The stress of having a new television!

[towny44]

I've gone for a sound base on the same assumption, that as all our entertainment kit is Panasonic hopefully there won't be any issues. Time will tell.

Panasonic SC-HTE200EBK

I hope you find it better than we did. We tried one for about 3 weeks in all the sound settings possible, but we were not happy with it at all, the sound felt totally unrealistic when compared with standard TV sound, and did not help us to hear the dialogue any better, which was our main reason for trying it.
In the end we returned it for a full refund, I still wish we could hear dialogue better, but now realise that some programmes just have poorer sound reproduction, and for the worst ones we tend to fall back on subtitles.

[wolfie]

Probably newer versions out now but we have been very happy with this for a few years. Excellent quality sound and a very unobtrusive box which is easy to set up.

Bose Solo 15 Series II TV Sound System


The solution is the Bose Solo 15 Series II TV sound system, an easy to set up, one-piece speaker featuring advanced Bose® technologies and bluetooth! Flat-screen TVs are made for great picture, not great sound. .



.

[Stephen]

I've gone for a sound base on the same assumption, that as all our entertainment kit is Panasonic hopefully there won't be any issues. Time will tell.

Panasonic SC-HTE200EBK

I hope you find it better than we did. We tried one for about 3 weeks in all the sound settings possible, but we were not happy with it at all, the sound felt totally unrealistic when compared with standard TV sound, and did not help us to hear the dialogue any better, which was our main reason for trying it.
In the end we returned it for a full refund, I still wish we could hear dialogue better, but now realise that some programmes just have poorer sound reproduction, and for the worst ones we tend to fall back on subtitles.

Time will tell John. Like you did, if it doesn't come up to scratch back it goes. I was going to go for a Canton DM55 but thought I would give this a go first, partly price but mainly compatibility.

[Stephen]

Probably newer versions out now but we have been very happy with this for a few years. Excellent quality sound and a very unobtrusive box which is easy to set up.

Bose Solo 15 Series II TV Sound System


The solution is the Bose Solo 15 Series II TV sound system, an easy to set up, one-piece speaker featuring advanced Bose® technologies and bluetooth! Flat-screen TVs are made for great picture, not great sound. .



.

I had considered this as well wolfie. If the Panasonic doesn't work out then I'll try the Bose and the Canton.

[oldbluefox]

I would say if the dialogue on the soundtrack is poor it doesn't really make much difference which sound bar you buy. We have the Panasonic SC-HTE80 and have been pleased with it so far. It does give nice, rich sound, with strong bass tones especially on films.
Ultimately it comes down to personal choice and how much you are willing to pay.

[towny44]

You are right Foxy we found that the sound base made no difference at all to the clarity of the dialogue, but we could not get the sound base to provide as realistic a sound as the TV did, which is why we returned it in the end.
Last night after watching our local Look North programme where we could hear every word of all the presenters, especially the diction of Lara Rostron our favourite presenter, we then watched an earlier recording of a US show called Conviction. This is not the worst offender but with regular bouts of annoying background music, and major variation in the volume and clarity of all the actors, we probably only managed to hear 60% of the actual dialogue; fortunately modern TV programmes only seem to require this standard for you to follow the plot.
Perhaps silent movies are due for a revival.

[Stephen]

I would say if the dialogue on the soundtrack is poor it doesn't really make much difference which sound bar you buy. We have the Panasonic SC-HTE80 and have been pleased with it so far. It does give nice, rich sound, with strong bass tones especially on films.
Ultimately it comes down to personal choice and how much you are willing to pay.

A fair comment Foxy.

The thing which is confusing is, 'which' don't rate the sound base I have ordered at all yet customers love it. All I can do is try it and see for myself.

[Stephen]

You are right Foxy we found that the sound base made no difference at all to the clarity of the dialogue, but we could not get the sound base to provide as realistic a sound as the TV did, which is why we returned it in the end.
Last night after watching our local Look North programme where we could hear every word of all the presenters, especially the diction of Lara Rostron our favourite presenter, we then watched an earlier recording of a US show called Conviction. This is not the worst offender but with regular bouts of annoying background music, and major variation in the volume and clarity of all the actors, we probably only managed to hear 60% of the actual dialogue; fortunately modern TV programmes only seem to require this standard for you to follow the plot.
Perhaps silent movies are due for a revival.

Background music drives me mad as well.

[oldbluefox]

Films are not a good example for clear dialogue anyway. Much of the time the actors are mumbling and what you can hear is diluted by background noise. Action films ( I refuse to call them movies!!) have a habit of one second flashes of action until eventually you haven't a clue who is chasing whom. It just becomes a visual blur and a mess. There was a chase scene in one of the recent Bond films and visually it was indecipherable what was happening.

Of course you then have the problem of getting the sound right for the film only to be deafened when the adverts come on!!!

[Manoverboard]

Clear dialogue is less achievable as one gets older of course and especially regarding the bass tones, we have a TV set with a built in equaliser and that helps a great deal.

[Stephen]

Hedging my bets and have also ordered the Bose Solo 15 Series II TV Sound System to compare.

[wolfie]

Hedging my bets and have also ordered the Bose Solo 15 Series II TV Sound System to compare.

You won't regret your decision.

[Raybosailor]

If your router is from Virgin, you must keep it away from the TV, with the blue light facing the room

We have a Virgin router and we had trouble getting a WiFi signal in parts of the house so I extended the cable by eight metres and took the cable into another room. We can now get a strong signal in every part of the house including the conservatory and out on the patio. As Moby stated (cable and fixings from Maplins, Screwfix and B&Q).

