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How to get the wife into HT it's down to two options LCD Wall or HT room

post #1 of 32
11/5/08 at 4:10am
Thread Starter 
I am planning my basement HT or LCD Wall, by watching this thread it made me change my mind on the 52'' LCD Wall for a HT Room.

The only problem is Projector are noisy, cost a lot on maintenance (bulb), and they generate a lot of Heat. I've look into Delta 1080p LED Projector but it is not out yet, and they have not priced it ...

Here the plan for HT



The width is not that big with a 3 places sofa it only left 16'' on each side any idea ? Maybe a L shape sofa on the Wall ?

The wall for display is only 119 inch or 9.91 feet how big this screen could be ?

The viewing distance would only be 11 feet is this enough ?

My wife favorite is the LCD wall because it give a lot of space for kids to play.


How to convince wife that a HT room is not a play room... but kids could still play in it ;-)

How did you convince your wife that HT is a good thing )

A Desperate house father :-)
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post #2 of 32
11/5/08 at 4:34am
Put your foot down man!!!

Let her know who's boss!!!!

Then beg and plead for the boss to allow you to make the room you want!!!

An L shape sofa is a good idea for added seating in that room but you have to see far into the room the wall side will bring you.

The newer projectors are not very noisy at all. I have an Epson which is 720P and I can't hear it with normal volume in the room. A lot of the newer projectors are supposed to be whisper quiet Sony, JVC and I believe Panasonic. I wouldn't let that be a real concern.
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post #3 of 32
11/5/08 at 6:39am
I had to fight with my wife to build a stage and paint my walls etc for my home theatre. Im still working on it but now she's helping me out which is nice...

I defintely recommend a home theatre with a 110-96" screen. You can get a nice quiet projector these days. Thier not that loud. Some you can't even here.

Let your wife know whats up and trust me, she'll never look at another LCD TV again.

Thanks
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post #4 of 32
11/5/08 at 6:58am
I don't know how old your kids are now, but some day they will be teenagers. They will inevitably want to hang out with their friends -- the only question is where they go to hang out. Normally, they will choose to go where there is the least chance of adult supervision. From your wife's point of view (and yours too), the constant worry over where they are and who they're with is draining and ends up being a source of conflict with the kids. If your wife has friends or relatives who are having problems with their teenagers, it helps to remind her of those stories.

The solution? Build out the basement as a cool space so the teenagers will want to hang out there. That way, you'll always know where they are and who they're with. Obviously, a dedicated home theater is a necessary part of that cool space.

In short, you're pitching the home theater as a way to keep your kids safe when they hit their wild teen years. It's a precision strike at the heart of your wife's maternal instincts. Problem solved.

I don't even charge for this stuff.
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post #5 of 32
11/5/08 at 7:07am
At first, my wife wasnt very excited about a HT room. I started showing her pics of some of the really nice HT rooms found here on the forums and she started to warm up to it. Once I got the projector and saw a movie at home on 120" screen, she really warmed up to the idea. Now, it seems like shes almost as anxious as I am to get the room complete.
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post #6 of 32
11/5/08 at 8:02am
I actually just had this discussion with my wife not long ago. I had to originally argue to gt the 32" LCD to upgrade from our old 27" CRT. After that, I decided it was too small, and finally got her to agree to a 42". Well, while shopping for the 42" I decided that I will be installing a projector and 120" screen when we buy our next house(in the next year give or take). Now, she has decided I can do whatever I want as long as the things we need are covered first.
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post #7 of 32
11/5/08 at 8:19am
Cost-wise, a projector set up is not that much more than a decently-sized (say 52") LCD screen. The thing is that you have to have lots of light control for a projector, that you don't really need for an LCD. However with a projector, you aren't limited to the image size (to a point).

