Home Theater Thread

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:56 am

Drunkenmaxx made a great suggestion about having a thread with member's home theater set ups. seems in this day and age, everyone wants HD or bigger or louder, or whatever type system in their homes. Since moving into our place 12/8/06, we have promptly been working on the house. Phil has been working on the garage and I've been working on the home theater systems. we have 2 different set ups, one upstairs in the living room and one downstairs that is our movie room/bar.downstairs movie room and bar:Optoma XGA Projector (DVD quality, not HD)Fotodiox Motorized 16:9 projection screen 102"x48"Sony Dreamsystem 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound w/ DVD250 GB Windows Media Center PC and 300 GB Seagate External Hard Drive (DVR)Dishnetwork receiver (no HD)Upstairs Family Room:Westinghouse 26" LCD HDTVPanasonic 5 Disc DVD 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround System with Wireless 2 way Rear SpeakerDishnetwork Dual Tuner DVR Receiver

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 11:44 pm

i don't have any actual pics yet, but here is the surround sound i got for xmas:http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ol...60900the picture quality of the dvd player looks freaking amazing on the LCD!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:05 am

i've had my sony dream system since 01 and it has been rock solid quality! i'm sure you're gonna love that, DM. how well does the upconverting do? i don't even know if the new system upstairs has it or not. i think it does, but we haven't watched a DVD on it yet.

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:16 am

I'm in on this. We got a 50" HDTV Sony 3 LCD rear projection, and a Bose 3-2-1 sound system for Xmas. I also got a HDMI DVD Recorder/VHS player/recorder. Direct TV has the HD-DVR's on backorder right now. I'm still working on getting everything hooked up correctly, but in the end, I'll have the PS2, and an iPod cradle, plus a PC and/or the Mac mini. Pics to follow tonight.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:20 am

sounds sweet! looking forward to seeing pics. i checked into finding out on the dish HD, but we have to get a second dish and it's like $600. doesn't really seem worth it, plus we'd only be able to get a few of the channels. maybe in a few years when we upgrade all the tv's to HD.

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:22 am

I'll take some pics too Sony KDL40S2000 40" Bravia Flat Panel LCD HDTV Sony DAV-DX255 5:1 Home Theater System DIRECTV Plus HD DVR + Sunday Ticket in HD = orgasmic (ok, maybe not)!XBox 360

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 10:04 am

OK, here we go. Here's the TV stuff...... Just for fun, here are the DVD's and computers, well, some of the computers....And YES....that is a FAST on top of my Mac Mini.....

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 1:37 pm

ha ha! are you sure that TV fits on your console???

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:25 pm

heh, the weight bearing part does!! Thing is, we're probably going to buy a house this summer, and as you can tell, we have sloaping ceiling here. (We live in a converted attic, we have 2 rooms, plus a bathroom up here) We'd rather wait and buy something that will fit the new place, rather than just something for here. That old stand works ok, and the new TV is lighter than the 32" tube TV it replaced.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:34 pm

all i know is that the dvds are amazingly sharp! i couldn't believe the difference it could make from one player to another!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:53 am

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy Â»heh, the weight bearing part does!! Thing is, we're probably going to buy a house this summer, and as you can tell, we have sloaping ceiling here. (We live in a converted attic, we have 2 rooms, plus a bathroom up here) We'd rather wait and buy something that will fit the new place, rather than just something for here. That old stand works ok, and the new TV is lighter than the 32" tube TV it replaced.ya, that's what we did. waited til we were in the house so we could see where everything would fit. i already knew where we wanted things and approximately how to set it up, but looking at drawings on a diagram and actually placing things in the room, are two different things! Quote, originally posted by drunkenmaxx Â»all i know is that the dvds are amazingly sharp! i couldn't believe the difference it could make from one player to another!ya, i bet it really stands out on the HDTV too. hmm... may have to check out a DVD on our new system. i know it does have components and HDMI hook ups in the back. thanks for the review!

