Off Topic:Home cinema

[Michael Smarsz]

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Matthews

>But how much of this cost is brand name, and 
>how much of it is quality? Anyone got any good
>recommendations or advice?

OK, there are a few things that can make a purchase more worthwhile...

TV - Look solely at the picture quality!  There are a few of the cheaper
manufacturers who use a better known branded tube (Orion for example use
a Philips tube, which is really quite good for the $$).  Forget buying a
stereo tv, you will do your movie watching through your surround setup
so if you can save buying a stereo tuner (use the stereo tuner from your
VCR) you can either put the money towards a larger/better tube or
towards a better amp/speaker combo.

TV Widescreen - How much movie watching do you do compared with TV
watching?  For the cost of a widescreen TV, you can typically go up in
tube size to compensate.  This will provide a much bigger TV screen and
a widescreen display area almost the same as the 16:9 tube.  Also of
note in this area is that most movies now are coming out in 2.35:1
(aprox 21:9) aspect ratio, which will still leave the black bars on a
16:9 tube.

TV Inputs - At the minimum, must have a S-VHS connector (at least one,
preferably two, on the back).  I'd expect that component video
connectors are still out of the "average" buyers market.

Surround - I would tend to warn people away from the complete packs (a
la Sony micro all-in-one jobs).  The speakers tend to only be 3 ohm
(can't upgrade to "normal" speakers at 8 ohms), the dvd is integrated
into the amp (meaning you can't upgrade one without the other).

DVD - Again, picture quality is where it counts.  More than likely, you
will be using a digital connection (optical/coax) for sound, so the
processing is all done in the amp.  I can't think of any exeptionally
difficult scenes in movies for players - check skin tones, gradiants
(sky from light to dark blue), bright flashes and darkest darks
typically (oh, and preferably, watch this on the TV you intend to buy).

If you are looking at using a PC thourhg the TV also (HTPC's as they are
known as now), a tube with more lines will make quite a difference...
also check that your vid card can produce a widescreen output.

You'll likely find a lot more information at http://www.avsforum.com or
by going to some of the more reputable outlets (Miranda HiFi, Millenium
AV etc).

HTH

Michael
-------------- next part --------------
Unless otherwise stated, this e-mail does not represent the views of 
TransACT Communications Pty Limited.  This text and any attachments of 
this e-mail are confidential and may be legally privileged.  This email 
is for the use of the intended recipient only. If you are not the intended 
recipient do not take any action in relation to this email, other than to 
notify TransACT Communications by replying to this e-mail and destroying 
the original communication.  Except as required by law, TransACT 
Communications does not represent that this transmission is free of errors, 
viruses or interference.