Not sure if this is the right forum for this post, but I will (in the next 6 months) be needing a Bay Area installer/calibrator/guru for a front projector and screen installation and setup.

I may or may not be able to bring the installer into the loop before the room is finished. It will be a combination family room and theater, but I intend to have total or almost total light control. This will probably be a 15' by 20' basement space.

Since the projector I'm looking for will probably be one of the new 1080p models, on which big discounts aren't yet available, I can buy the gear from the installer if that's necessary to get him/her on the project.

I'm looking for someone with whom people have had GREAT experiences, and I don't mind taking my time to pick the right person for the job. I don't know how much rates vary, but cost is not a huge factor.

Any input would be much appreciated, as would suggestions if this forum isn't the place for this post.

Thanks all.

Where in the Bay Area are you?

Where in the Bay Area are you?
East Bay (Berkeley for the moment)

I hope I'm not interloping too much here, but I'm trying to find where the best place in the bay area is for checking out projectors. I'm fairly near the purchase point but virtually all of my projector experience is with LCD projectors but I want to see if the infamous RBE will be a problem for me.

Is there a place in the Bay Area, I'm in the Napa Valley but I go to Berkeley two times/week for my son's hockey, where I can see some of the more recent projectors, both LCD and DLP to assure that I'm not going to purchase something that then won't work for me or my family? The places I've found to this point, like Magnolia, usually have very few models and they are typically 6-12 months old.

Thanks for any help.

Paul

There are a few high end stores in Berkeley. Music Lover's Audio has a few projectors set up, mostly Runco I think. It's a great store if you've got the bucks. They have speakers ranging from Paradigm up to $125,000 a pair towers.

There's another store on University near I-80, but I forget the name of that place. I think they also have projectors, but I'm not sure.

Jeff - did you ever get any good recommendations for installers in the bay area?

Jeff,

Last week I had Home Cinema Solutions, www.hcsintegrators.com, install my Optoma HD81, Panamorph anamorphic and Stewart 2:35:1 fixed screen. They did a good job, really got the geometry correct, which is more difficult with the anamorphic lens. The owner is John McCann, and he's been in the business for 15 years. They are located in San Jose, but work all over the Bay Area.

Jeff Regan

For those following this thread, I have had two home visits to get bids for my project so far. Both guys came recommended and seemed like they'd be great to work with.

The two guys were Sigh Lewis at Hidden Connections in Alameda and Tom George at Pro Home Systems in Oakland.

I'm still waiting for Tom's bid, and I may get one more, so I haven't decided who to use yet, but I'll keep this thread updated.

My install probably won't be until mid-March (waiting for the JVC RS1), but after that, I'll report back with pics, etc.

For those following this thread, I have had two home visits to get bids for my project so far. Both guys came recommended and seemed like they'd be great to work with.

The two guys were Sigh Lewis at Hidden Connections in Alameda and Tom George at Pro Home Systems in Oakland.

I'm still waiting for Tom's bid, and I may get one more, so I haven't decided who to use yet, but I'll keep this thread updated.

My install probably won't be until mid-March (waiting for the JVC RS1), but after that, I'll report back with pics, etc.

I'm also exploring installers in the Bay Area (I'm in Campbell). I would really prefer to choose and purchase my equipment separately (from someone like AVS, for example), then have an installer put everything in place - do any of the folks above offer this service, or will they only install what they sell?

I'm also exploring installers in the Bay Area (I'm in Campbell). I would really prefer to choose and purchase my equipment separately (from someone like AVS, for example), then have an installer put everything in place - do any of the folks above offer this service, or will they only install what they sell?

See post #7. I bought my equipment from AVS and my installer was happy to install
it.

Jeff Regan

Not sure if this is the right forum for this post, but I will (in the next 6 months) be needing a Bay Area installer/calibrator/guru for a front projector and screen installation and setup.

I may or may not be able to bring the installer into the loop before the room is finished. It will be a combination family room and theater, but I intend to have total or almost total light control. This will probably be a 15' by 20' basement space.

Since the projector I'm looking for will probably be one of the new 1080p models, on which big discounts aren't yet available, I can buy the gear from the installer if that's necessary to get him/her on the project.

I'm looking for someone with whom people have had GREAT experiences, and I don't mind taking my time to pick the right person for the job. I don't know how much rates vary, but cost is not a huge factor.

Any input would be much appreciated, as would suggestions if this forum isn't the place for this post.

Thanks all.

Robert Busch - He's the best.

http://www.buschhometheater.com/index.html

Tell him Jeff sent you.

I'm also exploring installers in the Bay Area (I'm in Campbell). I would really prefer to choose and purchase my equipment separately (from someone like AVS, for example), then have an installer put everything in place - do any of the folks above offer this service, or will they only install what they sell?


Hi Lawder:

I am also in a similar situation like you. I have talked with Michael (www.solarisav.com) regarding my project and have got a bid from him. He was recommended by Century Sterreo (http://www.centurystereo.com/), since century will only install if you buy equipment from them.

As mentioned by Jeff in post# 7, I will also try to reach John McCann to get a bid from him.