MY home theater pics (basement converted to theater)

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: Tommunist

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: dxkj
how much did the entire setup cost you? 5k?

$1600 - Klipsch RF-3II (5 -- on sale)
$500 - H/K AVR630 (I got this unit for free after getting mad about a refurb that didn't work)
$1300 - SVS subwoofer
$200 - upconvert dvd player
$1700 - projector
$400 - cables from bluejeanscable for audio and subwoofer
$100 - speaker cables

~ 5800 for what is regularly listed as about $7300

how happy are you with the projector as compared to a similarly priced large screen television? how often do you have to replace the bulbs in these things and how much are the bulbs? i'm just curious as i know little about projectors.

The picture quality is AWESOME. This flat out owns any "big screen" tv that is a puny 65 inches. Size matters gentlemen . And this is projected on a wall with paint suggested by the guys at AVSForum. DVDs vary in their quality, so you can definitely tell which ones were done right. The upconverting dvd player is wonderful for this projector and the digital input. I had to buy an hdmi to dvi converter, but it looks really nice. This projector can do HD, but I have not seen it yet as I do not have that service.

The bulbs are recommended to be changed around the 2000 hour mark. Run about $300 - 400.

2000 hours is much more than it seems.

I had to do a lot of tweeking of it since it is LCD and has problems with absolute black levels. Avia disk really helped me out.

 

[PanzerIV]

Lancestorm, for a room on a budget I don't think it's half bad. Too bad we don't even have basements in the South.

 

[arod]

you got ripped off if you paid 1700 for a AE500.... I got my AE700 for 1800.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: arod
you got ripped off if you paid 1700 for a AE500.... I got my AE700 for 1800.

This was in June 04 dude...

I bought the speakers, then before the room was even built I bought the projector because I could not stand watching my 24 inch tv anymore. I projected it on a wall in my living room for about 8 months until it permanently moved.

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: arod
you got ripped off if you paid 1700 for a AE500.... I got my AE700 for 1800.

This was in June 04 dude...

I bought the speakers, then before the room was even built I bought the projector because I could not stand watching my 24 inch tv anymore. I projected it on a wall in my living room for about 8 months until it permanently moved.

Thats better.... IMO you still should have waited and sprung for the AE700 (its an awesome pj) and I went with the PB10 (this thing is a beast esp for 1/3 the price of yours).

Overall nice config.... Ill be putting up my new pics once I get them off my camera.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Does the room have any type of sound buffering... like what i mean is if you are watching a movie can the entire house hear the sound coming through the walls or even outside?

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: arod
you got ripped off if you paid 1700 for a AE500.... I got my AE700 for 1800.

This was in June 04 dude...

I bought the speakers, then before the room was even built I bought the projector because I could not stand watching my 24 inch tv anymore. I projected it on a wall in my living room for about 8 months until it permanently moved.

Thats better.... IMO you still should have waited and sprung for the AE700 (its an awesome pj) and I went with the PB10 (this thing is a beast esp for 1/3 the price of yours).

Overall nice config.... Ill be putting up my new pics once I get them off my camera.

There will always be something nice later .... the ae700 was not even in the news when I bought mine. You have to get off the fence sometime. Else there will always be something better and new coming down the line. I would not change what I did if I could...

PB10 is ok, but for sheer raw power the pb 12 plus 2 simply OWNS. The PB10 would in no way keep up with my reference floorstanders and my reference volume demands. So I spoke to the guys at SVS and got a few recommendations from them given my room dimensions and needs and current equipment. They helped me make the best decision.

My girlfriend says I need to lay off on the subwoofer volume because she fears that the house foundation might crack. And I am barely at 40% power

 

[lancestorm]

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Does the room have any type of sound buffering... like what i mean is if you are watching a movie can the entire house hear the sound coming through the walls or even outside?

If I could go back in time ... and actually had money left ... I would have done a better job at this. Simply put, no it does not. And you can tell when it is on thanks to the subwoofer.

But I live by myself in this house, so I do not keep anyone up when I watch movies. It is in the basement, so neighbors cannot hear it.

 

[mindmaniac]

that room is pretty sweet. I want to build a similar room so I can impress the hell out of my friends. I don't have such a nice room in the basement, cinder block walls, but it's the only thing I have available. I'm in college and work part time to, any suggestions on what to buy with a budget?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: lancestorm

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Does the room have any type of sound buffering... like what i mean is if you are watching a movie can the entire house hear the sound coming through the walls or even outside?

If I could go back in time ... and actually had money left ... I would have done a better job at this. Simply put, no it does not. And you can tell when it is on thanks to the subwoofer.

