[bikefreak]

My current setup :
- Local DVD player (not working anymore)
- Yamaha amp (sounds good, remote works, most buttons on unit don't)
- 2 Mirage FRX3 bookshelf speakers (amp kept on 'phantom' mode to compensate for the absence of center & rear speakers)
- Benq DLP projector for watching movies.
- 29" Flat TV for routine use.
- Cable connection (want to discontinue due to very poor reception)
- Nintendo WII (It's great fun to play bowling, tennis, transformers, monster truck and other racing games on the projector)

Now I need . . .

1) DVD player:
Has to have a USB port and s-video out, as my projector does not have HDMI input :(
I had shortlisted one LG model for around 3.2k with both of these but the salesman at reliance digital was trying to convince me to go in for the Mitashi for around 2k, saying that it has all that I want with the same clarity and even a SD card reader.
A friend insisted that I buy a pioneer as they r the best, but lack of warranty bothers me.
I've seen the Pioneer DV-310 for about 3.5k which also has a USB s-video ports.
The higher model, DV-410 has HDMI (not of any use to me) and 1080p upscaling (would this help in the projector ?)
What additional features do the 510 & 610 models have ?
Anyone know a good & reliable pioneer dealer ?

2) DTH:
Can't decide the best option - Dish / Tata / Big / Airtel / IPTV . . .
Which STB/service provider would be best in terms of connecting it to my projector ?
Does any STB some come with an s-video output ?
I stay in Navi Mumbai and am quite concerned about the poor reception during heavy rains.

3) Speakers:
The mirages are working fine, but I was thinking of getting a centre & rear speakers and a subwoofer. (~ 100 w per chanel)
Unfortunately most shops do not sell speakers separately.
What options do I have ? Reasonably good (and cheap)

4) Yamaha Amp:
Could anyone help me to get the Yamaha amp serviced in or around Navi Mumbai ?
If it is too much of a hassle and / or too expensive, I'd rather continue using it as it is till it completely conks off and then buy a new one


The recession has affected me also, and I'm not in a position to spend big bucks.
So I'd appreciate if you guys could suggest relatively cheaper alternatives.
Waiting for your valuable advice.

[StarScream]

Tata Sky+ STB has an S-video out.

[bikefreak]

Hmm . . .

I don't think it would be justified to put in around 7k over and above the ordinary Tata Sky STB for a feature (record & replay) that I'm hardly ever going to use.

But then can anyone tell me if the ordinary Tata Sky STB also have an S-video out ?

[bikefreak]

A guy at Vijay sales offered me a set of 3 Yamaha speakers for around 3,xxx.
I think they were left over from a set.
The centre was 100w and the 2 small ones that he said I could use as the rear speakers were 80w each.

Would these be OK ?

[StarScream]

Originally Posted by bikefreak

Hmm . . .

I don't think it would be justified to put in around 7k over and above the ordinary Tata Sky STB for a feature (record & replay) that I'm hardly ever going to use.

But then can anyone tell me if the ordinary Tata Sky STB also have an S-video out ?

well...once you get it you realize its utility. The ordinary TSky STB only has regular composite video out. The BigTV box is a little more advanced than TS or Dish but I don't know if it has S-video. The only other likely candidate is Airtel's IPTV. Check the web sites - they may have a schematic of the box.

[Ketan]

Yup,
That box looks interesting with HDMI / Optical / Component / USB ports on it.
I have read they have not yet got the services stabilized - people using it often complain about the streaming of TV (impatient all the time almost)..
If they can improve the services / streaming the STB looks great for now.
[COLOR=#22229c]Digital TV from Airtel[/COLOR]