Audio
Current preferred setup
I have no idea.
Required receiver features
- HDMI 1.3a with audio processing (not just pass through)
- Dynamic volume (commercials, different channels with different levels)
Should have?
- XV/deep colour
- 120hz pass through
Nice to have
- Starts up at set-able volume
- Auto set up (YPAO, etc)
- 5.1 analog input
- Front HDMI connection
- USB audio (for ipod/storage/etc).
- OSD
- Smaller cabinet
- Non VFD display (sheesh)
- Low power on standby
- Compressed (mp3) music enhancer
- Good universal remote with backlighting
- Nice appearance (least like Pioneer's shiny plastic or Denon's weird curves, they all have too many buttons)
- Convert analog video to hdmi (decreasingly important but would require getting a new disc player)
Receiver
Pioneer
VSX-819H - no initial volume control. OSD only via component or composite. Sheesh.
Has USB in.
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10123899&catid=20313
http://www.hd.ca/pioneerreceivers/vsx919ahk.php
Yamaha
Why does the 365 have some features the higher priced 465 doesn't? Are they mad?
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10168346-1.html
Onkyo TX-SR307
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR307&class=Receiver&p=i
Overview of Onkyo 2009: http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-sr507-black/4505-6466_7-33553552.html?tag=mncol;txt
- Audyssey Dynamic Volume
- Decent reviews
- "Warmer sound" than Denon
- Available in silver
- Smaller cabinet size
- $300 list
Denon 505
Overview of 2009 Denon: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10237889-1.html
- Audyssey Dynamic Volume
- OSD
- $350 list
Retailers: http://ca.denon.com/DealerLocator.asp?selstate=QC
Speakers
KEF fivetwo 11
Discontinued! And they never replied to my email.
http://www2.kef.com/ca/SurroundSound/FiveTwo/model11 , http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9682390-1.html
Very good stereo audio, decent surround (no real "rears")
Does it require four walls?
Retailers: http://www.digitalcraze.com/content.asp?ContentID=4 (US) , http://www.audiovillemtl.com/html/contact.html
Panel mount
Maximize your flat panel experience by installing it truly flat against the wall with the industry’s first universal in-wall mounting solution for up to 60" screens. Installation is quick and easy thanks to the mounts self-locating tabs that center the in-wall box snugly between standard 16" wood stud centers. View the flat panel screen in its no-profile home position, or extend the arm over 19" to watch it virtually anywhere else within the room.
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/furniture/speaker-and-display-mounts/peerless-im760pu-in-wall-mount lists shops selling it for $340 US