Home Theater

[Parker]

Any one here into Home Theater?

I just picked up one of these signs for $30.00 I was wondering if anyone has one.. Are they any good? I guess it doesn't really matter at $30.00 as long as it doens't burn my house down.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Home%20Theater/Rotel.jpg

[Delphinus]

I wish. I'm far too dumb with my money and fish tanks to have anything left over. What exactly is it? I have my home "theatre" setup to run off a PC which does my recording for me and that's about the extent of it, but one day I'd like to make it nice. What do these signs do, are they just something to look cool or something?

[Parker]

Just something cool to look at. Rotel is the brand name of my amps. I also want to pick up DTS & Dolby Digital signs, but I wanted to try one out first to see how they looked and worked.

I use my computer a fair amount for TV watching. I stream downloaded TV shows from the computer through my Xbox. We never watch shows when they are actually on.. I love having no comercials! :mrgreen:

Here is what it looks like unlit. I won't hang it from the chain though.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Home%20Theater/Rotel2.jpg

[slakker]

I have DIY Home theatre... :) 92 inch Grey Wolf screen with Optoma projector. It's a few years old, so it's only EdTV (waiting for the price of the 1080 projectors to come down). The room is only 20 feet long, so running a 5.1 surround an dit's not tuned for THX or anything like that. It's also the room where my DT is so the lights from the DT is annoying! :)

[Parker]

I'm in the midst of upgrading mine. I got the amps yesterday and I have to pick at a new rec'ver so I can get the new codecs DD-HD and DTS-Master Audio. I have a 60" RCA for a TV that I plan to replace with a 1080p Projector. I'm hoping the TV lasts though, it's the last thing I want to replace. I'm running 7.1 right now with a mix of speakers, they are next on my list to replace, thinking about Swan Diva's

My tank is in the same room also. I don't mind it for everyday tv watching but I turn the lights off on the tank for movies.

[digital-audiophile]

Where did you get the sign from?

[Delphinus]

Do you notice a difference between 7.1 and 5.1? I've been on 5.1 for I guess pushing 10 years now so I understand it's "old school" but then again I honestly don't know if I would notice a huge difference. I still get annoyed when I think someone's behind me knocking stuff over on a shelf or something, or the doorbell rings, and then I realize it's what I'm watching. :lol:

[Skimmerking]

Ya Tony the difference in 5.1 and 7.1 is

2 ROLMFAO:lol:

[Parker]

Where did you get the sign from?


I bought it off EBAY

[Parker]

Do you notice a difference between 7.1 and 5.1? I've been on 5.1 for I guess pushing 10 years now so I understand it's "old school" but then again I honestly don't know if I would notice a huge difference. I still get annoyed when I think someone's behind me knocking stuff over on a shelf or something, or the doorbell rings, and then I realize it's what I'm watching. :lol:

Tony,

It depends on the size of your room. If you have a small to meduim sized room there is zero reason to go to 7.1. I was 5.1 for years also until I bought my present house. The room I'm using now is much larger and I had holes in the sound as I didn't want to place the rear speakers on stands behind the sofa, they sit close to 14' from my ears.

Secondly there are very few 7.1 sound tracks out there at the moment, that is starting to change with the new audio codecs and Blu-Ray. Most movie tracks are mixed 5.1 so you aren't "missing" any sound when compairing 7.1 to 5.1 When listening to 7.1 the rec'er takes the 5.1 track and mixes it to 7.1

[slakker]

I agree... you can't really leverage the 7.1 unless you have a pretty large/long room... the 2 sides will be so close together, I would argue it may detract from the "imaging". And of all the movies I have, I only have 1 that's "6.1" with Lord of the Rings... none of the HD or Blue Ray stuff I got has it...

I think the whole 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 was "marketing" drive to differentiate with "more"... not even sure if it'll take off...

[digital-audiophile]

I bought it off EBAY

Cool! I have a dolby digital gold plaque I bought a few years ago and loked at neon ones but they were a fortune. $30 sounded like a steal! :)

[Parker]

Cool! I have a dolby digital gold plaque I bought a few years ago and loked at neon ones but they were a fortune. $30 sounded like a steal! :)


Here's a Dolby one for 15.00 but it costs another 15 to ship it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DOLBY-DIGITAL-Neon-Sign-Great-Display-Light-Signs-300_W0QQitemZ180292446307QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

[heyfredyourhat]

I was into home theater until my eheim HOB filter cracked and dripped water into my avr445...Who knew that harmon kardon warranty wont cover water damage!!

