Building a home theater system

[Tron_fdc]

So I'm looking at building a home theater system in my basement, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I'm thinking of doing a home theater projector, 100" screen (or whatever I can fit) as well as a surround sound.

I have no idea how this stuff works, or what I need to buy. I was thinking of starting with this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-Sony-VPLAW15-...QQcmdZViewItem

And building around it, or going with a package like this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1080i-HD-TV-HOME-...QQcmdZViewItem

Does anyone have any recommendations? Can it be done for around $3-5K these days?

[csnarpy]

i have that Bravia system, with rear wireless speakers. But i use for the upstairs living room and not my Home Theater room. Overall it's a pretty damn good system but for a pure home theater, nothing beats 6.1 sound. That rear center speaker is a must. I recommend Onkyo, Akai or Harman Kardon

As for a projector, Benq actually makes one the best HD projectors out there. http://store.benq.ca/benq-ca/searchr...&culture=en-CA I highly recommend the W5000. - it still blows me away.

As for the screen, make sure you talk to your dealer about this. There are some real crappy ones out there.

Good system for 5K is definitely possible. If your serious, then pm me and I can hook you up with a buddy of mine who really knows his A/V and will help you set it up (plus one more little goody but you'll have to pm me for that)

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

So I'm looking at building a home theater system in my basement, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I'm thinking of doing a home theater projector, 100" screen (or whatever I can fit) as well as a surround sound.

I have no idea how this stuff works, or what I need to buy. I was thinking of starting with this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-Sony-VPLAW15-...QQcmdZViewItem

And building around it, or going with a package like this

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1080i-HD-TV-HOME-...QQcmdZViewItem

Does anyone have any recommendations? Can it be done for around $3-5K these days?

If your whole system costs are budgeted for $3-5k I'd start with a 720p native projector, something like what I bought earlier this year:

http://www.avdeals.ca/epsonprojectors/powerlite720.htm

If you can budget in a 1080 projector, it would be nice but if you are looking to purchase a quality screen, speaker system, quality receiver and maybe blu-ray? Cables theres a great choice from a post here in this forum, gotta find the link again but don't buy cables from the store!

If you go say with that epson (which blows away my friends), you can add a solid Onkyo Receiver ($650ish), a quality 6 speaker system $1500, and say a blu-ray (or better yet ps3, $399).. You'd be looking at $4000 ish that will blow you away.

If this is your first projector system, you will be stunned at the 720p native projectors out there, but again if you can afford to go up to the 1080 you certainly will be even more impressed. I just couldn't afford at the time to upgrade my old Optoma to anything fancier than the epson. BTW Epson has excellent ventilation which can at times be a issue for owners, my old Optoma actually ended up crapping out 2 times due to a bum fan problem.

I think the heart of a system is a solid looking picture, and a great speaker/receiver system since the sound is what really is key for me. I'll upgrade later this year to a 1080 model, but right now I'm very very happy.

BTW last thing, be sure to tell us the size of your room, how is the ambient light, etc.. If you are doing a proper room, luminens of the projectors isn't 'as' important since you'll be controlling light in that room.

If you want projector reviews, check out: http://www.projectorcentral.com/

[Flames_Gimp]

ebay to get your screen, they sell the screen in a roll and u build a wooden frame and staple it on. was about $60 iirc for my 120" screen

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

ebay to get your screen, they sell the screen in a roll and u build a wooden frame and staple it on. was about $60 iirc for my 120" screen

I kinda want to get one of those electric ones though. That way when I put porn on my 120" I can start things off like in the movies.....electric curtain and electric drop down screen!!

[3 Justin 3]

Porn in 120" will just make you jealous. I personally prefer not to see 4 foot long shlongs...