Noob: Building HT need experienced guidance. (1 Viewer)

[Casey. J]

With the newest technological breakthroughs in HDTVs and the like, I can't help but be ashamed of my "Home Entertainment," set up:
33in CRT Sanyo TV
Logitech's X-230 2.1 System
Sony PlayStation 2
Xbox 360
Memorex DVD player
and a ten dollar A/V selector from Target
As it is so you can see that my wanting for more is justified.
I don't intend on going out and buying everything I want today, or anytime soon, but I would like a heads up. And some advice on what to get...

For the Display I have some idea on what I want:


$1000-$2000

1920x1080 resolution
LCD
42in
16:9 aspect ratio
> 8 m/s refresh rate
< 1500:1 contrast ratio

 

[Ed Moxley]

What you're wanting sounds good enough, although the prices you listed, may not be very realistic. For all those inputs, to be on an A/V receiver, especially 2 HDMI inputs, it may cost you more than $500, unless you run across a very good deal somewhere.

At the rate technology is moving, whatever someone tells you today, may not be available anymore in a year. You should come ask these questions again, just before you're ready to buy..........

 

[Nick:G]

About the only 42" 1080p native LCDs that are under $2,000 would be Westinghouse or Sceptre (I don't remember the model numbers). They are both monitors, which mean that they lack tuners (not a big deal if you do digital cable or satellite, but it can be a problem if you don't).

Quality receivers that can switch HDMI usually start at around $700-800. To be honest, it really isn't a huge benefit until HDMI 1.3 shows up next year (all of the current ones are HDMI 1.1/1.2 spec).