Author Topic: Home Theater (Read 5932 times)

Stingray · « **on:** January 04, 2006, 09:45:27 am »

If you're one of the cavemen like myself who have still been using the crappy built in speakers on your TV, you have no idea what you're missing. I finally broke down and bought a decent reciever and a set of 5.1 surround speakers. After hours of slinging wires, I finally got everything hooked up correctly. Oh my frackin' gods! The difference is just unbelievable! I sat up way too late last night listening to beautiful explosions rattle the windows. If you don't have a home theater system, you really should bump it up on the priority list.

As if I don't watch way too much TV already.

-S

More Cowbell · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2006, 09:51:13 am »

Just wait until a phone rings in the movie from behind you. Or if you hear people talking behind you and telling you to do things, bad things. Especially if your tv is off.

ChadTower · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2006, 09:53:55 am »

Once the novelty wears off your wife will tell you to turn it down every time you watch TV.

Goz · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2006, 09:54:23 am »

I was in the same boat up until a couple of months ago.

I purchased a cheap ass HTIB (Home Theatre In a Box) 5.1 system and was floored.

Since then I have become some sort audio-whore-a-holic. It's all about doing it proper now. The new house that I am having built is going to have a dedicated home theatre and I it is being wired to 7.1 specs.

Your next stop into nirvana will be a DLP front projection system and a 92" screen.

The proper audio and video make all the difference.

Thankfully my wife is on board and digs the home theatre idea and is 100% supportive.

-Goz

Zakk · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2006, 09:54:43 am »

I have a mental image of wires hanging from the deer head trophy on the wall, and the speakers mounted to the still in the corner.

Harry Potter · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:22:59 am »

Projectors and 5/6/7.1 go together well. The still would be a bonus.

Ken Layton · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:28:36 am »

A real home "theater" includes a projection booth and either 16mm or 35mm motion picture projectors not video.

Stingray · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:32:43 am »

Quote from: Goz on January 04, 2006, 09:54:23 am

Thankfully my wife is on board and digs the home theatre idea and is 100% supportive.

Mine too. She didn't know I was putting it in until she got home last night (although we have been discussing it a lot lately), she was blown away. She actually said, "it doesn't matter what this cost, it was worth it"!

Quote from: Zakk on January 04, 2006, 09:54:43 am

I have a mental image of wires hanging from the deer head trophy on the wall, and the speakers mounted to the still in the corner.

Pretty close. The wires are still hanging everywhere. Cleaning up the mess and concealing the wires is a job for this evening. I don't actually own a deer head, nor will I admit to owning a still.

-S

Goz · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:33:13 am »

Quote

A real home "theater" includes a projection booth and either 16mm or 35mm motion picture projectors not video.

Yeah.... ok

I trust your opinion on games and repair Ken, but am going to have to differ with you on Home Theatre. I've spoken with proffessional HT installation companies and done a lot of research. I've not found one Home Theatre with a projection box and actual motion picture projectors. The DLP projectors seem to be what everyone thats last name isn't Gates is using. I've got a hefty budget for this project and not once has it even been suggested.

Stingray · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:38:14 am »

Quote from: Ken Layton on January 04, 2006, 10:28:36 am

A real home "theater" includes a projection booth and either 16mm or 35mm motion picture projectors not video.

Well sorry Ken. Just hooked everything up to my existing TV/ DVD/ VCR/ Satelite stuff. Yeah, I know it's not a real "theater", but it's still pretty damn cool for someone just crawling out of the audio dark ages.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:44:15 am »

That's an antiquated thought, anyway... that definition predates things like DVD and DVI interfaces.

I'd be ecstatic with an LCD projector, component signal, and 5.1.

Goz · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:47:51 am »

The newer HD DLP projectors with the DarkChip3 setup look amazing. Some of the older technologies still put out a hell of a picture and as Chad stated with DVI and component signal it can be done very well under 2K or as has as 40K

More Cowbell · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:48:14 am »

The THX ad right before the movies start is awesome when you have the surround sound set up. When you crank it up you feel like the whole neighborhood knows you're watching a movie.

ChadTower · « **Reply #13 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:51:52 am »

I grew up in small apartments most of the time... when I do that, my mother still says "you can hear that outside". "So?" "Well, the neighbors will hear." "So?"

Stingray · « **Reply #14 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:54:36 am »

Lucky for me I live way in the boonies. My new system is pretty loud, but not loud enough for the nearest neighbors to hear.

(I found out that it is loud enough to rattle the windows though)

-S

JackTucky · « **Reply #15 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:56:12 am »

Quote from: Goz on January 04, 2006, 09:54:23 am

Your next stop into nirvana will be a DLP front projection system and a 92" screen.

You don't need that.

Art

Goz · « **Reply #16 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:59:32 am »

Quote from: JackTucky on January 04, 2006, 10:56:12 am

Quote from: Goz on January 04, 2006, 09:54:23 am
Your next stop into nirvana will be a DLP front projection system and a 92" screen.

You don't need that.

Art

Need is subjective to your addiction

Ok in his case a kegerator and a pole for the mrs to dance on.

ChadTower · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:00:57 am »

Quote from: Stingray on January 04, 2006, 10:54:36 am

(I found out that it is loud enough to rattle the windows though)

That probably means your windows are loose more than that the system is freaky. Mine is good but not awesome and rattles things in my house because the house is getting old.

Stingray · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:03:39 am »

Quote from: Goz on January 04, 2006, 10:59:32 am

Need is subjective to your addiction

Ok in his case a kegerator and a pole for the mrs to dance on.

These both sound like noble suggestions.

