Home Theater

[AKmaro1]

Also keep in mind that Stubbs is talking Canadian prices there. Our prices will be a fair amount lower here in the States. I just recently bought an HDMI cable for my GF's Dad's setup, he's got a 65" Mitsubishi DLP just like Todd's, and he bought a Toshiba upconverting DVD recorder. We picked up a Philips brand (I believe) HDMI cable from from Wal-mart and it only ran around $30 dollars. It seems to work pretty good. But I do believe you can get good entry level Monster Cable stuff from Radio Shack for around $60.

And I've been happy with Monster's entry level stuff for component cables and the such, so I don't see how their HDMI's should be that much different.

[aperio]

Oops, sorry - when I said about specs because I was shopping "them"... by them, i meant the players themselves not the cables.

As for cables, I used to be monster cables all the way, then i reached a point where I decided my eyes and ears really couldn't tell the difference between the monster cables and generics, so I don't mind going middle ground / less expensive there.

[AKmaro1]

Not really any specs per se that I can think of. I would just make sure it upconverts to 1080p not 1080i, most do 1080p anymore so that shouldn't be an issue. And just stick with a well known brand name, not Dynex or some crap like that. Stick with the Sony, Toshiba, Samsung names, stuff like that and you should be good to go. When I bought my Toshiba (SD-7990), I actually tried 3 different Toshiba players at the same time, and noticed differences in all, but then I went with their best player at the time, and have been really happy. Now most are not as picky as me, so don't worry too much about it.

[Todd]

My kick ass TV (Mitsubishi WD-65733 1080p) up converts all inputs.

Granted you can gain more from an upconvert, HDMI player...but my S-Video kicks ass. It looks so much more amazing than tube technology.

So...that's my display and I run an Onkyo 5.1 HTIB unit with some nice old JBL three way book shelves for front speakers. Rear speakers mounted behind. I love my TV room. LUV IT.

[Obiwan176]

I know I already posted this in my new member thread, but this is where it truely belongs.
my theatre pics pictures from theater photos on webshots

[Todd]

Y'know...

I've been doing some fantasizing about my eventual theatre room. Trying to plan out the layout and everything. We're looking at houses with basements up here in Utah, and I really need a good unfinished basement to do what I want.

Why don't you build some risers in that room, Obi? That's my plan. I hope to have at least two tiers w/ bean bags on the floor (making three tiers of seating). I'd love to have four if the space allows. The seating should go all the way to the back.

To allow for maximum seating, I think I'll have the entry way on the same wall as the screen...that way I don't need to eat up space on the side for a hall or entry door. I plan on having a 'lobby' of sorts with lighted posters and build a candy rack, too. Plus, we'll have a bathroom downstairs for quick trips.

One thought I was toying with was trying to find a way to store DVDs in the theatre, especially since storage is such a problem with 1000 discs. Maybe an alternate configuration with a short hall behind the screen for shelving and a seperate light dimmer for the hall lights to raise them when looking for DVDs to watch.

It certainly is a fun dream. The bulk of the cost will come from furnishings / seating and the extras like lighted poster cases. Paint, lumber, carpet....even light fixtures and having an electrician is the easy part, I think.

[Todd]

Or another thought is storing the DVDs in the 'lobby', making it look a bit like a video store. THAT could work well.

I also have thought of adding soundproofing in the form of ceiling tiles and maybe some kind of industrial carpeting on the walls, like some theatres have. I dunno.

I do like your red paint, it looks very classy. Ah...to dream.

[Obiwan176]

Light fixtures are no big deal. One thing I really need to do is have an electrician come out and put some extra lines in. I would live to have the posters lighted too. Definately have a plan before you do it.

As far as seating goes, I would love to do what you are talking about but I have no money. I am broke. With 4 kids and the cost of fuel and food, I ain't got nothin' left. I am dying for proper seating but it is, by far, going to be the most expensive thing done for that room.

We have had as many as 18 people in the room and it was great, but the seating would have made it better. If anyone knows of anyone who has seats they can donate. Get them in contact with me immediately....

[Obiwan176]

It was rather easy to do compared to what I thought. A dream can become reality a lot faster than you might think Todd. It is the best thing I have ever done. And it will always be a work in progress. If you ever come back here to visit let me know ahead of time and I let you have a peek.

[Todd]

Y'know it wouldn't be too hard to add risers to that room. You could even use a cheep carpeting tile or something.