[realnebraska]

What do you guys think would be the next best step for my little system? What do you think would best add to a movie experience? I haven't been into this for long, so there is probably something that I have no idea about that would improve the experience greatly. Here's what I have already:

TV-Vizio GV-42LF

Receiver-Onkyo TX-SR605

Speakers/sub-Polk RM6750 set

DVD-Sony BDP-S350 Blu-Ray player

Remote-Harmony 880 (Thanks family for listening to my Christmas list)


My thoughts:

-Switch out my basic dimmers to a Lutron one that could dim all the lights automatically to watch a movie.

-Add bass shakers to the couch. (if I do this, I'll be needing some advice as to how. I know I'll need an amp, but which one, and how to set it up)

-Or, something else that would really add to the experience that I haven't thought of.


What do you think?

 

[imjay]

You asked re creating a "movie experience" and no offense intended but adding audio or auto light dimmers not the best investment.


A Movie Theater experience really requires a Movie Theater sized screen and projector and I know that can be thought of as too expensive but with if you are a determined shopper and creative you can move from a TV experience to a "WOW, this is just like being at the movies!!" for a lot less cash than you might think and it doesn't require a huge and dedicated room.


Our room is just 13ft. We bought our very nice 720p projector for $600 almost 2 yrs ago as a return to costco (retail at the time was $2,600) and we looked and looked and found our very nice Da-lite fixed wall screen at a close out store for just $50 (retail today about $900).


By all means enhance your viewing experience as space allows and as your budget will allow just keep in mind that what you asked for in your threat is how to make a better Theater experience and theater is a visual experience with sound a very important and necessary accessory so if you already have surround sound for viewer ears then consider saving for true HT experience for viewer eyeballs. Prices are dropping and lot of people with 720p HD projectors are now upgrading - check craigslist - but have an eye toward upgrading at some point to front projection and a screen - we never thought we could afford it and at retail we never could have afforded it (plus I am cheap by nature) but our total investment of $650 to get a near 120inch diagonal image was SO worth it!!

GoodLuck with your evolving theater!! Happy New Year!!

 

[realnebraska]

OK, let me rephrase my statement. What would be the next best step to add to the watching a movie on a big TV experience. Some of the people here apparently don't have wives. I am not trying to "recreate the theater experience". I am trying to add a little to what I have. It was a big enough miracle to be allowed to hang anything on the wall, let alone a huge screen and projector. Someday, that would be awesome, but until I can get a dedicated room, it ain't happening. It's not really about the money. Its about adding some nice little touches to add to the enjoyment. Money really isn't the big issue. When we someday move to a home with more space, I'll really be looking to create a "theater experience".


So, what little touches would add best to what I already have, not create something completely new.

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

I think you might want to look into the bass shakers. You can power with any amp but sub-woofer amps seem to work the best and have the right controls for the application. Look at the sub plate amps at partsexpress.com. You can make a simple box to hold it.


Next upgrade might be a DirecTV HD recorder with HBOhd etc. There really is some good HD programming available now. Last night I recorded 4 episodes of Planet Earth in HD.

 

[jabney]



Quote:
Originally Posted by imjay /forum/post/15403246


You asked re creating a "movie experience" and no offense intended but adding audio or auto light dimmers not the best investment.


A Movie Theater experience really requires a Movie Theater sized screen and projector and I know that can be thought of as too expensive but with if you are a determined shopper and creative you can move from a TV experience to a "WOW, this is just like being at the movies!!" for a lot less cash than you might think and it doesn't require a huge and dedicated room.


Our room is just 13ft. We bought our very nice 720p projector for $600 almost 2 yrs ago as a return to costco (retail at the time was $2,600) and we looked and looked and found our very nice Da-lite fixed wall screen at a close out store for just $50 (retail today about $900).


By all means enhance your viewing experience as space allows and as your budget will allow just keep in mind that what you asked for in your threat is how to make a better Theater experience and theater is a visual experience with sound a very important and necessary accessory so if you already have surround sound for viewer ears then consider saving for true HT experience for viewer eyeballs. Prices are dropping and lot of people with 720p HD projectors are now upgrading - check craigslist - but have an eye toward upgrading at some point to front projection and a screen - we never thought we could afford it and at retail we never could have afforded it (plus I am cheap by nature) but our total investment of $650 to get a near 120inch diagonal image was SO worth it!!

GoodLuck with your evolving theater!! Happy New Year!!

I agree with this post completely.

 

[realnebraska]

Jabney, did you not read my response? This idea is not possible for me. I need little upgrades that the wife won't put the kabosh on.

 

[newdadmike]

I'm always amused when I read that their wife won't let them do somthing. lol. I didn't even tell my wife when I bought my 52" lcd. I just showed up with it one day. I would try to get a better sounding sub to be honest. Its just my opinion but i never liked polk subs. Love their speakers (I'm actually using polks for my mains and center). All depends on how much you wanna spend.

