Perfect home threater setup

[AndrewAZ]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Here is my set up. 63 inch DLP, Denon AVR 3806, DVR is 8300 HD, PS3, Xbox 360, Vudu, Slingbox AV, all controlled by a Harmony 890. I have 5 paradigm speakers along with 2 yamaha powered subs. ( the two subs provide balance in the large room and only output like 200wats or something each). Yea I need to clean the wires up but I seem to add a new gadget every few months and its a mess.

[NA9D]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Not bad. I like the G4 cube sitting there on the bottom of the right rack.

I can't find any "modern" Mac hardware in your image though...

[Nded]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Currently using two Westinghouse (Chi Mei) LVM-47w1 47" 1080p panels. Excellent price point without most of the defects found in many (budget/premium) panels. It is a give and take with panel defects and you have to find the sweet spot. Many very expensive panels exhibit similar defects to budget panels(mura, banding, stuck/dead pixels, etc)

Reviews and pictures of the Westinghouse LVM-47w1 are over @ AVSFORUM.COM ( http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=678038 ). This panel is closeout and difficult to find. I recommend it highly to all interested in maximizing cost/benefit, as the substrate manufacturing process is maturing and needs a bit more time. Defects are abundant, its a matter of time and research to conclude which has the least, or most acceptable. There are good panels out there. For now I recommend the Westinghouse (Chi Mei) LVM-47w1, if you can get one. It's also a spectacular PC/Console monitor. Imagine your desktop at 47" HD 1080p...then image your VUDU. Certain Permagrin. I can promise you that.

Here is the setup a few months ago. A few changes and the addition of the VUDU. Pictures and feedback will follow over the next few weeks.




VUDU = Proof of Concept = Sustainable feature set = Well constructed hardware, User friendly "I want it now" interface = Success.

VUDU....it works..and works very well.

VUDU is Permagrin.

~ b3nz0n8

Welcome to the Vudu Forum b3nz0n8 - nice first post. I'm sure others will benefit from seeing your creative use of those alternate/economical panels. I've found AVSFORUM to be a great source of knowledge and advise for many years. It's hard to go wrong with the help from the folks that hang out over there. I hope we'll grow the Vudu forums to match their quality for this subset of the AV universe.

[b3nz0n8]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Currently using two Westinghouse (Chi Mei) LVM-47w1 47" 1080p panels. Excellent price point without most of the defects found in many (budget/premium) panels. It is a give and take with panel defects and you have to find the sweet spot. Many very expensive panels exhibit similar defects to budget panels(mura, banding, stuck/dead pixels, etc)

Reviews and pictures of the Westinghouse LVM-47w1 are over @ AVSFORUM.COM ( http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=678038 ). This panel is closeout and difficult to find. I recommend it highly to all interested in maximizing cost/benefit, as the substrate manufacturing process is maturing and needs a bit more time. Defects are abundant, its a matter of time and research to conclude which has the least, or most acceptable. There are good panels out there. For now I recommend the Westinghouse (Chi Mei) LVM-47w1, if you can get one. It's also a spectacular PC/Console monitor. Imagine your desktop at 47" HD 1080p...then image your VUDU. Certain Permagrin. I can promise you that.

Here is the setup a few months ago. A few changes and the addition of the VUDU. Pictures and feedback will follow over the next few weeks.




VUDU = Proof of Concept = Sustainable feature set = Well constructed hardware, User friendly "I want it now" interface = Success.

VUDU....it works..and works very well.

VUDU is Permagrin.

~ b3nz0n8

[NA9D]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

I'll hold off on the speakers and other components. Although I might pick up an AV receiver if there is anything left in my budget after the screen

Tin

Now is a good time for getting model year close-outs on sale for receivers.

Also, stores are willing to move on their pricing - especially on higher end. I just purchased a Denon AVR-2808CI that I bought from Magnolia at BestBuy. The list price is $1299. I found a price on line for $950. I went in and told the guy I could get it on line or at ABT (big retailer in the area here who will sell for any price you can find) for $950. He didn't blink an eye and agreed to give me the price.

So go into the purchase with an offer of what you want to pay and you just might get it (on the TV too).

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Bioforce. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks to everyone for their advice also. I've been browsing AVSForum and doing a lot of research and reading. I was going to get a front projector, but I am now certain I'll get an LCD, 46" or larger. The room where I'll put it has too much light from windows and skylight.

I'll hold off on the speakers and other components. Although I might pick up an AV receiver if there is anything left in my budget after the screen

Tin

[bioforce]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Let's say I don't want to spend a lot of money up front to build that perfect audio system.

So, how many and what type of speakers should I get?

