Home Theater Mega Thread

[oilyfan]

Yes projectors are good enough for 1080p. I have an Epson 6010, it works very well as a 1080p projector on a 120inch screen

[darklord700]

To me, getting even an 80" screen defeats the purpose of getting a projector. Get 96" or larger to take the size advantage of projector.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by darklord700

To me, getting even an 80" screen defeats the purpose of getting a projector. Get 96" or larger to take the size advantage of projector.

Depends on the room size. In a room that only allows for 80" I'd much rather have a projector than an 80" lcd.

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by MotoRacer

Setting up a new theatre room and torn between projector or 70 or 80 inch screen. Have projectors improved enough to be as good as a 1080p screen?

The area is a basement so low light and glare is not an issue.

Yep!!

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Yes projectors are good enough for 1080p. I have an Epson 6010, it works very well as a 1080p projector on a 120inch screen

Epsons are great projectors with an excellent warranty. It is the most common one I install.

Originally Posted by darklord700

To me, getting even an 80" screen defeats the purpose of getting a projector. Get 96" or larger to take the size advantage of projector.

Couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Depends on the room size. In a room that only allows for 80" I'd much rather have a projector than an 80" lcd.

Couldn't agree more.


Excellent advice above. I run a 110" screen on about 150" viewing distance (eyeball to screen). I would be comfortable running 120" screen at the same viewing distance. Most people I demo my system to are 'stunned' with the image quality.

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by Jonrox

Good advice from cupofjoe... except for the extended warranty recommendation.

Consumer Reports has found failure rates for flat screen tv's is around 3% during the first 4 years of ownership. The failure rate for offbrands still only ranges from 2 to 4%. The worst manufacturer on the planet has just a 7% failure rate.

Let's say you paid $200 for an extended warranty on a $2000 warranty (I think that's pretty fair), the worst case scenario happens, and the problem can't be fixed and you need a new $2000 TV. Your $200 gamble pays off at 10 to 1. Yet you should be getting at least 30 to 1 odds based on the average failure rate.

Buying an extended warranty is the equivalent of taking $200 to the casino and putting it down on a single number in roulette, but only getting paid 10 to 1 if it hits (it should be 35 to 1). Take your $200 to the casino and have some fun with it. If your number hits, you go buy a bigger tv. If it doesn't, then it's like buying the warranty.

If you wouldn't gamble like this at a casino, why are you gambling like this on a TV and getting even worse odds? The extended warranty is a sucker's bet.

I understand what you are saying, and you could argue the validity of the CR numbers as I do not know their accuracy or what year(s) they represent. Do you insure you house? Because it is the basically the same sucker's bet that you talk about.

I recommend insurance as it gives my clients a protection option on a product that I view as problematic. It is their option to purchase or not. I just want them to make an educated decision.

Now, how do you think I look if I don't mention anything and a TV I sell craps out 6 months out of warranty. Lets say it is usually not great for repeat or referral business.

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

I think failure rates are higher than 4 to 6 percent now. It used to be good for flat screens as my 8 year old LG is still working great. However my latest TV had to be replaced at 14 months (Samsung) and the one I bought before that failed in 4 weeks (LG). I never buy replacement warranties but everywhere i looked when buying my last TV it came highly recommended (AVSforum and buyers guides) so I did and it paid off. Best part is that they replaced it with the next year's model and a better series.

At the very least I'd recommend looking into it and negotiating to have it thrown in. Some credit cards have 2 year coverage on electronics so check that out as well.

Nicely said.

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Hey CupofJoe,

I need some opinions on in wall speakers. I need a pair for playing music in a room where I don't floor space for other speakers. I've been doing some reading and it sounds like the Noble Fidelity L-62 should be a decent option. I don't believe I need the extra power of the L-82. I haven't checked to see if there is a Noble Fidelity dealer around Calgary. Are you familiar with this speaker? What would you recommend for a pair of in walls at around the $700 price point? I just need clean, crisp sound for music and don't need a lot of lower end sound as I'll have a sub hooked up as well.

Also when talking about subs I want to purchase a slim sub for that same room. I want it to fit under a cabinet with the space dimension being 6.5 tall x 17 deep x 39 wide. What are your recommendations?

Unfortunately I am not familiar with Noble, so I can't help you there.

