[toddtrues]

I am looking for suggestions on upgrading my Home Theater/Entertainment area in my basement.

I have some money but don't want to go absolutely crazy.


What do I use this area for? I would say:


- 50% for watching sports and I like to watch a lot of different sports at the same time. Every year I throw a March Madness Party and borrow a buddies 42" HD TV so we can watch 3 games at one time. I also throw parties for college football games. As always, party's lead to playing music after a few cocktails sometimes louder than one should.


- 35% for watching movies


- 15% for Gaming
Here is my setup:

1. Main TV JVC HD-70FH96

2. Secondary TV Samsung 32" LN-83251D

3. Denon AVR-4306 (receiver) with HDMI switching

4. Denon DVD-3910 for SACD and DVD-Audio

5. DirecTV HD Receiver (H21-100)

6. DirectTV HD DVR

7. MacMini (connected to Samsung) for digital music

8. XBOX 360

9. Rotel 5 Channel Power AM (RMB-1075)

10. Denon DVD-3800BDCI Blu Ray Player

11. B&W 703 Front Speakers (Transparent MusicWave Plus Bi-Wire speaker cables)

12. B&W HTM7 Center Channel (Transparent MusicWave Plus Bi-Wire speaker cables)

13. B&W 705 Rear Speakers

14. Velodyne DLS5000R Sub

15. Harmony 890 Universal Remote

16. Salamander media cabinets

I have thought about upgrading my JVC TV, but then what do I do with a 70 inch TV? I am not sure that I could get much if I decided to sell it. I don't have much room to put it in another part of my house. I really like the new LCD TVs, but am nervous about my watching distance. My main viewing area is 10-12 ft away. It's hard to think of giving up a 1080i 70 inch TV for a 55 inch 1080p LCD. I have also considered a projector but the problem is that I have a window directly behind where my TVs are currently at. I could always take out the window and dry wall over the top but I think that would be big bucks.


I have also thought about adding a symmetrical setup on the left of my setup with another Salamander cabinet and another Samsung 32 inch.


What about my receiver? Will that make a difference if I update the receiver to one of the newer receivers? I don't think my receiver handles HDMI 1.3 or 1080p output. Right now, I have my blu-ray player, xbox, and DVR running through the HDMI ports on the receiver.


What about furniture? Should I try to go with new HT recliners and move a couch out? The thing with the couches is that they are really flexible for parties and don't take up as much room.


I am in the process of getting a new LCD TV where the TV stand is above the bar cabinets. I have struggles with the cost to get HD to that TV since I have only run a cable TV cable to that area. In addition, I am not sure what to do with a HD cable or sat box.


It's a tradition for my March Madness party that I always have something new to "show off". I guess I am looking for suggestions on what I should do this time.


Thanks for your suggestions. I have more pictures to post if requested.

Bar Area

Samsung connected to MacMini

Velodyne Sub

AV Receiver and DVD Player

5 Channel Amp and xbox 360

DirecTV DVR and Blu-Ray Player

Front Speakers (Transparent MusicWave Plus Bi-Wire speaker cables)

Room Side View

MacMini

View from Bar Area

 

[imjay]

Most obvious upgrade is from watching television to a Theater quality visual experience. This requires a projector and a screen. BTW - no matter what anyone says you simply can't create Theater in the Home with a television. For that even a 70inch tv is just a little TV - LOL but it's true.


I'm sure you've been to a sports bar that runs multiple projectors to big wall screens - even with the lights of the commercial establishment (dim because it's a sports bar) the visual effect of the much larger screen is awesome.


Like this Thursday night - since we can't drive 90 miles to watch the BCS game in live 3D in a commercial theater we will be using the projector @ 120 inch diagonal image - yeah, we have a very nice, big 1080p RPTV but it's just a TV. You can even keep the TV (though upgrading to a wall mounted flat screen would be better) and have a theater sized pull down screen when you want true WOW sized images.


Next you can get a coin-op quality stand up video arcade unit with multi-game capability. One machine gives you say 48 different video game options.


Next you can consider a decent pinball machine. Most popular for home use still the Bally or Williams digital games from the 1990s - Monster Bash, Twilight Zone, Theater of Magic, No Good Gofers or even one of the NFL themed game - commercial quality pinball always a hit at a party.


Anyhow, that's what we have - big HDTV for television, much bigger and better projection screen when we want 10 ft. Florida Gators, behind that area we have a bar, four pin games, foosball and coin-op dart game.


You don't have to spend a fortune for any of the above if you are a smart, careful and determined shopper.


Good Luck - nice room with plenty of space for creative upgrades for your personal and party group fun!!!

 

[xmenxmenxmen]

I can see a hybird system working perfectly in that room. Probably a 50+ in lcd wall mounted for some viewing, then a drop down projector for the big viewing experience. Windows are easily treated with a combination of blackout cloth draperies and other window treatments.


As for the 70", if you want to do any upgrade, it's time to let it go. Also, how about a stainless steel fridge, hehe...

 

[toddtrues]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am thinking of a projector now. But, I still would like to have the option to have at least 2 (preferably 3) pictures on at the same time to support my sports addiction. I was thinking of a static screen with two 40 inch LCD wall mounted on each side of the screen. This means I would need to do something with that window. Thoughts? With that in mind, it would appear that I would have to do a lot of drywall work to hide cables and cover up/take out the window.

