DanLW
10-10-06, 12:58 AM
Hi, I'm one of the uncouth vagrants from the <$2500 front projector area. I thought I'd share how I turned my living room into a bat cave without paint, and for under $50.
I was going to settle for a DC2 front projector since my white walls wouldn't allow a DC3 unit to really shine. But with a little work, now I have a room that will let any DC3 projector really show off!
Basically, I went to Wally World and picked up 14 twin size flat black sheets. It's much less expensive square inch for square inch to buy the twin size rather than the queen size. Also, I invested in some thumb tacks.
It's amazing how much these sheets suck the light out of the room. It's now easier to watch with some ambient light in the room. Also, there was an unexpected benefit to doing this. The sheets also dramatically reduce the echo in the room. So now it sounds much more theater like when watching a movie.
Here is a picture of the Ghetto Bat Cave:
http://www.realmsoftracon.com/wet/Theater1.jpg
The seating isn't Berkline, it's Ozark Trail from Wal Mart. The screen isn't Draper, it's showerboard from Home Depot. The speakers aren't Klipsch, they're Logitech 5.1 surround. (But hey, they're THX certified!) The projector, however, I paid $5,000 for. Back in 2000. It's easily outclassed by anything today, but that will change soon.
The Ghetto Bat Cave will be getting some upgrades. We will be getting a 92" GrayWolf II, and will be mounting it to a fixed wood frame. We will also be getting a DC3 projector, hopefully. After that, all that's left is to get a good AV reciever, and some halfway decent speakers. Ultimately I'd like to have a Denon 3805, and Klipsch floorstanding speakers. But that's a bit much for an apartment...
All you high enders may now attempt to stop hyperventalating. Sit down, drink a glass of water, and remember that not everybody can afford to spend $30,000 for a home theater.
I was going to settle for a DC2 front projector since my white walls wouldn't allow a DC3 unit to really shine. But with a little work, now I have a room that will let any DC3 projector really show off!
Basically, I went to Wally World and picked up 14 twin size flat black sheets. It's much less expensive square inch for square inch to buy the twin size rather than the queen size. Also, I invested in some thumb tacks.
It's amazing how much these sheets suck the light out of the room. It's now easier to watch with some ambient light in the room. Also, there was an unexpected benefit to doing this. The sheets also dramatically reduce the echo in the room. So now it sounds much more theater like when watching a movie.
Here is a picture of the Ghetto Bat Cave:
http://www.realmsoftracon.com/wet/Theater1.jpg
The seating isn't Berkline, it's Ozark Trail from Wal Mart. The screen isn't Draper, it's showerboard from Home Depot. The speakers aren't Klipsch, they're Logitech 5.1 surround. (But hey, they're THX certified!) The projector, however, I paid $5,000 for. Back in 2000. It's easily outclassed by anything today, but that will change soon.
The Ghetto Bat Cave will be getting some upgrades. We will be getting a 92" GrayWolf II, and will be mounting it to a fixed wood frame. We will also be getting a DC3 projector, hopefully. After that, all that's left is to get a good AV reciever, and some halfway decent speakers. Ultimately I'd like to have a Denon 3805, and Klipsch floorstanding speakers. But that's a bit much for an apartment...
All you high enders may now attempt to stop hyperventalating. Sit down, drink a glass of water, and remember that not everybody can afford to spend $30,000 for a home theater.