Quote from: ChadTower on January 04, 2006, 11:00:57 am

Quote from: Stingray on January 04, 2006, 10:54:36 am
(I found out that it is loud enough to rattle the windows though)

That probably means your windows are loose more than that the system is freaky. Mine is good but not awesome and rattles things in my house because the house is getting old.

Don't rain on my parade, man!

-S

xar256 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:11:03 am »

I'm guessing some of you guys have those projectors running already...I've been considering getting one, but don't like the idea of always having the lights off to watch tv (news, Seinfeld, etc).
Is that an issue with the newer systems still, or do they handle amibent lighting better nowadays?

Xar256

ChadTower · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:16:42 am »

They are better, yes, but I would recommend that for regular stupid TV just having a regular TV around. You don't need to be watching the news in 90" HD. What's the point?

markrvp · « **Reply #21 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:18:05 am »

I remember the first time I got my subwoofer hooked up and watched an action movie with helicopters.

markrvp · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:18:39 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on January 04, 2006, 11:16:42 am

You don't need to be watching the news in 90" HD.

Goz · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:18:46 am »

Quote from: xar256 on January 04, 2006, 11:11:03 am

I'm guessing some of you guys have those projectors running already...I've been considering getting one, but don't like the idea of always having the lights off to watch tv (news, Seinfeld, etc).
Is that an issue with the newer systems still, or do they handle amibent lighting better nowadays?

Xar256

The newer systems handle the light dithering better, but it is still optimal to view under the dimmed lighting. The trick if viewing in a lit environment would be to use a projector and screen combo with the appropriate lumens rating. You can see a chart here <- this is just one site with some helpful info on projectors and decent reviews.

Goz · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:21:12 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on January 04, 2006, 11:16:42 am

They are better, yes, but I would recommend that for regular stupid TV just having a regular TV around. You don't need to be watching the news in 90" HD. What's the point?

Obviously you don't rely on The Naked News ** Link is NSFW

ChadTower · « **Reply #25 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:31:02 am »

Is that broadcast in HD? No? Then who wants pixellated cheesecake?

Goz · « **Reply #26 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:34:42 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on January 04, 2006, 11:31:02 am

Is that broadcast in HD? No? Then who wants pixellated cheesecake?

Anything can be upscanned (well not anything)

ChadTower · « **Reply #27 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:39:11 am »

I get my news from two places:

EE and Chris Berman.

Anything not mentioned by either of the two is not worth my time.

Stingray · « **Reply #28 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:49:17 am »

Quote from: markrvp on January 04, 2006, 11:18:05 am

On a sad note, something happened to my subwoofer and it doesn't work anymore. I keep spending all my damn money on arcade stuff and haven't replaced it yet.

Bummer. After the first time I heard something onscreen explode, my subwoofer became one of my most favoritest (it's a perfectly cromulent word) possesions. I'm not sure how I managed to live my life without it.

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #29 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:02:45 pm »

A couple years ago mine stopped working well all of a sudden... sound muffled. Then a month later it started rattling... well, I looked inside and damn if someone hadn't stuffed a buttload of legos into the vent hole. I took them out and it has been its old woofy self ever since.

markrvp · « **Reply #30 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:26:47 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on January 04, 2006, 11:49:17 am

Quote from: markrvp on January 04, 2006, 11:18:05 am

On a sad note, something happened to my subwoofer and it doesn't work anymore.

vader · « **Reply #31 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:31:51 pm »

Quote from: ChadTower on January 04, 2006, 12:02:45 pm

A couple years ago mine stopped working well all of a sudden... sound muffled. Then a month later it started rattling... well, I looked inside and damn if someone hadn't stuffed a buttload of legos into the vent hole. I took them out and it has been its old woofy self ever since.

About 6 months ago, same situation. Mine was just extremely muffled and I was so upset. 12" Klipsh sub was my baby, I think the sub cost more than the other 6 speakers. Finally got around to taking it apart and there was a Spongebob resting on the speaker. SB died a slow death.

Cheers,

Tim

c64rulez · « **Reply #32 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:49:34 pm »

Here's my configuration:
It's actually a warehouse outside my house that I've converted into a home theatre.
HP 6110 projector, 6.1 Marantz receiver, 5.1 speakers config.
It sounds awesome with all the speakers placed exactly on a 5.1 config.
The screen is just a piece of cheap white cloth which blocks light and stretched tightly over a 100" frame.

dmsuchy · « **Reply #33 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:50:54 pm »

Gotta love Klipsch, here is my humble theater with screen down, and screen up. Thats my 12" Klipsch sub in the corner.

Stingray · « **Reply #34 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:55:08 pm »

Both of you guys put my setup very much to shame. Very nice!

-S

dmsuchy · « **Reply #35 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:58:21 pm »

Thanks, here is one with the projector, kinda dark, sorry. It is mounted on a joist that runs the length of the basement that I dry walled. Come on Chad, lets get your basement a rockin!

Luxury · « **Reply #36 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:34:01 pm »

Quote from: Stingray on January 04, 2006, 12:55:08 pm

Both of you guys put my setup very much to shame. Very nice!

Ditto. Here is my theater setup.

Stingray · « **Reply #37 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:35:49 pm »

Sweet!

-S

ChadTower · « **Reply #38 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:44:04 pm »

That is Natural Selection in action.

I approve.

vader · « **Reply #39 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:52:05 pm »

Whoa......when I first looked at that I thought it was red tape.....geez, now I see the other side of that ( I hope ) strap, might I suggest a LCD, won't hurt quite as bad when you get your skull crushed.

Cheers,

Tim


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