 

[toddtrues]

Well after doing some investigation with regard to a projector.. I am not sure it's feasible. With the window in the back and my ceiling height where some of my HVAC is being covered (roughly 6'10). that's the height right about the recliner where the projector would have to be mounted. Also, how am I going to get cables to it without busting out a lot of drywall. Any suggestions or thoughts, Please?

 

[Screen Shot]

Projectors are awesome and an absolute must for a real "theater" feel. I have had a 106" screen for the past 5 years and love it.


Having said that, it appears that movies (35%) are not as important to you as sports (50%). Additionally, you like the ability to have 2-3 games playing at the same time. The bright light reflected from a pair of LCD screens will really degrade any front-projected image.


Bottom line is that it sounds like you simply want to amp up the "wow factor" in your room. I'd recommend dry-walling over the window (it's not really that hard and/or expensive) - and flanking the main display with 2 LCD's on wall bracket-mounts that are tilted toward the center of the room. Paint the whole back wall flat black for dramatic effect. Ditch the pictures on that wall. Let the focus be the games.


Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[toddtrues]

That's what I was thinking, but a few more questions:


1. A projector 12" ft from the screen can produce a 110" screen? I would put the projector below the wall above the recliner. would that work? Right now, I like the Epson 6500UB

2. I planned to mount two LCD screens on each side of the projector and use only during sports, etc not during movies. Do you feel that will have a huge impact on the projector display when I want to watch different sports at the same time?


I like the idea of painting the wall black.

 

[toddtrues]

also, what about moving the salamander shelves out and just having the speakers on the floor..with a stand for the center channel? That would "clean up" and open up the area a little better..

 

[Dinger23]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Screen Shot /forum/post/15498593


Projectors are awesome and an absolute must for a real "theater" feel. I have had a 106" screen for the past 5 years and love it.


Having said that, it appears that movies (35%) are not as important to you as sports (50%). Additionally, you like the ability to have 2-3 games playing at the same time. The bright light reflected from a pair of LCD screens will really degrade any front-projected image.


Bottom line is that it sounds like you simply want to amp up the "wow factor" in your room. I'd recommend dry-walling over the window (it's not really that hard and/or expensive) - and flanking the main display with 2 LCD's on wall bracket-mounts that are tilted toward the center of the room. Paint the whole back wall flat black for dramatic effect. Ditch the pictures on that wall. Let the focus be the games.


Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I agree with this. I would go a bit further and build or have a custom wall unit to cover your front wall that will house your TV's, speakers and a/v equipment. Flank your 70 inch with smaller LCDs. Then I would find a wrap around sectional for seating.

 

[toddtrues]

I am actually thinking of going away from the custom wall unit, but not be able to. but regardless, I am going to dump the 70 inch for an Epson 6500UB projector and then flank that with two 42 inch lcds (on either side). What I am worrying about is the LCD tvs showing to much light that hurt the viewing of the Projector

 

[toddtrues]

I just finished up my upgrade..


1. 110" screen

2. Epson 6500UB projector

3. 2 42" Sharp 1080p 120mhz LCD TVs

4. Pronto RF Remote


We are very happy with the new setup. We have a lot more room and the experience is great!


Here are some pictures:

Projector:

Clean Look Up front:

Equipment out of the way.. using Pronto RF Remote. I may decide to build an in-wall Middle Atlantic rack (if I stay in the house for longer)

Bar TV:

 

[newdadmike]

awesome. Bet you don't regret going with a big screen and a projector. What did you end up doing with your 70" screen?

 

[toddtrues]

Thank you. I don't regret moving to a projector. It's truly amazing. The projector is so quiet and very bright. With a decent screen it looks like a regular LCD TV.


70" was sold to a buddy for some work and some dough. I really didn't have much room for it and the wife wasn't interested it being moved to the bedroom.. LOL..

 

[Spartan94]

wow -- nice gear there. I'm thinking about getting that same projector when I get a little bit closer to being done. Where'd you move the Izzo picture to?

 

[toddtrues]

Thanks.. I am very happy with the projector.. A buddy has the AE3000 and this is a bit brighter. Better for watching Sparty bball

I haven't decided where the Izzo picture will go. Probably in the bar area somewhere right out in the open.

 

[crazyfoo]

Now you just need a nice green Block "S" somewhere in there

 

[xmenxmenxmen]

Nicely done. Size wise, going projection is the only way to go.

 

[toddtrues]

Yup, I agree.. I will never go back. It makes viewing EVERYTHING so much better. And if you do your home work, it can be cheaper than a nice 50"

+ plus TV.

 

[jayfluegel]

@toddtrues


I am considering a similar setup with 1 or 2 LCD's on either side of a 100-inch or greater screen. More of a sports nut than a movie guy, but still want the movie experience from time to time.


My biggest concern is the one you mentioned above:


"I am actually thinking of going away from the custom wall unit, but not be able to. but regardless, I am going to dump the 70 inch for an Epson 6500UB projector and then flank that with two 42 inch lcds (on either side). What I am worrying about is the LCD tvs showing to much light that hurt the viewing of the Projector"


Is there a noticeable projector picture quality difference when the LCD's are on vs. when they're off? What about when room is dark vs. lit?


Thanks!