Fuzz

Background.....
Highly capable PC that I'd like to intergrate into the whole audio visual scenario.
Out dated sound system that requires renewal. (Aiwa )
no sign of a standalone DVD player yet..

Where do I even begin to start?
Got a good large CRT Tv though (Sony Trinitron FST)

What I "think" I'm after is a more immersive TV/DVD experience that is also capable of punching the **** out of some good music tracks.
I have no neighbours so it will get used in the upper ranges so needs to be clear when cranked up.
Being as the PC is also on the same wall as the TV I thought I could use the same audio system for games as well, that way I can then tell which direction the enemy is sneaking up on me from lol.
Is a PC based DVD player as good / better than a standalone unit?
Do I need to factor in a standalone DVD player...
15GB of music currently reside on one HDD @ 192Kbps or above.
I've got room and would prefer Floor standing type for the fronts....

Budget wise, pretty open ended, say £300 for the main fronts
£500 for an amp


Andy

rich101

Do a little bit of lurking and asking here -

http://www.avforums.com/forums/index.php

Absolutely loads of info from those that are totally into it !

Rich

Fuzz

I was on there just now... clicked on a few links and ended up at a set of floor standers costing 22 K



So thought I'd start here

Andy

jowl

I recently discovered avforums and it's an excellent place for advice. You can spend £50 to several thousands on a lot of stuff. I'm at the extreme budget end! I'm just testing my first media PC but to be honest, the KISS DVD/media players that are out/due out make my PC idea look redundant. I plan to get the Kiss 600, 608 or 678 and they do most things I need a PC to do. http://www.kiss-technology.com/

paulr

Good tv and dvd player to start off with.
Then stage 2 get an av amp and some speakers.

Fuzz

My plan was actually to get the AV amp and speakers first as I have a way of playing dvd's at the moment but have never had proper 5.1/7.1 surround sound.

Got a good Tv (well I think it is) already.

Andy

paulr

A good standalone dvd player is better than using your pc if you ask me.

Fuzz

what will the best type of "interconnects" to use as I'm never sure which gives the best quality.
RGB, S-Video, Composite, Optic, ????

jowl

HDMI, Component, RGB Scart, S-Video, Composite in that order. I'm just upgrading my system. Got a 5.1 surround system but it's all linked through the DVD player. I want more sources to give 5.1 sound (Computer, DVD player, HDD Recorder etc) So I'm going for a AV Reciever/Amp and some speakers. Will be starting at the bottom end though! (Apologies for lack of formatting - this version of firefox doesn't seem to like new scoobynet)

Fuzz

Due to the Hi-Fi shop closing before I could get in there after Christmas shopping, thoughts turned to which room to use.
I knew I shouldn't have sucumbed to burger kings delights..
Two choices
Oblong room 16ft x 11ft (dedicated AV room) (the dining room we never use)
Concrete floor, carpet over, minimalist furiture in here except for a few soft sofas.
or
or a virtually square room 14ft x 12ft My bedroom full of ikea type (excuse for) wood units with a laminate floor over concrete.


Andy

C2forWRX

if i was you id have a separates system. just plug your comps sound in the amp.

As for the TV sony crts are decent but probable no hd input. like you said get a amp n surround going on before the tv. get the tv later next year when hd is out and the tvs are a lot cheaper with hd inputs.

500 for an amp is generous for a beginer but u wont be disapointed. denon and yamaha are the daddys in that price bracket imo. denon 2106/2806 or the yamaha rx-v757.
matching dvds are around 100.
speaker wise id go for a B&W 602.5 for the fronts. those amps will be more than enought to drive great sound out of them.

have you thought about surround though?

Fuzz

I'll be heading for AudioT after work this evening for advise on what surrounds to go for. Thought I'd better go in with some idea of where to start though.

Generous.. maybe but then I hate doing things by half, cant see the point in spending a small amount on something that is not pleasing to listen to.
After looking at the various options it looks like I will be forgetting the idea of intergrating the PC into it all (other than plugging the pc as just a simple input) far too bloody complicated.
As you say the TV isn't HD ready and that is something to upgrade when they have released them next year I think.

Andy

C2forWRX

you do right mate. invest in a good amp and speakers for now and ***** to the tv till thistime next year when hd out.

you having a dedicated av room then? iof so talk to the specialist your going to see about seting your room up. sound proofing etc. totally makes a difference

Fuzz

My plan is to make use of a room neither of us use for 50 weeks of the year. Whether I'll be allowed to, is another matter...

AudioT was shut when I got there this evening, so unless I get an afternoon off work this week it wont be until after Christmas now.
(opening times listed as 5.30 close. Thought they might of extended this being Christmas week. )

I was a little keen yesterday in getting something ordered or bought but I'm now glad I didn't rush into things.
I need to ask more questions and actually get my hands and ears round some kit before I decide.