New TV

bobman1235
bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
edited August 2006 in Electronics
So I recently got a big promotion, which included a 30% bump in pay, so I went out and splurged on a nice TV. I got a Samsung 42" DLP. While I know a lot of folks around here don't like the lower-end DLPs, I didn't really want to break the bank but wanted a decent-sized screen, so this was the best choice for me. I haven't gotten my HD cable hooked up yet, so I haven'tr eally been able to take advantage of the full picture quality of the set, but I'm pretty happy watching DVDs (which is what I do most of the time anyways), and it's certailnly a step up from my old 27" tube that had.... issues.

One thing I'm surprised at - since this thing is so flat, there's really no place for me to put my center channel, so I just disconnected it and shut it off for now. I expected to notice at least SOME difference, but the imaging from my front speakers is surprisingly great - it sounds like the vocals are coming right from the TV. Who needs center channels? :)
If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
Post edited by bobman1235 on
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  • lanion
    lanion Posts: 843
    edited August 2006
    Congrats!
    For the center channel you can get one of these


    I was hoping to splurge on a new TV soon, but my first career oriented job is starting at $7.50 an hour... so no TV for me!
    My Iron Man training/charity blog.

    HT:
    32" Sharp LCD. H/K dpr 1001 to Outlaw Audio 7900 to Polk LSi + Paradigm Studio center. Hsu DualDrive ULS-15. PS3/Wii. Outlaw 7900.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited August 2006
    Congrats! Enjoy. Pics please!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited August 2006
    People who sit off-center need a center channel. Though if you sit smack in the sweet spot I have to agree. A center will usually just mess things up in that case - unless it's an identical 3rd front channel (not a horizontal dealie) placed at the same height, which would certainly block the TV.

    I've had the full 5.1 before and dumped the center 'cause I couldn't place it optimally (ie: where the TV was)
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
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  • alibabwish
    alibabwish Posts: 12
    edited August 2006
    well is the flat panel up against the wall? if so you could go to target or anywhere and likely get a cheap shevlf, provided youd have to be willing to drill holes in your wall and place the center channel above the flat panel
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited August 2006
    alibabwish wrote:
    well is the flat panel up against the wall? if so you could go to target or anywhere and likely get a cheap shevlf, provided youd have to be willing to drill holes in your wall and place the center channel above the flat panel
    It's not a flat panel. It's a rear projection DLP TV. The top of the TV is very thin and can't support a center channel speaker. My center is mounted under the TV in the rack.

    Bob - Very :cool: on the promo and the new toy :) .
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited August 2006
    The problem with using a shelf like lanion suggested is that most of these newer tv's don't have enough of a back behind the screen to support the upright, so the shelf wouldn't hold. The other thing I'd worry with these slimmer sets is putting anything on top that would potentially bend or bow the framework.

    IMO, your best bet is to get the TV as close to the wall as possible, then mount a shelf on the wall behind and put the shelf on that. Make sure you mount it high enough so you can angle it down to your listening postion to get the proper alignment for your seating position, because if you put it on the shelf sitting flat, the sound is most likely to shoot right over your head.

    The CSi30 is about as small as you can get with the Polk center channels, so if you have any plans to upgrade to something larger, I'd buy a bigger shelf now. Also, with you needing to angle the speaker up from the back, I'd mount a small lip on the shelf so you don't come home one day to the thing having slid off the shelf and right onto your new tv.

    Here's a good option from Home Depot to get and mount to the wall (paint as needed) and then either get one of their pre-man'd shelves or get a short run of pine or whatever out of the lumber department. That shelf is 11" deep, but they also have one that's 20" deep as well, and a bunch of others obviously. Just get something that has the support running between the horizontal and vertical bars....support support support.......good luck.
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited August 2006
    Thanks for the tip Brett, I was considering doing some kind of shelf eventually. For now the "no center channel" is working well enough that I'm in no rush.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited August 2006
    To clarify, even though you might be having an 'image' of a center being there, there is dialogue that is directly fed to that channel only......by not having one there, I think you're missing a fairly important part of the audio track designation......
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited August 2006
    I would assume htat if I tell my AVR that I don't have a center it would route all center audio to the fronts... Just an assumption though.
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2006
    Hint....Use Phantom Mode on the AVR settting and that dedicated center track will be sent to the fronts...IIRC.

    Congrats on the new TV.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • mulveling
    mulveling Posts: 505
    edited August 2006
    bobman1235 wrote:
    I would assume htat if I tell my AVR that I don't have a center it would route all center audio to the fronts... Just an assumption though.
    That is correct, at least with the receivers I've owned.
    Tannoy Dimension TD10, SOTA Star Sapphire, Heathkit W4A's, McIntosh MC2100, Eddie-Current Zana Deux, Singlepower SDS, Sennheiser HD650, Audio-Technica L3000, Sony Qualia 010
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited August 2006
    bobman1235 wrote:
    I would assume htat if I tell my AVR that I don't have a center it would route all center audio to the fronts... Just an assumption though.
    you are correct. As long as you set it, you're not going to miss a single thing. I've done a hundred systems with no centers as long as you have good speakers, a good processor and your placement right, a center is an option at best. :cool: Enjoy it.
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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