Home Audio Video Hardware BS Thread

Didn't find a good thread for this anywhere in off topic. I found one pertaining to in truck audiophiles. So, thought I would create a thread for general home theater/audio BS. Show off your systems, whether they are high end, mid level, or entry level. I'm a bit in tune with home theater so I could help answer some questions.

Here is my system. Ill post up some pictures later.

AVR - Pioneer Elite SC-61
BDPlayer - Oppo BDP-103
Cable - Comcast Anyroom DVR (Upgrading to the X1 System Soon)
TV - LG 55LM7600
Center - Martin Logan Motion 6
Front L/R - Martin Logan Ticket In walls
Rear L/R - Martin Logan Motion 2
Sub - Martin Logan Dynamo 700
Remote- URC MX-780 w/ MRF-260 RF module

 

Check this link out...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/entertainment/269261-audiophiles-good-sounds.html

 

I think thats more aimed at the music and audiophiles. not the system hardware itself. Also, its more for people are audiophiles and not just general talk about home theater / sound systems. I'm more into the home theater aspect of my system than i am into the music part of it. I enjoy high quality sounds, but in the sense of sound effects and such. I like the totally immersive movie experience i get with my setup.

 

Ok, I gotcha. The more the merrier, IMO.

How ya liking the BDP103? I have the BDP83, love it. Running AudioQuest Carbon (5% silver) from the Oppo to Marantz.

I am not currently running my Marantz on 5.1 or 7.1 (technically I could call it 7.2 as there are 2 sub outputs), only running 2.1 with Vandersteen 2-way floorstanders and Velodyne Sub).

I am viewing through a Samsung 7000 60" plasma.

 

Just got the BDP103 yesterday, but definitely liking it. Honestly i can see a difference in the BD quality. Had a sony before that. So youre running the analog audio outs? I'm just using the HDMI. Trying to decide if running my Comcast box through it would help a little with the video quality. I would love to run towers in the front, but my space doesnt allow it. Once i get some pics up you will understand. I might have one here somewhere. I'm a big martin logan fan and would love to have electromotions in the front. What remote do you use? I'm in love with my URC.. blows the old harmony 900 out of the water. especially with the RF. Glad i was able to find a dealer who would give me the software and let me program it myself.

 

Some Pictures of my System before I got the BDP-103

Not sure why TW is rotating them sideways.

 

Do you guys calibrate your tv's ?

 

I am using the HDMI for both Audio and Video from the Oppo to Marantz Receiver.

Yes, I agree, it is all about BD. Especially with content recorded in 1080.

As far as the cable box, running it through the receiver should help with the video, just ensure the video processing is being done by the Receiver and not the cable box.

I still need to get a remote. It sucks, I have to juggle 4 remotes right now.

 

Not with any calibration device, but I did spend a lot of time setting up the color, gamut, backlighting, etc settings.

 

I used the Spears and Munsil BluRay disk , seemed to help quite a bit except the white balance

 

I run everything through my receiver, but it is setup to do no video processing on my BD. I'm not exactly sure what it does with the cable box video. I know the Oppo has a bad ass video processor in it. Was wondering if running my cable box into the oppo then out from there if i would get better video quality, but that would make my system setup unnecessarily complicated.

I highly recommend the URCs. If you can do some basic programming you can do it yourself and buy them for much cheaper from a non-authorized source. only issue with that is getting the software. they dont come with it. I might know someone who would send it to you if yo uneed it.

 

I just went with what looked the best to my eyes. which IMHO is where it should be.

 

Yes, I calibrate my plasma. Stay away from torch modes like 'Sport' or 'Vivid'. For my Samsung, I start at 'Movie' which is dimmer than all the rest, and It depends on the set, and will vary by preference each person thinks what looks good.

For me, I like a more natural setting, so my brightness and color levels are lower. This will give the best true blacks and will not lead to unrealistic bleeding of colors.

Also, keep all enhancements like 'Edge Enhancement' off.

 

Yeah , I have mine set to lower levels

The only thing I struggle with is setting the white balance to get natural ski tones and I keep almost all the enhancements off with the exception of Motionflow on my Sony LCD , because with it off , hockey has a lot of blur

 

I have my 60" around 36" from the floor as well. It is really preference. Just make sure it is comfortable for your neck. I also have it angled slightly down so I cannot see any reflections. Keep in mind though, don't angle too much (follow wall mount instruction's caution), you don't want too much stress on the wall mount.

 

My LG doesnt have the best black levels. It doesnt bother me that much. I would like to go with one of the higher end Samsungs. I really need a thin bezel to fit the 55" as you can see from the pix. I just didnt want to spend $3K+ at the time for a better display. Been drooling over the pioneer LCD in the magnolia room for a while. Man that thing has siiick blacks. but the price tag is crazy. I think like $6K maybe 8. Thats a little too rich for my blood.

 

Very nice, You can see that im very limited by my room configuration with what I can do. Some day I will have a room that is layed out more friendly for better viewing height and some tower speakers.

 

Honestly I would just leave the cable box through the receiver. Cable is a not really a good signal, so it won't do any better through the Oppo, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to try. The other thing, you will have to have the Oppo on if watching TV in order to use it's video processor.

I have my cable box running through both the receiver (want to listen to certain movies/sports) and directly to the TV for everyday use.

 

Mine is a 52" Sony XBR9 , not the best by today's standards but I like it

 

My Sammy is only 1.5" thick. It amazes me how thin the set is. Also, for best black levels, it is all about Plasma. LCD is good for bright rooms though. My plasma suffers during the day as too much ambient light gets in from too many windows.

Keep an eye out for end of year deals where they are getting rid of older stock. My set was around $3k, but got a deal for $1,900.