put a home theater together, you have a $5000 budget

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

$900 of it is installation

you will need:

native 720p projector w/HDMI that can display 1080p
surround receiver w/HDMI switching
blu ray (or HD-DVD player) no PS3
4 in-wall speakers
1 shelf mounted center channel
subwoofer
fixed 92" 16x9 screen
RF universal remote
cables (including 40' to projector)
projector mount

you will also have a HD satellite signal to integrate

no furniture or lighting

the room is about 14wx18l



list equipment and prices of what you would spec given those specs and a budget of $5000, I'm curious to see what people would buy for themselves

[joezgarage]

I would not normally reply to something like this, but here goes:

1) It sounds like you have it planned out already

2) The chances of someone doing enough research on all this specific equipment is very minute, so I think you will have a hard time getting someone to lay out their own ideas on all of it

3) If I go through all that trouble, there better be an invite over to watch the prescreening. :D

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

I would not normally reply to something like this, but here goes:

1) It sounds like you have it planned out already

2) The chances of someone doing enough research on all this specific equipment is very minute, so I think you will have a hard time getting someone to lay out their own ideas on all of it

3) If I go through all that trouble, there better be an invite over to watch the prescreening. :D

1) I do have it planned out, I am just curious what others can come up with

2) people on this site have nothing but time on thier hands, especially those that are into a/v :)

3) it's not my system, or I would

[Grant]

I'll do this probably tomorrow, but why no PS3?

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

I'll do this probably tomorrow, but why no PS3?

no PS3 for a primary DVD player, it does not work very well with programmable universal remote controls

[Grant]

Yeah, I figured. It has to have bluetooth, it's the only thing my Logitech 880 won't control.

[jbullerjr]

I am pretty sure the 880 is not RF, the 890 is.
But, my mom has the 880 and had an 890. She had TONS of problems with the 890 and ended up having to go back to an 880 and an IR repeater.

[Grant]

Yeah, I had problems with the 890 too, I got the 880 for only $79 from woot, pretty sweet deal.

The ps3 won't accept RF, it only uses BT.

[diablo rojo]

I'll take a couple of the odd ball things, since there will be plenty of people throwing out suggestions for projectors, screens, recievers and the like.

In-Wall Speakers:
My suggestion would be the SpeakerCraft AIM7 series. They have indepentently pivoting speakers that allow for precise centering of the sound. A 4 speaker setup will likely cost you upwards of $1000 (they have other models that cost less), but they sound absolutely amazing!!

RF Universal Remote:
This one I can really endorse having used it for 5 years now. The Sony RM-AV3000 touch screen remote has been extremely good at handling everything that I've needed it to do. It does macros, controls up to 18 different components (including lighting), is very easy to program either with codes or by "learning" from the existing remotes. I paid $200 back then and just recently saw it at Starpower at a similar price point. Oh, and I've replaced the batteries maybe 3 times in those 5 years.

Those are just my opinions. Have fun!

And tell them to contact me if/when they decide to do the decor in the room :cool:

[Fast.0]

1. Go to target get a sweet ass 21 inch color tv and cheap ass suround sound, tape the wires at the corners of the wall, put in your motley crue cd and jam.

2. Go to somewhere and get one bad ass turbo kit put on my coupe

Or 3. Put a set of DD's on the wife

Thats what I would do, good luck with what you would do

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

1. Go to target get a sweet ass 21 inch color tv and cheap ass suround sound, tape the wires at the corners of the wall, put in your motley crue cd and jam.

2. Go to somewhere and get one bad ass turbo kit put on my coupe

Or 3. Put a set of DD's on the wife

Thats what I would do, good luck with what you would do

we'll call that plan b.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

I'll take a couple of the odd ball things, since there will be plenty of people throwing out suggestions for projectors, screens, recievers and the like.

In-Wall Speakers:
My suggestion would be the SpeakerCraft AIM7 series. They have indepentently pivoting speakers that allow for precise centering of the sound. A 4 speaker setup will likely cost you upwards of $1000 (they have other models that cost less), but they sound absolutely amazing!!

RF Universal Remote:
This one I can really endorse having used it for 5 years now. The Sony RM-AV3000 touch screen remote has been extremely good at handling everything that I've needed it to do. It does macros, controls up to 18 different components (including lighting), is very easy to program either with codes or by "learning" from the existing remotes. I paid $200 back then and just recently saw it at Starpower at a similar price point. Oh, and I've replaced the batteries maybe 3 times in those 5 years.

Those are just my opinions. Have fun!

