Okay, I'm bored. I'm stuck at home this morning with a sick daughter, and I'm perusing AVSForum (as usual). And I got to thinking, most of us here are all about upgrading and/or acquiring new equipment. So, looking for entertainment, here's my question for everybody...


What is your newest upgrade in your A/V system/Home Theater/Media Room? Also, with the economy, was this your last hurrah purchase to shore up your system for awhile, or is there something else that you "need" to get?


To start it off, my newest upgrade is a Pioneer Elite Pro-151fd, which will replace my 5010 in the family room, and the 5010 will be relegated to basement common area duty. It is a last "hurrah" purchase, and was bought now because of the uncertainty around plasma in general, the economy, Pioneer's future (esp. with "outsourcing" to Panasonic), the price that I was able to get it for, etc. Plus, well, I wanted one. With some who would disagree (obviously), I wanted one thing in my theater setups that I could say proudly "it's the best available right now". I've never had "the best"; I'm very much about the "best value", and probably 60% or more of my 5.1 plasma-based setup and 7.2 front projector-based setup was bought used. So, that's my upgrade, and probably the last significant upgrade for about 3-5 years right now (maybe; probably; we'll see).


So fill us in!!! Entertain me! No upgrade/purchase is too minor or insignificant; I'm just curious. It could be a 3' HDMI cable from Monoprice, or a pair of diamond-encrusted solid-gold speakers for all I care (hmm...what would those sound like?). I'm just wanting to know.

So fill us in!!! Entertain me! No upgrade/purchase is too minor or insignificant; I'm just curious. .

I'm painting the baseboard trim of my screen wall today...;)

Congrats on the Pioneer. I was goingg to buy a 5020 but went with a Panasonic instead. I sit 12-13 ft from a 50 in and really only use it for SD viewing. My recent upgrade is a JVC RS2 last week. I consider it a budget friendly purchase considering I opted to not go for the RS20.

My latest upgrade as of 3-4 weeks ago was a Pioneer Elite SC-05 - Pioneer Elite Blu-Ray BDP-05FD. Also found a great deal on Monster HDMI cables on EBAY. Monster HDMI Ultra 1000 cables great color HDMI 1.3a - 12 bit color and 120mhz.

I'm painting the baseboard trim of my screen wall today...;)

There ya go! I'm entertained already! Now sitting on the couch watching Toy Story 2 for the 824th time with my sick daughter doesn't seem so bad. :)

My latest upgrade was to my breaker box (which is located in the HT). I passed my final electrical inspection on Friday and got a nifty little sticker added to it.

My build is still very much in progress.

CJ

A 750GB SATA drive to go with my two 500GBs for the HTPC

Congrats on the Pioneer. I was goingg to buy a 5020 but went with a Panasonic instead. I sit 12-13 ft from a 50 in and really only use it for SD viewing. My recent upgrade is a JVC RS2 last week. I consider it a budget friendly purchase considering I opted to not go for the RS20.

I thought you already had the RS2, Rob. Maybe it was the RS1 that you sold not too long ago. Regardless, congrats.

I said the same thing about my 5010 last year (same distance, same viewing, primarily). However, I've had to watch movies on the 5010 a couple times due to kids not behaving, too lazy to go downstairs and fire up the projector, etc. So I've been hankering for a 60", and having been spoiled by the Kuro, wanted to go with either the 6020 or 151, and opted for the 151 since I get everything ISF-calibrated. I'm sure you'll be very pleased with your Panasonic, though. Did you get the 85u, 800u, or 850u?

My latest upgrade was to my breaker box (which is located in the HT). I passed my final electrical inspection on Friday and got a nifty little sticker added to it.

My build is still very much in progress.

CJ

LOL That's the spirit! I thought I was low-balling it with the 3' monoprice cable. I want to see if anyone can beat the inspection sticker on the breaker box. That's awesome.

I put new batteries in the flashlight that resides in my left side drink holder.

