. If sport is one of your priorities in your price range I would definitely go for plasma. If reflections are an issue for you, perhaps the Samsung 40D550 LCD is the way to go. A wall mount that you rotate quite a bit will probably work best given the limited space.

As for the home theatre, I would recommend something like this: http://www.smartlifestyle.co.za/products2.php?pk_prod=287. I think with your budget you might struggle to get decent separate receiver and speaker package, but this onkyo home theatre in a box is a good compromise. You can speak to Vaughan at Smartlifestyle, they are based in the Cape somewhere and I am sure he will be able to demo the system to you and give some advice too.

You will probably get much better sound if you go for a stereo setup instead of surround, but stereo integrated amps won't have HDMI connections or switching so you would have to connect all your sources to the TV. There might some nice stereo systems from Yamaha you can look into here: http://www.soundimage.co.za/catalog/index.php?cPath=8&osCsid=82ac93fe51cbf5fa45808ceda5bf539a I know there is an all-in-one blu-ray system from yamaha as well.
Edit - here it is: http://www.soundimage.co.za/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=8&products_id=484.

As for the media player, a blu-ray player can certainly serve as one, I would recommend the Sony BDP-S380, just check whether there are any limitations on the size/file system format of the HDD that you can connect to it. They can be had for about R1k and is an excellent product: http://www.catsdigital.co.za/sony-bdp-s380-blu-ray-disc-player.html

If you need good advice regarding the sound setup, I suggest you go here: http://www.avforums.co.za/
 
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+1

32" is too small.

And at +-2m you probably won't be able to tell the difference between FHD and HD Ready. Plasma offers superior picture quality and motion handling, which you will notice.

Also, Samsung 51" plasma is going for R5,999 some places...
 
I would also upgrade to DSTV HD if the budget allows.
 
PostmanPot said:
+1

32" is too small.

And at +-2m you probably won't be able to tell the difference between FHD and HD Ready. Plasma offers superior picture quality and motion handling, which you will notice.

Also, Samsung 51" plasma is going for R5,999 some places...
Click to expand...
Nope 32" is perfect for that sized room, I would rather go for a Sony LED that the OP mentioned, and a compact HTS like this http://www.sony.co.za/product/bdv-e370
 
mmmig said:
Nope 32" is perfect for that sized room, I would rather go for a Sony LED that the OP mentioned, and a compact HTS like this http://www.sony.co.za/product/bdv-e370
Click to expand...

Why do you say that, with TVs, the bigger the better.
I am sorry but that is poor advice. Why pay R8k for a very small TV that is no better than the 40/43/51" TVs for less money?

The money saved can be used for a semi-decent sound system
 
gifs said:
Why do you say that, with TVs, the bigger the better.
I am sorry but that is poor advice. Why pay R8k for a very small TV that is no better than the 40/43/51" TVs for less money?

The money saved can be used for a semi-decent sound system
Click to expand...
I'm speaking from experience, I have a lounge of similar dimensions to the OP. Any bigger than 32" you wont experience good picture quality because you will sitting to close
 
mmmig said:
I'm speaking from experience, I have a lounge of similar dimensions to the OP. Any bigger than 32" you wont experience good picture quality because you will sitting to close
Click to expand...

My viewing distance is similar as well, I have both a 40" TV and a 92" projector screen and I can tell you it is not too big.

If you opt for a 32" there is no point in worrying about resolution or processing as the screen is so small you won't be able to tell the difference. It doesn't make sense paying R8k for a 32" TV! If you have to get one this small, don't pay more than R5k at the most.

For R8k you can buy 40-43" Tv and upgrade to a DSTV HD PVR which is money way better spent.
 
mmmig said:
I'm speaking from experience, I have a lounge of similar dimensions to the OP. Any bigger than 32" you wont experience good picture quality because you will sitting to close
Click to expand...

As the OP said "I'd like to build a home cinema from scratch", not a tv room. So doesn't it make sense that to go bigger is better, something like a 43" or better still a 51", for that cinema experience. I too was concerned about putting down a 51" in my small living room, but coming from a 74cm CRT, the PQ is fantastic.
 
Magandroid said:
If you're concerned about wires and cabling when it comes to surround sound systems (and price) then you should consider the soundbars like the Sony HT-CT150 (+- R2000) or the HT-CT350 (+-R2500). For the price, they actually sound amazing, especially if you don't have a very big room.
http://www.sony.co.za/product/ht-ct350
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1257950
Click to expand...