And tell them to contact me if/when they decide to do the decor in the room :cool:

I don't think the AV3000 is RF

[diablo rojo]

I don't think the AV3000 is RF

There are inexpensive ways around that problem.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

There are inexpensive ways around that problem.

but not as reliable, but yeah, a IR kit will work too, but things get out of sync to easily in a room with a projector screen because the IR stream reflects all over the place, you also have to keep that remote pointed at the receiver until it's done sending codes and if someone or something blocks any part of the code you have everything out of sync. As far as I'm concerned, RF is the only way to go for a theater room.

A RF remote system that stores all the macro codes in a receiver is even more ideal, one button push on the remote and the macro is initiated in the RF receiver. No more aiming the remote at the equipment and waiting for the remote to run it's macro.

[GT98SVO]

This is a mid-fi budget. In-wall is in budget. But I prefer the sound of bookshelf. You can aim the speakers better. Also, less work. But if he is willing to pay the labor and doesn't mind the sound degradation, get in-wall.

The projection goal is going to eat up a lot of budget. So you will have to skimp elsewhere.

A/V receivers

Harmon Kardon - I have an old AVR-65, hard to beat. Decent universal remote.
Denon - kinda spendy. Prolly out of budget.
Yamaha -
Onkyo -
Pioneer Elite -

DVD (high def) - having a nice single player, and a jukebox is nice.
Yamaha -
Sony - 500$
Pioneer Elite - blue ray is 1k$.
Toshiba - 300$

Speakers (5.1)
Bowers & Wilkins - I like the 600 series for mid-fi. Nautilus for high-fi. May be out of budget.
Polk Audio - I have some old SDA-1's. RT series. May be out of budget.
Boston Acoustics -

If you have any budget left, get a Velodyne powered sub, else just get a matching one to above speakers. The manuf's websites tend to have ways to match pieces.

Amp will be through receiver.

I haven't looked at projectors in a while. There are some nice flat screens at Sam's, should be in budget. We used to buy Toshiba for work.

I found the banana clips and outlets at home improvement stores, electronic stores, and Radio Shack. Get nice thick wire, doesn't have to be Monster. But get nice wires for component connections.

[8mpg]

i thank god I dont do home installs...commercial only

[Billyb0b81]

Well I just bought a new home theater setup for just a little over your budget. Here it is...

50" Panasonic 1080p plasma tv
Denon 2808 a/v receiver
Bowers & Wilkins 600 series speakers(4)
Bowers & Wilkins LCR600 center channel
Bowers & Wilkins 10" powered subwoofer
Panasonic blu-ray player w/dts-hd decoding
Panamax line conditioner

[65Shelby]

Nevermind...I blew the budget on the screen and projector. Good luck. It won't be easy with a screen and projector...unless you skimp on the tuner, speakers, etc.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/Kllymartin/Malabar017.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc226/Kllymartin/Malabar016.jpg

[Nick Chapman]

native 720p projector w/HDMI that can display 1080p....Panasonic PT-AE1000U
surround receiver w/HDMI switching.....Processor Sherwood P-965, Amp either the ATI 2000 series or the Sherwood A-965
blu ray (or HD-DVD player) no PS3....Toshiba HDDVD player....badass!
4 in-wall speakers...ehhh
1 shelf mounted center channel.....ehhh
subwoofer.....HSU Research VTF-3 HO with Turbocharger....it's a little big but a kick ass sub!
fixed 92" 16x9 screen.....Only 92"?
RF universal remote......I like my Harmony 880
cables (including 40' to projector)....Check monoprice.com or bluejeancable.com great deals!
projector mount.......ehhh


I think I'm a little over budget :o

[Mychael101]

Optoma HD80 and Carada Screen are a must.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

Optoma HD80 and Carada Screen are a must.

a $2600 projector in a $5000 theater budget?

I gues that projector and a Bose 1-2-3 system huh? :D

[Mychael101]

a $2600 projector in a $5000 theater budget?

I gues that projector and a Bose 1-2-3 system huh? :D
You guessed it. I'm not an audiophile so I went with a simple sony 7.1 setup that was under $800. No way I would consider skimping on the projector and that is actually a damn good price for a 1080p projector.

[pgans]

Optima HD70 1000
Panasonic XR57 (Digital Amplification) 300
Blu-Ray PS3 and bluetooth to IR adapter 500 (I don't know any other BR players)

DIY Black Flame or RSMaxxMud screen(AVS Forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=110) on 1/2" MDF (beats any screen under 1k) 100
monoprice cables - 100
ebay mount - 50
sub - SVS 20-39 PCI (325w BASH) SVSound (http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pcpow2.cfm) 600
center Axiom VP100 250
in-wall Axiom W3x4 total 1000
IR remote(yes I know you said RF) - Logitech Harmony 676 - 50

I think that should be close to 4k.

[Pewter Y2K Z28]

i thank god I dont do home installs...commercial only

fucking word!