For instance, I bought a Panasonic AE-3000U for $2500 from ProjectorPeople, and a 106" AT screen for $200 on 'the-bay'. The rest of my set up is just going to be trimmings. The wife is questioning my decision to use 2 15" subwoofers, however.
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post #8 of 32
11/5/08 at 8:34am
I think it's worth actually visiting a HT. I sold my wife on the idea of building one, but it wasn't really until we visited an actual HT that she really came on board fully.

Find someone in your local area on this board and see if they have meets or if they would be willing to have you visit for a short demo.

You could snap the whip as Oman suggests, but that option has a good deal of risk involved (IMHO).

CJ
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post #9 of 32
11/5/08 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by carboranadum View Post


You could snap the whip as Oman suggests, but that option has a good deal of risk involved (IMHO).

CJ

Be prepared to test out the comfort level of the new sectional couch if you use this method.
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post #10 of 32
11/5/08 at 9:48am
You can also try the economic argument. After we hung the projector we haven't felt the need to go the the Movies. A projector, screen, sound system, and comfortable seating can be that good.

Just don't succumb to the previews on TV. wait for it to come out on DVD.
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post #11 of 32
11/5/08 at 9:57am


This coming from someone who's finance committee has issued a permanent hold (you should see the number of forms I have to fill out to even put in a request )

Thus, the reason I stated once you make it clear who's boss, that you try to negotiate shamelessly with whatever you have to resort to, begging and pleading is perfectly acceptable

Honestly though, once you get her on board she'll be bragging to friends and family, not necessarily on purpose but just because they are also excited about it (which they won't openly admit, you'll just catch a glimpse of it every now and then).
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post #12 of 32
11/5/08 at 10:46am
Even as creative as my wife (the LOGANESS) is, she has a hard time picturing the things that I'm telling her I'm going to build. When the stud walls went up, she said. "OK, NOW I see what you are talking about." In another thread I'm getting tons of help in designing my screen wall. Now that she's seen the drawings, she says, "I don't care if it has the curtains AND the columns, either one will impress the neighbors!" Last night she went down for something and got the first look at the insulation that is up so far and said, "Amazing how it starts to look like a room...." And now she's volunteeering to make curtains for the sliding doors. And wants to know if we have room to put matching columns on either side of the sliding doors.

So, the more you do that she can SEE, the more buy-in you will get. Take the little steps first and then just bring her along slowly. Also, the advice to get a look at a finished room IS a big help. I took my wife to see BritInVA's room once when I was returning some borrowed tools. THAT really helped to get her on board too. Fortunately, the quality if his work is amazing so that helped. Now if I can just live up to his standards in building what everyone has helped design.....
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post #13 of 32
11/5/08 at 10:58am
Buy a massage chair - that will shoosh her up.
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post #14 of 32
11/5/08 at 11:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by javadoc View Post

The wife is questioning my decision to use 2 15" subwoofers, however.

I am too... she and I agree 18 inchers would be better.
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post #15 of 32
11/5/08 at 11:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chiahead View Post

I am too... she and I agree 18 inchers would be better.

Sick, just sick.

Don't forget, on the financial argument. The drinks in your home theater won't cost you $4.00. Well, if you use the really good rum they might.
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post #16 of 32
11/5/08 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by catwood View Post

I am planning my basement HT or LCD Wall.....

How did you convince your wife that HT is a good thing )

A Desperate house father :-)

When we started dating I took her to a home theater store. I judged her reaction. If it was negative in any way she was gone. Thankfully, she thought it was so cool.
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post #17 of 32
11/5/08 at 1:27pm
This time of year a Fur coat goes a long way? Don't be afraid now, you are the Boss right. Take it slow and easy this could be your last change. When you wave Carrots Keep Your Hands Up High and wave your hands real fast a little illusion play here. all fair in this game Good luck Men. OK catwood make a wish and promise us, that you have no pride and you will do what you need to do, any dirty trick or low unhand promise will do. Good Luck!! Silver-Fox
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post #18 of 32
11/5/08 at 1:32pm
Just build it and she will understand.
As far as the PJ's being noisy, my Infocus is inaudible at normal levels and does not generate much heat.
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post #19 of 32
11/5/08 at 1:40pm
My wife loves our HT and all too frequently invites her friends over to watch movies. I went the silence route -- say nothing, ask nothing, just do it. Financially I am fairly conservative so I guess she trusts me not to break the bank -- although she would still freak if she knew how much it cost.

