Home Theater Mega Thread

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

I am in the midst of doing a basement remodel, and I have been wondering myself whether it would be better to do a projector or a TV. The wall we are thinking of putting the projector on is kind of a "cove" so it's limited to a 100" screen or so. That being the case, do you guys think it'd be better to just forego the projector and get a 80" TV? Would I notice the extra 20"?

We had this debate a few days ago. The media guy said anything bigger than 80 should be projector because the 90 tv cost 10k. We chose to get the 80" because we don't need pitch black to get a good picture. Since our basement has a play area for my sons they will likely have the tv on while playing so the lights will be on most of the time the tv is on.

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by AMG_G

We had this debate a few days ago. The media guy said anything bigger than 80 should be projector because the 90 tv cost 10k. We chose to get the 80" because we don't need pitch black to get a good picture. Since our basement has a play area for my sons they will likely have the tv on while playing so the lights will be on most of the time the tv is on.

Yea, I am kind of leaning this way as well.. I think I will have the HDMI/power etc pre-run for the projector, then decide after the room is mostly complete!

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

Yea, I am kind of leaning this way as well.. I think I will have the HDMI/power etc pre-run for the projector, then decide after the room is mostly complete!

Just wire it for a projector...wires are cheap to do now before they close everything in.

[Jonrox]

Originally Posted by TheGrimm

The wall we are thinking of putting the projector on is kind of a "cove" so it's limited to a 100" screen or so. That being the case, do you guys think it'd be better to just forego the projector and get a 80" TV? Would I notice the extra 20"?

The 80" screen has a viewable area of approximately 14 square feet. The 100" screen has a viewable area of approximately 22 square feet. You'll definitely notice the 60% increase in size.

If you get a decent projector, you don't need a blackout to get a good picture. It's definitely a better experience, but not necessary. We play most video games and watch most tv with the lights on and have no problems. We really only turn the room into a cave for movies and event television (Dexter, SOA, etc...).

You'll regret not going as big as absolutely possible. You can look at paint on your wall or you can look at an extra 20" (8 square feet) of beautiful screen. For me, the choice was obvious and I couldn't be happier with the result.

[fundmark19]

I really feel once you go projector you will never want to go back. Mine isn't even 1080p and it blows me away each time I turn it on

[darklord700]

Just put up my Panny 1080p projector and a 110" screen. After a week of testing, I think the projector is an experience that not all will appreciate. It is for people who could sit down in a darkened room for hours on end to watch a movie. If you have a closed in room, it literally transports you to another world for two hours on end.

However, I find that might not be what other people are looking for. The people that multi task constantly, checking their smart phone, might not like the projector experience as much as a good 80" screen.

I'm happy with my projector, the media room is now a place I can go to and escape from the reality every night. And that more than the viewing experience is more important to me. And I'm glad I've gone with a projector and an 80" LCD but to each their own.

[Old Yeller]

I'm looking for a sub for my home theater setup at home and I know absolutely nothing about subs except that they're bloody expensive.

I'm in a medium sized room, have a polk audio center channel, a couple of JBL floor standing speakers and some monoprice branded in wall rear speakers. I've got an older (6 or 7 year old) 5.1 Yamaha amp.

I'm definitely not some audiophile but I enjoy my setup and think it handles a good range from movies to sports pretty well.

A buddy sent me a link to a Cerwin-Vega 12" 300W Powered Subwoofer (CMX12S).

http://www.visions.ca/catalogue/cate...174&sku=CMX12S

He says it's a really good price and good bang for the buck. I've never heard of Cerwin-Vega... can anyone comment on this or make another recommendation?

[darklord700]

Cerwin Vega makes a lot of concert speakers. I think it'll be just fine for your setup.

[TorqueDog]

Cerwin Vega is a pretty iconic name, actually. They aren't necessarily known for fidelity so much as their ability to maintain quality sound while being played at obscenely loud volumes.

I would have very few reservations about going with C-V gear, personally, except that many of their speakers really need a powerful amp to drive them. But that's a powered subwoofer, so you'd be fine.

[Komskies]

Take a look at the Klipsch SW line of subwoofers. We have an SW-450 10" down-firing sub and absolutely love the power this thing puts out. You can buy them at London Drugs and they will price match. We got ours for around the same price as that Cerwin-Vega you posted.

[DownhillGoat]

I'm a big fan of Velodyne for subs.

[Kjesse]

I'm curious about which Panny projector you bought... I received mine via delivery last week, the AE 8000U, but still can't set it up yet, as my basement is still being renovated. But damn it's hard to wait.. .going to be at least 2 more weeks.

On the sub issue... I'm in the market for another sub... I was surprised on the visions website they don't sell 15" subs? I agree the Cerwin Vega line is great for volume and is good quality, but the sub will be paired with a 10" sub and tuned to different but slightly overlapping frequencies from the pre-amp, which has rca jacks for two subs. I'm not sure the 12" will be distinct enough?

[DownhillGoat]

Wasn't too sure where to put this, but Crutchfield has a wicked sale on right now.

Buy a pair of DefTech BP-8060 towers and get the rears and centre for free.
http://www.crutchfield.ca/Definitive...tm?click=19171

I've got the 8080's and they're unreal. Just thought I'd pass this deal along if anybody was interested in getting into a great surround sound package at a really good price.

[fundmark19]

Anyone purchase some really long hdmi cords and want to trade for smaller ones? I need 3 20-30 footers and only have tons of 15 and smaller

Also has anyone know of a way that I can control 3 of the same tvs via my harmony 1100 in the same room using different codes? I am going overkill and installing 2/3 displays on my left hand wall to watch other things while I watch my projector but am trying to figure out how I would control them independently. I would like same brand for both tv's for looks but I am thinking it may be better to just buy 2 different tv's that look a like for controlling simplicity

[TheGrimm]

Well... Pulled the trigger on a JVC DLA-X35 today, so I decided to go the projector route after all.. Hopefully I don't end up with buyers remorse as I went back and forth on this for weeks.

In the end, we have a living room with a conventional TV which can be used for casual watching, to me the theatre room will be for event type television and I don't really expect to use the room for anything else.

I went back and forth between the Panasonic AE8000 and the JVC for quite a while, but in the end the black levels and the D-ILA tech did me in.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Anyone purchase some really long hdmi cords and want to trade for smaller ones?

I can check later this week. I *might*. I think they're all 15 and shorter but I just might have a few 20s in there.

[Ryan Coke]

Hey, I have 1 long one (can't remember exactly--maybe 30') and good quality from monoprice.

You know, this would be better for PM I guess, huh?

[fundmark19]

I just remembered the Joy of trying to make your projector display properly from a roof mount it really is better as a two person job

[fundmark19]

I guess I should post this here as well to keep you guys updated. Here is a sneak peak at my basement


Projector will hang where the green cord is in the roof
On left hand side where the drywall is ripped up will be 2 32 inch tvs stacked above eachother
Straight ahead is the projector screen
Right hand side will be a wetbar with component storage

[DownhillGoat]

That would really look better with brown chairs...

J/K. It's shaping up nicely. I really like that flooring. If you ever need a hand (like when hanging projectors) drop me a PM.