Home Theater Project

[tfinch2]

Well my dad wanted to do a little home theater project, but with a projector. We wanted to spend less than $1500 for now, and upgrade the sound later. We went with a Viewsonic PJ501 projector, made our own screen, RCA home theater in a box (sucks but will do for a few months), RCA progressive scan DVD player, and some hard work. Even when it's 60 degrees outside it's still like 110 in the attic.

Here are a few pics of the building process, we aren't quite done yet. We still need to run the component cables through the attic and a power to the projector. We are just using an extension cord now.

projector
frame for screen compared to wall unit
finished screen
screws on top of wall unit to hold screen
hooks on the screen frame

We wanted something that was removable to watch the news and such on the regular TV, and be able to easily pop it out for a movie. I know the projected image isn't aligned onto the screen but we still have to move the wall unit back flush with the wall. I will update when we finish running the wire and get everything back together. Sorry for the crappy quality on the pics. We are running S-Video to the DirecTV reciever and Component to the DVD player. The screen size is 8 ft by 6 ft, roughly 120 inches diagonal. :Q

Total Cost < $1150

UPDATE

The speakers are still misplaced. We just move them for now until we watch a movie. We aren't going to run speaker wire through the attic until we upgrade to a better audio set-up. All the wiring for the picture has been finished though...

Wall unit in regular TV watching mode, check out the old school NES
Screen is up, watching Nemo

It only takes 5 seconds to place the screen on it's hinges. So far everything has turned out great! Feedback wanted.

 

[PhoenixOrion]

awesome.

except for rca htib.

so down the road, better other surround and rca htib collects dust.

 

[Nohr]

I'll bring the popcorn.

 

[Zanix]

Try www.goosystems.com


might save you some $$, if you like it

Edit: Oh doh, I see you HAVE the screen already

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
awesome.

except for rca htib.

so down the road, better other surround and rca htib collects dust.

Yeah it was cheap surround sound for like 120 at Walmart so we got it. What it does for 120 dollars isn't too bad actually. When we upgrade it will get bedroom duty.

 

[tfinch2]

bump for morning crowd

 

[rsd]

Looks sweet!

Is that projector svga or xga?

I've gotten a lot of the same components for a cheap home theater too.

I got a 3m S10 SVGA projector for dirt cheap (<$200), I got an onkyo 760 HTIB refurb for <$250, and have built a media server and MCE HTPC.

Now the screen is the only major part left.

Did you consider getting like a pull down screen? I'd be in the same situation, probably using my 30" LCD HDTV daily but the projector for movie nights/HD sports. It seems to me to be a lot of a hassle to take down a screen like that a lot. Did you see that Dell has 106" manual pull down screens for just over $100? I was considering that.

But overall :thumbsup:

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: rsd
Looks sweet!

Is that projector svga or xga?

I've gotten a lot of the same components for a cheap home theater too.

I got a 3m S10 SVGA projector for dirt cheap (<$200), I got an onkyo 760 HTIB refurb for <$250, and have built a media server and MCE HTPC.

Now the screen is the only major part left.

Did you consider getting like a pull down screen? I'd be in the same situation, probably using my 30" LCD HDTV daily but the projector for movie nights/HD sports. It seems to me to be a lot of a hassle to take down a screen like that a lot. Did you see that Dell has 106" manual pull down screens for just over $100? I was considering that.

But overall :thumbsup:

Yeah we considered a pull-down screen, but we couldn't hang it from the ceiling because they are 15 ft. We have the projector 14 feet away from the screen so it projects a huge image, and we couldn't find a pulldown screen to match the size specs. It's svga. I can't wait to watch a DVD when we run the component cables. It looks decent now, but I know the 480p will clean it up a lot compared to s-video.

 

[tfinch2]

bump...I wanna see what some other people have to say about it.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I'm confused. So when you want to watch a movie, you just bring the big screen out and set it in front of the existing TV? That right?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
I'm confused. So when you want to watch a movie, you just bring the big screen out and set it in front of the existing TV? That right?

Yep

 

[jammur21]

Another suggestion for the Onkyo HTIB set, aim for $200-$300

 

[Kaido]

My vote goes to Fluance speakers. If you're on a budget, they sell a surround system with 5 speakers for $260. If you have a bit more to play with, then I suggest the SV-10 towers for the fronts, the AV-SC for the center, and the AV-6's for the surrounds. That's what I'm planning on getting, starting with the surrounds for a 2-speaker stereo system. This 100w Dayton subwoofer from Parts Express is supposed to be pretty good.