I put new batteries in the flashlight that resides in my left side drink holder.

Now THAT is a practical upgrade. And you didn't even need to get approval from your "other half", probably, either.

Okay, my sick daughter picked The Aristocats to watch. I need more entertainment here.

The whole project was my last hurrah before the crash. I upgraded just about everything during the process. The last major purchase was the projector, which arrived at the end of October.

But overall, I went from the following:

Zenith (LG) 44" LCD rear projection TV
Pioneer 1014-TX Receiver
Cambridge Soundworks MC300 L/R/C
Cambridge Soundworks S300 surrounds
JBL E250P subwoofer

...to...

Panasonic PT-AE3000 projector
SmX ProLine 140" diagonal 2.37:1 acoustically transparent screen
Denon 3808ci Receiver
Monitor Audio RS6 fronts
Monitor Audio RSLCR center
Monitor Audio RSFX surrounds and rears
SVS PC-13 Ultra subwoofer


The PS3, Comcast DVR, and Wii carried over from the old setup to the new.

My most recent (last week) 'upgrade' was the single outlet surge protector for the projector. :)

Lighted Marquee! (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15646095#post15646095)

If you haven't seen this thread, here's a fun, inexpensive, and easy home theater project.

Randy

Added an NMT video server (HDX-1000).

CJ

Added an NMT video server (HDX-1000).

CJ

Okay, I'm seeing a serious downside to starting this thread now. I'm thinking I want one of these.

I've used an MG-35 for about 4 years for DVD rips, and it continues to work well. I currently am using my PS3 for streaming to my primary displays.

Is the HDX-1000 capable of playing back BD/HD-DVD rips, either as an ISO image or copied to the hard-drive using anyDVD?

Upgraded my living room setup with some budget buys:

52" Sony XBR6 (new)
Polk Audio Monitor 50's (BARELY used)
Polk Audio PSW10 (new)
Polk Audio CSi25 (new)
Xbox 360 (new)
Onkyo 506 (BARELY used)
Monoprice wall mount and "powerbridge" solution (new)
Harmony 880 (new)
Monoprice hdmi's and digital/optical cables/speaker wire (new)

All for a total price of $1900!!!

Just add my previously purchased ps3, monster power center, and comcast hd/dvr and that is my complete living room setup

Upgraded my living room setup with some budget buys:

52" Sony XBR6 (new)
Polk Audio Monitor 50's (BARELY used)
Polk Audio PSW10 (new)
Polk Audio CSi25 (new)
Xbox 360 (new)
Onkyo 506 (BARELY used)
Monoprice wall mount and "powerbridge" solution (new)
Harmony 880 (new)
Monoprice hdmi's and digital/optical cables/speaker wire (new)

All for a total price of $1900!!!

Just add my previously purchased ps3, monster power center, and comcast hd/dvr and that is my complete living room setup

Very nice!

Me? I found an old Panasonic TH50PZ850 beside the road one night, and decided to give it a new home (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1112914)... :D

Is the HDX-1000 capable of playing back BD/HD-DVD rips, either as an ISO image or copied to the hard-drive using anyDVD?

Not as an ISO image, but you can rip the mts files with anyDVD HD or remux into ts files and play those.

CJ

Not really an upgrad but start painting my trim black.

My latest upgrade:

1) Pioneer LX 71 Blue Ray player
2) Yamaha 3900 receiver

Going from screen hanging on bare studs to a finished basement. That's gong to be the limit to my upgrades for a while....

Thought I'd give the thread a bump and see if anyone else has any new upgrades that they'd like to let us know about.

Nothing's too big or too small.

I put in a 25 foot VGA cable a couple of months back. And this weekend I loaded my mame software onto my laptop, and plugged it into my projector...

HOLY COW!

Playing 1943 on a 130' screen is way better than on a mame cabinet...

I was planning on using my sega stand to hook up my mame system, but now that I've played it on the huge screen... I think I'll just play it there thank you...

