I'm a little slow but.......

treitz3

I finally broke down and got a Blue Ray player yesterday. Here's what I have discovered just in the past couple of months.

I took out the antiquated VCR/DVD combo player about two months ago because I'm redesigning the 2 channel and TV setup so that I don't have to rearrange the living room every time I want to listen in the sweet spot. Those that have been to my house know what I'm talking about, it was always a pain in the ol' keister. The same day I went to start rearranging things, my buddy loaned us a movie called "Happy Feet" for my 1 and a half year old son to watch.

Part of the redesigning plans called for ripping out part of the wall to make connections from and to the TV disappear and instead of running multiple RCA's, I decided to get this thing everybody has been talking about....an HDMI cable. From what I have read, HDMI cables give the best possible picture so I figured what the heck. I'll break down and just get me one to try out.

Hooked everything up and I was amazed at how nice and crystal clear the TV looked [replaced the ol' tube TV about 3 months ago with an HDTV]. Man, was it a big change from the regular TV I have been watching my entire life. So, I started researching and buying HD discs, players and the current technology Blue Ray. I tried some out in the rig and was amazed at the things I was seeing in my own house. I started to get really hooked on this HT thing for the first time in my life.

After a couple of months of researching players, prices, hookup capabilities and the like, I spotted a sale of the Blue Ray player I liked. It's a Sony BDP-S570 that has the wireless Netflix thingy built in. Ever since I hooked it up, I have watched about 5 movies [in the Blue-Ray format] in a row. I'm flabbergasted at the quality of the sound and picture. Simply put, amazing.

Now I still have to hook up the Netflix thingy and I do understand that the quality will not be HD but for 8 smackers a month? Who cares. I'll just use that as a "preview" site, if you will, to see if I'm interested enough in a movie or whatever to buy it or not.

I already want a bigger TV and I am now researching getting HD programming via DirecTV and maybe introducing surround again for the first time in 2 decades. That's right, I said it. Me and HT. Can you believe it? Mr. 2 channel is actually interested in setting up an HT rig. I may be a little slow with getting all this new, fancy HD stuff but I'll tell you this.......

I'm glad I did.

reeltrouble1

beware the retribution, the gods become angry and vavles blow everywhere......I do it for the family fun as well Tom, enjoy.

It wont be long though before your ears are calling you for their fix.

RT1

Polkersince85

This HT thingy is just a fad. It won't be long before everyone will be going back to tubes, vinyl and watching 8mm movies.

Conradicles

HDTV is amazing. Getting ready to watch the Ohio State vs. Michigan in HD on my Pioneer Kuro. Gotta love it!

Conradicles

Tom...let me know if you need help with calibration of the TV...be glad to come over.

cnh

Enjoy! The Sony 570 is a nice player, also has SACD capability if I'm not mistaken--so that should help your dual system.

cnh

Ron-P

Sounds like you got yourself an impressive rig, nice!

But, don't get a bigger TV. Keep the one you have and then buy a front projector, then you can go really big for movies and watch your TV for the daily stuff. Once you go FP you never go back.

Also, it's Blu-ray not Blue-ray.

treitz3

Thanks for the correction. Blu-ray it is.

Yes, it does have SACD but I have yet to compare it to my SACD player which is currently the all too well known Denon 2910. It's OK but it would be great if the SACD playback was as good or better than the 2910 'cause that would be one more thing I could get out of the chain.

RT1, be rest assured that the audio Gods know where my true love resides. I didn't mention it but there has been plenty of concerts performed at casa Reitz in between the movies. I have to admit though.....since making this thread, my wife and I went out and rented 5 more Blu-rays and we've already watched one. That was a little disappointing. The 1st movie, that is. It was Changling. Eh, a little boring at first, not really a gripping movie, slack performances, a lame soundtrack and overall something you would watch on an ABC special. The story was good though. Couldn't believe that it was actually a real story. That was F'd up.

Eric, I'll have to take you up on that. Maybe after the holiday festivities settle down, we'll tweak the HDTV to what you feel is right. My only complaint.....and I mean my only complaint is that I wish it were a tad brighter. I'm sure I could do that myself but if you have other things that can improve what I'm already enjoying the hell out of? I'm game. Heck, that'll give you a chance to finally hear my 2-channel set-up in action.

Polkster, tubes will NEVER leave this house. It's like it's my heartbeat or something. Life will come to an end without tubes.

[Deleted User]

Polkersince85 wrote: »

This HT thingy is just a fad. It won't be long before everyone will be going back to tubes, vinyl and watching 8mm movies.

I have a feeling indoor plumbing will be big as well. Sorry couldn't resist. :cool:

treitz3

xcapri79 wrote: »

It the TV plasma, LCD, or LCD with backlit LED?

It's just a HDTV LED TV. Nothing special. Got it from a neighbor who wanted to go bigger so I got it for a stupid silly price. Had it not been for such an unreal deal, I would probably still have the ol' tube TV.

xcapri79 wrote: »

Replacing Class A tube amps with modern Class D amps can't be far behind? 2012 perhaps?

Never.

It's funny, I have only spent about $330 total for the transformation of technology in my house. $175 for the TV and I spent $153 for the Blu-ray and the 3 disc collectors set of Avitar and Ratatoulle after using some gift cards I've had for a while. Oh, and a 3 dollar HDMI cord.

I'll probably spend more money installing the two 20 amp dedicated lines and the hardware required to get all wires hidden in the wall. When I'm done, it should be a really nice and professionally installed rig.

Oh, there's one more thing I forgot to mention. Trey has graciously hooked me up with the stereo subs that he had custom built by Ty. Those, I will have to admit, make a slight :rolleyes: change in the quality of sound my rig offers.

The wife is happy! :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

nooshinjohn

Polkersince85 wrote: »

This HT thingy is just a fad. It won't be long before everyone will be going back to tubes, vinyl and watching 8mm movies.

I actually prefer the full analog nature of watching cave drawings. Hopefully this medium will be making a comeback as soon as people realize how good we used to have it.

Fongolio

Netflix is slightly better than a dvd upconversion but not quite full HD. Still very very good picture and for 8 bucks a month for a huge selection it's the best deal going. I just got into it two weeks ago and am amazed at the bargain it is.