I have a little black & white telly in my workshop that can run off a 12v car battery or mains, I used to watch the cricket on it but now it is on Sky and my coat hanger aerial won't pick up satellite so that collects dust.

[Manoverboard]

... We have the Panasonic SC-HTE80 and have been pleased with it so far. It does give nice, rich sound, with strong bass tones especially on films ...

Have just bought one for £73 so it had better be as good as you say it is.

[Stephen]

Well the Panasonic sound base arrived today, and is going back tomorrow. Rubbish sound, bass!, what base. Like towny, I followed the instruction manual and tried all manner of settings and still the kna*kered TV speakers sounded better

Off tomorrow to a Boss outlet to listen to the Solo 15 series II providing they have one set up for demo purposes.

[david63]

If you are looking for a "good" soundbar then probably one of the best is the Sonos - albeit with a [heavy] price tag

[Stephen]

If you are looking for a "good" soundbar then probably one of the best is the Sonos - albeit with a [heavy] price tag

I agree David. I listened to one on Saturday in JL. But, apart from as you say the hefty price tag, it's a monster of a thing. Way to big for my needs. Yes, a lovely sound though.

[oldbluefox]

Well the Panasonic sound base arrived today, and is going back tomorrow. Rubbish sound, bass!, what base. Like towny, I followed the instruction manual and tried all manner of settings and still the kna*kered TV speakers sounded better

Off tomorrow to a Boss outlet to listen to the Solo 15 series II providing they have one set up for demo purposes.

At £329 from Amazon it should sound better.

[wolfie]

If your router is from Virgin, you must keep it away from the TV, with the blue light facing the room

We have a Virgin router and we had trouble getting a WiFi signal in parts of the house so I extended the cable by eight metres and took the cable into another room. We can now get a strong signal in every part of the house including the conservatory and out on the patio. As Moby stated (cable and fixings from Maplins, Screwfix and B&Q).

I have a little black & white telly in my workshop that can run off a 12v car battery or mains, I used to watch the cricket on it but now it is on Sky and my coat hanger aerial won't pick up satellite so that collects dust.

We extended our in house wi fi with just a few plug in things from Maplin and no cables. Apparently it works by using the electricity system. I was very doubtful as we have an upstairs and downstairs circuit but it works a treat in areas of the house where the signal was poor due to very thick walls. Maplin even offered to refund the cost if it didn't work.

[Silver_Shiney]

Never heard of extending the WiFi that way, Wolfie. I have a network extender that uses the electrical supply around the house, but it needs to be plugged in to the router and then devices plugged in at the other end

[Manoverboard]

' Listening Devices ' can be transmitted through the 13 amp socket, neutral wire, but Wi-Fi for online banking and the like ?

Please tell

[towny44]

' Listening Devices ' can be transmitted through the 13 amp socket, neutral wire, but Wi-Fi for online banking and the like ?

Please tell

Mr Google he say YES.

http://www.howtogeek.com/210895/how-to- ... etworking/

[Raybosailor]

If your router is from Virgin, you must keep it away from the TV, with the blue light facing the room

We have a Virgin router and we had trouble getting a WiFi signal in parts of the house so I extended the cable by eight metres and took the cable into another room. We can now get a strong signal in every part of the house including the conservatory and out on the patio. As Moby stated (cable and fixings from Maplins, Screwfix and B&Q).

I have a little black & white telly in my workshop that can run off a 12v car battery or mains, I used to watch the cricket on it but now it is on Sky and my coat hanger aerial won't pick up satellite so that collects dust.

We extended our in house wi fi with just a few plug in things from Maplin and no cables. Apparently it works by using the electricity system. I was very doubtful as we have an upstairs and downstairs circuit but it works a treat in areas of the house where the signal was poor due to very thick walls. Maplin even offered to refund the cost if it didn't work.

I looked at one or two of those WiFi boosters you are talking about but they have to be plugged in to the mains and being a tight wad I went for the cable extension which costs nowt to run.

[Stephen]

Well the Panasonic sound base arrived today, and is going back tomorrow. Rubbish sound, bass!, what bass. Like towny, I followed the instruction manual and tried all manner of settings and still the kna*kered TV speakers sounded better

Off tomorrow to a Boss outlet to listen to the Solo 15 series II providing they have one set up for demo purposes.

At £329 from Amazon it should sound better.

I doubt it Foxy.

Went to a Bose centre this morning and the shop bod couldn't even demonstrate it properly with the remote. All I got was a fixed loop demo which didn't impress one little bit. Personally I felt Bose is overrated. Oh well another one ticked off.

Now considering my third option, a Canton DM55 sound base.

[towny44]

Well the Panasonic sound base arrived today, and is going back tomorrow. Rubbish sound, bass!, what bass. Like towny, I followed the instruction manual and tried all manner of settings and still the kna*kered TV speakers sounded better

Off tomorrow to a Boss outlet to listen to the Solo 15 series II providing they have one set up for demo purposes.

At £329 from Amazon it should sound better.

I doubt it Foxy.

Went to a Bose centre this morning and the shop bod couldn't even demonstrate it properly with the remote. All I got was a fixed loop demo which didn't impress one little bit. Personally I felt Bose is overrated. Oh well another one ticked off.

Now considering my third option, a Canton DM55 sound base.

This also gets mixed reviews on Amazon and it's over £300, almost as much as a special offer TV.
I do hope you find something you like Stephen but at these prices I definitely would expect to hear every bit of dialogue without it sounding a bit weird, and from all the reviews I read nothing has been invented yet that will satisfy me.