I'm currently using a receiver with 5 speakers. The receiver is a Sherwood RD-6105 from Outpost, which I got through Hot Deals for $77 (still at that price, btw). Really nice receiver, I like it a lot - 5.1, 100 watts per channel, remote control, etc. My brother had a surround sound CD player with 5 speakers, but his player died so I swiped them and I'm using those for the home theater. They're not much better than TV speakers and I don't have a sub, but it's fun to have and the price was right (free).

I'm planning on buying a screen kit from a seller named "moakes" on ebay. He sells screen material with instructions for 110" screen for about $23. I'm currently using my white wall, which is pretty good, but has a bit of hotspotting (I think it's called that). I also have a smaller widescreen I built out of wood that I'm painting with Silverscreen (check AVSforum.com for DIY info on screen painting). I discovered that it's way too small - only about 54" wide lol. The projected image is about twice that long...I held it up and it looked sooo small lol.

Congrats on the new system and welcome to the big screen world

 

[arod]

thats a damn nice price Kaido.... I have a 7.1 system of Wharfedale Speakers (Diamond Series) and I really like the bi-polar speakers for rears... fluance does sell them but not in a package at 250 or Id be very tempted to upgrade/sidegrade. (Powered by Yamaha HTR-5760, a badass receiver for the money)

 

[Kaido]

Oh yeah, cables. I buy nearly all of my cables from eBay. They're ridiculously expensive in stores and I have seen zero quality difference from buying $5 cables on eBay and $20+ cables at Radio Shack or anywhere else. A brand called "Python" is really good. I just got a 25' gold-plated vga-to-component cable for my projector for about $25 shipped on eBay, rather than $75 at other online stores (same brand, too!).

Another thing is remotes. I like the Logitech Harmony series. I just got a 659 model a week or two ago, it's really neat. Plug it into your computer, choose your components (like Sanyo TV, Optoma projector, Sherwood receiver, whatever), and it will download the codes and program it for you. You can also do advanced programmed if you want it to do other things. I use it on the TV system right now, for my mom - there's a button to "watch tv", which turns on the tv and sound but nothing else, one for DVD, which switches the connection to component and turns on the tv and all that. Sort of a really easy programmable universal remote.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: arod
thats a damn nice price Kaido.... I have a 7.1 system of Wharfedale Speakers (Diamond Series) and I really like the bi-polar speakers for rears... fluance does sell them but not in a package at 250 or Id be very tempted to upgrade/sidegrade. (Powered by Yamaha HTR-5760, a badass receiver for the money)

wow sweet, how do you like 7.1? I was just talking to my fiancee about upgrading to a 7.1 system down the road sometime. Is it worth it? How do you like it? I saw the bipolars at Fluance but figured I wouldn't need them because (1) I would only be running 5.1 and (2) I just wanted to start out with the AV-6 bookshelf speakers because I'm on a budget and moving into an apartment in a couple months and don't want a full-blown system with a sub and all that annoying the neighbors. But, if you like it, it may be worth trying, since I'll eventually need a new receiver anyway.

 

[arod]

If you get a receiver with Dolby ProLogic IIx (the "x" is the important part, it converts any DD 2.0/5.1 to 7.1 and really does a awesome job.... it really sounds like its a true 7.1 source)... the yamaha is considered to the the best "bang for your buck" these days... 7.1, Dolby ProLogic IIx, DTS-6, YPAO, component switching all for under $400)

Im VERY impressed with Yamaha/Wharfedale Combo (rivlas most multi-thousand dollar speaker systems)

And yes Harmony here too.... had the 659, went to the 680 and plan on getting a 880... logitech really hit a home run with the harmony remotes.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Nice screen size

I have some pics of my own below, Infocus 4805 + 76" screen (don't have it in the dorm yet) for $999 at costco.

I'll vouch for Fluance too. I have the SX-HTB set + SV-6 set for 7.0

I started with the dayton 10" Kaido mentioned and later upgraded to an SVS. The Fluance speakers are still keeping up with it. I'm no audiophile, but I think they were a really good value.

I have python component cables too... got them from cablesforless.com and I'm very happy with them. I have a 12' run from my computer to my receiver and then 50' to the projector and the image looks very nice.

Do you have a budget in mind for the audio yet?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: arod
If you get a receiver with Dolby ProLogic IIx (the "x" is the important part, it converts any DD 2.0/5.1 to 7.1 and really does a awesome job.... it really sounds like its a true 7.1 source)

Im VERY impressed with Yamaha/Wharfedale Combo (rivlas most multi-thousand dollar speaker systems)

And yes Harmony here too.... had the 659, went to the 680 and plan on getting a 880... logitech really hit a home run with the harmony remotes.