When it comes to in-walls, I usually recommend getting in-walls with a built in back box. The back box makes the performance of the speaker very predictable. In a open box design, the size of the wall cavity influences the sound so results become less predictable.

I highly recommend the controlled performance series from Monitor Audio. I have sent a PM in regards to this.

In regards to the sub, this might be a challenge. Is the room under renovations by chance? A in-wall sub might work.

Otherwise, a Sonos sub is designed to work on its side and it is smaller than the space you suggested. The only caveat is that it has to be apart of a Sonos system (which I highly recommend for music). How are you planning to amp this system and is it tied to any other speakers in the house?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by cupofjoe

I understand what you are saying, and you could argue the validity of the CR numbers as I do not know their accuracy or what year(s) they represent. Do you insure you house? Because it is the basically the same sucker's bet that you talk about.

I recommend insurance as it gives my clients a protection option on a product that I view as problematic. It is their option to purchase or not. I just want them to make an educated decision.

Now, how do you think I look if I don't mention anything and a TV I sell craps out 6 months out of warranty. Lets say it is usually not great for repeat or referral business.

Yeah, I'd recommend insurance in your position as well but for a person walking into a retail store and buying the TV, it's more iffy. What I've read and not sure of the accuracy, is that most electronics will break down in the first few months if they are going to break down and these would be covered by the normal warranty.

Another consideration is that heat is the main enemy of electronics, so keeping your new TV and components in a well ventilated area is a good idea no matter if the wife wants them hidden away in some box like structure.

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Yeah, I'd recommend insurance in your position as well but for a person walking into a retail store and buying the TV, it's more iffy. What I've read and not sure of the accuracy, is that most electronics will break down in the first few months if they are going to break down and these would be covered by the normal warranty.

Another consideration is that heat is the main enemy of electronics, so keeping your new TV and components in a well ventilated area is a good idea no matter if the wife wants them hidden away in some box like structure.

You are right regarding most electronics breaking down within a couple months and that is why I don't usually recommend extended warranties for them. TV's seem to be more prone to capacitors and panel issues which seem to take longer to rear their ugly little heads.

Big box stores usually make 100% (or more) profit on extended warranty package pricing, I try to price mine a little above cost (to cover my time to set it up).

Very good point about heat being an enemy of electronics couldn't agree more.

I had to laugh regarding the wife comment as I have had many face palm moments when meeting with them...

[Jonrox]

Get a projector and get an Epson. I love mine (Epson Pro Cinema 9500). You won't regret it. I was in the same situation as you a few years ago. I went and checked out a projector in a setting similar to what my room would be like and within seconds my decision was made (it wasn't even the same brand as what I ended up getting - I just needed to see the technology in action).

If you haven't seen one in the past few years, do yourself a favour and go demo one. You no longer have to have a batcave for a decent picture. I can get near total darkness if I want a theatre effect while watching a movie, but it's nice not having to when it's more casual viewing (i.e. watching sports with friends).

I haven't seen any of the newer Epsons, but people are still amazed by my four-year old Epson when they come over. I'm sure they've come a long way since I got mine.

On a slightly different topic, if you're looking for seating, there are some great deals to be had on-line if you're ok buying chairs based on other people's reviews. I was nervous about buying recliners without sitting in them, but the deals were just too good to pass up and I'm incredibly happy with what I got.

[Flash Walken]

I just picked up a PN60f5300AF. Like 15 minutes ago.

Last year's plasma model from Samsung. Same as this year's Samsung plasma, but without 3D and 'smart' capability, neither of which I care about.

I'm very impressed by the image already. Some glare off the screen, which I was prepared for, but, it's 1pm in the afternoon in August, so, this is as bad as it'll get and it's pretty amazing. The depth of grey/blacks is blowing me away.

I ended up walking out of Best Buy with this tv and a 4 year warranty for less than a thousand bucks.

[Jonrox]

Also, if you want to compare size difference, use this website for a quick comparison:

http://www.displaywars.com/

As an example, a 60" TV in a store looks pretty big. A 104" screen with a projector is 3x the viewable area of a 60" TV.

An 80" TV in a big box store usually looks enormous. If you can fit a 113" screen in your room, it's twice as big.

You'll regret it if you don't get a projector.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I just picked up a PN60f5300AF. Like 15 minutes ago.

Last year's plasma model from Samsung. Same as this year's Samsung plasma, but without 3D and 'smart' capability, neither of which I care about.

