craig john's theater - Page 2

I think Frank is referring to the acoustic transparency of my screen. I will say that going AT was a *big* improvement. I previously had a 92" fixed, wall mounted, non-AT screen. This dictated that the CC be placed below it. Therefore I had a horizontal CC situated below the screen. I always noticed that the CC was too low. It was below the video image and voices didn't "lock up" perfectly with the on-screen image. With an AT screen, and the CC being placed directly *behind* the screen, the audio and the video lock up precisely. It may seem like a subtle change, but the improvement is significant.

Craig

Hi Don! Welcome to the forum. We'll have to get you and your wife over here soon. In the meantime, enjoy the forum. I'm sure that with your background and knowledge, you'll be a great asset to the forum. Be careful though... it can be addicting!

Craig

PS. Don, be sure to add your website in your sig. and in your profile.

I totally agree, Roger. That calculator doesn't do 2.35/2.40 screen sizes. If it did, my 110" wide, 2.35:1 screen, with my 11' viewing distance would yield... a 45 degree viewing angle.

Totally immersive.

Now I just need a new projector...

CEDIA....

Craig

Thanks, FOH. I've learned a lot from contributors like yourself over the years.



I would like to add some diffusion. However, most diffusion panels are ugly and expensive. They're also somewhat complex to DIY. I don't feel a pressing *need* to do this, but I think it may have some benefit.

OTOH, if I could start over again... there's a lot of changes I would make, starting with a wall to enclose the room, and make it symmetrical and rectangular. Then I would take great pains with sound *isolation* which I have none of ATM.


Good point, and this was much more important with older 720p projectors, where screen door effect was more obvious. With 1080P projectors, this is less of a problem, and viewing distances can be closer without having to view visible projector artifacts. However, some screens have heir own artifacts, (sparklies, hot spots, etc.), and closer viewing distances can make those worse. My AT screen has a woven fabric structure. If I get too close to the screen, I can start to the weave. However, at my 11' viewing distance, and with my getting older eyesight, I can't see the weave at all when viewing content.


Terminator Salvation gives it a workout, as does Tron, The Dark Knight, War of the Worlds, Master and Commander, Ironman and Flight of the Phoenix. However, my all time favorite scenes to use for demo use are:

King Kong, Bronto stampede and triple T-Rexx/KK battle
Avatar, First Flight scene
Alice In Wonderland, most any scene
All of these movies have rich saturated colors and excellent surround tracks. They have some good, but not great bass scenes, but the overall experiences shows off the whole system.

And the last piece I use for every demo I do:
Eagles, Farewell 1 Tour on HD-DVD. This was shot on 1080P/60 video cameras, so the PQ is stunning. The soundtrack is the best recording I've ever heard on any concert DVD/BluRay/HD DVD. And I grew up with the music and know every note of every song, as does virtually everyone else. Every time I end a demo with that concert, my guests always leave with a huge smile. In fact, that concert is the only reason I keep my HD-DVD player hooked up. I wish it would come out on BluRay.


Unfortunately not this year. I am on-call at the hospital and can't get anyone to cover for me. I would really like to go to be able to lay eyes on the new batch of projectors. Just not happenin'.

Are you attending?

Craig

Hi Scott,

Good pickup on the "sweet spot" issue. However, I specifically chose those seats because I could configure them such that the second seat from the left could be placed *exactly* in the sweet spot. This will place the console off center and the other primary seat to the right of the console a little further off axis of the sweet spot. But *my* seat will be perfectly centered on the screen and the CC, and equidistant from the L/R's. I wouldn't have it any other way. The 4th seat, all the way right, will be outside the right speaker plane, but that's kind of a "throw away" seat anyway. I'll sit in it when I have guests over, and will (temporarily) give up the sweet spot. In fact, the next time you're over, I'll sit there and make sure YOU get the sweet spot.


I haven't been to Lambeau in a few years. I did follow the AV upgrade they did. From what I understand, it's a HUGE improvement. The old system was pretty antiquated.

Here's a video:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2051257375139

Here's what they're planning to do next:



I'm gonna hafta schedule a trip to Lambeau.

Craig

Yes, we both understand the importance of finding the "sweet spot." (See above.)

Craig

I agree that the Triads with the "standard" finish are not the most beautiful speakers I've ever seen. However, Triad will custom-finish them in any finish you want.

The dynamics of these speaker is, as you say... "insane." Not that there's anything wrong with that!

I'm using an Integra DHC 80.2 pre/pro to provide the signal for the Wides. The system that synthesizes the Wides and/or Heights is called Audyssey DSX:
http://www.audyssey.com/audio-technology/audyssey-dsx

Craig

I pretty much always start a movie in PLIIx DSX mode. Then, if I don't like the effect, I have the option to shut it off. I have never shut it off.


The Triad Silver Monitors I use for wides and surrounds use the same drivers for the midrange and tweeters as the Platinums. They are as good a timbre match as is possible in the Triad line without getting more Platinums. I listen to a lot of multi-channel music and a good timbre match was very important to me when I selected my surrounds and wides. I would not personally recommend a poorly matched speaker for wides, or for surrounds for that matter.

Craig

Hmmmm.....

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/...yssey=nav|head

^^^ That is surprising!

"... screaming water bags..."

"...warm bodies with head-worn foam HF attenuators..."

Those are not very complimentary descriptions of fine, upstanding Packer fans. Still, when your team currently holds the trophy named after your highly distinguished head coach, everyone is going to take shots at ya. That's OK, we can take it.

FOH, thanks for your insights. I wasn't aware of your experience at this level. It certainly adds credence to your always-helpful contributions to the forum.

BTW, Packer fans could never be called "soft." If anything, they're the hardiest fans in the NFL. EVERY game is a sellout, no matter the weather at the "frozen tundra of Lambeau Field." In fact, if there is snow in the days leading up to a game, the Packers organization can count on volunteer fans to help clear the stands and the parking lots:



Craig