[QUOTE]Originally posted by Laird:
[B]
My setup includes a Toshiba 65TW HDTV, Chiro preamp and Chiro Amps, Satellite, Toshiba
[B]
Do you like the rear projection.

 

I previously had a Sharp LCD projector and a 100" screen. When we moved three years ago, I had a new room designed in my basement. due to the ceiling heights, I could not have a ceiling mount and the installation for a free standing projector would make the room layout inefficient. The Toshiba had just been announced and was the solution. We built a walkin closet at the end of the room and placed the set there with the screen only showing through the wall. It was the largest set we could get down the stairs, weighs 400 lbs. It was also the largest HDTV ready set on the market. We are still waiting for a set-top box to receive OTA and satellite HD reception. I anticipate they will be released in December. The picture is great from any angle. Toshiba has component input and a line doubler. With a progressive scan DVD player, the picture quality is stunning.

I had not heard about Chiro going out of business. It happens a lot to higher end components. Mine has been fine...the speakers are the key. I previously had the Lexicon decoder before 5.1 and DTS. My son-in-law still uses it.

 

Laird,
I agree, it seems that alot of the higher end companies are hurting. The dealer that I use probably has had 4-6 lines go belly-up in the past year or so. But I just don't get it. With all of the discretionary money available, and Stereo/HT being extremely hot, why are these guys going under at this time? It does seem a bit counterintuitive. They can survive through the tough times, but not the good, go figger.

 

If you can get the Chiro at a good price, it is well worth it. The amps and preamps will always be useable. When later technology is developed, it will be in the decoder and then you could upgrade with a Lexicon or whoever is in business.

I have a good friend in the high end electronics as a manufacturer rep. He says that Tony Chiro was in the business for 25 years and had a great reputation. The company may still be purchased. He thought rapid expansion hurt them...it usually does when they try to go to a higher level and lose what made them great. Everyone, of course, wants to make more money.

 

When a company grows too fast it is always tough. Some make it thru, some fold, At lot of good ones too. I'm glad you guys responded to this post. It lets me know I'm not the only tech freak out there Laird, The LCD unit you have, what are your thoughts on that. Is it useable in a well lit area? My theatre is in a dedicated room and I was thinking about a big screen in a more social area. How does it compare with the other DLP's and new rear projections? Cash flow for me has started to get tight with all my "foolish" habits. I was considering this option and throwing my Marantz unit to run the sound. Then of course I have to upgrade the theatre sound system and ughhhh I need to win the lottery!
Later guys!

 

I had one of the first generation LCD projectors by Sharp. It is about 14 years old and still operating at my daughter's house. It throws a 100" picture. You definitely need a dark room to get the best picture. LCD don't have the detail that a RPTY or DTV have, but the color is usually very good.

The new 65"HDTVs have a protective screen that is highly reflective and a pain, but the picture quality is amazing. The new generation RPTVs have over come most of the problems of where you sit. Toshiba and Panasonic both have a 34" direct view HDTV ready set in the 16x9 aspect with over 1100 lines of resolution available for about 3K to 4K. The larger RPTV HDTV (65")will run $4K to 6K. Depends on your room size. Also the RPTV allow you to set closer and you don't need as much room as a front projector which takes about 15' from lense to the screen to throw a 100" picture.

I do miss the 100" picture which is awesome in a home, but the quality of the 65" overcomes part of that.

 

Update: got the Lex today, wow... Really cool, now if it could just make coffee.

 

Once you get that baby rockin let me know what you think. I read the mags an drool kinda reminds me of the S...but it can't possibly be more fun can it?

 

So far it's amazing. Lex has a trade-in thing going on now, which brings the price down $2K US. It's has very powerful DSP, the logic modes are incredible, putting the sound stage out into the room. The amps are new and think that there is a "break-in" period for them, 100 hours or something. Shouldn't take long to get there. I'm not sure that it's worth $4K US discounted (but then again if anything is, the Lex is), it is better than anything I have ever heard, and has the flexibility to do pretty much anything you want with the sound. It even takes into account the relative position of the listener with regard to the sweet spot and then does steering to the sound.
In the summer it will be back to the S as #1 priority, but it's a bit cold for top down driving for the next few months, so I resort to my other obsession.

 

You sound like my twin brother

I'm glad you like it..I guess I'm gonna have to pick one up. I wonder what it goes for in canada? Take care and Enjoy!!