firefighter

My house was hit by lightning and I lost a lot of stuff including my 51" RPTV, so now I have a good excuse to upgrade. I have a Panasonic 42" plasma in the living room and different lcd sets in the bedrooms. The display I am looking to replace is in the room over a two car garage. Sitting on the couch in the center seated position I am 12 feet from the wall that the diplay will go on, off axis seats are only a few degrees off center left and right of the couch on the opposing wall. The use will not be primary, maybe only a few hours a week for movies or the playstation. This is the display for my home theatre so I am trying to get the best for less. My budget is $2000.00 or less, Circuit has this model for $1949.00 and several others in that neighborhood. I want to stay at 60" or bigger hoping to get the theatre experience. I am not into a lot of bells and whistles, more into picture quality. Any and all input is needed as there are more features on these new sets than I understand. Thanks, Jack.

I thought the same thing, how could a 50" tv fit in a 40" cabinet. The only problem is the closest tv is 2 hours away in Savannah GA. I was hoping someone here could confirm the measurements or comment on the quality of this particular unit. I have seen some of the members here have worked or do work at the retail A/V stores, maybe someone could shed some light on the subject.

I am considering a new tv and am trying to find the largest one that will fit inside an entertainment cabinet. The max I can go on the cabinet is 40" wide. I found this tv at Sams Club for $1400, it has a 50" screen and the width is 39", so far this unit has the thinest frame that I have seen. Has any one owned this tv or know anything about it, or can anyone recommend an LCD, DLP, or plazma with similar measurements not to exceed $1800. Sams has one left within a 100 mile radius so if this Samsung is a good deal, I need to make a move soon. Thanks, Jack.

I also just emailed to get the poster. Thanks for the info, fingers crossed. Jack.

Billy, The ideal time to blast is just as they start to pull the club down, by then it's too late to abort. Hunt's a good friend of mine, we work for the same department. I know your LaScalas, couple of good guys they are. Willy, I probably live within 5 minutes of you, 20 minutes from Billy and 20 minutes from Hunt, maybe one day we will all get to know each other. As I write this I am listening to my LaScalas, GOOD STUFF! Jack.

Billy, Where did you land in Charleston, sounds like you got more house than you thought you would. The prices have gone through the roof in the last 5-6 years. I grew up on Johns Island and moved West Ashley 9 years ago, glad I did it then as I could not afford the same house now. When you finally get settled in, if you don't mind I would love to hear a Legend system as I think that will be my challenge to aquire. It appears we have about 4 or 5 members in Charleston, WHOOOO go Charleston.

fred1 Did you buy your LaScalas with the doghouse grills or did you make them. I have seen only one pair with those grills and it was just a picture with no point of contact. do you think you could post a picture of the grills with some measurements, I may have to try a DIY, or better yet if you decide not to use them in your LaScala redo, I would like to buy them from you. Thanks Jack.

Thanks for all the replies, I think I'll try the 91% isopropyl alchol, distilled water, and a few drops of dawn. If I really shouldn't use this please let me know. Two days ago I put an old technics TT in the trash, after doing some reading about DIY vinyl cleaners I did some dumpster diving to retrieve it. I removed the tone arm assembly and points switch for the auto off and installed a toggle switch to manually operate the platter, I also still have the 33-45 speed option. I may consider putting and old vaccum motor in a box installed under the TT and modifying the crevice tool to remove the final drops of water and dust, I've seen this on the Internet. Let me know what you think. Fini, I've tried that method and at 40 gpm found it difficult to hold on to the album, I'm thinking once I mount my 5" bench vise on a portable table, I'll be able to clamp the album, put it in the yard, and give it a good scrub.[]

