Page 1 of Which set up?

Hi - I have a Philips Pro Logic TV with 4 sat speakers, centre and sub woofer. In the future I want a larger TV but for now I want a DVD.

Ideally I`d like a DVD with CD and MP3 ability - the idea is to get ris of the HiFi and have a Cinema/HiFi system in one - based on CD and MP3 but with the ability to add external tuner/LP deck/Cassette.

Presently I`m in the market for the DVD.

DVD`s considered are AIWA XDDV370, but via this site am tempted by the Sony DAV-S500, S800 or DVD only players DVP-NS400 or DVP-NS700VB - or anything you can recommend.

I tend to shy away from Panasonic as I`ve had problems with reliability of this make - unless you convince me otherwise!

I like the lack of clutter my Philips TV gives with inbuilt centre, L&R sats and sub woofer. The rear sats are on the wall.

At the moment I`m pleased with the sound from my Pro Logic set - but wonder if a cinema kit will improve sound.

Or should I go for a separate amp to satisfy cinema and hifi requirements.

If I opt for the separate amp/speakers - then does that mean I need to use TV with sound off. TV does have Scart sockets - do I pass audio to external amp & disable TV sound?

Does this just apply to VCR and DVD use? - Using TV sound for normal TV?

For some TV`s I`ve looked at their sound & it is not as good as the Philips - in which case I would want external amp in the future it seems - again does this mean I have to disable TV speakers when external amp used?

So should I just buy the DVD, a DVD/amp combo with speakers or the whole hog of separates. - If so which amp/speakers/DVD & how do I use this system - TV speakers or separate speakers?

Cheers for any help/clarification you can give.

A lot depends on your budget.
If you don`t want clutter, then the all in one route might be for you - the Sony S500 (can be had for just over £500) you mention has had good reviews. That has tuner built in, so that`s one extra item taken care of. The Sony is also SACD compatible, so it should do the business as a CD player. Or there is the S800. Only downside of a solution like this is that you can`t upgrade parts should you wish to, and also you couldn`t buy one bit at a time. Not sure what it`s capabilities are regarding MP3. Most important (what ever you get) - make sure it`s multiregion - you`ll kick yourself later, otherwise.

With the separates route, you could "phase" your purchases - get a DVD player first, running it straight into the TV - something like the Tosh 210E (around £200 multiregion) will work well as a CD player too. Then you could up the ante and go for amp and speakers - the newer amps have Dolby Prologic 2, which apparently is much better than the original prologic - much more a 5.1 type experience. Run the TV sound into a DPL2 amp, and you`ll get DPL2 from TV broadcasts. Expect to pay around £350 for a good amp - have a look at http://www.hifijunkies.co.uk.

Speakers - "proper" speakers will give you more than the TV speakers, but again it depends on budget - a good set of speakers like the Mission M72 pack (no sub though) will set you back around £280. Alternatively there are cheaper sets like the Eltax stargates Stiggy has partnered with a Denon 1602 (http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/forums/thread.asp?Forum=211&Thread=62237&Type=1).

Another route would be to get a DVD player and then a kit like the Yamaha VS10 - amp and speakers in a neat package.

Personally, I would go the separates route, but you will inevitably find that you will have more "bits" filling your room - it is likely that speakers will be bulkier than something like the Sony system (but you`ll get more out of them!). I saw a post recently where Westy gave his thoughts on the S800 - he was impressed - see http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/forums/thread.asp?Forum=211&Thread=55640&Page=1&Type=1

You should be able to pass the audio signal from the TV into the system (whatever you get), so then the TV speakers become redundant, so yes, you can mute them. The sound WILL be better from the system than from the TV, even if your TV does have good speakers.

Hope this has helped, rather than confused!

Richard

Thanks Richard,
Today saw DAV-s800 - but also saw Yamaha VS10 and Yammy RXV420RDS+NSP220 combo deal for £475.

I agree with the separates route for upgrading - but still trying to reduce clutter - but - question is

DAV-s800

or VS10 + which DVD - I like the Sony 400 (or what DVD)

or RXV420RDS+NSP220 deal + Sony 400 (or what DVD)

Budget was originally not too much - but it looks like £650 or so.

Any further comments please.
Cheers

This item was edited on Monday, 12th November 2001, 16:35

Richard,

Good advice. It has helped me. I have an Alba DVD and have just purchased the Yam VS10 which should arrive today. Its all going in the kids room anyway. After experimenting I will buy something for the main room.

Kevin - the S800 has had some good reviews, so maybe a multiregion one of those would fit the bill. Or, if you are tight on budget, why not just get the DVD player for the moment, and save up until you can go for the 420/NSP220 (420 - http://www.richer.co.uk - £214, NSP220 - http://www.QED-uk.com - £135). Or try the Denon 1602 with Prologic 2 for £270 at hifijunkies.co.uk. Either way a lot cheaper than £475.
Player? Tosh 210 multiregion, will be around £200. Or try some of the Pioneers - have a fish around on the forum.
Personally, I have a Cyberhome 512 (£120), and it has been v good, but it`s reproduction of CDs is not brill, so I think I`d spend a bit more and go for the Tosh or equivalent, particularly as you are going to use it as your main hifi. There have been some adverse comments re the Tosh having a noisy drive (not, it seems, all of them), but that seems to be the only bad word against it.

So:
DVD: £200
Amp: £220 delivered (or £270 for the Denon)
Spkrs:£135
Total: £555

You will need some cables as well - not sure what the 220 kit comes with, but a decent scart (DVD > TV) and coax (DVD > amp) at least will be required - try http://www.beyondhifi.net

Thanks again Richard,
After more hunting & deliberation I`ve finally decided on the SD210 from multiregionmagic.

I now want the Denon 1602 or maybe 1802 (whats the diffrence?) as you suggest - DPL2 looks worth having.

So its just the speakers now - are the NP220 any good, others I have looked at are the Mission 6 speaker cinema pack from QED - bit large though as I prefer smaller set - I thought of these instead of the M72 just to get the sub woofer - or am I wrong? Whats it like without the sub woofer - is the M72 better - worth getting & getting sub woofer later - though £650 budget is busted! - Having to tell the wife I need all this kit so she can get me to dump the hifi!

Plan is to get DVD now (tonight) - amp & spks ASAP to get DTS.

Looks like your original advice was spot on - thanks.

Cheers

Kevin

The 6 pack set is basically 5 speakers the same, plus a sub. The M71/2 packs, as you say, don`t have the sub, but DO have excellent "dipole" rear speakers (the M7DS), which spread the sound around to give a much better surround sound effect. The centre is a slim design that will sit nicely on your TV, and the M71s or M72s will finish things off nicely. I wouldn`t be tempted by the 6 pack just because of the sub - I believe that Mission subs aren`t that wonderful anyway, and this is something you can *definitely* leave until you have the budget. If you want further convincing, the M72 set got best buy up to £500 in the What HiFi awards this year. Remember that you will need cable and (for best results) speaker stands for the fronts. There are several people on this forum with an M series pack (M74 & M73 too (floorstanders)), and all rave about them.
However, maybe the sub/satellite route will suit your living room better - you won`t get the same performance, and you may want to upgrade later, so it`s really up to you. Perhaps the lower cost of the Yamaha setup would be easier, and although you may feel the need to sell them in a year`s time and upgrade, you wouldn`t lose too much.