Scaler / New System Initial Setup

[miceri]

Hi All,

So, I think that I am finally ready to make a substantial dent in my bank account. After alot of research and question asked / answered read on this forum I have decided upon the following:

Panasonic 42" PHD8 (Not auditioned, but have seen the PX60 and was happy with that, an take a chance on PHD8)
Lumagen Vision HDP (Will probably add this later to see the effect it has, unless rebuked otherwise)

Yamaha RX-V1600 (Demo Wednesday)
Panasonic DMR-EH65

Primare I30 (Auditioned)
Primare CD21 (Auditioned)
Monitor Audio GS-20 (Auditioned)

I'm planning to run according to the attached jpeg. Have convinced my wife (And tbh, myself) that the panel is the way to go. Even without speakers or tuner. We currently have an old CRT from the UK (I live in Sweden) that does not tune to our swedish frequencies. We brought a DVR-520H to do this (analogue). So we cannot record one and watch the other channel yet! We also do not have any HiFI / surround setup at all. So this really is a fresh install...

I have many question, regarding the amount of fear/trepidation that I am getting this very expensive purchase completely t*ts up! So please guys and gals, some gentle re-assurance would be nice.

Okay, lets begin.

1) Do I really need a scaler?
The DMR-EH65 upconverts its HDMI feed to AV Amp, AV Amp also upconverts (or not be by-passed). With SD feed, it the difference so big? 1:1 So I suppose their is... But is it a decent picture, SD digital on a PHD8 only, so that I can try the scaler later? Would I be better off with a lumagen or DVDO?

2) Should I wait for the PHD9? For any reason in particular.

3) Digital Broadcasting
With a digital tuner, can that also receive the analogue channels?
Are they sent on the same 'cable' and left for the respective tuner type to extrapolate the information, either analogue or digital?
I will only have the DMR-EH65 as the single source input (via tuner) of broadcast TV...

4) If I use the HDP, then I need to configure the AV amp (DVD to AV Amp as the audio source) for audio delay to eliminate lip-synch created by the
additional processing time for the visuals caused by the HDP - Correct?

5) PHD8 running in. Is this the same as the PX60 for example. What are the intial suggested settings.


HDP Best Practise:

SD Digital - From DVD, RGB to HDP then HDMI/DVI to PHD8
HD Digital - From HDTV Satellite box, HDMI? I will do HDTV within 1-2 years. Should I connect via HDMI now? The screen will be wall mounted, cables
hidden, so it could be a bit of a pain to continaully change cable setup. What about component?

If no HDP initially:
DMR-EH65 to 1600 via HDMI
1600 to PHD8 via HDMI (To also future proof for HDCP compliancy)

Okay, I know this is the scaler sub-forum, but I'm pretty sure you guys can help here too.

A) MAGS20 low level TV capablility
DMR-EH65 to 1600 to (Preouts) Primare I30 to MAGS20. Can these speakers cope through this setup with daily TV use? I would rather not have to buy
another set purely for the TV. The MAGS20 are my ideal choice for HiFi.

B) I30/1600 Gain Matching
Should I be concerned about this? I read somewhere on this forum that it is important to have equal (or roughly) gain for example including a
centre speaker etc...

Phew, well this is a start. I'm really looking forward to watching crystal clear pictures with half decent sound. Or listening the night away to my old favourite CDs (Don't have a player of any description at the moment!)

Thanks in advance everybody //miceri

[creative-av]

Hi Mirceri,

I'll try to answer some of your questions:

1) Do I really need a scaler?
My personal view is that amps should be used for sound and vp's for the video processing! Yes use the amp to switch the video when needed but if you really want the best pq possible then with the PHD adding a vp would be the better route than using the amp up conversion.

2) Should I wait for the PHD9? For any reason in particular.
You can do but it may be more expensive than the PHD8 and the full specs are unknown so what it will give you over the PHD8 I'm not sure on.

3) Digital Broadcasting
Do you mean can you still use the RF output? If so then yes you should be able to if the tuner has one. If not can you expand?