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

native 720p projector w/HDMI that can display 1080p.... Sony VPL-AW15 $1050
surround receiver w/HDMI switching..... Sony STR-DG 910 $329
blu ray (or HD-DVD player) no PS3.... Sony BDPS 300 $499
4 in-wall speakers... JBL HTI 8 $199/pr x2
1 shelf mounted center channel..... JBL LC1 $199
subwoofer.....HSU Research STF-2 $369
fixed 92" 16x9 screen..... Carada Criterion cinema white $690
RF universal remote...... RTI M2 and RP1 $650
cables (including 40' to projector).... (1) HDMI 35' monitor and (2) 3' source cables $120
projector mount....... $50
labor... $900

grand total $5275

just over budget, but it looks and sounds damn good... and works flawlessly.

[Pewter Y2K Z28]

native 720p projector w/HDMI that can display 1080p.... Sony VPL-AW15 $1050
surround receiver w/HDMI switching..... Sony STR-DG 910 $329
blu ray (or HD-DVD player) no PS3.... Sony BDPS 300 $499
4 in-wall speakers... JBL HTI 8 $199/pr x2
1 shelf mounted center channel..... JBL LC1 $199
subwoofer.....HSU Research STF-2 $369
fixed 92" 16x9 screen..... Carada Criterion cinema white $690
RF universal remote...... RTI M2 and RP1 $650
cables (including 40' to projector).... (1) HDMI 35' monitor and (2) 3' source cables $120
projector mount....... $50
labor... $900

grand total $5275

just over budget, but it looks and sounds damn good... and works flawlessly.

Your cabling cost is pretty low but sounds like a nice set up.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

Your cabling cost is pretty low but sounds like a nice set up.


www.monoprice.com :) I buy ALL my cables from them. Everyone should.

[momo stallion]

www.monoprice.com :) I buy ALL my cables from them. Everyone should.


its great aint it?

analog cables ... quality matters.
digital cables ... cheap!

[Pewter Y2K Z28]

I was under the impression that there was distance limitations for HDMI. Something along the lines of 25' without loss of signal quailty.

Anything over you could use CAT5 extenders or Fiber??

Can anyone school me on that?

[momo stallion]

I was under the impression that there was distance limitations for HDMI. Something along the lines of 25' without loss of signal quailty.

Anything over you could use CAT5 extenders or Fiber??

Can anyone school me on that?

you will have total signal loss at about 50ft depending on the device and the cable.

they make range extenders for very long runs.

[jakesford]

its great aint it?

analog cables ... quality matters.
digital cables ... cheap!

I think its funny at how much money people will spend on speaker wire and interconnects. Both home and mobile audio, I guess I come from the wire is wire school of thought... I was LMAO the other day at best buy, they had a set of component cables that were advertised as an HD necessity :rolleyes: Only $85 for 3m cables.

For analog, low level connection a decent quality cable with shielding is plenty, for speaker wire (high level) what ever works that is proper gauge IMO :o

[momo stallion]

I think its funny at how much money people will spend on speaker wire and interconnects. Both home and mobile audio, I guess I come from the wire is wire school of thought... I was LMAO the other day at best buy, they had a set of component cables that were advertised as an HD necessity :rolleyes: Only $85 for 3m cables.

For analog, low level connection a decent quality cable with shielding is plenty, for speaker wire (high level) what ever works that is proper gauge IMO :o


i'm a pretty firm believer in cables. i do think analog devices, especially speakers, need the best wire as far as the budget allows. other than hdmi, dvi, and optical cables, i will always buy better than "out of the box" cables. most of the time you can get a good deal online so its worth it to spend the few extra bux.

[ClockwrkOrangeS4]

I used a 35' monoprice cheap HDMI cable for the projector I just hooked up, works flawlessly.

I have a 50' monoprice HDMI cable in my house because my equipment is in a closet, away from my tv. Been working perfect for over a year, with no extenders or amplifiers.

[Grant]

I know I've posted these before, but it is still great information:

This should clear up the 'cheap cable' issue. By the way, Monoprice cables are very good and a GREAT deal for the money..

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cable-battlemodo/the-truth-about-monster-cable-part-2-268788.php

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hdmi-cable-battlemodo/the-truth-about-monster-cable-+-grand-finale-part-iii-282725.php

[8mpg]

I was under the impression that there was distance limitations for HDMI. Something along the lines of 25' without loss of signal quailty.

Anything over you could use CAT5 extenders or Fiber??

Can anyone school me on that?

for some reason I see our company buying HDMI at monoprice soon :D

[Pewter Y2K Z28]

for some reason I see our company buying HDMI at monoprice soon :D

Yes sir!