I've just been reading about Mondo System's all-in-one all-digital home entertainment system, which they claim is a world first.
The XL-7000 comes with a 120 inch screen (where on earth that's going to go in most people's homes?) and a Mondo 720p DLP projector, plus a digital media centre, Mondo's Digitial Fidelity (Di-Fi) technology, 800W of 5.1 surround sound, profilers for movies and music. It's a totally integrated system.
This set me thinking about whether all-in-one systems are a good way to go, or whether they place too much reliance on one manufacturer.
On the plus side, a decent manufacturer that makes a range of home cinema equipment - TV, projector, amplifier and sound system, next-gen DVD player, media centre, etc - or can form partnerships with other companies to supply certain components - can build in more options for synchronising and calibrating the whole system.
On the negative side, most companies don't excel in all areas of consumer electronics: they may make great TVs but totally suck at standalone amplifier design.
The combined cost of integrated systems may be less than that of the individual components, but they have to be bought in one go. A separates system can be built up over time as needs and budget allows.
I remember having conversations with audiophiles about why it was better to buy separate audio components from different manufacturers, rather than buy all-in-one systems. Does the same thing apply for HDTV home cinema?
Where you say? It's going to be fitted as if a sun-blind to the living room window.
If a "120 inch screen" is the diagonal measurement, it is roughly 5 feet high and 9 feet wide. Just about perfect as a pull-down screen that covers my living room window.
But I wouldn't want to use it with a 720p projector in my living room, it needs 1080p for viewing at about 10 feet away.