Especially since I can sit in my leather recliner instead of sitting on a stool!

Plug in some headphones and I don't even bother the wife, with my old 80's soundtracks on most games.

Upgraded my living room setup with some budget buys:

52" Sony XBR6 (new)
Polk Audio Monitor 50's (BARELY used)
Polk Audio PSW10 (new)
Polk Audio CSi25 (new)
Xbox 360 (new)
Onkyo 506 (BARELY used)
Monoprice wall mount and "powerbridge" solution (new)
Harmony 880 (new)
Monoprice hdmi's and digital/optical cables/speaker wire (new)

All for a total price of $1900!!!

Just add my previously purchased ps3, monster power center, and comcast hd/dvr and that is my complete living room setup

You have my attention. Considering you got all of that for cheaper than the lowest price I have ever seen on the 52XBR6, I would be curious to know how you pulled that off.

My latest upgrade? Pro-111 50" Elite - got it last Wed. Love it. Wish I could have afforded the 60".

Bought a Sony BDP-S300 from Best Buy new for $200. I'm cheap so it works for me. Love the PQ. I've got picky ears and the sound of my system is incredible. Now the PJ needs replaced. I know this is a what I just bought thread but couldn't help but notice some talk about PJ. I have a contact at JVC where I can get a new RS10 for $2200. Considering that vs the Panasonic 3000. Any thoughts from anyone? I have an Acer PH530 Tiger Direct cheapo for the past 2 years or so now. 720p but poor contrast compared to today's technology.

it finally dawned on me what "bump" means when i've seen just that word posted from time to time....geez, i feel stupid....

Bought a Sony BDP-S300 from Best Buy new for $200. I'm cheap so it works for me. Love the PQ. I've got picky ears and the sound of my system is incredible. Now the PJ needs replaced. I know this is a what I just bought thread but couldn't help but notice some talk about PJ. I have a contact at JVC where I can get a new RS10 for $2200. Considering that vs the Panasonic 3000. Any thoughts from anyone? I have an Acer PH530 Tiger Direct cheapo for the past 2 years or so now. 720p but poor contrast compared to today's technology.

Hey, congrats on the S300.

As far as PJ's go, here are my thoughts. Pretty much ANYTHING will "wow" you after that Acer. My personal experience has been with a Sanyo PLV-Z5 (which is now my backup), the Panasonic ae1000u, and now the Panasonic ae3000u. The ae1000u served me very well, but I was craving deeper blacks and better shadow detail, and the lens memory was the clincher. I'd been wanting to go anamorphic, and this was a very economical way to do it (and you can also add an outboard lens if you want to do "real" anamorphic, since it also has V-stretch). Anyway, I got the 12th unit that projector people received, and thankfully I received a great projector. No focus abnormalities, great convergence, no dust blobs, everything is fantastic. Would I get it over the RS10? Not necessarily; it just served more of my purposes for a good price. Also, I already have 2 bulbs available as spares (one from the ae1000u, and a new one). For the price that you could get the RS10 for, that would be VERY hard to resist. I also would consider the new Epson models, but there are really great projectors out there from most of the big manufacturers. Just spend some time over in the projector forums, but just be aware that we all tend to promote our favorites, and especially the ones we own.

it finally dawned on me what "bump" means when i've seen just that word posted from time to time....geez, i feel stupid....

Glad you got caught up to speed. ;)

New, longer runs of CAT6, some more cable ties and an Airport Express for streaming music.

Next piece: A video streaming solution from my NAS. I am strongly considering the HP Mediasmart Connect, but I want some hands on time with it. I want to reduce the time my PS3 is on.

New, longer runs of CAT6, some more cable ties and an Airport Express for streaming music.

Next piece: A video streaming solution from my NAS. I am strongly considering the HP Mediasmart Connect, but I want some hands on time with it. I want to reduce the time my PS3 is on.

