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I want movie theatre sound...cheap!

bombthreat23

TRIBE Member
I know nothing about audio systems etc etc..but I want a nice sorround sound sytem for watching movies at my place... anyone suggest any good systems and how much I should be spending? and where a good place to get the stuff is?
g.
 

SuperKennyK

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by bombthreat23
I know nothing about audio systems etc etc..but I want a nice sorround sound sytem for watching movies at my place... anyone suggest any good systems and how much I should be spending? and where a good place to get the stuff is?
g.


You could get one of those computer surround sound systems for pretty cheap.
Even a cheap one sounds 10 times better than the TV speakers.
 

The Kid

TRIBE Member
I had a panasonic home theatre in a box jobbie... it was about $500 (but I think they've come down a lot)... I recommend it, for the value you get decent surround sound.
 

bombthreat23

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by The Kid
I had a panasonic home theatre in a box jobbie... it was about $500 (but I think they've come down a lot)... I recommend it, for the value you get decent surround sound.

do you need a receiver or a special dvd player?
g.
 

The Kid

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by bombthreat23
do you need a receiver or a special dvd player?
g.

It's a dvd player with a built-in amp and a couple inputs, so you can hook up tv and/or vcr to it as well...
 

Hawk Eye

TRIBE Member
The dream machine has surround sound and comes with a dVD player. You have to have it on Analog to play it though. The surround is awsome. I love watching 24 with it on bc of all the gun shots.
 

octo

TRIBE Member
what's your budget?
do you have a dolby 5.1 reciever already?
do you have a dvd player?

-o-
 

KiFe

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by Hawk Eye
You have to have it on Analog to play it though.


I dont think there is such a think as 'analog surround sound'


only simulated surround.


I think all REAL surround sound signals are digital.
 

beaker

TRIBE Member
dolby pro logic/pro logic ii is analog surround sound. it's not "simulated", but it is dematrixed from two channels.

5.1 is discrete digital.
 

KiFe

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by beaker
dolby pro logic/pro logic ii is analog surround sound. it's not "simulated", but it is dematrixed from two channels.

5.1 is discrete digital.


there you go. answers from the expert. :)


All my surround signals come through digital signal. ... sound better :)


p.s. what does 'discrete' mean.. for 'discrete digital'?
 

Hawk Eye

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by KiFe
I dont think there is such a think as 'analog surround sound'


only simulated surround.


I think all REAL surround sound signals are digital.

no i mean to play a movie.
the sound works but in order to get the movie to play you have to switch it to analog.

At least on my tv at home you do. It took me forever to figure it out bc i had to call my dad at work. :D
 

octo

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by KiFe



p.s. what does 'discrete' mean.. for 'discrete digital'?

discrete means each channel is encoded seperately in the audio track. 5 (front right/left, center, suround right/left) .1 for low frequencies (sub)

DPL or Dolby Pro Logic sound begins with 4 channels and is mixed down and encoded as 2 channels for transfer. This encoded signal is easily carried via videotape, satellite, laserdisc, DVD or TV broadcast: or any stereo source. During playback, your DPL receiver processes the compatible signal back to 4 channels from 2.

Types of Channels:

2 discrete, full-bandwidth channels (front left and right); 1 matrixed, full-bandwidth channel (center); 1 matrixed, limited-bandwidth channel (surround left and right)

Dolby Pro Logic is a matrixed multichannel system, which means that some channels are actually derived from other channels. In this case, center channel sounds are created from parts of the front right and left channels. The single matrixed surround channel is split and sent to the surround speakers, so both surround speakers play the same sounds.

The Entrance of Dolby Pro Logic II

Dolby Pro Logic II, on the other hand, improves on original Dolby Pro Logic with special circuitry that creates a convincing 5.1-channel experience with stereo, full-bandwidth surround channels! And yet Dolby Pro Logic II is using the same Dolby Surround-encoded and stereo sources that Dolby Pro Logic uses. Receivers with Dolby Pro Logic II will give extra intensity to the 12,000 VHS movies with Dolby Surround and the limitless TV broadcasts and music available as stereo sound. Yet even this format is only a supplement to the impressive 5.1-, 6.1- and 7.1-channel surround sound available from digital sources.

Types of Channels:

2 discrete, full-bandwidth channels (front left and right); 3 matrixed, full-bandwidth channels (center, surround left and right); 1 subwoofer channel via Pro Logic II's bass management

Works sited - Crutchfield
 
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KiFe

TRIBE Member
So if fox broadcasts the simpsons in surround sound, and i have my cable box plugged into my tuner via RCA cables, you're saying i can still get surround sound effect?
 

beaker

TRIBE Member
yep, you just need something with a pro logic decoder. (i don't have a receiver at home so i've never actually tried this.)
 

stir-fry

TRIBE Member
kife, that's how I run my setup, and I get surround sound on the simpsons.

MY reciever does dolby digital, but I only get digital through my dvd as I have that plugged in through an optical cable.
 

KiFe

TRIBE Member
i've got a pro logic II tuner...

it's faaking sweet.. altho only has TWO digital ins. (1optical and one component/composite?)


not nearly enough for all my peripherals.. but at least, the most important ones (dvd and xbox) get pure digital signal processing.

let the broadcasts come through analog. peh.
 

octo

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by KiFe
So if fox broadcasts the simpsons in surround sound, and i have my cable box plugged into my tuner via RCA cables, you're saying i can still get surround sound effect?

yup. movies on tv sound much better, basketball games and some tv shows too. and pro logic II decoding is a big improvement over the original
 

KiFe

TRIBE Member
usually i watch tv in sim-surround tho.... if i leave surround on, i get 80% stereo broadcast.. so i end up having to put it considerably louder.

for casual tv watching, sim-surround makes me happy enough, and uses all the speakers in the house (minus centre channel of course)
 

Stormshadow

TRIBE Member
[soundstream]"Cheap" and "surround sound" should never be used in the same sentence. If you're going to spend less than $10,000 on your setup, don't even bother.[/soundstream]
 

KiFe

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by Stormshadow
[soundstream]"Cheap" and "surround sound" should never be used in the same sentence. If you're going to spend less than $10,000 on your setup, don't even bother.[/soundstream]

unless you are being funny... i disagree entirely.


until i can afford a harmon/kardon tuner, and full optical everythings... im REALLY QUITE HAPPY with the $500 surroundsound kit i got from JVC.

it'll tide me over until i can get a system that will require a mortgage.
 

beaker

TRIBE Member
i'm also thinking about getting a budget surround setup.

patrick, what's the model number on your jvc?
 

KiFe

TRIBE Member
Originally posted by beaker
i'm also thinking about getting a budget surround setup.

patrick, what's the model number on your jvc?


icq me after 7pm and i can get it to you.


it was a full kit i got from 2001a/v for 500

came with a tuner, shitty wires, 5 satellites and one big mofucking subwoofer.

subwoofer makes me sick in the belly if i put it at maximum :)

speakers are good.. but starting to show their age after 2years of continuous use.
 
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