 

[realnebraska]

OK Mike, now we're talking. I could swing a sub. I had actually thought of that, but what I have now is already a big step up from what I've had in the past. You think it would be better bang for the buck to upgrade the sub, rather than add some bass shakers?

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

shake, rattle and roll.

 

[newdadmike]

can't give you advice on that cause i've never used or experienced bass shakers before. But if I had to pick i would go with a better sub. I don't think bass shakers can make up for sound quality

 

[Tedd]

I am not a fan of bass shakers and would go with the second matched subwoofer over bass shakers.


I do like Big's HD DVR idea best though. Remotely controllable lighting would also be high on my list.

 

[jabney]



Quote:
Originally Posted by realnebraska /forum/post/15405549


Jabney, did you not read my response? This idea is not possible for me. I need little upgrades that the wife won't put the kabosh on.

Sorry i must have missed what you said before replying.


In that case i would do with a second sub as mentioned and lighting control. You may want to look into Insteon as they are always a nice touch to a theater or home for that matter.

 

[RTROSE]

+1 for the sub upgrade. If you can't go big picture then go big sound.


Regards.


RTROSE

 

[realnebraska]

Thanks guys, it looks like a sub or lighting is the next step. Now, if/when I go with a sub, should i be looking for a matching one with what came with the Polk set, or should I upgrade that one first, and then get one to match it. Or, leave the one that is there for now, and buy an upgraded one for the second sub? I read the comment about matched subs, and I guess I'm curious if that is absolutely necessary, to start. Like, if I get the better sub, should I actually keep the original one for now as a second, until I can get a match to it?

 

[Hoser59]

I installed a Lutron IR dimmer switch on Saturday to control the lights in my dining room which joins my living room. I am using a Harmony One to control them and for the $46 I spent on the dimmer it is a nice little touch. Now I can dim or turn the lights completly off from the comfort of my arm chair. It is also nice when someone needs to get up that the lights can be turned on without them searching around for the switch.

 

[Karp]

The dimmer is not a big investment. I think I paid less than $40 for mine and control it with my Harmony remote. Nice "wow" factor for guests and I also programmed my harmony to up the lights and pause my BluRay when I hit an "intermission" button. That said, I don't think that the lighting is as important with a TV than it is with a projector.

A good sub will really improve things - My SVS is one of the best bang for the buck items I have.

Of course, for a little more cash, you cannot beat a projector for a theater-like experience. You can get a decent 1080P projector for less than 2K. Athough a $300 bulb every couple of years isn't cheap, a projector and a homemade 96" screen is cheaper than a 50" plasma.

 

[Karp]



Quote:
Originally Posted by realnebraska /forum/post/15412191


Thanks guys, it looks like a sub or lighting is the next step. Now, if/when I go with a sub, should i be looking for a matching one with what came with the Polk set, or should I upgrade that one first, and then get one to match it. Or, leave the one that is there for now, and buy an upgraded one for the second sub? I read the comment about matched subs, and I guess I'm curious if that is absolutely necessary, to start. Like, if I get the better sub, should I actually keep the original one for now as a second, until I can get a match to it?

You do not need to match your existing sub and you can use both at the same time if you wish.

 

[cathead]



Quote:
Originally Posted by newdadmike /forum/post/15405821


I'm always amused when I read that their wife won't let them do somthing. lol. I didn't even tell my wife when I bought my 52" lcd. I just showed up with it one day. I would try to get a better sounding sub to be honest. Its just my opinion but i never liked polk subs. Love their speakers (I'm actually using polks for my mains and center). All depends on how much you wanna spend.

I also laugh when I see that.

 

[koach]



Quote:
Originally Posted by newdadmike /forum/post/15405821


I'm always amused when I read that their wife won't let them do somthing. lol. I didn't even tell my wife when I bought my 52" lcd. I just showed up with it one day. I would try to get a better sounding sub to be honest. Its just my opinion but i never liked polk subs. Love their speakers (I'm actually using polks for my mains and center). All depends on how much you wanna spend.

amen. it amazes me how many men on here are still waiting for their balls to drop. seriously guys, don't live in fear of your wives and take their orders. it's your house too!

 

[In2Photos]



Quote:
Originally Posted by koach /forum/post/15435475


amen. it amazes me how many men on here are still waiting for their balls to drop. seriously guys, don't live in fear of your wives and take their orders. it's your house too!

Yeah, club your wife again and drag her back to the cave!

Don't bash the guy for respecting his wife's input on the room. You know nothing about their relationship. What works for you doesn't always work for everyone. I, for one, don't mind compromising on some things in the home. So I don't have a 110" projection screen hanging on my wall in the living room. So what! I don't have a bunch of flower wall paper in my bedroom either.