Perfect home threater setup

[MaxH]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

You can watch Vudu via computer, but your resolution is limited to SD. To me, that's a non-starter.

[Retiredgeek]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

I am a newbie to the Vudu forum but have had an account for watching movies for a while. I already have the perfect Home Theater but am not sure i can activate my HTPC without a setup box. I can watch movies now through my Samsung blueray player but would like to have a second account enabled through my HTPC. I have good sound through my Bluray but have outstanding sound with my HTPC. Do I need a setup box or other device before I can watch movies on my HTPC. I can get other Movies like Netflix without a setbox or anything other than the internet. I prefer watching Netflix with my HTPC because I can get closed captions that is not available on my Blu-ray.

If someone could give me the info I need for activation it would be greatly appreciated.
thanks

[cleary524]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Ok so tonight I ended up watching a couple of Vudu streaming movies and all I can say is I've never experienced anything like it!

My LG LV5500 42" HDTV is amazing in HDX! The picture is perfect!

I have an old school AIWA sound receiver, nothing special, but has always been a solid low cost performer (radio, old VCR sound, Old DVD player, old TV sound, tapes, CD's, etc.) and I love it now more than ever that I have the audio hooked up to the HDTV. I finally got the Dolby digital plus sound to go through a digital audio converter I bought, made by Gefen, and I am just totally impressed! I can't imagine a TRUE complete digital audio signal could possibly sound better, but it likely does?

Fast Five and Transformers 3 was amazing! Better than any movie experience I've ever had in my 35 years! I really don't even want to watch HD Cable programming, or regular DVD's or Netflix or the other streaming applications I've tried so far. With the exception of Blu Ray, nothing compares to video in HDX.

Great job Vudu! You have my money this winter!

[nescosmo]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Thanks, myoda. I was leaning towards a Panny or two in the 60-65" range, so it's nice to see a recommendation like that.

You want something nice with a price; Go and buy a mit 75" laservue.It has cinema view that go hand in hand with the studio film color. If you want something to talk about all day long, go and watch a Vudu movie HDX on Cinema with the Mit lasevue.(YUu know lasevue come with Vudu in it). and To watch 3D with that big screen, at night with all the light off, let me tell you, it take you to the moon and back.

[MaxH]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Thanks, myoda. I was leaning towards a Panny or two in the 60-65" range, so it's nice to see a recommendation like that.

[myoda]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Oh, I'm not even considering the $$$$$$$$$$$ OLED panels, which you can't even get in computer monitor sizes yet, IIRC. I was thinking about the full array of LED backlighting, like Jake said...but now I'm thinking maybe the right LCD with LED edge lighting would be as good or close enough to the color and black depth of a plasma, while using a lot less energy. Physical depth isn't an issue, as it'll be wall-mounted (on an articulating arm, so viewing angle isn't as big a deal either) above a console/credenza.

Anyway, I'm waiting for a draft from the guy about our furniture and mantel and such, so while I'd like to go a little bigger at 60-65", I might wind up going a little smaller depending on what the room plan looks like.

Hi Max:
I think your only choice for the most accurate picture at 60 to 65 inches would be a Panasonic plasma. LCD panels above 60 inches usually are much more expensive than a plasma panel. The Panasonic TC - P65S1 is about 130 pounds and retails for approx $2300. The Sharp Aquos LC65D64U 65-Inch 1080p is 146 pounds - listing at Amazon for $3000. Shop around.

For either panel, at that size, you will need a very sturdy articulating arm. I've been pretty happy with my Mits 65 inch DLP sinc 2006, and was even thinking about the new 82 inch Mits...but with the advances in anti-glare coatings, the new Panasonic plasmas are looking very attractive. Let us know how you make out. Thanks.

Check out my modest rig:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...?userid=114347

[MaxH]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Oh, I'm not even considering the $$$$$$$$$$$ OLED panels, which you can't even get in computer monitor sizes yet, IIRC. I was thinking about the full array of LED backlighting, like Jake said...but now I'm thinking maybe the right LCD with LED edge lighting would be as good or close enough to the color and black depth of a plasma, while using a lot less energy. Physical depth isn't an issue, as it'll be wall-mounted (on an articulating arm, so viewing angle isn't as big a deal either) above a console/credenza.