I do have 7.1, well 7.2 i guess. I have yet to see a movie that utilizes the rears...As far as i know DTS ex merges the "surounds" to the rears. Still sounds nice. Even nicer having a 12" and a 10" sub. Too bad i cheaped out my avr and didnt get the one with the dual sub outs.

[mark]

Like this Best Demo DVD listing thread (http://forums.soundandvisionmag.com/audiovideo/board/message?board.id=44&thread.id=7586) from Sound and Vision for disks that can really show off a system.

[Parker]

My favorite is the first battle scene from Master & Commander in DTS. that scene is crazy!

[slakker]

The road chase/battlescene from Transformers has GOT to be up there!

[mark]

My favorite is the first battle scene from Master & Commander in DTS. that scene is crazy!

Yep, I agree there.

One of my favourites is the SAM in Behind Enemy Lines

[spikehs]

I have a fairly decent setup 7.1 (orb audio rears, they are sweet check em out orbaudio.com) 8" sub, my friends and I were watching Transformers, and the initial scene where the helicopter transforms and then shoots of those big blasts was insane! It literally sent a sound wave through the carpet, we actually saw it ripple. It was nuts, wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself.

I'm loving blu-ray at the moment with the hidef audio codecs... I just need to upgrade my tv now(42" lg at the moment), Have my eyes on the Pioneer 50" Kuro, supposed to be an AMAZING tv. Saw it in the store, the black levels are unreal, and the pic looked 3d.

[bullit67]

Yah Home theater is another one of my money burning hobbies havnt done any upgrades for a couple of years now still running 5.1 as I dont need 7.1 my room is to small and the sound tends to get a little muddy in a small room my Rec can run 7.1 but I think it would be too much of a good thing. As for running 2 subs be make sure you spend some time setting them up properly as they can cancel each other out and you actually get less bass then you would if you only had one sub. I sold off my second sub because of this. Mind you the sub I have is a PSB sub sonic 7 15 inch driver 1250 watts so I realy dont need a second sub. I would love a new rec. with HDMI inputs so I can get the full benefit of the new formats. Oh well one of these days

[Parker]

Mind you the sub I have is a PSB sub sonic 7 15 inch driver 1250 watts so I realy dont need a second sub.

Geeze, how do you keep your teeth from rattling out of your head with that thing in a small room!

[Parker]

Do you have all PSB Speakers? The T65 is on my audition list.

[Pescador]

I've got 5.1 upstairs with a mix of Mission and PSB. Downstairs on the projector is 7.1 with JBL Northgates, a 12" Velodyne sub and a DVDO iScan HD+.
As mentioned not much to utilize the 7.1
XBox 360 sounds pretty good digital.
Anybody else still have Laserdiscs?:biggrin:

[bullit67]

No I run Energy the sub is my only PSB

Main Energy Connoisseur C9 towers
center Energy AC300
rears Energy EXL-R

I have a set of Mirage monitors that is what turned me on to Energy I dont know if you know this but Mirage and Energy are made by the same company. The sub is a monster my neighbour came over one Sunday morning to ask what movie I was whatching he said he could feel it in his living room :)

[heyfredyourhat]

What are your opinions on bose speakers? I have the centre channel, i think vcs-10 or something like that. Most salesman i talk to hate them, but i think it sounds really nice. It has no tweeter but it hits all sounds i am after.

[Parker]

I dont know if you know this but Mirage and Energy are made by the same company.:)

Yep, they also made the Athena line of speakers. I believe they shut down Athena last year. They got rave reviews comparing to anything double their price.

[Parker]

but i think it sounds really nice. It has no tweeter but it hits all sounds i am after.

That right there is all that matters. What constitutes a good sounding speaker is so subjective.

[bullit67]

Bose do sound decent but they are pricey you can buy a better speaker for the price of a Bose. But all that matters is you like them it is kind of like the Monster cable debate do they sound better or just a money grab marketing ploy I think they sound better but lots of people dont

[mark]

So there I am in Costco checkout today and guy has a 72" Samsung DLP. He said was last in stock and was $2500. Figure it will go a ways to help out his HT experience.