But I live by myself in this house, so I do not keep anyone up when I watch movies. It is in the basement, so neighbors cannot hear it.

Man, I would have loved to go with a 120" screen projected but my house just isnt setup for it at all, the room I am stuffing the 62" tv into will be interestingly packed


For the next 5 years this will have to do (it sure beats my 27" tv)


Then again I am still stuck replacing bulbs 2-300 a pop, but they are supposed to go 4-8k hour range .. guess we will see

The only time I see a projector < bigtv is in any amount of light


Do you watch normal TV down there, if you are going to watch seinfeld, news, or something?

 

[lancestorm]

I only watch dvds right now. But I will eventually get HDTV. I want it so I can watch ... <turning in man card> Gilmore Girls .... in HD.

Next week I am inviting 7 friends over to play Halo. 4 people get downstairs and 4 unlucky ppl get a 24 inch tv with internal tv speakers lol

 

[lancestorm]

Oh yeah, forgot to tell you guys. I have nice theater lights going up the steps so that you can see clearly if a movie is playing in the dark... don't have that picture with me though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You have a lot of bare wall in there, how's the echo?

Nice job though! :thumbsup:

 

[Aharami]

damn thats one hell of a sub! other than the carpet, i like it all

 

[Muadib]

Nice!! I also have the AE700, and the S97 dvd player. Does your basement have AC? I'm sure the AE500 throws heat just as much as the 700, but I don't see any air ducts.

What is the ceiling height, and is that the panny mount? You could double your lamp life to 4000 - 5000 hours if you used low lamp mode. I had over 4000 hours on my 300 when I sold it, but then my screen is only 92 inches. Is low lamp mode a no no at 125 inches?Where is your equipment?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Sweet.

I have a PB10 like arod does, and I can't imagine how powerful the PB12 Plus/2 must be

I've taken care of my extra rumbling desire with some bass shakers though, so I have no real desire to up the PB10.

I think out of everything, you couch is what puts my equivalent component to shame

Oh, and are you sure your neighbors can't hear you? I can hear my stuff outside and I'm in a basement.

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Nice!! I also have the AE700, and the S97 dvd player. Does your basement have AC? I'm sure the AE500 throws heat just as much as the 700, but I don't see any air ducts.

What is the ceiling height, and is that the panny mount? You could double your lamp life to 4000 - 5000 hours if you used low lamp mode. I had over 4000 hours on my 300 when I sold it, but then my screen is only 92 inches. Is low lamp mode a no no at 125 inches?Where is your equipment?

I made that Panny mount with about $20 in parts. I will try to find the original DIY thread from AVSForum for this particular mount.

The ceilings are about 8 or 9 feet high. The lower part where I boxed in the ceiling is about 7 feet or so due to duct work and my main house beam.

The AE500 does have ducts! And I am using the low lamp mode, as the diff between high and low in terms of picture is neglible to my eyes...and helps my lamp in the long run.

My equipment is built into the wall under where the steps come down. I'll provide that link on Monday and PM you if I remember. Most ATOT will love it because I built a box that has 3 shelves...the top shelf houses the receiver...and on the top of the box are 4 computer fans that pull air into the box and hot air off the receiver!!!

 

[Muadib]

I agree with YOyoYOhowsDAjello. My friend's system is also in the basement, and I can hear his system when I'm outside in my car. His sub is no where near the size of yours.


Oh and I meant AC ducts.

 

[conjur]

:thumbsup:

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

not really liking the carpet. speakers don't seem to be place that well. Maybe get some smaller monitor's, mount them on the wall and angle it towards the listener's ears. Don't really like the stand for the center. Maybe you can hide the center somewhere, make everything look more flush. Good sub!

 

[ponyo]

That's sweet looking setup. After looking at that picture I need to clean mine up. My movie room in the basement is a mess. I've large finished basement that's around 2000 sq ft but I'ven't had the time or the motivation to properly setup my theater to look professional. It's functional but that's about it.

Nice job and great work on the DIY screen.

 

[PHiuR]

sexy!:thumbsup:

 

[mrrman]

pretty cool lancestorm...I may be mounting my projector on the ceiling to...what kind of grommet did you use to cover the hole for the wires...thanks

 

[lancestorm]

Originally posted by: mrrman
pretty cool lancestorm...I may be mounting my projector on the ceiling to...what kind of grommet did you use to cover the hole for the wires...thanks

I went to Office Max and picked up one of those grommets used for hiding wires on a desk. Works perfectly.