Inspiration needed... Cash burning a hole

Inspiration needed... Cash burning a hole

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Dave200

Original Poster:

5,671 posts

226 months

Monday 9th August 2010
quotequote all
Well, I've got a few hundred shekels burning a hole in my pocket here, and I'm moving into a new flat in the next couple of weeks. I fancy buying a new toy for my living room AV setup, but am completely bereft of inspiration - I don't particularly need to replace/upgrade anything that is pre-existing, but I just fancy something new to play with...

So far, it consists of (not the most stellar, but does me just fine):
Samsung 50" plasma
Panasonic 5.1 system w/integrated DVD
PS3
XBox 360
Wii
Mac Mini with 0.5Tb ext HDD (for downloading/streaming)

In short, I don't particularly want/need to save it, and could do with some suggestions. It can be something as diverse as an HD projector, or a dancemat for the Wii.

Over to you PH.

warnerj

81 posts

172 months

Monday 9th August 2010
quotequote all
The only thing your missing by the sounds in Sky HD! Movies and Sky Sports for a month will be like £50!

Dave200

Original Poster:

5,671 posts

226 months

Monday 9th August 2010
quotequote all
warnerj said:
The only thing your missing by the sounds in Sky HD! Movies and Sky Sports for a month will be like £50!
Oops, forgot to include that. Thought it would be a given...

Actually moving from Sky+HD to a Virgin HD+ package in the new flat - faulty boxes, poor value and dreadful customer service are the key issues.

Bullett

10,957 posts

190 months

Monday 9th August 2010
quotequote all
What do you do for music?

I have similar with the addition of a Squeezebox for streaming my music to the amp (does you 5.1 have audio inputs?)

or how about a universal remote, Logitec harmony One is again what I use.

headcase

2,389 posts

223 months

Monday 9th August 2010
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Couple of hundred squid burning a hole.... id get a new watch wink

Dave200

Original Poster:

5,671 posts

226 months

Tuesday 10th August 2010
quotequote all
headcase: Watches are not really my thing, if I'm honest. I tend to go more for the novelty/retro end of the market.

Bullett: Not sure what Squeezebox actually does, in truth. The PS3 allows streaming of music from the other computers in the flat, while the Mac Mini has around 100Gb of music on it.
However, the remote idea might have legs. Wasn't there a quite large handheld/touchscreen one which looked a bit like a tablet?

allgonepetetong

1,188 posts

225 months

Tuesday 10th August 2010
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You need one of these http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/remotes/universal-re...


Brilliant bit of kit. I have been using one since christmas and it's faultless.

Bullett

10,957 posts

190 months

Tuesday 10th August 2010
quotequote all
Re Squeezebox.

It allows you to create a multiroom audio system streaming audio from a server. I used to use my ps3 (with Twonky) for that but it was a bit cumbersome. The SB allows me to use my touch as a remote and control the reciever in the Lounge, Radio in the kitchen and software SB in the office at the same time.

If you are already using apple to do this then it's not needed.

I looked at both the Wand style Harmony one (link above) and the larger tablet version. Couldn't see why the tablet was double the price and for me the One does all I need.

Plotloss

67,280 posts

276 months

Tuesday 10th August 2010
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1100 is more because its RF as well as IR.

They're alright but there are better out there, admittedly at higher cost.

Dave200

Original Poster:

5,671 posts

226 months

Tuesday 10th August 2010
quotequote all
OK, so I just watched a demo video of the Logitech 1100 on YouTube. Seriously impressive toy, and one that I might use for more than 5mins.

Where do I buy it from?

Bullett

10,957 posts

190 months

Tuesday 10th August 2010
quotequote all
Yes I knew it was rf as well but I didn't need rf as all my gear was in line of sight. Is that the only difference?

dan101smith

16,857 posts

217 months

Thursday 12th August 2010
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Does the 1100 have a decent interface for Squeezebox control? How does it compare to a decent Pronto, for example?