Where to begin - Home Entertainment setup?

[Cassady]

Hello All,

[Mods - apologies in advance if this is in the incorrect forum - but it appears to span a few topics, so was not quite sure where to place this... Kindly delete/move if I'm not complying with the rules ]

We're moving to a bigger house and property shortly...

Whereas I am slightly suspicious of the underlying reasons [], my wife - completely of her own accord - suggested we get a new big-screen TV, and HD PVR's that can record and run the Box-Office options...Ideally, the new TV downstairs in the lounge/tv room, and the one existing Samsung tv [HD ready] in our room. I'm not particularly phased about Blue-Ray, probably because I haven't really spent time with it/seen it properly, but am quite content with the above setup - so would settle for a standard DVD, if Blueray is still significantly pricier.

I also have an Ipad & MBP - so am thinking it would be great if the new TV and DSTV setup, will allow streaming from my Macbook - either streaming movies, but mostly to allow me to stream music off my iTunes through the TV/Surround sound setup...

Lastly, we currently have one little ADSL router - but we're undoubtedly going to have to come up with a booster set-up, since the new home is multi-levelled, and probably too big for one router.


So. I unfortunately don't have much time to do all the required research. If I need to, I will - but first prize would be to get someone in to do all the setup in one go.
Thing is, I'm not sure that's a good idea? Stands to reason that if I don't get someone reliable, they would see me coming a mile-off, and string this newbie along with all sorts of stories...

Is it best to do the research yourself, purchase the TV/DVDs/Sound system/Router/Booster etc. - and then get someone in do simply do the installation?
Or possibly, have someone come and look - advise what would work best - then go and purchase what they have suggested, and then have them come back and install?
Would there be any risk in buying things piecemeal - i.e., might one device not work cleanly with the other etc?
Are there companies out there that could install a DSTV system, AND an integrated ADSL/laptop to tv/media centre system?

I guess what I'm asking - is whether a newbie should try this himself, or pay a bit of premium and have a professional(?) do it for him?

Any suggestions would be welcomed!

PS - down in Paarl, in the WC.

 

[Freaksta]

I would personally say go DIY route, but that's just because then I can do it exactly the way I want it and I don't have to pay someone else to do something that isn't that's difficult. There are two possible threads you may want to search for(they may be stickies) one about home theater bargins and the other on LCD and plasma discussions! The extending of your wifi is rather simple if you can find a extender of the same brand as your current router! Otherwise often good placing in a multistory house can mean you can cover the whole house with one unit(in my case)..

Anyhow sure some people will comments on some specifics and your preferred option, this is just my opinion!

 

[123Eish]

Ok this what you should do:

Pay somebody to install the DSTV for you, shop around and find the best price.
For the tv and home theater, you can buy these yourself just, have to a little bit of window shopping until you find the perfect one.
For the streaming, you would need an HTPC or Server sort of set-up. I would set up and HTPC in the lounge with a huge hard drive to store all your movies and series. Then wire a ethernet cable to your bedroom, or second tv room. Install another HTPC there or maybe a media player, for your ipad you can share all your media via wireless. I'm not sure about this though I know you can share/view/play files with an android tab but I'm not sure about an ipad. Not to mention the signal will be to low to play HD on your IPAD. If you want to stream dstv then you will need a tv card for the main pc (this is an even bigger task) I'd leave it out. Finally add an uncapped account to your adsl, maybe you won't even want dstv anymore after this.

Lastly google is your friend you will find all the info you need to connect your set up (just google it).

Good Luck

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