AV Forum?

[Easy Rhino]

I love this site so much that I check it at work during the day. I was wondering if the powers-that-be have considered a forum section for audio/video equipment. I understand this is a site dedicated to "the latest in hardware and gaming," but I imagine a section in the forums that would deal with integrating PC hardware with audio/video equipment would be helpful. Personally I check other forums when I have questions about this subject and it would be nice if I could get all my info in one place. Just a thought.

[erocker]

I would love it! I haven't been into A/V stuff since my computer hardware addiction began, but this would most deffinitely renew my interest. I have quite a few friends who's lives revolve around this stuff too and this would probablly bring them here.

[Cold Storm]

I two second that, and believe that we should maybe make a poll that way the powers-to-be will see it and say something.... We can get members that w1zz likes, and knows what they are doing, to do it.

[erocker]

Well, I know I can easily get back into the "game". I'm already looking at new stuff online. See! My interest is already renewed!

[Cold Storm]

Originally Posted by erocker

Well, I know I can easily get back into the "game". I'm already looking at new stuff online. See! My interest is already renewed!

Do you ever stop man!?!? lol... I think the 900 just got done about 3 months ago??? and the latest case is just wicked... Your interest will never die!

[Triprift]

Id go for that my audio video setup aint great at the moment but ive said as soon as crap as tv goes ill get a truehd screen a hd settop box and proper souround sound to compliment me dvd recorder perfect for a unit.

[Darren]

I would love an AV section, young guys like us need expensive sound and video equipment to invest in to keep us out the hood doing wrong. Seriously. I find it extremely difficult to get advice regarding bookshelf speaker specification and I tend to find that dedicated AV site forums are soo fanatical its hard to get a answer other than "you need to spend $100000" on speakers otherwise they are crap, it's always a flame war type response. I would rather discuss video and audio here in TPU.

PS. Maybe a poll is needed, we can vote, and perhaps our cries would be heard louder, just a thought!

[erocker]

I build my own speakers. I'll put them up against a $1000 pair anyday.

* $100000 pair.. I have no chance!

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by erocker

I build my own speakers. I'll put them up against a $1000 pair anyday.

* $100000 pair.. I have no chance!

you do? that is pretty sweet, ive always wanted to build my own.

[Easy Rhino]

wow, thanks guys for the input. im actually a bit surprised by the positive response. when you think about it, a av section makes sense. computer hardware is always bleeding into the audio/video department. and i agree with the poster who said that other forums dedicated to A/V tend to be fantastical and obnixious because they have a holier than thou attitude to people who dont have a clue. i much rather talk to people that i know here on TPU about it. and just incase you were wondering, i thought about this new av section because i recently bought a new surround sound receiver and i spent 3 months scouring the web for proper information and most of the info i got were from forums filled with people who were to good for me.

[Cold Storm]

well computers turn into the whole A/v trend like you said, and we're now building media pc's inorder to take everything we have and go on with it. I'm with you on the ability to talk to people here. It's so easy to talk to one another and not get into a flame war because of different beliefs. And every single time one is wrong and finds the truth (I for one will say i've done this) they apology and everything is good. never really had a problem with this site and am all ways happy with it. To make this better for everyone is all ways a plus.

[kwchang007]

I think this would be great, I mean honestly, I know next to nothing about AV. Like what makes everything go, what's good, how certain wires are better etc etc. I mean I know what I can hear, but I don't listen to custom built systems and such. I think this would be a great addition to TPU.

[Cold Storm]

This will make TPU branch out to make it a EVERYTHING site. And from that, I believe it will make this site even more popular with it. I know something about computers, but know more about car stereos and home systems of sorts.. Still have the blueprints to make my future truck tricked with computer this and that...

[Kreij]

I think it's a great idea. Inculde digital cameras in there too.
Some of us are into "still" video

[btarunr]

AV Equipment do come under General hardware, don't they? Besides, for several pieces of AV hardware, there are several clubhouses and just a fair bit of forum searching can take you there, for example the X-Fi Support Syndicate, etc.