[Parker]

So there I am in Costco checkout today and guy has a 72" Samsung DLP. He said was last in stock and was $2500. Figure it will go a ways to help out his HT experience.

And you didn't roll him in the parkig lot? :lol:

[mark]

Wife and joked about it but problem was fitting it into her Yaris. Lucky for him we didn't have my truck.

[Tarolisol]

I love my Home Theatre, plus I havent heard a better one out there.

Samsung 52" LCD tv
And almost everything else is form a company called audio trak. http://www.audiotrak.com/
.
At-9800 reciever
____________170w x 6 at 6ohms
____________LCD touch screen control panel
____________weights 80 lbs
.
AT-F2 speakers x5
________8ohms
________30-175w unclipped
.
Subs
________AT-F3
____________ Dual 12" subwoofer 500watts RMS Class D
.
PS3 for blueray with media link to my computer
.
Monster power station

[Parker]

If any one is thinking about making the move to a projector I found a cool Excel spreadsheet that might be of help.

[StirCrazy]

I missed this one. I just finnished putting togeather a home theater/bar in my basement room.

Tony asked is it worth it to go from 5.1 to 7.1 hell ya. a huge differance even in a small to medium area, but I guess it would depend also on how you set up your system.

I was going to go with a projector, 92" screen, and a big expensive sound system, but the other renos started to eat into my fund and I ended up down sizing.

went with a 60" LG plasma TV and I got a Onkyo HST7100 7.1. now alot of you purests are going to shun a Home theater in a box but this one realy isn't the same as other HTIBs as the reciver is a Onkyo 606 and to make the package they added speakers and a ipod dock. I did a lot of review reading and bang for buck this was the best out there as originaly I woas going to go with yamaha. all in all instead of paying 7-8K for my HT I did some belt tightining and ended up spending 3500.00 so far, well a bit more as I added a new blueray player, new Shaw HT box with PVR extender.

I still have to find a cheep but good IR extender as my equipment is going to be mounted in the bar area and I have to get two more bookshelf speakers so I can run both zones whenI am having a few drinks with friends and cranking up the music.

Also I need to find a HDMI switch or splitter as I am also mounting a 32" LCD above the Bar so if we are bellied up having drinks I can have something playing on that TV as you can't see the big one from the bar.

Steve

[Parker]

I missed this one. I just finnished putting togeather a home theater/bar in my basement room.

Tony asked is it worth it to go from 5.1 to 7.1 hell ya. a huge differance even in a small to medium area, but I guess it would depend also on how you set up your system.

I was going to go with a projector, 92" screen, and a big expensive sound system, but the other renos started to eat into my fund and I ended up down sizing.

went with a 60" LG plasma TV and I got a Onkyo HST7100 7.1. now alot of you purests are going to shun a Home theater in a box but this one realy isn't the same as other HTIBs as the reciver is a Onkyo 606 and to make the package they added speakers and a ipod dock. I did a lot of review reading and bang for buck this was the best out there as originaly I woas going to go with yamaha. all in all instead of paying 7-8K for my HT I did some belt tightining and ended up spending 3500.00 so far, well a bit more as I added a new blueray player, new Shaw HT box with PVR extender.

I still have to find a cheep but good IR extender as my equipment is going to be mounted in the bar area and I have to get two more bookshelf speakers so I can run both zones whenI am having a few drinks with friends and cranking up the music.

Also I need to find a HDMI switch or splitter as I am also mounting a 32" LCD above the Bar so if we are bellied up having drinks I can have something playing on that TV as you can't see the big one from the bar.

Steve

Post up some pictures!

[Parker]

Here is an old picture of my set-up. The 60" rear projection is on it's way out. The image is starting to blur, I can barley read the in game menus for the X-box

I'm thinking of going with the Panasonic projector with a 146" screen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 It will be awhile before I get it up and running, I need to get saving for it! lol

I started fixing a few of the wall blemishes last night so I'm about finished the prep for paint. The screen wall will be Chocolate Fondue and the rest of the room will be Bleaker Beige. My stair well is off to the left so I'll be building the media rack to fit under the stairs built into the wall.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Home%20Theater/IMG_2073.jpg

[mseepman]

Parker, what did you end up going with on speakers? I have a 5.1 setup with a Harmon Kardon receiver and all PSB's. I have the same PSB sub as mentioned previously in this thread and boy do they rock, even though they really can't be set up in my current house properly.