Anyway, the suggestion of taking her to see a live functioning HT is a good one. There simply is no comparison between a flat screen set-up and a HT. We had a 60" dlp before and it is a little glowing box compared to the 120" wide CIH screen now.
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post #20 of 32
11/5/08 at 1:49pm
You didn't say yet if you have kids, or want the space for the future kids to play in. Over the years here, there is a pattern of those building a dedicated theater suddenly having kids on the way. So, really the theater is a way to add the joy of children to your life.

If kids are already there, then go with the suggestion above that you'll be able to know where they are if they are at home due to the cool theater.

If that doesn't work, you can always get diamonds.
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post #21 of 32
11/5/08 at 2:10pm
Have her watch figure skating world championships on an 8' screen in HD and surround sound.

Problem solved.
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post #22 of 32
11/5/08 at 2:14pm
A 100" screen is about 4X the screen surface area of a 52" LCD. Just saying.
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post #23 of 32
11/5/08 at 2:35pm
Everyone else notice how we haven't heard from catwood (op) since his initial post, oh-oh. He must've read my first 2 sentences and took off like a bat out of hell trying to proclaim himself as the boss only to suffer the consequences:


"Your not the boss of me woman...I'm my own man"

As she reaches in and in one swift strike, she shows catwood his still beating heart in her hand...R.I.P. catwood

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post #24 of 32
11/5/08 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oman321 View Post

Everyone else notice how we haven't heard from catwood (op) since his initial post, oh-oh. He must've read my first 2 sentences and took off like a bat out of hell trying to proclaim himself as the boss only to suffer the consequences:


"Your not the boss of me woman...I'm my own man"

As she reaches in and in one swift strike, she shows catwood his still beating heart in her hand...R.I.P. catwood


Hear hear! Hoist a pint for our fallen comrade, Catwood!
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post #25 of 32
11/5/08 at 3:30pm
We had a birthday party for my 8 year old this year where him and 7 friends watched Star Wars. We have a starfield ceiling and a 110" screen and it was amazing. We have had birthday parties before (at Pump it Up--a giant inflatable bouncer place and other indoor climbing tubes) that were quite expensive (around $200-300). This was his best party and didn't cost anything (other than the $25,000 to build the theater). His friends all want to come here now so we have been able to set up several "play dates" which is great because he hasn't always had the best social skills. They don't just watch a movie (they play for a while first, get tired and then go watch something with popcorn). Anyhow, your kids will want to be at your place more at most ages and I think this will only increase with time as my kids get older.
Oh, and my wife, who essentially tolerated the entire build, has watched more movies with friends in the theater than I have. She likes showing it off.
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post #26 of 32
11/5/08 at 6:17pm
Thread Starter 
Still have a heartbeat not a hard beat which is what I would have had if I would have followed oman321 recommendation Put your foot down man!!! Let her know who's boss!!!!'

I have a girl of nearly 3 and a new daughter 5 week old, since the wife is still under unbalance hormone level I would not dare to put my foot down.

Since she has paid half the house and will pay half of the material and I would be the cheap labour to do the job she still have a say in the work. A friend of mine spent 25K for a contractor to finish his basement, with me it's free time and you have only to pay haft of the material and you get a HT room for free ! This will fly...

I already tried to sell her the Berkline HT sofa. It was rejected because of separation and she has suggested an L shape sofa! Great she is getting into it :-) now let her choose the color of the sofa and the future HT walls. et voila !

I do the same with my 3 years old would you eat your peas or carrot she choose peas! She still eats her vegetables

So I let you know the outcome thanks for all your feedback. And Javadoc have a good one for me love your HT.