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:57 am

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT Â»ya, that's what we did. waited til we were in the house so we could see where everything would fit. i already knew where we wanted things and approximately how to set it up, but looking at drawings on a diagram and actually placing things in the room, are two different things! ya, i bet it really stands out on the HDTV too. hmm... may have to check out a DVD on our new system. i know it does have components and HDMI hook ups in the back. thanks for the review!the XBox360 + VGA cable seems to upconvert standard DVD's...they look much better than on my Sony progressive scan 5-disc DVD player.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 2:57 am

believe it or not, the difference will floor you!drunkengirlfriend isn't even really into electronics, but she was wowed as well.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:05 am

well, when we had the HD channels, i loved it. but just don't see spending twice the $$$ for 6 channels we get here. and to get dish HD i have to get the 2nd dish and it's like $600 plus then another $20/mo. so again, imo, not worth it when i only have 1 out of 5 tv's that are HD. in a few years, i can always upgrade, right?no xbox 360 for us. we'll probably end up getting the ps3 later down the road, it also has blu-ray. but for now, i will keep what i have. DVD quality is still pretty good imo, albeit not the best like HD.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:12 am

i can't imagine what HD would look like considering how good the regular DVDs look. time will tell i guess.i only have the PS2 myself, and i see it staying that way for quite a while.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:24 am

ya, phil says he cannot even tell the difference. however, since i'm such a tech nerd, i can see a very big difference in the quality. kinda like going from stereo to surround sound to dolby digital or THX... but that's just me i guess... *shrug*unless the ps3 goes way down like the 360 did, it'll be on his wish list for awhile. i think the STI is more important to him than a ps3... cause right now, that'd be over one car payment! $600 minimum! plus $50+ for games.... and $20-40 for blu ray DVD's... we'll wait when it's not such a big deal and the pricing goes way down!

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:58 am

Yup... Sti is more important than an PS3... and no I can't tell the difference between HD channels and regular either.

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:17 am

I can tell the difference on the HD-DVD, using the HDMI cable from the player straight to the TV, in fact, the picture I took of the TV is it playing a HD-DVD....playing....NOT paused....

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:42 am

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik Â»Yup... Sti is more important than an PS3... and no I can't tell the difference between HD channels and regular either.Oh wow, to me, HD channels vs. regular is an insane difference. The best measuring stick is NFL HD vs regular...oh man!

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:56 am

ya, i tried to show him the diff, but he says he just can't really tell. i think he just doesn't care that much. LOL

Psychobroker · Post by **Psychobroker** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:43 am

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT Â»ya, i tried to show him the diff, but he says he just can't really tell. i think he just doesn't care that much. LOLLOL, maybe show him a before (480i) and after (720p or 1080i/p) of Pat Summerall's face I'm happy to see Pat in the booth, though!

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:33 am

and today, I got the component cable for the PS2...and I can't believe how huge the difference is over the S-video....Wish I could get my HD-Direct TV DVR box, so I could use the other HDMI input and free up another S-Video for the iPod in....currently using yellow/red/white in.Here's a question for ya'll.........if you're going to leave the house for 30~45 minutes, is it best to just leave the TV on....to extend the bulb life? Or turn it off everytime?

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:01 pm

good question. i have no answer for it though. sorry.

Jahntassa · Post by **Jahntassa** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:07 pm

I don't know if the bulbs in HD sets have that issue, the on/off bit. It depends on what kind of bulb it is.Mythbusters did a thing on bulbs / energy use and they said something about how the switching would effect the bulbs, but I can't remember what they said.A bulb, typically, is more likely to die when it's switched on, going from a cold to hot state, but I don't know if those switches really effect the longetivity at all.I would say if you aren't worried about energy consumption, leave it on. Otherwise those 30-45 minutes do add up on your electric bill.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:40 pm

here is a lousy cell phone pic of my tv and the items around it. i absolutely love the tall skinny speakers!that thin thing in the middle of the stand for the tv is the center channel speaker!you can't tell it, but onscreen is ghostbusters 2.