We hoping to break ground on a new house next month and in that we will have a dedicated theatre room where these speakers will get a chance to stretch their legs.

[StirCrazy]

Here is an old picture of my set-up. The 60" rear projection is on it's way out. The image is starting to blur, I can barley read the in game menus for the X-box

.

I thought my tv was going also.. turns out I needed glasses :mrgreen:

ya I have a few. not done yet, so the equipment is on the floor till I get the bar counter all done. TV and some of the speakers are mounted.. just got to figure out how to hide a few wires now.

here are two pics of what was there when I bought the house this summer. the family room and bar area are a "L" shape. so if you are looking at the fireplace in the family room the bar area is to the right.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/familyroomstart.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/barstart.jpg

so here are the stage they are at now.. keep in mind there is still a lot of work to do, but this gives you the idea.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/familyrmfloordone.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/bar2.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/bar1.jpg

and finaly the TV :mrgreen:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/tv.jpg

Steve

[Parker]

Parker, what did you end up going with on speakers? I have a 5.1 setup with a Harmon Kardon receiver and all PSB's. I have the same PSB sub as mentioned previously in this thread and boy do they rock, even though they really can't be set up in my current house properly.

We hoping to break ground on a new house next month and in that we will have a dedicated theatre room where these speakers will get a chance to stretch their legs.


I'll let you know when I make up my mind! lol. I was dead set on Axiom's but the QS8's wouldn't work in my situation. I've had a really hard time trying narrow it down again. Call it a man thing but I'm really looking for a manufacturer that makes a pretty large center channel. One for astetics, I plan to have pretty large screen so I want it to look like it has some bulk to it - stupid really. Second is that the room I'm using is 4,500+ cubic feet.

[mark]

ok USD...

http://gizmodo.com/5381731/1000-1080p-projector-battlemodo-optoma-hd20-vs-vivitek-h1080fd

[kien]

Great, now I can come to canreef for my home theatre addictions too??? I have a modest setup in my basement.. Will snap some pics tonight maybe. It is only an old school 6.1 system tho.

[mseepman]

I'll let you know when I make up my mind! lol. I was dead set on Axiom's but the QS8's wouldn't work in my situation. I've had a really hard time trying narrow it down again. Call it a man thing but I'm really looking for a manufacturer that makes a pretty large center channel. One for astetics, I plan to have pretty large screen so I want it to look like it has some bulk to it - stupid really. Second is that the room I'm using is 4,500+ cubic feet.

I know what you mean. If you are looking for a center with some bulk, you might want to look at the PSB Platinum series.
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Platinum-Series

In that picture, the center looks like it could power the room itself.:biggrin:

[Parker]

I know what you mean. If you are looking for a center with some bulk, you might want to look at the PSB Platinum series.
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Platinum-Series

In that picture, the center looks like it could power the room itself.:biggrin:


For $2,000 it better. :lol: A wee bit above my price point but a very nice speaker none the less.

[wickedfrags]

In October I replaced my home theater for the first time in 15 years!

Went with:
TV: Panasonic TC-P54V10 plasma
Receiver: Denon AVR-4310
Front and Centre: Canton Ergo
Surround and Rear Surround (in ceiling): Monitor RS6
Subwoofer: Venodyne Optimum 12
Blueray: Denon DBP-2010CI
Ferman Power Protection

And a nice little IR repeater system so all the components are stored out of sight in the back room.

[mark]

just to pass on was at Double Diamond (Edmonton) yesterday and the Harmony One was $210 (a great addition for any HT).

[StirCrazy]

ok USD...

http://gizmodo.com/5381731/1000-1080p-projector-battlemodo-optoma-hd20-vs-vivitek-h1080fd

I looked at all thoes and decided they were a waist of money as I was only going with a 92" screen. to get a diecent picture you need to spend about 3400 cdn plus about 700 for the screen and thats just a plain jane fixed. I ended up going with a plasma which gives me a better picture than a 4000 buck projector.. only down fall is I had to down size to 60" from the 92" I wanted.

Oh and the Optima HD20 is 1800.00 in canada and it is just a color wheel projector. and the funny thing is its native resolution is 720p so it must upconvert to 1080.. that confused me when I was looking into it which is another reason I decided not to get it

Steve

[StirCrazy]

Great, now I can come to canreef for my home theatre addictions too??? I have a modest setup in my basement.. Will snap some pics tonight maybe. It is only an old school 6.1 system tho.

nothing wrong with 6.1, except not much is out that takes advantage of it. my up stairs system is a yammy 6.1 but it stays in 6channel sterio most of the time.

