Thanks Venkatcr,
I have some few questions this time too:
In India are TV mounts used to fix to the wall like omni mounts used here, or are they just free standing.
Are Keypads and Touch panels used.
When one says he is insatlling a HT at home what are the various products used in that room.(i know it varies from
person to person)but atleast the basics.
With so much of problem with power failure what necessary steps does one take to protect their gadgets.
Thank u all for having started this forum, a wonderful place for info.
At the outset, I would like to APOLOGISE UNCONDITIONALLY for my comments on audio consultants. Though I have had some personal experiences, I have subsequently learned that there are a large number of consultants who are very professional, and who employ modern computerised system, measuring instruments, and use the best of materials to set up top-notch room acoustics.
Again, to all the consultants on this forum, and to the general audio consulting industry, my sincere apologies.
Archana, to answer your questions:
In India are TV mounts used to fix to the wall like omni mounts used here, or are they just free standing.
TVs, particularly the flat TVs are generally fixed on the wall with wall mounts. With CRT and back projection system, the story may be different. Sony for example, comes with a stand that fits the TV exactly. There are a number of shops that manufacture wooden TV stands. You can place a CRT TV up to 29 inches on this and also add a DVD/VCD player, a set top box and other items. These stands also have drawers and shelves where you can keep your DVDs/VCDs and other TV related stuff.
In many houses, the TV stand is the center of attraction in the drawing room and is used to keep some medals, photographs, etc.
Wall mounted stands for CRTs are also available in India. But I have seen these used more in public places, hospital rooms, and some hotel rooms.
Mumbai may have a different situation because of space constraint. I am sure TV wall mounts for CRTs must be common in homes there.
Are Keypads and Touch panels used.
Key pads, touch panels, and music and video distribution systems have just started getting popular. They are yet out of the reach of most people. Secondly, most houses in India are built of brick and mortar, and there are no hollow spaces behind the walls. So if you have to install system with extensive wiring, you have to plan and do it during construction. Generally HT and music systems are yet in the domain of audiophiles and music enthusiasts, and we tend of think of a HT room or music system AFTER we have settled into a house. My personal thinking is that wireless system will be more popular here as it does away with the need for breaking walls and doing wiring.
When one says he is installing a HT at home what are the various products used in that room.(i know it varies from person to person) but at least the basics.
I would categorise this into three segments.
The
first and most common segment are the people who buy a HTIB system and install it in their living room. These are available in India from about Rs.20,000 to about Rs.60,000. These come with a entry level DVD source, minimal AV amplification, and a 5.1 speaker set consisting of a powered sub and 5 satellite speakers. I would say that this would occupy more than 50% of the market in India. They would usually deploy cables recommended by the dealer, and in most cases, get the installation done by the dealer. The cables would be carried across the room by plastic conduits that are fixed on the wall. Many of the satellite speakers come with their own stand, and would just be made to stand on the floor. If not they have small wall mounts that would be used.
The complete installation would be completed in about 2 to 3 hours. The placement of the TV and the accompanying speakers would be driven more by the present seating pattern in the living room, rather than any aesthetic or acoustical requirements.
A slightly different version of the same segment would be people who buy a DVD Player, AVR (entry level) maybe a 32inch flat TV, and 5.1 speakers separately, and get the set installed by the dealer.
Amplification would be in the range of about 50 to 100 watts per channel. Popular brands for HTIB are Samsung, LG, Sony, Onkyo, Panasonic.
The
second segment are people like me who read a lot, audition equipment extensively, and then purchase, piecemeal, equipment that they think are the best for the money that they can spend. They would usually deploy good a DVD player, a 42 Inch TV going up to a projector, a mid to high end AVR, and good connectors and speaker cables. They would spend a lot of time fussing over the equipment, and getting it installed the way they like it. They would tear apart their living room to get the system installed to perform well. They would also spend some money on room acoustics, installing bass traps, and sound absorbing material on the walls. The roof, in most cases will be fitted with a false ceiling using POP.
Maybe 50% of this segment would also spend additional money on an independent two channel system that is separate from the HT System. They would generally use medium to high end front speakers that would do double duty for both HT and two channel music. These would invariably be floor standing three way speakers.
The HT rooms of this segment would be fitted with requisite lighting, air conditioning, and couches for watching movies and listening to music. The couches would be procured from local furniture shops or made to order to fit the existing decor.
Because of limited funds and, at the same time the drive to have the best, such installation may take up to a year or more, and would involve a large amount of time of the audio/video enthusiast.
Amplification would be in the range of 100 to 200 watts per channel for HT and roughly 200 to 500 watts per channel for two channel. Popular brands for HT would be Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, Marantz, Rotel, NAD, Cambridge Audio, etc at the top. These would be followed by Harmon Kardon, Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic, etc.
The music system would be difficult to categorise in terms of brands, as many go in for pre/power amps, while a majority would go in for integrated equipment. The list is quite large.
The
last segment is the price no issue segment. These are people who would go to a dealer, tell him he wants the best that is available, and leave it to the dealer to choose the equipment and also install it for him. They would certainly have an independent room that would be done up with the best room acoustics, having a dozen or more branded couches, a high end AVR, a projector, a self powered screen, and lighting that can darken the room completely to watch a movie. This segment would spend somewhere between 25 lakhs going up to a crore or more for the mini theater. A few may add a pop corm machine and a refrigerator setting the ambience.
Brands? Classe Audio, B&K, Carver, Denon, Sunfire......
With so much of problem with power failure what necessary steps does one take to protect their gadgets.
We don't see that as a problem at all. We have learnt to live with UPSs, power stabiliser, RFI/EMI filters and other power conditioning equipment.
That aside, its with this kind of professional help that one can really get the best out of one's home music system.