Attached files

kunkstyle · Post by **kunkstyle** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:28 am

Thread resurrection! I'm going to post pics after the weekend. Because I just picked up a new Denon 2808ci from Crutchfield!

zionzr2 · Post by **zionzr2** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:37 am

42" Hitachi Plasma (1080i HDTV)Harmon / Kardon AVR 230 (6.1 Reciver)TWC SA8300HDC (Cable Box HD DVR)Sony DVP-NC85H (5-Disc DVD UPConvert)

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:25 am

LOL. and I completely redid our downstairs with a 720P HDTV projector, Yamaha surround sound system with LG Super Blu player that plays both HD-DVD and BluRay, Xbox 360 and wii. Upstairs got a 50" Samsung Plasma full 1080P, same Pioneer surround sound system with LG Super Blu player and PS3, PS2 game systems.

wyatt89 · Post by **wyatt89** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:16 pm

My tv is pitiful but I actually like it quite a bit, it's a 32" Dynex (Best Buy brand) 720p Lcd. I have an older H/K receiver running a lovely set of B&W DM2 Mk2's and an older sunfire sub. The audio portion of it is great, the tv is the only lacking thing

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:03 pm

i have a 19" Dynex 720P at my kiosk. it's actually pretty decent quality for the price imo.

bull77 · Post by **bull77** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:00 am

My basement is pretty small so getting a surround sound doesn't make sense (8x10)I have a 46" Samsung LCD 1080P tv and a Samsug Blu-Ray player. HD looks amazing!

tribalman · Post by **tribalman** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:00 pm

haha, i guess i'm greedy. while i don't have any High Density dvd player/blu-ray or a high resolution display, i'm very happy with my dual screen computer. got at 19 and a 17 inch. i'm looking to get 2 21" squares, i hate the widescreens. but on my computer i play all my dvds, all my games, and watch tv thanks to my tv tuner card all on a 5.1 sitting around my chair, audio is great.

renate · Post by **renate** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:01 pm

I just got a 42"1080p LCD for 598.00.Its made by Polaroid.I ordered the HD and my cable box should be here next week.So far its great.I had to rearrange the living room,but the TV makes it look really good.Ha!The guy said with plasma tv you have to run them at least 40 hours a week or they go out,and LCD are a much better value,even though the plasma has a better screen resolution.Any thoughts?

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:41 am

Quote, originally posted by renate Â»The guy said with plasma tv you have to run them at least 40 hours a week or they go out,and LCD are a much better value,even though the plasma has a better screen resolution.Any thoughts?that was true during the first gen plasmas. I can say there are definitely better ones (plasma and LCD) than others. We had our 42" 1080P LCD HDTV (LG) before I bought the 50" Plasma (Samsung) and I can say the picture quality and resolution is about 10 times better. black is black, white is white. and you can still see all the colors inbetween. it also refreshes itself pretty quickly to prevent any image burn. we've put our plasma to good use since I bought it and had it wall mounted mid Sept.

kunkstyle · Post by **kunkstyle** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 5:02 am

Quote, originally posted by renate Â»The guy said with plasma tv you have to run them at least 40 hours a week or they go out,and LCD are a much better value,even though the plasma has a better screen resolution.Any thoughts?I don't run my Viera anywhere close to 40 hours a week. Not too sure how an LCD is any better value. I'd say they're about equal. It's the refresh rate that will be better on a plasma, not resolution. A 1080p is a 1080p as far as lines of resolution are concerned. I went with plasma simply because I use it for gaming and didn't want to spend double the money on a 120hz LCD just to save the weight.

Blanco_Diablo · Post by **Blanco_Diablo** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:19 pm

37" Samsung LCD 1080PPanasonic DVD Player & Burner/VHS Dual deckPS3 for gaming and Blu-RayOlder Pioneer component system with 50W SpeakersAudio will get an upgrade some day

audiovibe · Post by **audiovibe** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:30 am

Howd i miss this thread for the last 2 years?Mitsubushi 57" dlp rear projectionVista media center for blu-ray and networked moviesPS3 for gaming Onkyo HT-S7100 for sound because I dot a real good deal.looking to step up to the Samsung 52A850 Touch of color LCD after my wifes treatments are done.Aron

renate · Post by **renate** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:26 am

Got the HD hooked up today.Wow!!! What a difference! I don't even like the regular channels anymore.I wish every channel came in HD.

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:14 am

upstairs (taken at our New Years Party) on the PS3 playing GH WT.Downstairs (you can kinda see how it's set up)

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