Steve

[StirCrazy]

And a nice little IR repeater system so all the components are stored out of sight in the back room.

which one did you go with and how hard was the install? and would you buy it again?

Steve

[StirCrazy]

just to pass on was at Double Diamond (Edmonton) yesterday and the Harmony One was $210 (a great addition for any HT).

watch costco.. they had it for 140.00 going to go on friday and see if there are any left.

Steve

[Parker]

If anyone is looking to get into a budget 1080p projector should take a serious look at the Panasonic PT-AE4000

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Panasonic-PT-AE4000U.htm

[StirCrazy]

If anyone is looking to get into a budget 1080p projector should take a serious look at the Panasonic PT-AE4000

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Panasonic-PT-AE4000U.htm

is it availble in canada yet? the one I was going to get was the 3000, but it was 3400 bucks on sale. why would the 4000 be cheeper?

Steve

[banditpowdercoat]

Do you notice a difference between 7.1 and 5.1? I've been on 5.1 for I guess pushing 10 years now so I understand it's "old school" but then again I honestly don't know if I would notice a huge difference. I still get annoyed when I think someone's behind me knocking stuff over on a shelf or something, or the doorbell rings, and then I realize it's what I'm watching. :lol:

Then you don't want 7.1 HAHA I LOL, I love the "who's behind me" feeling

[mark]

watch costco.. they had it for 140.00 going to go on friday and see if there are any left.

Steve

Sure the Harmony One? At Costco seen the 880 and 600 series (think 680) but never the One.

[Parker]

is it availble in canada yet? the one I was going to get was the 3000, but it was 3400 bucks on sale. why would the 4000 be cheeper?

Steve

U.S. MSRP is $2,499. There are plenty of vendors shipping for as little at $1,999.00 U.S. I haven't checked to see if they are for sale in Canada yet. At the time of purchase I would have some U.S. friends ship it to me or have some relatives pick it up at the boarder for me if it wasn't available in Canada

[StirCrazy]

Sure the Harmony One? At Costco seen the 880 and 600 series (think 680) but never the One.

ya I pointed it out to the wife befor christmas list but I got a PVR extender instead :neutral: :mrgreen:

looking back.. it may have been the 880. what is the differance between the two function wise?

Steve

[StirCrazy]

U.S. MSRP is $2,499. There are plenty of vendors shipping for as little at $1,999.00 U.S. I haven't checked to see if they are for sale in Canada yet. At the time of purchase I would have some U.S. friends ship it to me or have some relatives pick it up at the boarder for me if it wasn't available in Canada


I thought of that, but the warenty issues come to mind when it is bought in the US. some places will make you return it to the US for service. and last I checked there wasn't a canadian release of it yet.. so we might get a different model thats not quite as good as usual...

Steve

[mark]

ya I pointed it out to the wife befor christmas list but I got a PVR extender instead :neutral: :mrgreen:

looking back.. it may have been the 880. what is the differance between the two function wise?

Steve

overall function wise similar but the touch screen then the buttons may me go with the One

[Parker]

overall function wise similar but the touch screen then the buttons may me go with the One


Is it comfortable to use everyday compared to your everyday standard remote? I like the fact I don't even have to look a the remote.

[wickedfrags]

Will check the brand when I get home, it was $150 and worth every penny, I would not own a system without one now.

Installed in about 10 minutes. Simply plug in the connectors and then place the transmitters over the IR input sensor on the front of your device. Dave

which one did you go with and how hard was the install? and would you buy it again?

Steve

[Parker]

I just pulled the trigger on buying a projector on Friday ( Why do I always order things online on Friday's and make myself suffer over the weekend waiting for it!)

I went with the Epson 8500, the Panasonic was a close second but the Epson won out in picture quality. I'm going to try and shoot for a 138" diaganol image, yup, that's 10' across :mrgreen: I have some huge problems to over come though. I borrowed a projector for some testing and it HATES my fish tank, there's a too much light coming from it. What I might do is put another set of lights on it, run the MH during the day when I'm not home and run some much dimmer lighting in the evening when it's time to watch TV, then I can have the best of both worlds. I would hate to have to shut the tank down everytime I watched TV. The tank will go dark for movies though.

