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Thread ID: 88716	2008-04-06 23:42:00	Stereo System Home Theatre Advice Please	Winston001 (3612)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
656641	2008-04-06 23:42:00	I must be getting old . I went to buy a ghetto blaster at the weekend only to discover some shops don't even sell them anymore . Eventually picked up a JVC at Hardly Normal - just want to play CDS, tapes, and radio in the kitchen . Ipods and MP3 players are all the rage . . . . Anyway, I need a sound system for the lounge which I'd like to plug my TV and/or DVD player into . How hard can that be . . . . ? Well, it appears that home theatre and the bog standard stereo system have yet to meet - at least at anything below $1500 . To be honest I don't understand home theatre and whether I really need it . Surely the sound linked through a stereo would also be good even if it isn't split 5 ways?? I'm prepared to spend $1000 more or less . I'd also like to know whether having my pc linked would be worthwhile - more cables - wireless? Finally, I saw a JVC system at Hardly Normal for $500 which had USB, video, ipod, mp3 ports but no dvd/cd player - just attach what you like . Is this the new way to go?? It still requires a system with cd, tape, radio, record player to be any use . Cheers Winston	Winston001 (3612)
656642	2008-04-07 01:43:00	It'll probably be better if u get one with a cd / dvd player as part of the main unit . I used to have separate components yrs ago, but took up too much space . And too many wires . In the end I brought a Panasonic 5 cd / dvd changer . Small, compact, the main unit is the same size as the main speakers . And all I had to do, was connect video out from the stereo to the TV, for DVD . And connect audio out from the TV to line in . So, when you watch TV, it goes through the TV and stereo Nothing else tho like input for Ipods . I think I brought it before the Ipods came out . It was the cheapest stereo I've brought ($935 at the time) .	Speedy Gonzales (78)
656643	2008-04-07 02:36:00	I just have my iMac stream stuff via iTunes/airport to our stereo. 3760 songs and a few movies on tap and loud enough to piss off the neighbours if need be (the stereo) Why have CDs when they can be broken or scratched when you can have a cheap 1TB HD with your entire music collection connected to your stereo ripped on either Lossless or Og vorbis or what ever codec.	vitalstatistix (9182)
656644	2008-04-07 09:29:00	Buy someones unwanted powerhouse stereo off Trademe and proceed to be blown away by the clarity and depth of the audio. You will find that due to the excessive postage for home theatre systems (amp and speakers) there are some awesome deals to be had outside of the main centers and i'm pretty sure your outside of a main center :horrified Personally I have gone off media stored on compuets, and I'm currently rebuilding my CD collection, shes already a collection to kick arses. Also invested heavily in DVD's of live performances.	Metla (12)
656645	2008-04-07 09:52:00	Ok here's what I'd do. Firstly, it sounds like you have no interest in home theater, so lets stick to 2 channels. A decent 2 channel amp (think Denon, Onkyo, Integra etc) will set you back around $500, you may as Metla has has said get something cheaper off trademe. As for speakers the more you spend on them the better (within reason). I'd go for a a decent branded bookshelf speaker (such as Bowers and Wilkins, Wharfdale etc). Again, you may be able to pick up something off trademe cheaper. As for streaming music from your PC, this looks good: us.creative.com	pine-o-cleen (2955)
656646	2008-04-07 10:13:00	My friend just bought a rather expensive (in my eyes - about $1500) home theatre system that sounds great for movies, but is no good for music. I think it is because most of the home theatre systems try to get the speakers as small as possible.	Greven (91)
656647	2008-04-07 10:38:00	Yes, the "Home Theatre In-a-box" type systems are not really any good for music. They are all small speakers, which are great for speach, and the sub for explosions and lots of bass. No mid-range at all. I have a pair of floor standing Image 414s, which are made by Chris Ball in Auckland. I also have a pair of the Image Studio Reference bookshelf speakers for another room. Sound is awesome :thumbs:	CYaBro (73)
656648	2008-04-07 12:09:00	Hi Winston Gee, just mentioning Ghetto Blasters makes me feel old!! Still got mine . :groan: Ok, this is the way, I would solve your problem cheaply . First as already suggested, get yourself a reasonable two channel stereo and two extra speakers from TradeMe and connect them in the basic HAFLER CONFIGURATION ( . westhost . com/project18 . htm" target="_blank">sound . westhost . com) . This was invented in the 70's, Christ, I am getting old!!:yuck: Anyway, while not true surround sound, it's pretty damn good for the small outlay . :clap Next, suggest you go to your local DSE store and buy one of THESE ( . dse . co . nz/cgi-bin/dse . storefront/47f9f7460c25b60c273fc0a87f3b06ee/Product/View/A9691" target="_blank">www . dse . co . nz) . Then mod it to increase it's range . Goto HERE ( . instructables . com/id/Belkin-Tunecast-II-FM-Transmitter-Mod/" target="_blank">www . instructables . com) for instructions . Tune your FM Radio on the stereo . Now you can broadcast from your ipod, PC, even tape and record player, (Gee, how old are you!!) :eek: etc . Like having your own personal radio station!! Without any extra cables!! As far as the TV and DVD player are concerned do what Speedy already has suggested, connect audio out from the TV to line in . Hope this helps . BURNZEE THE WAY TO A FISHERMAN'S HEART IS THROUGH HIS FLY!!	Burnzee (6950)
656649	2008-04-07 12:41:00	Oh yeah www.trademe.co.nz Low-ball em	Metla (12)
656650	2008-04-07 22:53:00	You guys rock :thanks I think I'll print this thread out and chew over the ideas . I particularly appreciate the explanation that Home Theatre systems are not much good for music . I think I'd be happy with stereo sound for the TV anyway .	Winston001 (3612)
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