Hi there,

I have a 32 inch LCD TV and a Playstation 3 and am planning to have a HT set for my VERY small bedroom. My budget is RM 2500 and I was wondering if I should purchase a receiver plus 2 decent speakers then save my way up for a decent subwoofer and rear/centre speakers or just purchase a HTiB?

One of my main concerns with purchasing a receiver is that I'm afraid by the time I save up for decent rear speakers, my receiver may be so old that I'll have to change them and then it'd become a never ending loop of purchases! So I am more inclined to purchase a 5.1 HTiB set. Again, with my budget of RM 2500, is it even remotely possible to dream of 5.1 speakers + a decent receiver?

I originally planned to purchase a Sony HTS-BD2300 but it's discontinued and models like the HTS F360 and BDV-E300 are not available in Malaysia (according to the salesperson at Sony Style). I also looked at Pioneer's HTZ787 but I called up this shop and they told me that the model does not have any HDMI in.

Right now, I'm aiming for a Yamaha YHT591 and am hoping that some kind soul will be able to tell me if there are any Yamaha shops that sells Yamaha HTiB models because it seems most dealers just sell their amplifiers only.

I'm open to recommendations of any kind but it'd be preferable if the receiver/speaker combo or HTiB sets recommended will enable me to enjoy lossless audio.

Thank you for helping this damsel-in-distress here.



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Second dilemma:

Now that I have settled for a LG Blu-ray HTiB, I am looking for a media player that can play downloaded stuff on my TV without having to burn them on DVD format and play in the DVD player or transfer via thumb drive on my PS3.

Are there media players that allow me to do just that? It'd be preferable that these players have an internal hard disk while allowing connections to an EXTERNAL hard disk (I plan on transferring media from hard disk to media player) and a USB slot to transfer media from PC (downstairs) to media player upstairs.

Also, I'd like to ask, the media stored on these media players, are they virus proof? I was told that whatever media stored on my PS3 is virus-proof since virus for PC can't attack my PS3. The same concept applies to these media players?

Lastly, can these players play MKV files and am I right to assume the media played will be upscaled to 720p?

Thanks.

This post has been edited by kobe8byrant: Aug 24 2009, 01:56 AM

That's what I thought too until forumer aiman (who's a fantastic chap to ask noobish questions ) told me that there are HITBs that can offer lossless audio.

Trouble is I do not need a blu-ray player. And I don't have RM 4k. If I did, I'd have had a proper system as well.

Hmmm...you make the stereo amp sound like a good investment but I'll try looking for the Yamaha HITB. I tried Harvey Norman today in MidValley but didn't manage to see any Yamahas.

Post edited.

This post has been edited by kobe8byrant: Aug 22 2009, 02:16 PM

Trouble with the BT-205 is that it only has one HDMI output and no inputs.

I originally had my mind set on a Pioneer 5 speaker set and a Yamaha receiver but I decided to opt for the LGHB954PB 5.1 HTiB set.

Reason being it has 2 HDMI ins (more than I need) and I can have a dedicated Blu-ray player. I am reluctant to overuse my PS3.

The Yammy looks pretty good but if I buy it, it'd be within in RM 2500 budget and then I have to buy a subwoofer. The LG BD HTiB set is RM3400 but it has a Blu-ray player and upscaling player in one (I don't have one so I won't have to purchase later on) and it has a subwoofer as well.

It has had glowing reviews off the Internet but of course I'll give you my take when I have it.

Trouble is I'll only have the set next week. House under renovation and taking longer than expected.

I already decided to get an LG Blu-ray HTiB. It's definitely pricier than the set you recommended but for the difference, I get a Blu-ray player so less work for my Sony.

BTW, any idea how much the Pioneer set is priced?

You interested?

Not only that, do let me know how much and when it is coming out as well. =) Thanks.

Now that I have settled for a LG Blu-ray HTiB, I am looking for a media player that can play downloaded stuff on my TV without having to burn them on DVD format and play in the DVD player or transfer via thumb drive on my PS3.

Are there media players that allow me to do just that? It'd be preferable that these players have an internal hard disk while allowing connections to an EXTERNAL hard disk (I plan on transferring media from hard disk to media player) and a USB slot to transfer media from PC (downstairs) to media player upstairs.

Also, I'd like to ask, the media stored on these media players, are they virus proof? I was told that whatever media stored on my PS3 is virus-proof since virus for PC can't attack my PS3. The same concept applies to these media players?

Lastly, can these players play MKV files and am I right to assume the media played will be upscaled to 720p?

Thanks.

This post has been edited by kobe8byrant: Aug 24 2009, 01:54 AM

I'm trying to reduce the workload on my 40GB PS3 to a bare-minimum here and I've constantly popped in and out my USB thumb drive to play movies on the PS3.I'm hoping a media player will allow me to stop that by having the movies and other media (pictures and music) stored on the hard disk for good.

Yes, I am considering WDTV but I'd like to have my questions answered before committing to such a purchase.

I already have 20GBs of MKV files so you'd be surprised. And 13GBs of albums so there you go. =D

You using the SF2300?

And maxi, what's the estimated price?

Hmmm....I tested out the LG at Harvey Norman and I like it a lot. I'm actually just waiting for the money now. But this should be interesting.

Sorry but isn't the HTSF 2300 from Sony? :S

Reviews don't really play a part, specifications do. I'm quite impressed by the fact that the E800 has 7.1 capabilities (we'll have to purchase an extra 'speaker kit' to get 7.1 ) but a lot depends on the price. Like I mentioned, I was really impressed with the LG set. I brought my own John Mayer BD (I watched it like 7 times plus already) and tested it on the LG model and I thought that it was just as clear as it was on Sony's standalone BD player (forgot which model though)!

But I think I'll delay the purchase till mid-September to see if any more information is released. Reviews in Europe are already available for the two models.

@aiman, none of the shops I've been to had the HTSF2300 but I think I'd rather have a HTiB with Blu-ray playback capabilities.

This post has been edited by kobe8byrant: Aug 27 2009, 10:35 PM

I can only recommend it IF it is good.

And I meant to say that I will probably wait till mid-September before deciding to buy the LG if no new models are out then. My room is complete - going to hunt for a cabinet now. =D