 Finally! Home theater!
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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After saving pennies for awhile, we are about to embark on gutting the current family room, re-doing it all (remove popcorn ceiling and paint, fix/patch/repair walls and paint, new carpet, and new furniture) and adding a big screen and surround sound system. Stoked is mildly putting it!  So I have this room that is 23'x11' and of course the TV will go on or against the far shorter wall. As all baseboards will be replaced and we will be doing crown molding, I won't have too much trouble running the wiring. I am looking at the following equipment due to the ratings they have received. Any thoughts? TV - all 1080p: - Samsung HL-S5087W - 50" DLP
- Samsung HL-T5076S - 50" UltraSlim DLP
- Sharp Aquos LC-46D62U - 46" LCD
- Vizio Gallevia GV46LHDTV - 46" LCD
Home Theater in a Box (HTIB): - Sony DVD Dream System DAVFX500
- Sony Bravia Theater DAV-HDX500
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Do not get a home theater in a box...Build your own from components and you'll be MUCH better off.
Mark
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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+1
and don't discount Cambridge Soundworks...Good stuff still reasonalbly priced...as good stuff pricing goes.
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I dig my Klipsch speakers...pricey...but well worth it.
Mark
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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you're tring to get him from box-O-theatre to Klipch in one leap....  you got to ease him in 
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Joined: Feb 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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With the Administrator's salary, he can afford it!
Mark
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I too love my Klipsch speakers!!! However, Robert, they do now make a mid market consumer line that is inexpensive yet quite tasty!! ...ride safe...Gordon
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I forgot that...Hey Phil you want this for your reciever
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Also, just my personal preference, but I stay away from Sony products in general. I never had good luck with them.... did I mention I love my Klipsch speakers?  ... ride safe...Gordon
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
With the Administrator's salary, he can afford it!
You would have thought a BA.com administrator, or Angel as some like to call them, could afford to have some one install it for them 
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Rob, that just gave me a chub!! I have a Denon 2800 series and I love it!! As well as my Klip....oh you get the point... ride safe...Gordon
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Phil,
I think depending on how dark your room is, or if you're going to place the TV opposite a wall with windows, would have a bearing on if you go with a DLP or an LCD TV. I was advised of this by the salesman who sold me my Sony DLP a couple of years ago, and it made sense to me.
My Sony is opposite an interior wall, so there is no "brightness issue" there.
A direct view TV like an LCD TV wouldn't have this issue to contend with, but there are certain advantages to the DLP sets, as you can tend to get a larger one at a smaller price usually.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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btw, my current receiver is a Carver 9000. Served me very well and it gave me chills when Janet asked "what are you going to do with this old thing?"
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
I can just see me telling Janet that the A/V is going to cost more than the entire room re-do!
Oh yes, can you video that convesation for us please. .
I have a surround sound, brought it from Circuit City. Just a regular old japanese system. Worked great for me in my old house, however not so good in my new house. I still have not gotten around to wiring the thing up. 
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Phil in all reality...drop your $$$ on the TV...with the UNDERSTANDING that you WILL upgrade the sound system over time piece by piece...but the video (TV) and even the receiver should be your $$$ and understand that YES you can and likely will spend much more on your speakers than the receiver costs...
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
I dig my Klipsch speakers...pricey...but well worth it.
Do they even make other speakers? 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
I guess you knuckleheads didn't read this part!
Quote:
After saving pennies for awhile
I can just see me telling Janet that the A/V is going to cost more than the entire room re-do! 
Unfortunately, budget constraints (read - nice furniture ) constrains the A/V to the very close proximity of $2k
2k??? What will you do for the other 4 speakers now??? 
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
Phil in all reality...drop your $$$ on the TV...with the UNDERSTANDING that you WILL upgrade the sound system over time piece by piece...but the video (TV) and even the receiver should be your $$$ and understand that YES you can and likely will spend much more on your speakers than the receiver costs...
being a highly certified A/V Technogeek (really - that's what I have done for the last 35 years) the rule of thumb is to spend as much on speakers as you do the rest of the entire audio setup. Video should be the same as the entire audio system, speakers included.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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I am definitely looking at DLP, Dwight. Janet is adamant about a wall mount but I think I can talk her over as the LCDs are all considerably more expensive for the same size. Have not factored in a wall mount either (OmniMount or Peerless seem to be the best (see, I AM doing my homework )). I hear ya Rob and I am doing everything I can to furnish the room with cardboard boxes and blow the entire budget on the important stuff!!
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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do you have complete light control in the room? Can you make it dark during the day?
Front projection systems are pretty cheap these days. You can get a 1080P front projector for a relative swant song and watch all your TV and movies on a REALLY big screen.
Like say 92 inches widescreen.
Just a thought.
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
do you have complete light control in the room? Can you make it dark during the day?
Front projection systems are pretty cheap these days. You can get a 1080P front projector for a relative swant song and watch all your TV and movies on a REALLY big screen.
Like say 92 inches widescreen.
Just a thought.
Excellent point. With a totally dark room you can toss in an LCD projector that will blow you away for less then 1k these days. For 2k you can get one of the new state of the art Sony (I used to work for them - they are GOD!!!) 3 chip projectors that will amaze you beyond anything an LCD or even the top o the line plasma will do. BUT you need pitch black room. Oh, and put the light BEHIND the projector so it does not shine on the screen....duh.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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I have a Motorola DCP-501 5X100W reciever with a powered subwoofer and an InFocus Projector and it's unbelievable in a darkened room. My screen's about 80 inches diagonally and we're seated about 12 feet back...makes for a real movie night. Even though I've been an audio tech/geek for 35 years I still find cheap speakers work just as well for center and surround and I only went big on the L&R and the sub (that's likely sacreligious to Dinqua).