Isn't it weird how those of us involved in this hobby of A/V equipment/home theater consider cable and cable ties to be upgrades? And, how we actually enjoy getting and running cable and making it nice and neat with cable ties?

Glad you got caught up to speed. ;)

that's generous....but thanks!

that's generous....but thanks!

I'm not picking on you; it took me awhile, too.

So what's your newest upgrade?

My newest upgrade that I mentioned in the OP is arriving in about 10 minutes!!! I've got everything ready for the transfer with my 5010, which sadly will be put in storage for a little while until the basement renovation gets finished.

I'm just thankfull I still have a job! I have been upgrading lately:

-removed my 18" (MJ18) IB array, converted to the FiCar 18's in a manifold w/ EP2500.
-replaced my NHT C4/CC3 with pro speakers (community 3564's)
-replaced my Yammy RXV1600 with an Onkyo 805 (using sep. amps).
...never done

You have my attention. Considering you got all of that for cheaper than the lowest price I have ever seen on the 52XBR6, I would be curious to know how you pulled that off.

My latest upgrade? Pro-111 50" Elite - got it last Wed. Love it. Wish I could have afforded the 60".

It was a benefit of being a long time circuit city associate when they closed their first batch of stores. The tv came direct from sonystyle through a vendor program that I had to jump on before my store was completely closed.

Isn't it weird how those of us involved in this hobby of A/V equipment/home theater consider cable and cable ties to be upgrades? And, how we actually enjoy getting and running cable and making it nice and neat with cable ties?

I know, the things that humor us :)

I was so happy the day that I was no longer able to see cables from my couch, the polished look took me quite a long time!

Panasonic PX80 50" for the living room system (retired the Pioneer 4720HD to the HT for gaming).
Yamaha RXV 663 for the living room system
PS3 for the living room system
Swan Diva CP3 to go with my Swan D2.1se music setup in the HT.

The last 3 items were all purchased on EBay during the 25% Microsoft Live Search Cashback offer. Saved over $300 off of what were already reasonably priced items.

My latest upgrade is a new sub - the PA-120 replacing my old Costco KLH sub. It should greatly improve the overall bass in the room. The old one was just too boomy...

Panasonic PX80 50" for the living room system (retired the Pioneer 4720HD to the HT for gaming).
Yamaha RXV 663 for the living room system
PS3 for the living room system
Swan Diva CP3 to go with my Swan D2.1se music setup in the HT.

The last 3 items were all purchased on EBay during the 25% Microsoft Live Search Cashback offer. Saved over $300 off of what were already reasonably priced items.

How do you like your PX80? I just recommended the 42px80 to my parents who were finally ready to take the plunge away from the 30 year old console TV after seeing my Pioneer Kuro 5010 recently. They love their new plasma, and it's very hard to beat for the price. And I'm all about value, too. Probably about 70% of my gear was bought used off of eBay/audiogon/videogon/AVSForum classifieds.

How do you like your PX80? I just recommended the 42px80 to my parents who were finally ready to take the plunge away from the 30 year old console TV after seeing my Pioneer Kuro 5010 recently. They love their new plasma, and it's very hard to beat for the price. And I'm all about value, too. Probably about 70% of my gear was bought used off of eBay/audiogon/videogon/AVSForum classifieds.Love it. It doesn't have the deep blacks of the Pioneers but for less than $1k you can't beat a quality 50" plasma for the family to watch on a daily basis.

Purchased a brown leather natuzzi couch from Costco. Its very modern and I love it.

The last HT item I bought was a Panny BD55 shortly after Christmas. Unless you consider tile for the kitchen backsplash worthy? :p

Just set up a CEPro 4X2 Matrix HDMI switch which is working perfectly in my situation, not to mention an absolute bargin at $100. Seems to be no loss of quality as far as 1080p video goes but can't attest to its audio quality until I set up my HT Onkyo 875 and 7.1 Axiom sound system.

Onkyo 706 and a Sony S550 Blu-ray. Both great!