Larry Caldwell
29-01-2005, 04:47 PM
Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas for my home theater system. I
thought I should probably post my shopping results. Some things came
out a lot different than I expected.
The projector I chose was the Panasonic PT-AE700U. I was shopping for a
DLP projector and the Panasonic is LCD. However, it is a native 16:9
1280x720 projector, 1000 lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 2:1 zoom and a
shift lens for $2199. The projector is going in a ceiling mount box,
with 110v. muffin fan forced ventilation to avoid starving the projector
cooling fan. I fired up the scroll saw and made something that looks
like a 1930s radio speaker grill to cover the muffin fans.
The screen I selected was an Elite VMax100UWH, a 16:9 electric screen
that cost about $425 delivered. If you are looking for a screen, check
elitescreens.com, which is sort of a clunky web site. I ordered from
Tiger Direct, which sold me the screen for $299, then charged me $125
shipping. It is still a third the price of any other electric screen I
located.
The amp I selected is the Onkyo TX-SR702, which I paid $523 for, with
free shipping. The SR702 has features of amps costing several times as
much, including source upconversion, so I can just run a component cable
to the projector and feed everything through that.
I still haven't selected speakers. I think the old Bose Acoustimass
speakers will move to the bedroom. The Onkyo puts out 100w/channel x 7,
so there's plenty of power to fill the living room.
I have yet to upgrade my satellite system to HDTV, which will run about
$750.
With cables, mounts and installation, the system will run about $5000
total. When the screen is rolled up and the projector off, you won't
even be able to tell there is a TV in the room, which was the point of
the whole exercise. A room is so much more gracious without a one eyed
monster monopolizing one wall.
Thanks again. The whole system should be up and running in about 3
weeks, and I will give you a review of how it looks.
Larry
In article <MPG.1c4210d7c4763ed298b42e@news.west.earthlink.net>,
larryc@teleport.com (Larry Caldwell) says...
> I know this goes way beyond simple satellite TV, but I'm putting the
> finishing touches on a house remodel, and want to design a new
> entertainment center. What I have in mind is pretty unconventional, so
> any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> 1. I don't want a TV in my house. It is a bulky appliance that
> dominates any room. As an alternative, I am thinking of a good quality
> HD projector mounted on the ceiling, and a recessed screen in the
> ceiling. When we're not actually watching TV, the screen will retract
> into the ceiling, leaving the wall space free for art work and seating.
>
> How far can I run component and S-video feeds? From the satellite
> receiver and DVD/VCR to the ceiling mount is going to be at least 22
> feet. What about DVI? So far, I haven't found a DVD/VCR that outputs
> DVI, but you never know.
>
> 2. I don't get OTA TV. I have an old Dish 4000 that has been my only
> broadcast TV source since 1997. My wife gripes about only being able to
> watch one show at a time, so I was thinking I would move the 4000 into
> the bedroom and get a new HD satellite receiver/DVR for the main system.
> I'm still using an old Dish 300, and getting east and west coast network
> feeds from 119. I have no idea if the 4000 will be compatible with my
> new HDTV receiver. Isn't Dish moving HD to other satellites and a
> different band?
>
> I was expecting the 4000 to last for 5 years when I bought it. Here it
> is 8 years later, so I figure it doesn't owe me anything. If I need to
> surplus it, I wouldn't be too heartbroken.
>
> 3. Does anybody have a suggestion for an audio amp/entertainment center
> that will switch HD sources? I'm going to go to a combo DVD/VCR that
> hopefully will output both video tapes and DVD to a component signal,
> but I will need to switch between DVD and the satellite receiver. Of
> course, it will need to be Dolby Digital capable, but that should be a
> given nowadays.
>
> I'm really behind the 8-ball here. I should have been designing this
> before the remodel started, not when they are about to install flooring.
> I'm also going to blow insulation into the attic in a week or two, so
> want to at least get the rough wiring done first.
>
> I'm going to spend big bucks on this, about $3000 just for the
> projector, so I want it to last for a while. Any design suggestions,
> component suggestions, web pages or criticism gladly accepted.