[Parker]

It arrived yesterday and I couldn't help but play with it half the night.

This image is a standard def DVD being played on a painted wall, my screen isn't here yet. So there is a huge amount of room for picture quality improvement. The image blurred slightly when I paused the movie. Even my wife likes it! :mrgreen:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Home%20Theater/IMG_2944.jpg

[StirCrazy]

. Even my wife likes it! :mrgreen:



theres the important thing, got to keep them happy :mrgreen:

Steve

[Delphinus]

"Multipass!"

PS. Dumb question maybe but what about a curtain maybe for the fish tank?

[lockrookie]

looks good to mei wish i could convince the wife to let me go big screen im jealous...as for my fav quote from the movie is "big badda boom"

[Parker]

"Multipass!"

PS. Dumb question maybe but what about a curtain maybe for the fish tank?


I've done some testing lighting the tank with a couple 24" NOT5 fixtures and that seems to work out. A couple of guys over in the Neptune forum gave me instructions on how to wire the 12v trigger on the projector to the Apex, as soon as the projector gets turned on the MH shut down and the 2 small T5 fixtures turn on.

A curtain is a good idea but with all we invest in tanks it would be nice to view it while I was watching TV or playing on the Xbox, for movies the tank gets shut down and the room goes completely black.

[Parker]

looks good to mei wish i could convince the wife to let me go big screen im jealous...as for my fav quote from the movie is "big badda boom"

My wife was sceptical too but once she saw it, game over. She's now onbored 100%.

[StirCrazy]

I second the idea of a black out curtian, if your watching TV, playing games and such the only real time your going to look at the tank is during a comercial.. plus any ambiant light spill over affects the quality although it may not stand out as much. I used to turn off my MH and actinics when I watched tv in the evenings..

Steve

[Parker]

I second the idea of a black out curtian, if your watching TV, playing games and such the only real time your going to look at the tank is during a comercial.. plus any ambiant light spill over affects the quality although it may not stand out as much. I used to turn off my MH and actinics when I watched tv in the evenings..

Steve


Not true, I can spend up to two hours watching the tank while watching TV, when my wife insists that sit with her and watch some chick flick or some bad reality TV - IE: Bachlor, Dancing Crap, Idol. :mrgreen:

[Delphinus]

The curtain was something I was thinking of actually myself were I ever to turn my basement into a theatre room (the plan isn't initially but you never know for down the road). I was thinking I'd be tempted on a curtain not only for the sake of darkening the room but also on account that I regularly watch movies and TV and stuff well into the wee hours and I find that room activity can startle the fish. Basically they need their sleep too. So pulling the curtain allows them to remain on whatever daytime/nighttime cycle they're on and not be influenced at all by the flashing screen and so on. I dunno, maybe it's not a big deal but that's sort of why I was asking. Lets you do whatever, lets them do whatever. I was even consider installing some curtains into my tank room so if I'm working on something at 2am (seems to be the only time I get some days), I can do so with the lights on full bore and I'm not freaking the fish out..

I dunno.. just a thought.

[Delphinus]

PS. I think unless you're watching HD television I think the odds are pretty good you won't be watching much regular television on a 10' screen. I find anything above 46" or thereabouts to be pretty pixelated and fuzzy for regular TV. I can't imagine the brutal waste of technology that watching Bachelor or Dancing or whatever on a screen like that would entail. Brutal! :p

[Parker]

PS. I think unless you're watching HD television I think the odds are pretty good you won't be watching much regular television on a 10' screen. I find anything above 46" or thereabouts to be pretty pixelated and fuzzy for regular TV. I can't imagine the brutal waste of technology that watching Bachelor or Dancing or whatever on a screen like that would entail. Brutal! :p


We only have one TV in the house, the rear projection unit that's being replaced by the front projector. We are planning on adding a second TV to the upstairs living room at some point in the next year. All of my TV viewing will be on the projector.

Cable was upgraded from standard cable to one of the HD packages last week, my new cable box will be installed on Friday :mrgreen: I watched cable TV on it last night for the better part of a couple of hours, it was fine. These new projectors do a lot to minimize the ablility to see the pixel structure. I can't see it on mine until I get around 4/5 feet from the screen. My seating is at 16' right now.

[Delphinus]

Kewl. :cool:

So are you still thinking screen or maybe that screen projector paint you can put on walls?

