From: gre253@its.csiro.au (Steve Green)
Newsgroups: rec.video
Subject: Re: Home Theater
Date: 27 Jan 93 02:03:58 GMT
Followup-To: rec.video
Organization: Comms group, ITS branch, CSIRO

In article <1993Jan25.181137.24973@medtron.medtronic.com>,
barham@medtronic.COM (Bill Barham) wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I am trying to assemble a home theater on a limited budget.  I need a HI-FI VHS
> VCR, A/V receiver, and surround speaker system.  I will be using a Panasonic 27"
> super flat monitor.  Based on what I have read and comments on the net, I have
> narrowed my choices to the following:
> 
> Mitsubishi HS-U56 HI-FI VHS VCR    ($329)
> JVC HR-S4700U HI-FI Super VHS VCR  ($429)

I have a JVC HR-S5800EA SVHS Hi-Fi VCR. Very nice unit. Although it is
EXTREEMELY
fussy about tape quality. Some rental tapes play up very badly on this
machine, but
give tolerable results on my much older Akai VS-303EA VCR.

> Pioneer VSX-501 A/V receiver       ($279)
> Sony STR-D990 A/V receiver         ($289)
> 
> I have not decided about the speakers yet, the Cambridge Sound Works speakers
> seem to be very cost effective.  The prices listed are the best mail order prices
> that I have found, not including shipping.  I was not originally considering SVHS,
> but I am leaning towards the JVC because it is so close in cost to a VHS unit.  I
> am leaning towards the Pioneer receiver because it has more video inputs (3 vs 2).

Have a look at Yamaha's pro-logic A/V recievers and amps. Very very nice!
No problem
with 3 video inputs either - my DSP-A1000 has VCR1,VCR2 and LD.

> In general, it seems like the Pioneer units are more video biased and the Sony 
> units are more audio biased.  I have a question regarding the VSX-501, one source

I too looked at Sony before buying. I got the feeling they have only
recently voyaged
into this area, wheras Yamaha have been right into it for some time.

> indicated it had 100W right and left, 65W center, but another source indicated
> that the unit had EITHER 100W left and right if used in a sterio mode OR 65W right,
> left, and center if used on Pro-Logic mode.  If the second source is correct, is
> this true of all A/V receivers?  I have seen many positive comments on the net 

This is not true for all A/V recievers. The A1000 has separate main,
centre, front
and rear channel amplifiers. Total power output IS amazing!

> regarding the HS-U56, I would like to hear comments on the JVC, the recievers,
> and low cost speaker recommendations.  Also, I would like to find out how well
> converted VHS tapes work in SVHS mode.  I regularly read this group, so you can

I liked the Yamaha YST10s as effect speakers for two reasons, they were
cheap, and
they could be hung on the wall. 

Converting GOOD QUALITY VHS tapes into SVHS tapes is a good idea, and saves
me a load
of money ( $AUS24 SVHS to $AUS12 VHS ). I typically use TDK EHG tapes for
this
purpose. You do notice the difference, but it is only marginal, and usually
only
near the start of the tape. LP, however, does show up the difference.

I still lash out and buy the occassional "real" SVHS tape just to spoil
myself! :-)


> post your comments or send me email.  BTW, this group needs a FAQ posing.  Thanks
> in advance for your help.

> ---
> Thanks,
> Bill Barham                        Medtronic Micro-Rel   602-921-6439
> Staff CAD Software Engineer        email: barham@tmp.medtronic.com

Happy shopping.

========================================================================
| Steve Green     |  "Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit outa my hat !" |
| Comms Group     |  "That trick never works"                          |
| ITS Branch      |  "Nothin' up my sleeve - PRESTO !"                 |
| CSIRO Australia |  "No doubt about it - I gotta get another hat"     |
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Newsgroups: rec.video