Anyway, I'm waiting for a draft from the guy about our furniture and mantel and such, so while I'd like to go a little bigger at 60-65", I might wind up going a little smaller depending on what the room plan looks like.

[Jake]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Keep in mind that LED TVs are NOT LED panels. They are LCD TVs with LEDs providing the lighting instead of a bulb.

They are nice though for size, weight and efficiency.

Also, there are 2 types of those: edge-lit and back-lit. The edge-lit ones can be *really* thin, but the back-lit ones allow local dimming for better black levels. Though I think Samsung has one that is edge-lit with some sort of dimming as well...

[NA9D]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

I'll have to take another look at full-LED LCDs, which were my second choice after plasma. I really like the concept, although I've seen some complaints about blooming with them. It seems the cost might be a little higher than plasma for a comparable set, but I don't mind paying a little more for a more energy-efficient set.

Keep in mind that LED TVs are NOT LED panels. They are LCD TVs with LEDs providing the lighting instead of a bulb.

They are nice though for size, weight and efficiency.

[MaxH]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Oh, yeah, I agree about 3D...I'm certainly not actively looking for it, but a lot of the TVs I'm looking at are "3D-ready", and it would be nice to try out one of the standards for a little while, even if it becomes obsolete.

I'll have to take another look at full-LED LCDs, which were my second choice after plasma. I really like the concept, although I've seen some complaints about blooming with them. It seems the cost might be a little higher than plasma for a comparable set, but I don't mind paying a little more for a more energy-efficient set.

[Jake]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Any thoughts on those, or other TVs in that range that I should look at? I'd really like for it to be DLNA certified, or at least have close to the same networking/media capabilities. I went into this telling myself that 3D-ready is really not necessary, but now I'm thinking that if I'm going to keep this TV for 10+ years, I should consider paying the premium for that.

With plasmas, for absolute picture quality (now that the Pioneers are being discontinued) I think Panasonic and Samsung are good choices (some of the new LGs may be worth looking at as well).

Personally, I'd go with the one you feel gives the best picture and not worry about DLNA/networking, etc - the technology there will always be changing, so you are better off spending more on a great "monitor" that you can keep for a while, and then getting a networked BD player (you can get one with DLNA and all sorts of network apps, including Vudu, of course for under $200 now, or even less a year from now). Though I guess most of the nicer/full featured TVs do already have Internet apps these days anyway...

As far as 3D, I haven't been all that impressed with the "active shutter" 3D TVs I have seen. I was fairly impressed with a passive polarized TV I saw, but I don't know if any that are actually shipping in the US this year - and when they are, they will probably cost a bit more, since unlike active shutter they use a new panel design. On the flip side, from what I have read, I'm not sure the overall picture quality would be as good for non-3D content (with active it should be the same). As Jon said, 3D is pretty new and there are a bunch of implementations out there - so if you do get one you will definitely be an "early adopter"

[NA9D]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Max,

Modern LCDs have screen refresh rates of up to 240 Hz. You really don't see any motion lag with them. It's pretty rare - don't let that stop you from one.

Bottom line: get one that gives you the picture you like. In the last 7+ months now doing a lot of work with Ed (nded) in the AV market, I've seen a lot of TVs and learned a lot about what's out there. Ed prefers LCD sets, because of the sharpness of the picture. I prefer plasmas because of the slightly more natural image and what I think is better color depth. Still, I have a 50" plasma and a 42" LCD. Sometimes I think the images on the LCD jump out at me more than on the plasma. So I'm actually torn.

Regarding 3D, did you realize there's about 15 different standards out there? Not all of them will survive. So making the investment in a set now because you want the technology to be usable 10 years from now is not a sure thing. It's a nutty market and don't get Ed or I started on why we feel this is a joke and a marketing move by the TV companies to continue their business model now that the days of people buying flat screens in droves to replace their CRTs are over. Let's say you have a movie party and want to watch a 3D movie. Gee, do you have 10 pairs of glasses? OK, so your friends bring glasses. Oh crap! They have Panasonic setups and you have LG. Incompatible systems! Oh sorry. Can't use the 3D glasses. Or lets say you wish to lay down on the sofa while watching. Oh crap, you can't. The 3D glasses are typically designed for vertical sitting positions not prone ones.