I'm very impressed by the image already. Some glare off the screen, which I was prepared for, but, it's 1pm in the afternoon in August, so, this is as bad as it'll get and it's pretty amazing. The depth of grey/blacks is blowing me away.

I ended up walking out of Best Buy with this tv and a 4 year warranty for less than a thousand bucks.

Probably one of the last plasmas. Good choice for picture quality.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Probably one of the last plasmas. Good choice for picture quality.

couldnt pass it up.

60 inch tv including taxes and 4 year warranty for under 1000?

Just used some avsforum calibration settings, wow, is the picture good.

Honeymoon period not withstanding, I regret my previously expressed opinions regarding led vs. plasma.

[darklord700]

I love my projector. Nothing beats totally immersed in watching a movie in a completely dark room. It has the power to transport you to a different world and time.

However, the big knock against projectors is they are set up for dedicated viewing and is not condusive for casual viewing and carrying out conversation at the same time.

[TheGrimm]

Originally Posted by darklord700

I love my projector. Nothing beats totally immersed in watching a movie in a completely dark room. It has the power to transport you to a different world and time.

However, the big knock against projectors is they are set up for dedicated viewing and is not condusive for casual viewing and carrying out conversation at the same time.

This is pretty much it. I put in a JVC projector a couple of years ago and we love it for watching movies, however, I still do 90% of my TV viewing upstairs in the living room where I can still putter with stuff. I don't see this as an issue though, we just use the theater room as an "event" room.

My only real regret is that I put a lot of time/money into the audio gear and I'd love to use it more often but I'm not going to go just "hang out" there and listen to music, so I end up listening on bookshelf speakers upstairs.

[photon]

Yeah I find that too, I've got a subwoofer the size of a small hot water tank but I rarely use the system for anything other than movies and games (which is still significant). Just the other day I was listening to some music while on the computer and went downstairs and listened to it on my big system which was awesome, but I rarely do that.

[AC]

So I'm in the market for a new living room TV, ideally 60".

Any recommendations as far as brands, models, which electronics store is best, LED versus Plasma?

3D capable would be nice, but not required.
Don't care if its a Smart TV or not as I have a Roku setup which I'm more than happy with at the moment.

[Flamenspiel]

I am also looking for the next TV or projector, i have been looking for three years and they keep getting better. In the mean time my audio stuff has been significantly upgraded and seems to hold its value.

I was set on a projector but now we are seeing 84 inch tvs all over the place. I am not really that comfortable with all the hardware that accompanies a projector, it looks like a good projection screen is at least 1K so its not only the projector. What about these curved screens? Are they just a gimmick?

[cupofjoe]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I am also looking for the next TV or projector, i have been looking for three years and they keep getting better. In the mean time my audio stuff has been significantly upgraded and seems to hold its value.

I was set on a projector but now we are seeing 84 inch tvs all over the place. I am not really that comfortable with all the hardware that accompanies a projector, it looks like a good projection screen is at least 1K so its not only the projector. What about these curved screens? Are they just a gimmick?

If 84 is a good size for your room, then it might be the way to go.

I sell screens starting around $550. You can get 'modest' gains with more expensive screens. I generally recommend entry level unless there is a specific problem to solve.

Curved screens are generally reserved for a 2.35 setup (the extra wide screen format). The help alleviate any pincushion effect in these setups.

[cmyden]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I am also looking for the next TV or projector, i have been looking for three years and they keep getting better. In the mean time my audio stuff has been significantly upgraded and seems to hold its value.

I was set on a projector but now we are seeing 84 inch tvs all over the place. I am not really that comfortable with all the hardware that accompanies a projector, it looks like a good projection screen is at least 1K so its not only the projector. What about these curved screens? Are they just a gimmick?

Have a look at Elite Screens...

reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Screens-.../dp/B00366S0UW

On Amazon.ca, search for Elite Screens Sable or Elite Screens Ezframe. They are essentially the same. Both are fixed screens, although Elite does make electrical and manual ones as well.

Amazon.ca often has awesome prices on the Elite Screens. Not only do they seem to be significantly cheaper than other sources, Amazon offers free shipping as well. Depending on the model, they are usually in the $300-$500 range.

An Elite Screen + BenQ W1070 (or Epson 8350) = amazing 1080p picture and size for $1200-$1400 total.