Newbie help with home tv/theater setup (1 Viewer)

[KaseyB]

I currrently have a Phillips widescreen 55" hdtv ready tv which I bought approx. 1 year ago. It is the newer model type which is silver in color with the speakers below the screen. It is hdtv ready but I have no hdtv receiver yet. What I have connected to it is a tivo/directv combo unit and a regular dvd player (non progressive). What I am asking for is advice on upgrading my current setup. I want to be able to view hdtv programming and progressive dvds. What do you recommend? I hear tivo is coming out with a tivo/directv/hdtv combo receiver at years end and sounds like that would be a good choice for me, anyone know approx value of this? As for dvd player I would like a progressive dvd player with am/fm tuner to be able to listen to radio, which do you recommend? Also I know many of these setups come with 5 speakers, but do I really need that since I already have speakers connected on tv? Also if i just bought the dvd/tuner receiver and no speakers and connected to my tv speakers, would my tv have to be on to listen to am/fm tuner? Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks..

 

[Jack Briggs]

The internal speakers of an RPTV are connected directly to the internal amplifier; they are not equipped with binding posts on the rear of the cabinet the way dedicated speakers are.

Good luck, and welcome to HTF.

 

[Ted Lee]

do you have a budget? it sounds to me like you have the tv, but could use a progressive dvd and/or a ht audio system. it doesn't sound like you have any sort of 5.1 sound system?

personally, if i could only have one or the other, i'd take the audio system. there is nothing quite like having a dedicated receiver pumping sound to five speakers and a sub. i know it will significantly add to your ht experience.

a progressive dvd player will certainy increase your picture clarity, but i still say audio should come first since you already have a decent tv and dvd player.

let me know if going audio sounds good to you. we can then discuss other options.

 

[Robert_J]

I hear tivo is coming out with a tivo/directv/hdtv combo receiver at years end and sounds like that would be a good choice for me, anyone know approx value of this?

The current rumor over at Tivo Community is that the HD DirecTivo will be available early 2004. It will have 2 ATSC HD tuners and 2 HD satellite tuners but it will only be able to record two data streams at a time. It will come standard with a 250GB drive which will give you around 25-30 hours of HD recording, 180 hours of SD sat recording or a combination of both. The rumored price is around $800. And let me add that none of this is official word from DirecTV, Tivo or Hughes.

-Robert