|   Newbie needs DVD player & A/V Receiver advice | Stevela123
May 17, 2001 11:39 AM | | I'm looking to add a DVD player and an audio A/V receiver to my ancient "home theatre" set up. I have a decent ProScan monitor w/ one S-video input, a DirecTV sat receiver and of course a VCR. Surround speakers are decent.
My biggest issue is simplicity of controls and the remote. My wife absolutely hates having to deal with multiple remotes or having to figure out which which devices have to be on and set a particular way to make things work.
I've done so much research at this point that my head is spinning with confusion. I don't want to spend more than $1,000 for the DVD player and A/V receiver. The Toshiba DVD players (e.g. 2150) seem to be well reviewed and there seem to be any number of A/V receivers that should fit the bill.
Any advice on specific DVD player, A/V receiver combos, with suggestions on the easiest way to control the whole system would be greatly appreciated. You can post reply or shoot an email to me directly at scohen@vaultech.com
Thanks!!! |
| I've got bad news for you | Norm Strong
May 17, 2001 5:31 PM | | The one thing you want above all is the one thing you're not going to get: Ease of operation for your wife. In fact, I'm guessing that your existing system, with satellite receiver and VCR is already testing your wife's tolerance. True?
You're now contemplating the addition of an A/V receiver, an extraordinarily complex device, and a DVD player, which has options piled upon options. Chances are you will end up with a different remote for each device. That would be 5 remotes. Even using a Pronto, or some other universal remote, the complexity is going to test YOUR abilities--never mind your wife's.
Quite honestly, I don't know what you might do about this. Maybe somebody else does. somebody? |
| I've got bad news for you | Tooler!
May 18, 2001 1:18 PM | | Hmmmm, based on my extensive scientific research into the conundrum known as 'wife-home-theatre-capability' or WHTC for short, I have found that a learning remote with simple macros is the way to go. For the better half, I purchased the good 'ol RadioShack (I know, but read the reviews and you will understand) 15-1994. While I programmed the entire remote (it will do almost anything, you can program every key) I specifically setup the 4 main macro buttons to handle the basics (turn on everything for TV vieweing, turn off everything for TV vieweing, switch from TV to DVD, switch from DVD to TV, and start and stop CD player). This seems to have worked wonders as my wife is very happy with the result. She doesn't need to get into the specifics of the receiver or other devices so these 4 buttons do the trick. And for me, there are hundreds of other button configurations to play with...bwah ha ah ha!
Tooler! |
| re: Newbie needs DVD player & A/V Receiver advice | Stevecal
May 17, 2001 6:42 PM | | Spend A little more and go fot the Marantz sr8000 with the dvd 7010 it will cost you about 1300-1400 but it will be the best money you could spend. |
| Idea | Bryan
May 18, 2001 8:05 AM | | Onkyo TX-DS595 - $400 (www.jandr.com)
Panasonic RV-31 - $200 (www.pricescan.com)
Spend $300 or less for the Pronto remote and you will be all set. Just make sure that you program the macros for her. |
| re: Newbie needs DVD player & A/V Receiver advice | IWheeler
May 22, 2001 2:07 AM | | Here's the solution to your problem. Buy the Onkyo TXDS575X A/V receiver (probably replaced with the 595 model already). The convenient back-lit remote comes with the macro feature (9 programmable macros with up to 16 steps each) so you won't need to buy a separate remote! I actually ordered a refurbed TXDS575X online this evening for only $289 from UBid.com and can't wait until it gets here. I've read nothing but great reviews for this receiver and know it's a great buy, especially at that price! As far as the DVD player goes, I have a Toshiba and like it alot. Sony is good and Pioneer too. Hope this helps. |
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