As for the try-out my brother has a huge one at his home with but I never listen a hole movie with her I ask my brother this favor any good girl movie suggestion :-)

I guest her major concern was that she wants a space for kids to play while they are young in a family room, witch she has 11x16 feet, and WE have our HT room 16x9.91 feet. And everybody is happy!

Now the only problem is the replacement bulb price. Does it not bother you to pay 300$ every 1000 hours? My brother always complain when it bulbs is out. The LCD TV has 60 000 hours of life. I can wait to see Delta full HD LED projector which has a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs: the LED unit is rated for 20,000 hours use!!!

I even found a thread of a guy who was trying to actually build his own LED lamp as a replacement bulb.

Only concern a 16 x 9.91 feet room is big enough for a 110-96" screen that theshadow1234 recommended?
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post #27 of 32
11/5/08 at 6:59pm
Absolutely no question that you should choose the projector route over the LCD. Bulb replacement should just be chalked up to the cost of having a HT - a real HT at that. I agree with posters above that showing a finished theater similar to the one you would like to build would be very effective. We like tangibles so the visual would get you started down the right path. Otherwise if all else fails, as suggested above, I've never known a gal to turn down diamonds .
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post #28 of 32
11/6/08 at 4:39am
CATWOOD.... glad you're still with us. I was worried for a little bit there.

Interesting what you mentioned about someone making their own LED lamp. I guess bulb replacement is one pitfall, but if you try to be as good as you can with it i.e. bulb cool down, surge protection, battery back up, it should help you get about 2000-2500 hours out of it. Obviously there's no gaurentee but anything you can do to try and prolong would definately help.

In case anyone else is wondering as was I
http://www.i4u.com/article20010.html
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post #29 of 32
11/6/08 at 6:48am
This is actually quite simple.

Love your wife. Give her that, earnestly, through both words AND actions, and she'll basically let you do whatever you want (assuming you are fiscally responsible). She'll even go out of her way to give you what you want. Men tend to focus in on the "obey your husbands" and forget about focusing on the "love your wives" aspect. You shouldn't have to trick her into letting you do the HT. If you are, then I would suggest you step away from the whole HT thing and focus on family because it is much more important than some toy. Note, this is to be general advice, not specific to you. I'm definitely not trying to say you are not a great husband and father. But get the love right, and the toys will flow like Christmas.

Don't get wrapped around the axle on bulb life. For my HT I have so far selected the Epson 1080 UB. It has a published bulb life of 2000 hours, with 3000 for most HT applications (lower power mode). At 3000 hours, using it 8 hours a day, it will basically last a year (375 days). It cost $300. So, that's a cost of $0.80 / day (running the HT, again, for 8 hours a day). Compare that to the cost of electricity to run the theater and the HVAC to cool it, and I think we'll all agree that bulb cost, while not to be ignored, is not really a huge factor in the decision. It would be kind of like not taking a cross country trip because there is a toll road.

Another way to look at it is what you get out of the 2 bulbs. Sure, the HT bulb will only last a year or so. The LCD/DLP TV bulb will last 3-5. So you could have 1 year of retinal ambrosia, or 3-5 years of a watered down best buy experience. For the same money. I'd say you're getting ripped off on the smaller TV sets because the quality of the experience is so much better with the HT bulb.
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post #30 of 32
11/6/08 at 2:46pm
Thread Starter 
It's not about tricking your wife into HT and it's not with love that you negotiate a HT because something that love taught me is that you have to make concession to make it work ...

The point made before is to ask my loved one to plan for what's she does best home decoration for our future HT...

For the techies who have a lot of time here's some thread that I found about building your own LED projector bulb.

http://www.instructables.com/communi...ive-Lets-make/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Powe...stant-current/

http://www.avforums.com/forums/dlp-l...ed-help-5.html

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...ortable-light/
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