Last edited by oldroadie; 08/28/2007 7:33 PM.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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ok Phil... these speakers... RF 83's with This receiver... AVR 5085 CI And this Video Monitor... Pioneer and I'll see you for the super bowl... (at my house cause Janet would kick your a$$ out)
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
do you have complete light control in the room? Can you make it dark during the day?
Front projection systems are pretty cheap these days. You can get a 1080P front projector for a relative swant song and watch all your TV and movies on a REALLY big screen.
Like say 92 inches widescreen.
Just a thought.
Excellent point. With a totally dark room you can toss in an LCD projector that will blow you away for less then 1k these days. For 2k you can get one of the new state of the art Sony (I used to work for them - they are GOD!!!) 3 chip projectors that will amaze you beyond anything an LCD or even the top o the line plasma will do. BUT you need pitch black room. Oh, and put the light BEHIND the projector so it does not shine on the screen....duh.
I personally like the Optoma line of projectors. I have a 480P front projector that will upconvert to 1080I . My next upgrade is gonna be a true native 720P Optoma HD72
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I can't speak for the audio portion, but as for the video part:
Plasmas have better color reproduction than LCD's. DLP's aren't bad, but are better suited to projectors than flat screens; still haven't seen a flat screen DLP that's really good IMHO. The Samsung line of Plasmas make good black levels which is important to the overall picture quality.
Projection is a great alternative, but keep in mind ceiling height, throw distance (don't want your heads in the image) and the surface you're projecting on makes a HUGE difference as to it's construction and reflective values. Paint the wall, roll down screen etc. are different options.
If you're using the room width-wise, go with the biggest plasma that fits your budget. If you go length-wise, projection will get you a bigger image. Each option has it's downfalls.
If you want to make an image 105 foot by 139 foot I can help you there too as we do it often, but that would involve a little more remodeling!
Remember; no matter where you go, there you are.
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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In my opinion if your room is suitable for front projection its the way to go.
There is nothing like watching your favorite films in full front projection glory.
After you experience a front projection system @ say 92 inches widescreen it makes a mere 67 inch widescreen flat screen seem teeny.
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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NINETY-TWO???!!!  Geez Kevin! Maybe it WAS a good thing that you passed on comin' to Prescott this year, ol' buddy! I showed the most gawdawfully bad motorcycle movie to everybody on my 48in DLP TV there, and it appears YOU'D a' had DOUBLE REASON not to enjoy "Outlaw Rebels" there, DUDE!!! 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Thanks for that Rob. I'd love to have something like that but unless there's a lottety win in my near future.....  I understand about the front projection but that is not in the cards. Way too much light also. The room has two windows on one long wall, a passthrough to the kitchen and the opening to the dining room on the other, and a sliding glass door on the back end of the room. Perhaps one day when I can dedicate a room to the theater but not in this house.
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
Thanks for that Rob. I'd love to have something like that but unless there's a lottety win in my near future.....
You'll find the Motorola listed at Amazon.com for an extremely affordable amount. I should also add that we watch our Direct TV over a 32" Philips CRT set when we're not watching 16:9 dvds...rural America is still waiting for truly accesible HD...when movie time comes we pull the Lumilux screen out of the ceiling and close the curtains and fire up the pj.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Anyone have any experience with the Onkyo HTS894?
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I had an Onkyo set up 10yrs ago & loved it.
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
I dig my Klipsch speakers...pricey...but well worth it.
Need a drool smiley.
My dad has always has Klipsph speakers (and horns), so I grew up around them, love them, nothing sounds better, especially if you are fortunate to get a set of horns.
Soren
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Phil,
I have a Hitachi 46" HD rear projection downstairs and a Sharpe 26" Aquos HD LCD upstairs and love both of them. I have never been a big fan of Sony, not really sure why. My surround sound receiver is a Harman Kardon (the first all digital receiver on the market). I like Harman Kardon because it isn't how many watts it puts out, but the current behind them. Harman Kardon has always been about the current.
Please don't get a Blue Ray HD player. The whole Blue Ray format makes no sense to me from a consumer perspective. Again I think Sony is on the wrong side of this format war. Blue Ray is best suited as a PC data storage media, with HD DVD being used for movies and such.
Tom
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I have 4 actual movie theater seats we had in our apartment in Worcester. It was awesome. Had them on platforms made from 2X6's, slid them in behind the couch for movie nights. Awesome.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I have a 53" Mitsubishi DLP,and run a Marantz 1060 Reciever and a 170 pre-amp.....and low and behold a set of old JBL Aquarius Q speakers.......they rock the house! 
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Looking at the price of the TV here Phil, it truly is amazing how quickly the prices of these things drop in so little amount of time. Just about a year and a half ago my Sony 42in DLP was $1700.00, and now I've seen that you can get a 50in model of this same series for only about $1300.00, where it was almost 2 Grand then.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I paid just under 2K for my 57" rear projection HDTV so they have dropped quite a bit...
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Finally! Home theater!
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Ain't that the pits? I've been through that before with computer equipment. Had an aunt who kept waiting for the price to drop, and kept waiting, and kept waiting. She never got a computer and I could not talk to her about it. Something about that price break right around the corner!! So 'today', I will pay this amount and next year I will be the same as youse guys! Mark recommended I get a 5 disc DVD and I have to agree but dang! There's all of TWO stand-alone HDMI 5 disc DVDs that will do upscaling/upconversion (Sony DVP-NC85H & RCA DRC290)!! WTF??? btw, any thoughts on HDMI vs. optical??
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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