Condo Theater (tm)

[rsd]

WARNING SOME BIG PICS!
Update 8/30: Another pic

Before moving in

Moved in

Another View with Gumball Machine

HT Components

HD Football

HD Baseball

Better View of Seating

Windows Media Center
------------------------------------------------
Been meaning to post pics for a while, hope you guys enjoy (not trying to brag as I got a lot of this cheap )

Quick Component overview:
Onkyo HT-760 HTIB 6 speakers, sub, and receiver (I know not the greatest, but got real cheap and works for me)

Infocus 4805 projector

Da-Lite Model B "High Power" 92" Pull down screen

Windows Media Center Edition HTPC -- 3.2ghz P4, 1gb ram, 2x 160gb HDs, 2x MCE compliant TV Tuner card, ATI HDTV Tuner card, ATI 9800 pro video card (haven't used the tuner cards since I moved, I need to connect that up).

1TB Raid 5 server in other room, holding about ~170 dvds and 20gb of mp3's), running MyMovies, TheaterTek, and ffdshow. Has 5x250gb ATA hd's, with the extra one for redundancy.

Logitech Harmony 680 remote (the MCE specific one)--god I love this thing, I wouldn't be able to deal with everything without this

4input-2output Matrix Component/Digital Audio Switchbox--this makes it all sooo much easier, I can switch between htpc, xbox, cable at will and have them on the TV or Projector. Obviously DVI might give a little better picture, but this flexibility is worth the slight loss imho.

Syntax Olevia 30" LCD TV

Modded Xbox (w/250gb HD) and 2x Logitech Wireless controllers
etc etc..

Thoughts, comments welcome!

Oh and it isn't the biggest living room, roughly 12.5ft x 12.5ft. Seating distance is about 11ft.

 

[rpl318]

Very nice!

 

[Mo0o]

Very nice. Do something about that rat's nest in the back

 

[Kevin1211]

/jealous

.... very nice though

 

[rsd]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
Very nice. Do something about that rat's nest in the back

hehe I dont have the patience or heart to go through those wires anytime soon lol

But yeah those could be cleaned up a bit.

 

[CoveX]

Nice. How's that High Power working out for you? From what I understand, since it's retro-reflective, it's not ideal for ceiling-mounted projectors. But I suppose the image is bright enough at the seating area? I originally went with a cheapo DIY screen for my Sanyo Z3 and have been looking at upgrading.

 

[chuckywang]

How much total?

 

[rsd]

Originally posted by: CoveX
Nice. How's that High Power working out for you? From what I understand, since it's retro-reflective, it's not ideal for ceiling-mounted projectors. But I suppose the image is bright enough at the seating area? I originally went with a cheapo DIY screen for my Sanyo Z3 and have been looking at upgrading.

The high power is great--if for the reason that you can not see any wrinkles on the screen as compared with the other materials.

The picture is brighter if I stand up, but it still looks great from seating.

 

[rsd]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
How much total?

Rough estimate--less than $4k for the electrical stuff (computers included, since I built it all myself and got deals on a lot of stuff).

The sectional couch was $2k

 

[Anonemous]

very nice did you do the wiring?

 

[rsd]

Originally posted by: Anonemous
very nice did you do the wiring?

Yeah, since its a condo, I didn't really want to hide the wires IN the walls, but I found some plastic molding type stuff that does a good job of hiding it from the projector at least.

Not the greatest wiring job, but it looks decent enough..I don't mind the rats nest behind the tv stand since it is not too noticeable

 

[BW86]

Awesome! :thumbsup:

 

[rsd]

Thanks, and I apologize for the dark pictures...I'm not much of a photographer.

 

[rsd]

Just wanted to say...if you want to get a home theater experience cheap..get the Infocus 4805 projector (can get it refurb with a new lamp for $700 from Woot), and I got this 92" screen for less than $250. For less than $1k you can get a sick picture (no, it isn't "true" HD, but you can't find anything for half the price that is true HD).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: rsd
Just wanted to say...if you want to get a home theater experience cheap..get the Infocus 4805 projector (can get it refurb with a new lamp for $700 from Woot), and I got this 92" screen for less than $250. For less than $1k you can get a sick picture (no, it isn't "true" HD, but you can't find anything for half the price that is true HD).

I'm liking my 4805 a lot too. :thumbsup:

Too bad it's packed away right now along with all my sound equipment (moving to Madison tomorrow)

 

[rsd]

bump

 

[loup garou]

Nice.

I think I'm going to order a 32" Olevia and Fusion5 for my MCE setup next week.
No room for a projector screen in my apartment, unfortunately.

 

[rsd]

bored at work bump

 

[SearchMaster]

I bought the Woot 4805 also. I got a motorized 100" screen...I'm not quite finished with the installation (need to install the ceiling mount). I've temporarily mounted the projector on a ladder just to get an idea of how it will look. All in all I think we'll be pretty happy with it. Unfortunately I can't get HD content unless I order the limited selection from DishNetwork, so DVD is my only measuring stick so far.

 

[gordita]

are those wireless headphones?
if yes, how they working?
very soon, I will be buying my bedroom tv and since wife is a light sleeper, I'll need to buy a good pair of wireless headphones for tv sound.

 

[cerebusPu]

Originally posted by: rsd
Just wanted to say...if you want to get a home theater experience cheap..get the Infocus 4805 projector (can get it refurb with a new lamp for $700 from Woot), and I got this 92" screen for less than $250. For less than $1k you can get a sick picture (no, it isn't "true" HD, but you can't find anything for half the price that is true HD).

i got the woot infocus 4805 projector too. i bought two back when it was $750. i still havent sold the second one and Im thinking of selling it for whatever the woot price is right now. i also got an additional one year warranty for it too.

 

[rsd]

Originally posted by: gordita
are those wireless headphones?
if yes, how they working?
very soon, I will be buying my bedroom tv and since wife is a light sleeper, I'll need to buy a good pair of wireless headphones for tv sound.

Yeah those are wireless. They aren't currently plugged in (need an adapter to connect to the receiver), but I used to use them directly into my htpc and used them to watch movies. To be honest..they are ok only I'd say. You get static when there is a lack of sound, which can be annoying but after a while I got used to it I guess. I can't remember the exactly model, but I got them from amazon, I think for $50 or so.

 

[rsd]

Originally posted by: cerebusPu

Originally posted by: rsd
Just wanted to say...if you want to get a home theater experience cheap..get the Infocus 4805 projector (can get it refurb with a new lamp for $700 from Woot), and I got this 92" screen for less than $250. For less than $1k you can get a sick picture (no, it isn't "true" HD, but you can't find anything for half the price that is true HD).

i got the woot infocus 4805 projector too. i bought two back when it was $750. i still havent sold the second one and Im thinking of selling it for whatever the woot price is right now. i also got an additional one year warranty for it too.

I think woot last had it for $700 refurb w/o the extra warranty. I'd think you'll be able to get your money back fairly easily.

 

[sygyzy]

What is mymovies? Can you give me a link? I did a google search and none came up that looked like yours. They all seem to be rental services.

 

[tami]

nice! i guess those of us who live in apartments still have hope.