[das müffin mann]

an av forum would be awesome, mainly because we all have av elements mixed in with our rigs in some way, i just think it would be really helpful to have that section

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by btarunr

AV Equipment do come under General hardware, don't they? Besides, for several pieces of AV hardware, there are several clubhouses and just a fair bit of forum searching can take you there, for example the X-Fi Support Syndicate, etc.

the general hardware forum is mainly for general computer hardware but i see your point.and i know i could check other forums on the net but personally i would rather do all my tech stuff here at tpu!

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

the general hardware forum is mainly for general computer hardware but i see your point.and i know i could check other forums on the net but personally i would rather do all my tech stuff here at tpu!

Well, it's general hardware and not General Computer Hardware, isn't it? There's no point in diversifying the forums when everything is in decent order. Tomorrow someone will come up with "Lets have a gaming console forum" or "How about a seperate forum for xyz" there is a seperate forum for Video-cards but that's understandable as a lot of people get introduced to the forums through the likes of GPU-Z and ATI-Tool and there are way too many topics on video-cards than other hardware components.

[Kreij]

I respectfully disagree with you, Btarunr.

I think that adding additional, focused forums reduces the amount of clutter that normally happens in generic type forums.
Many times I have seen people starting their posts with, "I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but ..."

It also helps reduce the number of posts that get pushed to the second page too soon. (Remember most people just peruse the first page, assuming deeper pages are old posts)
This becomes more obvious as the membership of a site like TPU continues to grow.

[Easy Rhino]

Originally Posted by btarunr

Well, it's general hardware and not General Computer Hardware, isn't it? There's no point in diversifying the forums when everything is in decent order. Tomorrow someone will come up with "Lets have a gaming console forum" or "How about a seperate forum for xyz" there is a seperate forum for Video-cards but that's understandable as a lot of people get introduced to the forums through the likes of GPU-Z and ATI-Tool and there are way too many topics on video-cards than other hardware components.

i fail to see how an a/v section would negatively impact the tpu forums.

[zekrahminator]

Meh, I'd just stick all A/V topics in General Hardware, myself.

[PVTCaboose1337]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

i fail to see how an a/v section would negatively impact the tpu forums.

Likewise... when I think of general hardware, I think of PCs and moniters...

[Darren]

We dont have to call the new section "AV or Cinema or Theatre" because that will be too generic. It should be called something on the lines on "Sound & Video" that way it still appeals to the AV people yet still offers enough scope to deal with soundcard speaker issues, lets face it we always get questions relating to soundcards/SPDIF/Creative/EAX so it makes sense having a sound section deverse enough to satisfy both general computer audio as well as high end Hi-fi equipment.

[btarunr]

Originally Posted by Kreij

I respectfully disagree with you, Btarunr.

I think that adding additional, focused forums reduces the amount of clutter that normally happens in generic type forums.

No need, it will clutter the Forum index instead and make it difficult for searching and indexing with Google/Ask, etc.

Originally Posted by Kreij

Many times I have seen people starting their posts with, "I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but ..."

Well, I don't see why a guy wanting help with his sound-card / studio monitors won't post his question in General Hardware, it's his commonsense put to 10% use.

Originally Posted by Kreij

It also helps reduce the number of posts that get pushed to the second page too soon. (Remember most people just peruse the first page, assuming deeper pages are old posts) This becomes more obvious as the membership of a site like TPU continues to grow.

How?

But people access the forums two ways:

1. User CP > New Posts ; Mod CP > New Posts

OR

2. Forum Index

Many people use 1, it's pretty sane too. The point is, in clicking "New Posts" basically makes the vBulletin system search for new posts and threads from all forums, General Hardware thru General nonsense are consolidated into one lengthy list. From the POV of a visitor/newbie/questioner, Forum Index > Forum > New Thread but from an answerer's POV, it's User CP > New Posts > Thread > Post Reply. So the whole purpose of diversifying the forums is defeated here.

[Easy Rhino]

batrunr, just add an a/v section under "hardware." it wont look cluttered and it will actually make searching for information easier.