[Parker]

Kewl. :cool:

So are you still thinking screen or maybe that screen projector paint you can put on walls?


I'll be using an acoustically transparent screen from SeymourAV. The front three speakers will be behind the screen so you can't see them.

[Pescador]

Nice job it's looking great.
I used this DIY Theater paint kit (http://www.diytheatre.com/) it worked great but you have to really, really prep your wall first. I thought I would give it a try before spending big bucks on a screen and I'm still happy with it.
You have to pick the formula based on contrast ratio and how bright the room will be.
With the Panny projector we could watch with all the room lights on no problem but we usually have them dimmed.
We debated curtains for the tank as well but ended up timing sunset to when we usually watch movies. The screen doesn't face directly towards the tank so it's not that bright and there's a moonlight cycle in the tank as well.
The fish are all tucked away in there beds anyway except the puffer and I have never seen him sleeping.:question:
This Telus Optik TV made a huge difference in watching standard def on the projector its much better. But I find after watching HD I don't really look at what's on the other channels after awhile.

[Parker]

My new toy, I built the frame out of 1x4, covered it in velvet and attached the screen material to the back.

I threw some speakers on the floor so I could play some Call of Duty on the xbox! That was fun.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa180/RParker_07/Home%20Theater/Screen.jpg

[StirCrazy]

My new toy, I built the frame out of 1x4, covered it in velvet and attached the screen material to the back.

I threw some speakers on the floor so I could play some Call of Duty on the xbox! That was fun.



Are you still going to put the speakers behind the screen? also what did you do about soundproofing from the rest of the house.. the wife is complaining when I am downstairs watching a movie or playing with the x-box :mrgreen:

Steve

[Parker]

Are you still going to put the speakers behind the screen? also what did you do about soundproofing from the rest of the house.. the wife is complaining when I am downstairs watching a movie or playing with the x-box :mrgreen:

Steve

Yep, still planning on speakers beind the screen, there's a six inch stand off for the screen that isn't on the wall in the picture above.

There isn't a thing I can do about sound proofing, there is an open staircase in the room to the main floor. My wife just has to put up with the noise. :mrgreen:

[Dez]

I've had a projector for the last 6 years and finally got one this year with hdmi outputs and 3D capabilities. Had to upgrade my 6 year old receiver and finally went from 4.0 to 5.1. My house was wired for 5.1 when I built it 5.5 years ago, but finally on boxing day bought a centre channel and a woofer. Super happy with it now.

[StirCrazy]

I thought my tv was going also.. turns out I needed glasses :mrgreen:

ya I have a few. not done yet, so the equipment is on the floor till I get the bar counter all done. TV and some of the speakers are mounted.. just got to figure out how to hide a few wires now.

here are two pics of what was there when I bought the house this summer. the family room and bar area are a "L" shape. so if you are looking at the fireplace in the family room the bar area is to the right.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/familyroomstart.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/barstart.jpg

so here are the stage they are at now.. keep in mind there is still a lot of work to do, but this gives you the idea.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/familyrmfloordone.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/bar2.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/bar1.jpg

and finaly the TV :mrgreen:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/tv.jpg

Steve

updated pics comming.

[StirCrazy]

well did more work on the basement, still have a bit of trim work to do and some wires to re rout/hide but getting there.

here is the fireplace shot. when we uncovered all the wood it was to dark so we had to lighten it up a bit.

http://members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/dec/fp.jpg


got the bar pretty much done now. still have to find a wine cooler the right size, and some more decorations and get them hung though. (ignore the wires, haven't run them properly as we changed where the equipment is going)

http://members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/dec/bar1.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/dec/bar2.jpg


In this one you can see the 4 rear speakers of my 7.1 setup on the back wall.

http://members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/Familyroom/dec/bar3.jpg

Steve

[Parker]

Looks great Steve, I envy your fireplace in the basement. I really wish I had one downstairs.

[Parker]

I've had a projector for the last 6 years and finally got one this year with hdmi outputs and 3D capabilities. Had to upgrade my 6 year old receiver and finally went from 4.0 to 5.1. My house was wired for 5.1 when I built it 5.5 years ago, but finally on boxing day bought a centre channel and a woofer. Super happy with it now.

I picked up a new Pioneer VSX-1325 during the boxing week sales, also my first receiver with HDMI. It was nice to toss half my wiring in the garbage...