Those soundbars do offer good sound quality, but I think placement might be a problem as you would have to place it at 45 degree angle in that corner?
 
gifs said:
Why do you say that, with TVs, the bigger the better.
I am sorry but that is poor advice. Why pay R8k for a very small TV that is no better than the 40/43/51" TVs for less money?

The money saved can be used for a semi-decent sound system
Click to expand...

+1

And for the full Full HD experience, one needs to sit +-1m from a 32".

Furthermore, that Sony is not a LED TV, it is an LED backlit LCD TV.
 
gifs said:
Those soundbars do offer good sound quality, but I think placement might be a problem as you would have to place it at 45 degree angle in that corner?
Click to expand...

Granted, but for someone who is starting out and who might be on a bit of a tight budget, this is a cheaper option, but still gives good sound quality and the OP can always save up for something better in the future. I've heard some of these soundbars, both the Sony and the Philips, and they do sound great. If you haven't experienced surround sound at home before, then this is a good temporary option.
 
Re soundbard...

Would rather recommend an entry level Yamaha/Pioneer amp (R3,000) + set of bookshelf speakers (R2,000). As the budget allows, a center + rears + sub can be bought (if there is a need ;)).
 
Is it at all possible to rearrange the furniture so that the TV is along the 3.7m wall? You're not going to get the best HT experience with the current position of the TV IMO.

Also, what's your HT budget (excl. TV)?
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Is it at all possible to rearrange the furniture so that the TV is along the 3.7m wall? You're not going to get the best HT experience with the current position of the TV IMO.

Also, what's your HT budget (excl. TV)?
Click to expand...

Would probably be better, but I would think not, assuming the arch → entrance is a walkway.

@OP: Definitely try go for the 51" Samsung PS51D450 plasma (if the 1.48m space allows it?). 3.7m is a fair distance. Most people who can afford it are going for 51" at the 2 - 3m range. Somewhere in another part of SA (could someone mention store name?) has it on special for R5,999, and if in stock, you could take this price to Game and they will beat it by 10% of the difference in price. Otherwise, Makro has the 51" for R6,499. Still the best value on the market.

Also, I don't think we can emphasise the fact that you msut get HD PVR enough. It's only R1,400 now. Do it!
 
PostmanPot said:
Also, I don't think we can emphasise the fact that you msut get HD PVR enough. It's only R1,400 now. Do it!
Click to expand...

Just remember it will cost some more money to upgrade your dish with a twin lnb.
 
Magandroid said:
If you're concerned about wires and cabling when it comes to surround sound systems (and price) then you should consider the soundbars like the Sony HT-CT150 (+- R2000) or the HT-CT350 (+-R2500). For the price, they actually sound amazing, especially if you don't have a very big room.
http://www.sony.co.za/product/ht-ct350
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1257950
Click to expand...

Where can you still get these units? I've tried to look online and apparently been discontinued and cannot find them anywhere...
 
@gifs Thanks for the pointers. If light reflections are bothersome we usually close the door/window with a curtain. Should I use a wall mount diagonally instead of a TV cabinet?
I’m at work at the moment but I’ll check out all the links posted when I get home this evening.
Apologies for the misunderstanding, the only time we will watch sports are when important sporting events are hosted – World Cup/Wimbledon/Man UTD matches :D. Dish channels will be watched the most, movies will be second in line and then a bit of sports in between.

Does this still mean that Plasma is the best choice for me?

@mmmig We’ll be viewing from the 3m mark most of the time, thanks.

@PostmanPot I’m afraid that anything larger than 46” would be to big for the small space unfortunately. I’ll steer clear from the 32” though, ta.

My intentions were to upgrade to HD PVR as soon as I sort out the TV and sound.
Are the Sony TV’s overpriced? Are the other name brands (Samsung/LG) better value for money?
Someone mentioned an XBMC media centre instead of the media player, I haven’t had the chance to see what it’s all about though. I’m leaning toward the Bluray player with an external HDD option at the moment.

@Magandroid Thanks. Sony for sound was one of my initial options, I thought their A/V receivers were expensive (R2.8k) till I saw all the other name brands prices lol
Will I place it in front of my TV (on the cabinet) or mount it on the 3.7m wall above the large couch?

@Mike Hoxbig Nope, unfortunately not. The couches fit perfectly where they are at the moment, thanks.
 
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