HELP!!!!Setting up new home theater

[mkbb1152]

Hi all, I'm in the process of putting together my first home theater system for a room that's 18 x 18. I was thinking of an Onkyo 605 receiver with the Onkyo HT-240 speaker or Ht - 750 speakers. I'm looking for a 52" LCD TV to match the system with. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. I used to be really into audio and still have my old system. Yamaha B-2, C-2, Technic turntable with AT-1009 arm & Klipsch speakers. This has been great. But like I said I'm totally out of my league with all of the modern equipment out there. I'm really not sure about the TV either. I've read about everything I can find and Samsung seems to get good reviews. Also the reviews on Vizio GV52LF don't seem bad for the price. Any suggestions would be really appreciated - Mark

[yeehaw]

ooooook....guess i'll break the ice, go out on a limb and give my opinion......
1stly,...and im sure someone will disagree...i wouldnt go an lcd that size....plasma a better option....particularly when you look at screen response times........100 htz tele at that size would be nice....would help with panning shots where screen can get 'jumpy'

You could even look at an lcos rear projection unit....rear projection despite all the bad hype aint that bad...and the newer options give a very respectable picture...(but the refresh rates are mighty slow)

I use a 62 inch HD DLP rear projection and TV picture is clearer than my neighbour's 40 inch lcd bravia.

OK...on to HT...

Onkyo...respectable brand....make sure what ever dvd player you hook up you use either the optical or coaxial sound outputs for full digital effect.....

video hookup- minimum component from dvd to tv......if yr amp has upscalling to 1080i you may want to run the video thru the amp.....but the effect can be negligible......HDMI is the high def standard now.

Invest in good cables...

Cant tell you if the system is suitable for the room as im not sure of the power output of the amp or speakers......

speaker setup.....

sub inside fronts...surrounds at 45 if behind you....or if you are sitting with your back to a wall place the rears at 90 degrees facing you.

I run 120watt all round with 120watt sub in similar sized room and it's more than ample unless you want to make your ears bleed..lol..

ummm...thats all i got right now....if nothing else i will create controversy..lol

hope this has helped..

[OMI]

FWIW I got a great deal at Tiger Direct a few months ago on a Toshiba 52 inch REGZA LCD T.V. I love the T.V. Came with a Toshiba HD-A30 player... I lucked into that one... You will also need to get an HDTV set up DVD once you get the new system in. The new HD T.V.'s have sooooo many controls and setting and to get the best picture quality for your location you need a set-up DVD. Factory settings are O.K., but geared for show rooms... A "set up" DVD makes all the difference in the world...

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=144766

[bpape]

TV's are a lot of personal preference. I will comment on the DVD though. For a really nice piece very inexpensively, check out the Oppo. I have 3 of them and love them all.

Bryan

[outshined]

Do you subscribe to any A/V magazines? I would start there.
My recommendation would be Sound and Vision. Home Theater is OK, too, if not with a hint of elitism. S&V has the better qualified staff, IMO.

Reading up a little will definitely give you a feel for what's out there, what will be around for a long time, current trends, what to avoid, etc.

[dciurej]

As above. The question is whether you can use your Klipsch speakers for the front and find something with matching sound in the back. Why get rid of a good set of speakers.

I started with Large Advents years ago and was able to get Baby Advents for the rear. I then picked up a Sony surround sound receiver and have been relatively happy ever since.

Until the upgrade bug hits again.........