I have been looking for a good used TT and 2 days ago score a Technics 1210 mkII in 9.5 condition with a Stanton 680hp cart and needle from a local pawn shop, got it home and playing in minutes. It's been 18 or so years since I've played my vinyl and I've forgotten how good it sounds. What I need now is a good cleaner, the lp's aren't very dirty but do need to be cleaned. The cleaners we use to have were the wooden block with felt pads and the solution and needle brush stored inside, don't know if this is the best way anymore as I have been out of the loop for quite some time. Opinions needed. As I type this I am listening to some older Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow. Nice. Thanks, Jack.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I need to get my expectations right so let me ask this. Will all the above suggestions or any others give me the volume response that you get while playing FM stations? I'm sure I wont get CD or DVD quality but I do need a comparable. If I play music from my hard drive through the laptop with the previously tried methods, a -20 on the volume will compare to a -50 while playing an FM station, if that makes sense. What kind of volume should I get compared to the volume of FM? Thanks Jack.

I connected my laptop to my Yamaha receiver with very limited results. The first way was with a simple fm transmitter from the headphone port, low power and poor quality , I figured as much. The second way was to use a direct audio cable from the headphone port that split into left and right RCAs and connect that into the extra dvd inputs on the back of the receiver. The results were low power, quality was better. Is there a better way to get good quality sound with the proper volume response. I did make sure the I-tunes (default player on the laptop) player volume was near max as well as the volume control on the front of the laptop. Is it possible to put a phono amp between the laptop and the receiver.

I was in Lowes and looking to get a better crimp tool and connectors for my DIY cable installs. I noticed Quad as a choice of connector and crimp tool, the connectors look exactly the same as the standard RG6 but the tool used to crimp Quad is much more expensive also the sign said that the quad cable is not available in this area (Charleston, S.C.). What is the difference? Is quad something that is comming this way and therefore I will need the quad tool for future use. Both tools are IDEAL brand and are the compression type for wet and dry locations. I don't see the need to spend 3 times the amount for the Quad tool if it is something that I'll never need Thanks, Jack.

Comcast tech came out and fixed the problem, it was a setting issue with the resolution, once the cable box was talking to the tv in the right resolution it worked great, also while he was there he changed out some of the connectors and two patch cables on the outside.

Wally, I sent you a pm today. Jack.

Hey, You guys mind if I get in on this, I would love to have the logos you speak of. My thoughts were to take the prints to a trophy shop, they could have it put on a thin piece of aluminum and have it placed on a piece of routered and stained wood, or you could save some money and do the wood thing yourself. If you don't mind sending them to me also I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Jack.

I tried going into a setup menu per the manual that came with the box which is the Explorer 8000, it said to hold the select button down until a small green light blinks on the front of the box then push the VOL- button to access the resolution options. I could get the light to blink but as soon as I pushed the VOL- button, the channel display came back on and I was backed out of the setup functions. Comcast told me that the tech could do the install or I could do it myself and that there was no charge for install. The tech will be here tomorrow between 1 and 5pm so we will see if the no charge thing still holds true. If the only had phone tech service I could save them a trip, the people I talked to didn't know what component video was, that's when I knew I had to have a tech visit. Comcast is Comcast, the rules should not be any different for you than me, If I don't get charged for the install (and I'll ask to make sure) I will let you know, then you will have solid grounds for your no installation fee and can freely use my situation as your example. Jack.

You are correct, I didn't have Comcast do the install. I'm a do it yourself kind of person. My thinking is that you have a box with audio and video inputs and outputs and a user manual that will guide you through any set up options that may be required, and if all else fails I can still have the tech come out and do the setup. Well thats where I am, waiting on the tech.

I had my dvd connected to the same component video and it worked great. I have not tried holding down the menu button to access the set up. Talking to the phone operators at Comcast is useless, the ones I've had don't know the terminology and can only troubleshoot from a beginners guide thats why I came here until the tech gets here. Thanks for your help, Jack.

I tried to select the different dpi modes on the HDTV box per the user manual from Comcast with no success and I am not sure what format it is currently useing. I didn't see a selection mode on the tv or with the remote. I can't seem to find the user manual for the tv so if there is a way to change the format for the input I can't access it and that very well could be the problem.