>
> TIA
>
> Larry
>
>
--
http://home.teleport.com/~larryc
thought I should probably post my shopping results. Some things came
out a lot different than I expected.
The projector I chose was the Panasonic PT-AE700U. I was shopping for a
DLP projector and the Panasonic is LCD. However, it is a native 16:9
1280x720 projector, 1000 lumens, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 2:1 zoom and a
shift lens for $2199. The projector is going in a ceiling mount box,
with 110v. muffin fan forced ventilation to avoid starving the projector
cooling fan. I fired up the scroll saw and made something that looks
like a 1930s radio speaker grill to cover the muffin fans.
The screen I selected was an Elite VMax100UWH, a 16:9 electric screen
that cost about $425 delivered. If you are looking for a screen, check
elitescreens.com, which is sort of a clunky web site. I ordered from
Tiger Direct, which sold me the screen for $299, then charged me $125
shipping. It is still a third the price of any other electric screen I
located.
The amp I selected is the Onkyo TX-SR702, which I paid $523 for, with
free shipping. The SR702 has features of amps costing several times as
much, including source upconversion, so I can just run a component cable
to the projector and feed everything through that.
I still haven't selected speakers. I think the old Bose Acoustimass
speakers will move to the bedroom. The Onkyo puts out 100w/channel x 7,
so there's plenty of power to fill the living room.
I have yet to upgrade my satellite system to HDTV, which will run about
$750.
With cables, mounts and installation, the system will run about $5000
total. When the screen is rolled up and the projector off, you won't
even be able to tell there is a TV in the room, which was the point of
the whole exercise. A room is so much more gracious without a one eyed
monster monopolizing one wall.
Thanks again. The whole system should be up and running in about 3
weeks, and I will give you a review of how it looks.
Larry
In article <MPG.1c4210d7c4763ed298b42e@news.west.earthlink.net>,
larryc@teleport.com (Larry Caldwell) says...
> I know this goes way beyond simple satellite TV, but I'm putting the
> finishing touches on a house remodel, and want to design a new
> entertainment center. What I have in mind is pretty unconventional, so
> any suggestions would be appreciated.
>
> 1. I don't want a TV in my house. It is a bulky appliance that
> dominates any room. As an alternative, I am thinking of a good quality
> HD projector mounted on the ceiling, and a recessed screen in the
> ceiling. When we're not actually watching TV, the screen will retract
> into the ceiling, leaving the wall space free for art work and seating.
>
> How far can I run component and S-video feeds? From the satellite
> receiver and DVD/VCR to the ceiling mount is going to be at least 22
> feet. What about DVI? So far, I haven't found a DVD/VCR that outputs
> DVI, but you never know.
>
> 2. I don't get OTA TV. I have an old Dish 4000 that has been my only
> broadcast TV source since 1997. My wife gripes about only being able to
> watch one show at a time, so I was thinking I would move the 4000 into
> the bedroom and get a new HD satellite receiver/DVR for the main system.
> I'm still using an old Dish 300, and getting east and west coast network
> feeds from 119. I have no idea if the 4000 will be compatible with my
> new HDTV receiver. Isn't Dish moving HD to other satellites and a
> different band?
>
> I was expecting the 4000 to last for 5 years when I bought it. Here it
> is 8 years later, so I figure it doesn't owe me anything. If I need to
> surplus it, I wouldn't be too heartbroken.
>
> 3. Does anybody have a suggestion for an audio amp/entertainment center
> that will switch HD sources? I'm going to go to a combo DVD/VCR that
> hopefully will output both video tapes and DVD to a component signal,
> but I will need to switch between DVD and the satellite receiver. Of
> course, it will need to be Dolby Digital capable, but that should be a
> given nowadays.
>
> I'm really behind the 8-ball here. I should have been designing this
> before the remodel started, not when they are about to install flooring.
> I'm also going to blow insulation into the attic in a week or two, so
> want to at least get the rough wiring done first.
>
> I'm going to spend big bucks on this, about $3000 just for the
> projector, so I want it to last for a while. Any design suggestions,
> component suggestions, web pages or criticism gladly accepted.
>
> TIA
>
> Larry
>
>
--
http://home.teleport.com/~larryc