Plasmas with Media Centers

[Carolina93]

New poster, short time reader so I hope I'm asking a good question.

I'm in the market for a new plasma and my bonus room idea has been voided by my better half.


But, she doesn't mind the idea of putting a plasma over our fireplace - that we never use.


I've had my eye on quite a few and reading these boards has been helpful/confusing all at the same time.

That said, I feel like I need a plasma with a media center a la the Pioneer Elites simply because one requirement I have is no cords can be showing.

Are the PElites the only ones with media centers? Can I buy a 'media center'and hook it to any plasma via a HDMI port or similar?

Help!

I'm itching to get one of these babies but have to get that question answered from the start so I can plan my set up. We currently have built in book cases with a TV cabinet in the middle that I'll just convert to a component shelf. It will be SWEET when it's all said and done and I've alway wanted a plasma over the fireplace as 'artwork'....


C93

[DidHeFocus]

The standard Pioneers (4360/5060) have media centers also. I don't know of any generic consumer MCs that can use the HDMI of any Plasma. There may be commercial options there, but no tuners, speakers, inputs...etc.

[DNbass]

Also keep in mind that Pioneer 5060/5061 also have the MR.

If you can get still get your hands on a Sony Plasma "XBR Model" (sorry, don't recall the model number) it also comes with a (white) MR.

Do keep in mind that even with models with the MR, you still need to deal with the power cord and the connection(s) between the display and MR. Where the MR adds convenience for me (w/1130) are the video cable connections (i.e. shorter cable connections from video sources to MR) and insert/removal of the various cards.

Others may have more suggestions...

[Carolina93]

Thanks.

Can't I just get whatever plasma and have a receiver do my 'media center' work, i.e. just have a AV receiver with plenty of 'ins' and an out of my choosing that can connect the receiver to the plasma and thus, one cord from the TV?


I figure the Pioneers are very good, but I need a cheaper version and I'm not so sure I can see all these visual differences a lot of folks are debating here. I figure I'll save 1000-1500 on the TV and get a 500-1000 buck receiver and connect it that way.

Then I can have HD cable box, DVD, XBox 360 and one day, PS3 connected to one thing with that connected to the TV. All tucked away nicely in our built in.....


Can do that right?

[billybob_jcv]

Yes - although you need to be careful of which AV receiver you choose. Not all receivers have multiple & switchable hdmi or dvi ports, and not all of them will upconvert from component to hdmi. These features are (finally) getting more common, but you still need to make sure and plan ahead.