Home Theater & Audio Discussion Board

Home theater systems

dimitriniko — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:16:40 GMT

I recently got a Paramax P-7 home theater speaker system and found that my stero is so old I can't use it. I need to get a receiver that will work with the Paramax system. I only will be connecting HDTV and an older DVD and CD player. TV is 1.5 years old and I use Dish Network for TV. Any suggestions? Don't want to spend too much, below $200. Thanks.

Inputs and Outputs

nagol1985 — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:49:33 GMT

If you have a newer TV (one with a fiber optic audio out on it) you should be able to run everything to the TV. Then run a fiber optic cable from the TV's audio out to the home theater's fiber optic in (again not every home theater has this, but most of the new ones do). The fiber optic cable is better than just a red-white cable from the TV since it can still carry a surround sound. Just set the theater to the fiber optic input (it may call it a digital input or D. IN) as you switch sources on the TV your sound will change with it.

Inputs and Outputs

XRicardoTV — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:14:45 GMT

I have an xbox360, a PS3, Wii, and an HD DVR. Can i get Surround sound on all or how does surround sound work? can i only listen to surround sound from movies playing in the home theatre system? Please, i need help on this :)

Home Surround Sound

richandmaggie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:25:10 GMT

I have both a Blue-Ray player and a Cable Box inputting into the Sony Bravia TV. How does this fit? I do not see two inputs?

Home Theater & Audio

SHC-DanielBH — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:15:39 GMT

Just spoke to my home audio/speaker buyers, and this is what they have to say:

"If you want to retain the current speakers embedded in the walls, good possible home theater system suggestions meeting the specified criteria and budget include Panasonic SC-BT230 (91010 @ $399.99); LG LHB335 (98410 @ $429.99); Samsung HT-C5500 (98010 @ $499.99) or RCA RTB1100 (93110 @ $349.99). Each of these listed home theater systems has embedded Blu-ray/upconvert DVD capabilities as well as AM/FM and CD.

If possible, try to match the selected home theater brand with the brand of your existing TV at home to maximize home entertainment options -- via proprietary applications -- and capabilities, as well as minimize potential compatibility issues.

You should experience each unit in person by visiting a local Sears store. While at the store inspecting various home theater systems, you'll get a better idea of size differences, sound differences, connectivity differences, style differences as well as remote configuration to better make an informed decision about which system would best meet your needs."

Hope this helps!

Home Theater & Audio

Wannano — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:28:33 GMT

The home I bought has speakers installed into the walls. I want to purchase a system that gives me Blue-Ray capibilities as well as AM/FM, CD, DVD. I have no clue where to start and to stay in the $500 or under range. Any suggestions?

Wireless speakers

freddyJ — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:42:21 GMT

I am trying to find a comonation 60 cd stero player ipod dock and mp3 player or just a stero cd player that holds at least 60 cds

Home theater systems

RetailMac — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 07:13:30 GMT

Oh I remember the first time I purchased a HTIB. I bought a very capable 5.1 surround system for a decent price of around $700 I think it was. I got it all hooked up and watched my first DVD and was blown away by the sound. My first system was Yamaha receiver, surrounds, and subwoofer.

Sadly it took only about a month before I started to get too into it. I upgraded my center channel since 95% of all of your sound happens there first with a special order direct from Yamaha center channel. Wow what an incredible difference.

Then it all began. I upgraded the surrounds, then the wiring, next the subwoofer, along came a new receiver with many more watts and capabilities. I needed more and more as there was always something better. Finally after realizing I could go on like this forever I stopped allowing myself to purchase new components.

My system has now about $8000 invested, and to be honest I could hear the differences with each upgrade, and all of my friends love the sound it puts out with everything being so clear. That being said I can't say that I enjoy it anymore than the first HTIB listening to it on my first DVD I purchased. Sure I can tell a difference now form then, but I am more than certain I would have been completely happy for a long time with my first system. Hopefully you don't get sucked in as I did lol. The only real advice I can give you after all I went through on mine.....

Let your ears decide. Close your eyes, turn them up and see which one you enjoy, then go with it and don't look back.

Wireless speakers

Realman — Sun, 30 May 2010 06:02:29 GMT

Sony and Panasonc both have a lower price system that have wireless rear speakers but the powers that be don't rate these systems very well over "hard wired systems. The only system that seems to get rave reviews is the Bose systems. They are not cheap but they do reproduce the sound you'll love. The wireless Sony system is around 400.00 to 500.00 with receiver included. A Bose system with only three speakers and no receiver will run you about that much but the sound will be better.

Home theater systems

MrSamsung — Sat, 15 May 2010 09:11:31 GMT

SHC-KevinK said…

How are sound bars? Do they really give you a home theater sound?

They'll usually do much better than a flat panel's internal speakers. Will they give surround sound? The speakers are designed to project the sound in different ways, but it won't replace a 5.1 system for the critic looking for a true 5.1 audio distinction.

But the sound, for the form factor that soundbars have, is quite excellent and some have a subwoofer to really fill the deep low signals. Try a couple different brands too and see what you think. They might not thump like some of the cars you pull up to at the stoplight, but they certainly fill the room and make a difference.

Mr. S

Home theater systems

SHC-JunK — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:54:39 GMT

what are some good brands? I'm planning to purchase one in the next 3 months or so.

Wireless speakers

SHC-JohnH — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:48:28 GMT

Is there a wireless/blue tooth option for speakers and a minimal reciever? I don't have a lot of space in my entertainment center, but would love to have small/moveable speakers to try and have a surround sound experience.

Home theater systems

AdamO — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:23:59 GMT

Will Blue Collar Comedy play more better on one of them Home Thee-aters?

My house is pre-wired for surrond sound, what system should i choose

AdamO — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:22:45 GMT

My house came wired for "power".

I don't know about that "other-stuff".

Wireless speakers

AdamO — Fri, 14 May 2010 21:21:50 GMT

You don't need no "wires" for the speakers no more?

The thing still plugs into the wall for power, right?

Can I get the sound sent directly to my Blue-tooth?

Well, your Blue-tooth.

I don't got no "wireless" cellularized phone.

But, my wife and daughter do!

No.

I haven't seen either one of your "chargers".

This here phone works WITH a wire and the power comes over the wires...

My house is pre-wired for surrond sound, what system should i choose

PaulaZ — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:47:44 GMT

Great advice, syscomatt! Back when I bought my first stereo system I was all set to just buy all the same brand but the guy next door, who is also really knowledgable about sound equipment, picked out a bunch of components from different manufacturers for me and it turned out great.

My house is pre-wired for surrond sound, what system should i choose

SHC-DanielBH — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:17:27 GMT

That's a great point, Matt. You seem like a real audiophile!

Wireless speakers

SHC-DanielBH — Fri, 14 May 2010 20:16:28 GMT

What kind of television/receiver do you have?

My house is pre-wired for surrond sound, what system should i choose

syscomatt — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:15:03 GMT

Here are my 2 cents. The best way to go is to piece it together. When you purchase a "package" system you are going to get one element that is really good. The rest of the elements are not that company's specialty. For example: Bose is known for speakers. They do not make great receivers. Onkyo (not sure about the spelling) makes great receivers. So purchase the best of each element from various manufacturers. This ensures you are getting the best of the best. I have been researching this for about 6 mos now and this is the advice I have been getting from all of the electronic gurus!...Good luck

Wireless speakers

syscomatt — Fri, 14 May 2010 08:04:00 GMT

One word...Bose. Like most anything you pay now or pay later. Life is too short. Suck it up and pay the additional amount. YOu wil not regret it...