4) lip-synch created by the additional processing time for the visuals caused by the HDP
You may be a lucky person and not notice it. If you do then yes you will have to use the audio delay feature on your amp or buy an audio delay box like the JS-Technology one.

5) PHD8 running in. Is this the same as the PX60 for example. What are the intial suggested settings.
Just turn the settings down and take out of dynamic mode for the first 100-200 hours and you should be fine.

Connection wise you sound as if you know what to do. I would implement a component feed just incase(whilst you are chasing out walls you might aswell)

Adding the vp is really down to your budget. I would suggest going the route of the HDQ over the HDP as you will get more digital connections on it and it is rack mountable.

Steve

[Liam @ Prog AV]

I would advise going for the SPA21 AV amp from Primare, dumping both the I30 and the Yamaha V1600. If you want more, I would then advise an A30.2 power amp to beef up the front pair. The SPA21 is absolutely amazing and perhaps not even that much worse in stereo than the I30. I do prefer to run a single audio setup than try monkey around with bringing dedicated hifi and AV seperates together.

You could do the same with the disc source too. The DVD30 is a nutter version of the DVD26 with similar audio performance to the CD21 (again not quite as hot but close). But I mention this because you gain all this on multichannel audio performance too (DVD, DVD-A, SACD) and the DVD30 can be supplied with an SDI output at no extra charge. SDI is the best possible connection between DVD player and video processor. From your diagram it looks like you are using the PS2 for DVD!!!!!!! (please god tell me you aren't)

Do you really need a scaler? Of course you do. Bit like asking do you really need hifi seperates where there's a £300 jobby in Dixons that does the same job.....

Audio delay if bothersome can be combatted with a dedicated delay box or within the Yamaha (I don't think Primare AV has audio delay).

Running in I don't bother with gentler settings or any of that guff. You will need to recalibrate as time goes on and the phosphors settle. But otherwise stick it in NORMAL or CINEMA mode and calibrate to the Lumagen test pattern s(if you buy all the kit from one dealer the dealer will usually do all the setup for you before sending it out or installing it - includes SDI DVD setup etc).

[miceri]

Thanks guys, some good answers to think about. Actually you have helped me confirm a number of descisions. i.e. Scaler is such a great idea being the foremost...

I think that I will wait for the PHD9 series, as from reading this forum and checking net prices the PHD8 is being run down in stock and is diffcult to source (Sweden). With the extra time to wait, I reckon the budget can be increased for the 50"er

I haven't seen the PDQ available yet over here, but as I will wait for the plasma, then I'm sure it will be available soon.

One thing perhaps I didn't make clear is that in its present guise, this is a combo system designed for maximum reuse later. During the next 9-18 months we will move house, and hopefully have stereo setup in the lounge (with no TV) and a dedicated TV room which will be expanded with projector etc.

So, for now 2 systems must co-locate. This is why I am happy with choosing a dedicated 2CH and CD player to integrate with the visuals. As I said, I have practically nothing, so when the TV room is under construction then I will source a dedicated DVD player etc... Arcam DVD137 sounds nice! (And perhaps trade the yammy for the Arcam AVR350). Oh yes, DVD is not sent via PS2 - I also have an analogue tuner DVD/HDD unit in there.

I'm off to post in the speaker section now, to see about the MAGS20 and low level TV viewing...

Cheers//miceri

[dilsher]

Mate..

A video processor - given your specific PQ needs and proposed spend - is simply VITAL - as is full ISF calibration. Peeps who think their panel is the bees knees come round to mine - and go "why is your panel 10 times more natural looking than mine?"

I just point at the Lumagen HDP.


Hope that sells the VP and ISF!

Regards

Dil

[creative-av]

Well you can't get any better recommendation than a satisified customer(of Liam's).

The difference ISF makes to a panel is not only about what you see but it also helps to extend the life of the panel.

The scaler, well, you know what most of us think so you just need to check there are enough pennies in the bank!

Steve