Ok. before we start I did call Comcast tech services to troubleshoot, 2 hours later including a box exchange I still have the same problem. I am at the firestation today and can't do anything so I wanted to pick your heads to see if any of you may have experienced the same problem. I have a Philips 34" widescreen lcd with multiple video inputs. I just received the comcast explorer 8000 HDTV DVR box with multiple video outputs. The back of the HDTV box has the component video with HDTV written above it so my assumption is that this is the only output that will give you the digital HDTV format. well when I connect that output to my tv I have a semi black and white picture with hazy grey and purple verticle lines in the background and the signal will pop in and out. I decided to connect the rg6 and s video connections, the reception was very good with both of these, I changed out the comcast component cables with my Philips brand and the same thing happens. The Comcast tech and I assumed the component video was bad on the box so I made an exchange, the new box did the same thing. I tried to bring up the set up menu so I could change the DPI in hopes it would make a difference but couldn't get it to work with either box. It will be a couple of days before Comcast can get to my house and physically troubleshoot the problem, You would think If you can hookup a home theatre you could connect a simple box. NOT. It's got to be something simple like a setup or programming issue that I don't know about or am overlooking. Any help will be very much appreciated. Thanks, Jack.

Thanks for the replies. The plazma is a great option especially at that price, however my wife will not buy online for something like this and I'm not going to get her to go any higher on the price. We will be purchasing an extended warranty and in home service, that in itself jacks up the price quite a bit so over all I have to keep the price of the tv in check. I can't complain, I have my room over the garage with a 51" Toshiba rptv, Klipsch speakers, and my audio gear, so I'll pick my battles and she can win this one. In a couple of years I'm planning on building a game room / theatre in our 2 car garage (don't park in there anyway, too many tools and toys) thats when I'll be getting a projector. So give a little now get alot later. I didn't think anyone here had experience with the Vizio but this is where I go for advice I trust. Looks like I may go with the Sony. Thanks Jack.

I have a newly aquired entertainment cabinet in the livingroom, (my wifes idea, she wants to be able to close the doors and doesn't want a large widescreen so I am picking my battles here) the inside measurements are 40" wide and 30" high. I am trying to get the biggest tv I can, I am considering the Sony 34" widescreen crt (34hs420) or the Vizio 37" lcd. I found several reviews on the Sony, mostly good, but nothing on the Vizio. The features and the specs. on the Vizio seem to be very good but I couldn't find any user reviews. Costco currently has it for $1499.99. I need some advice on the Vizio, also some advice on the Sony, some reviews say that the insides on the newer Sonys are made in China and are of poor quality. Sears has the Sony for $1199.99 so not a big difference in price. Any help is much needed. Thanks Jack.

I can tell you that I have been very happy with my SVS pb12 isd, but it gets like a disease, you want more and more and more. Hopefully I can be happy with the next purchase.

I am just starting to get into the dvd concerts and have about 10 of them, I would have to say that Fleetwood Mac The Dance is the best one that I currently own. It appears to be in a more intimate setting and you tend to get into the music more.

I currently have the SVS pb 12 isd. I am interesting in upgrading to a more powerful sub to run with my LaScalas. I listen to 60% music 40% movies and am getting more into concert dvd's. I am considering the SVS pb 12 plus or the SVS 12 ultra with the single driver, I understand that the ultra driver (tv-12 I think) is much better in that sub but the amp is much lower in power. If memory serves me right the pb 12 plus is 900 watts 2 drivers and the 12 ultra is 525 watts single driver. I like a feel it in your chest slam from a kick drum as well as deep explosions. What is the pro's and con's of this sub comparison? I think they may be close in price so is it not safe to say 2 drivers at 900 watts is going to be better than a single at 525 watts. Thanks for any and all opinions, Jack.