If your TV has 3D capability, great, but don't let that be the reason you do or do not get a particular model.

Lastly, consider doing a distributed video system using something like the HD over IP system from JustAddPower. I've got one of these running now in my house and it's pretty slick and they are just about to come out with their second generation distribution system which from what I hear is nearly flawless in terms of video quality. Pretty cool to be able to put your Vudu and Tivos in a single room and then watch that content on any TV in the house.

Jon

I'm finally looking to replace my old RPTV with a flat screen, and so I thought I'd revive this thread.

I've decided on plasma, because, call me crazy, I want the best picture possible from my display device. From what I've read, LCD (whether CCFL or LED) lags in quick motion, and DLP (which I know is not exactly flat, but are usually light enough to be wall- or bracket-mountable) is not as crisp.

I'm replacing a 57" TV and the viewing distance is 12-15', so I'm looking at the Samsung PN63s (PN63C550, PN63C7000 and PN63C8000) or Panasonic Viera (TC-P65S1, S2, or maybe a VT25 if I can find one on sale).

Any thoughts on those, or other TVs in that range that I should look at? I'd really like for it to be DLNA certified, or at least have close to the same networking/media capabilities. I went into this telling myself that 3D-ready is really not necessary, but now I'm thinking that if I'm going to keep this TV for 10+ years, I should consider paying the premium for that.

[MaxH]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

I'm finally looking to replace my old RPTV with a flat screen, and so I thought I'd revive this thread.

I've decided on plasma, because, call me crazy, I want the best picture possible from my display device. From what I've read, LCD (whether CCFL or LED) lags in quick motion, and DLP (which I know is not exactly flat, but are usually light enough to be wall- or bracket-mountable) is not as crisp.

I'm replacing a 57" TV and the viewing distance is 12-15', so I'm looking at the Samsung PN63s (PN63C550, PN63C7000 and PN63C8000) or Panasonic Viera (TC-P65S1, S2, or maybe a VT25 if I can find one on sale).

Any thoughts on those, or other TVs in that range that I should look at? I'd really like for it to be DLNA certified, or at least have close to the same networking/media capabilities. I went into this telling myself that 3D-ready is really not necessary, but now I'm thinking that if I'm going to keep this TV for 10+ years, I should consider paying the premium for that.

[inconspicuous]

Figured I'd update my picks for something I'd actually want to have/use (unlike the first go-round):

Wolf Cinema DCX-1500i
Screen Research Reference Xmask Screen
Lexicon BD-30
Kaleidescape 3U (2)
Kaleidescape 1080p Player (10)
VUDU XL2 (10)
DirecTV HDPC20 (10)
Tivo HDXL (10)
Meridian C61R (2)
Meridian HD621 (2)
PHC SCR3215sm (7)
PHC LFC-21sm (7)
PHC DPA-1002 (14)
Crestron PRO2
Crestron C2N-SPSW300
Crestron DM-MD16x16
Crestron DM-RMC100-F (10)
Crestron DVPHD (2)
Crestron DGE-2 (2)
Crestron ML-600 (2)
Crestron CNRFGWA
Crestron V-15 (2)
Crestron CEN-TRACK
Crestron PAC2
[any lighting modules & enclosures needed]
Nordost Silver Screen HDMI
Liberty custom interconnects
Richard Gray's Power Vault
Richard Gray's Powerhouse 3X (2)
Middle Atlantic racks
Cinematech custom seating

p.s. I win.

[obiwopkenobi62]

Re: Perfect home theater setup

Hi all,
I since last post been using the new TivoHD unit and I added a 1Tb external HDD so now I can record almost 200 hours of HD or 1,444 hours of SD content. This new baby is awesome. It sure would be nice if Tivo and Vudu joined forces.

I also got rid of Dish Network. Took the 40 Gb HDD out of the PS3 and replaced it with a 500Gb, Putting all my CD's on there. Also got an X Box 360 which I'm loving.