Ah, cool, thanks for the info. I've heard very good things about Wharfedale. A 7.1 system would be sweet I like the way the wooden Fluances look and I've read really great reviews. I feel no hesitation about buying speakers I've never heard because the best surround system I've owned is from Logitech, who makes computer speakers, and I'm sure just about anything with a real receiver can knock the socks off my z-640s lol.

I really like the 659. The only thing I don't like is the lag. With a regular remote, you can flip channels the instant you press the button, but with the 659 you have to wait a split second before changing to a different channel. Do you notice this? It's not a problem for me personally, but my family really noticed it because they like to flip through quickly sometimes. And yeah, that 880 looks SICK! That's definately on the upgrade list.

Another thing with the budget system is that if you buy it in black, it's only $200. Having the real wood instead of black adds $60, but I think it's worth it for the classy look. Although, with the lights off, I'd imagine black would be better because it wouldn't stand out as much...hmm. I've heard that on the basic sets like the SX-HTB, the center isn't especially great, which is partly why I want to piecemeal the system. As long as I'm in the apartment, I'll probably only use the bookshelf speakers, and then upgrade to a full surround system with a sub when I get a house.

I'm also looking into DIY audio. Not so much speakers as subs, however. I want to build a sub with either a 12" Adire Shiva subwoofer or a 15" Adire Tempest speaker. If I go with the 12" Shiva I can get away with using a sealed box. I'm sure it'd sound great because my Logitech 8" subs sound pretty good as it is.

 

[MichaelD]

Very nice. There's nothing like watching a movie on a 9-foot screen!!!!

You just need some better sound now and you'll be good to go. Sound is fully 50% of the HT experience.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Nice screen size

I have some pics of my own below, Infocus 4805 + 76" screen (don't have it in the dorm yet) for $999 at costco.

I'll vouch for Fluance too. I have the SX-HTB set + SV-6 set for 7.0

I started with the dayton 10" Kaido mentioned and later upgraded to an SVS. The Fluance speakers are still keeping up with it. I'm no audiophile, but I think they were a really good value.

I have python component cables too... got them from cablesforless.com and I'm very happy with them. I have a 12' run from my computer to my receiver and then 50' to the projector and the image looks very nice.

Do you have a budget in mind for the audio yet?

whoa you have bass shakers? how do you like them? I came across the "butt-kicker" models the other day and thought it was a cool concept. does it ever give you a headache to have them connected to your couch or anything? are they cool?

yeah, I love my Pythons. wicked cheap and they look nice too. the thing that gets me with a lot of cheap cables is that they look cheap, like something that came with a nintendo or something. Python cables look pretty nice and have an even better price

tfinch2, make sure to check out YOyoYOhowsDAjello's sig link -

http://www.intellexual.net/bose.html

there's a section on that website that has a whole big list of wonderful Bose alternatives, which you can use as an easy reference for finding a good audio system.

 

[arod]

you can adjust timing in the remote setup.... go to the options under the device and look at the timing.

If your real remote (for that device is fast theres no reason the harmony wouldnt be)... the only reason people put dalays on things is sometimes older equipment cant accept ir codes quickly enough and the harmony database generally takes better safe than sorry apporach. It takes some expirementing though to get it slow enough that your device can process but fast enough thats its as fast as the real remote.

I have bass shakers on my system as well.... really nice for when I want to feel the bass and not have to turn my system up to high levels to feel bass.... plus it helps out the sub (even a SVS )

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Very nice. There's nothing like watching a movie on a 9-foot screen!!!!

You just need some better sound now and you'll be good to go. Sound is fully 50% of the HT experience.

ahhh no kidding, it's amazing. I've been using an Optoma EzPro745 (rebadged EzPro739). Just watched the Princess Bride with my family tonight, as a matter of fact

inconceivable!

oh and here's a couple snapshots of Napolean Dynamite on my wall:

http://www.kaido.net/projects/hometheater/optoma1.jpg

http://www.kaido.net/projects/hometheater/optoma2.jpg

hahah, 10 feet of braindeadness, w00t! (for size reference, the thing on the lower right wall is an upright piano!)

 

[arod]

Well the 745 is a nice projector but I have a Panasonic AE-700 coming on monday (upgrading my AE100).... so I should be pretty set for a while once I get that.

http://personales.ya.com/Gn0m4/

not mine but screenshots of the AE-700...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: arod
Well the 745 is a nice projector but I have a Panasonic AE-700 coming on monday (upgrading my AE100).... so I should be pretty set for a while once I get that.

yeah, the main reason I got it was for business use, doing PowerPoint presentations. It does XGA and has all the inputs I need and had really good specs, so I snagged it. Tiger Direct carries it for about $1300 on sale. The Panny 700 seems like a popular one over on AVSforum.com. I'm not so much a video- or audio-file, I just think it's fun having a giant screen and big sound