One "large" bass, two left+right speakers, two rear and a center?

That's 6 speakers.

Can I start with less speakers and add later? What are the must have speakers (base, center, etc. - not talking about brand).

Thanks.

I'm new here, but maybe I can help since I am a "hobbyist/pt time AV consultant".

You can jump in at any point.

2.1 = L&R mains with Sub
3.1 = LCR with Sub
5.1 = you know
6.1 = adds a single rear surround
7.1 = puts a pair into the rear surrounds

For that matter you can actually start with a "Stereo Pair" and work from there.

This is called 2.0.

Also if your mains are large enough, you may not want or need a sub.

[Jake]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Wow! Very cool! All I can say is.... I am not worthy! I am not worthy!



Way out of my league!

Ok, since my account was finally "repaired" I can reply to this thread, woohoo

Depending on the space/arrangements in your viewing room (ie mine is reasonable but not front projector worthy...) IMO a mid sized DLP (50-60") is a great option... I just added an Anthem AVM50 preamp to my setup - 4x HDMI switching + everything else upconverting (using the Oppo 970HD for those rare DVD titles not yet on VUDU ) to go with my 5ch amp. Beautiful picture and sound with my Samsung 56" DLP and 5x NHT SuperOnes + Sub.

Even as a jaded engineer working with this stuff every day, it took me watching it at home to realize how good the encoding is vs most DVDs, let alone my crappy Dish movie channels... can't wait for *HD*

[kmulder]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Way cool...have you ever been published in home theater mag? Setup look great....

No, I have never been in a magazine, but they did put my theater in a book on how to construct a home theater.
Check it out here:
http://www.thehometheaterbook.com/


Visit the 5 Star Cinema

Re: Perfect home threater setup

I have a dedicated room for the home theater. Dimensions 25x15x9.5.
Front Projector
110" diagonal screen.
7.1 sound system.
You can see it all at my website below.
Anxiously awaiting the release of VUDU!!


Visit the 5 Star Cinema

Wow! Very cool! All I can say is.... I am not worthy! I am not worthy!



Way out of my league!

[NA9D]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

I have a dedicated room for the home theater. Dimensions 25x15x9.5.
Front Projector
110" diagonal screen.
7.1 sound system.
You can see it all at my website below.
Anxiously awaiting the release of VUDU!!


Visit the 5 Star Cinema

Cool. If you have the home theater, you will LOVE the Vudu...

[RonV]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Way cool...have you ever been published in home theater mag? Setup look great....

[kmulder]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

I have a dedicated room for the home theater. Dimensions 25x15x9.5.
Front Projector
110" diagonal screen.
7.1 sound system.
You can see it all at my website below.
Anxiously awaiting the release of VUDU!!


Visit the 5 Star Cinema

Re: Perfect home threater setup

Jon,

I know... $3K isn't much when it comes to large flat screens, and then adding on the other required components...

But if I don't put an upper limit before I start, it can get out of hand quickly The number is the budget I am comfortable with.

I just might concentrate on just getting the best large screen I can this year, and update my audio components next year. Thanks for confirming that the speakers I have are adequate.

Ah.... decisions, decisions at least I will have a good video source, the VUDU STB, to go with my new large screen TV!

[bqmeister]

Re: Perfect home threater setup

My room is about as perfect a home theater as I was able to do in the space provided.

I've got a dedicated 14x27 room above a detached garage.
Room is painted a very dark brown, including the ceiling. Front wall is a very dark, flat black. Carpet is a very dark burgundy.
There's a bathroom in the back of the room.

On that front wall, I have a 119" screen. There's one window in the room, but that's covered by blackout shades and the screen. I've got two rows of seating with the first row about 16 feet back (3 theater seats/recliners). On a 12" riser in the back, I have a leather reclining sofa.

If the room gets crowded, I also have a loveseat on the side and two children's rocker chairs in the front.

The projector (Sharp XVZ12000 Mark II) is hanging right above the front row.

Sound is provided courtesy of an Onkyo 989 THX Ultra receiver & AT350THX Ultra Speakers. Unfortunately, I'm not truly THX Ultra certified as I only have one subwoofer in the room.

Most everything is controlled via my HTPC under the screen.

I do not have a popcorn machine in the room but that'll be saved for another day.

My room sounds more expensive than it is, really.

The screen & projector can be had for under $2300. Less than $200 on cabling. Double that cost for audio (receiver/speakers & misc stuff (like an hdmi switcher) and about $5k in equipment gets you a full movie theater.

The room and furniture will add to the cost. Biggest obstacle is getting the space. We bought this house because of the detached garage and the option to do with it what we (I) wanted.