Anybody out there interested in this stuff?

[DrStrange]

I built a semi-home theater about 2 years ago. And by built I mean paid to have it done. I must say I did design it myself, and I did the installation and wiring of the home theater equipment.

I will post some pics over the holiday (US holiday that is).

It is in my basement and is the only room in my house that is mine. My wife and kids have the rest.

I am currently in the process of getting XBMC (Xbox Media Center) up and running. I am running Windows Home server as a file share. I know, I know, Linux is cheaper and probably better, but is one thing I have yet to dive into.

I am in the process of ripping all of my DVDs. TV series take forever. Once I post some pics I will go into more detail. If anyone is interested.

[Legend76]

Yeah sounds cool! I here you on the hole backing up DVDs thing It took forever just to upload them on my Ipod would like to do something like that with my PC so as to have them all on another HD to play at home.

[DrStrange]

Pics will have to wait until my basement is back in order after the water damage. Hopefully by next Tuesday I will be back in business.

[danno]

 DrStrange, do you have any knowledge on home theater projectors?

[DrStrange]

A little bit. I did a ton of research on the subject when I bought mine in 2006. Things have changed since then but I can tell you what to look for.

1. When I bought mine, 1080p was expensive. Mine is only 1080i, 720p. But the 1080p have dropped in price so I would suggest going that route.

2. LCD vs DLP. DLP comes in two main versions. 1 chip and 3 chip. The 3 chip being typically better and more expensive. I went with an LCD that had a comparable pitcure to a 1 chip DLP. It is my understanding that there is very little if any difference between 1 chip DLP and LCDs. 3 chip I am assuming are still the best.

3. Price in general. This can range from 500 - 50,000 and anywhere in between. Not sure what your budget it is. The price is basically equal to picture quality and throw distance / screen size. Meaning a better projector can create a clearer and larger picture at the same trow distance.

4. Depending on where you are mounting it, some projects are more picky. For example, one of the reasons I bought mine was because I could mount it from 7 - 25 feet away from the wall and still get the same size and quality of picture. So keep that in mind when you buy one.

5. There are several different material types for screens. The better the material the better the picture quality. You can also get ones that are wall mounted and have an electronic screen that goes up and down. This is where I made a mistake. I have one like this and it is down about 99% of the time. I think I spent too much for the amount of time I use the electronic function. If I did it again I would get a permanent wall mounted one.

6. Lighting. Not sure where you are putting it, but mine is in my basement so I have no outside light. But if you are doing it where you have windows keep that in mind.

That is all I can think of off the top of my head. If you have specific questions let me know. And I got mine from http://www.visualapex.com/. I was happy with them and had no problems.

I have a Panasonic PT-AX100U. It does not do 1080P but I am happy with it regardless.

[danno]

 Thanks DrStrange, I'm on a tight budget so 3 chips is out of the question.
I've decided for now after abit of research and to start me off in my tiny room....

projector:
Optoma hd 65

Display Technology      DLP
Resolution    720P (1280 x 720)
Brightness    1600 Lumens
Contrast    4000:1
Noise Level    29 dB (STD Mode
Aspect Ratio    16:9
Weight    2.0kg
Maximum Resolution    
Computer Compatibility    
Video Compatibility    480i/p, 576i/p, 720p. 1080i, PAL, PAL-M, SECAM, NTSC, NTSC 4.43, HDMI (480P, 576P, 720P, 1080i, 1080P)    
Throw Ratio    1.55-1.7 (Projection Distance/Image Width) 1.1x Manual zoom
Projection Screen Size    1.0 to 7.36m (16:9 Diagonal)
Projection Distance    1.2m ? 12m
Keystone Correction    Vertical
Audio                None
Dimensions (W x D x H)    259x73x188mm
Remote Control    
Power Supply    265W Max, <9W standby

Speakers:

Behringer MS20 Digital monitors
2 x 10-Watt
24-bit/192 kHz
with sub woofer

 Not decided what receiver to buy yet, (that will probably be the most expensive item) I'll post a video in afew weeks when I've managed to sort  it all out

[DrStrange]

I have heard good thing about Optoma's in general.

All my speakers are Boston Acustic In-wall and In-ceiling. I know you sacrifice soem sound quality, but I wanted them out of the way.

I have a Yamaha Receiver and love it. RX-V2700 is the model. he only thing I wish it had more of was HDMI inputs. So I am not sure what you will have hooked up, but make sure you have enough inputs.

Sounds like you have done a fair amount of research already.

[danno]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYQ1fv3O9PY

[bWWd]

I wouldnt want that in home i think i would take it to the outside ,maybe to the garden and watch the movies during summer nights on the fresh air.Thats how i see it when i think about home theaters.

[danno]

 That is a good idea bWWd, if my neighbour will let me paint the side of his house white in summer we could watch outside.

[DJGameFreakTheIguana]

I don't have a home theater, it's more like a home arcade(not the actual machines). I got a Gamecube,PS2,Dreamcast(With BOR CDs) and Xbox 360(cursed with the red ring of death ), My computer(loaded with games) and two TVs, one of them actually hooked up with to a comcast box, and the other just for playing games on. all in my Small A** room .

[bWWd]

Im jealous i would like to watch the movies like that in summer nights .You dont have to paint it just put something big enough what is white.Whats best is the smell of fresh air during watching the movie.

[Fightn Words]

First movies I ever saw were in drive-ins, something I don't think they have anymore.

[DrStrange]

Looks good. My first movie memory is seeing Star Wars at a drive in in 1978. I was only 3, so the details are sketchy, but I remember being afraid of the storm troopers.