Epson Powerlight S1

[sodface]

This is barely computer related but:

The home theater room is almost done. I ceiling mounter the epson projector and ran all the speaker and video wiring through the attic - audio wiring comes out in bannana clip wall plates, and the video comes out above the ceiling through a modified ceiling fan cover plate.

I'm really pleased (so's the wife!) with how it's turning out.

The costs:
Epson Powerlight S1 - 948.00
Apollo 70" screen - 100.00
AR HC1 5.1 Speakers - 239.00
JVC progressive DVD/ AV Receiver (all in one) - 250.00

Total Electronic Costs - 1537.00

We were originally looking at big screen TVs. The sony we looked at was around 1800.00. I personally think that this setup is far superior - not to mention 300 dollars cheaper. There are no viewing angle problems, brightness is not a problem and the picture quality is outstanding.

I don't like to buy top of the line stuff. I never have. I'm more of a value for money kind of a guy. Sometimes it doesn't pay off. This time it did. You can spend a lot more for a home theater setup but I am more than satisfied with all the components I chose.

One thing I kind of regret is not buying the epson ceiling mount. It's about 180 dollars and at the time I thought, "Yeah right, I can make one for 10" - It wasn't as easy as I thought. The problem is you need 3 axis movement. I got it in the end but I think there was a little luck involved.

I will post back after I've hooked the computer up to it and played some games - I have no idea what they will look like at 70" wide - I'm not holding my breath, but god I hope it's good... Colin Mcrae Rally with wheels and pedals and surround sound and a 70" screen... WooHoo:yummy:

[Mikki]

W h e r e a r e t h e p i c t u r e s ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !:!: :look: :rock: :eek2: :chit: :na:

Sounds AWESOME...can't wait to see how you make out....and can't wait to see pics!!!!!!!

[pointreyes]

Originally posted by Mikki
... see how you make out....and can't wait to see pics!!!!!!!

Why Mikki! How embarrassing! :p :D

[dbwillis]

Yeh, PICS!!!:-) :-) :-)

[sodface]

Originally posted by pointreyes
Why Mikki! How embarrassing! :p :D


LOL, That's Classic.

[sodface]

I STILL haven't got my digi back yet. It's been months. As soon as I do I will post a couple.

:wave:

[Mikki]

FFS....:mad: I could put mine in the post to you and get it back quicker than you'd get yours...:rolleyes: Sounds like an excuse to buy a new one to me....;):):D

PICS!!!! :-)

pointreyes, <sigh>......:rolleyes: ;)

[Mikki]

Hmmmmm.....no pics in here yet.....:rolleyes:

[sodface]

I'm working on it... :mad:

One day my daughter will ask, "Dad, how come the pictures on the computer stop when I was 8 and then start again at high school graduation?"

"Well, you see sweetie, I loaned out my camera and..."

[Mikki]

Sounds like an excuse to buy a new one to me.... :wave: :-)

[sodface]

Ok, got my camera back :)
Keep in mind, I'm not done with the room yet. Movie posters to hang, end tables to buy, popcorn machine to install ;)

http://www.sodface.com/download/HTFlash.jpg
http://www.sodface.com/download/HTNoFlash.jpg

[dbwillis]

Looks nice!

them little black squares are the speakers, right? wheres the subwoofer?

[sodface]

The sub is on the right of the cabinet - the side of the couch is hiding it in this picture. I love the way these speakers sound btw, it may not be audiophile quality - but I think it sounds great.

[RotorHead]

How did I miss the pictures yesterday! :scratch:

That is Soooo Sweeeeett!!!

hehe......I know what I'm......umm, the wife is getting for Christmas now!! :D

[sodface]

Geez, I look at the pictures and it sure looks barren. I knew I was a minimalist but good lord. I would like to redo the screen as it doesn't hang completely flat. I am thinking about removing the screen material from the retractor assembly and stretching it between some nicely stained wood trim or something and making it semi-permanent.

[RotorHead]

That would be cool, something to match the cabinet in the corner.

Hehe….Careful, or we’ll have to write a letter to one of those HGTV programs and have them sneak in and re-decorate while your at work. :p :D

[Underwater Mike]

VERY NICE! :wave:

That is what I wanted to do, but my wife made me get something that will fit in her uber-dollar entertainment center. (IMO, the entire wall ought to be screen.) I guess I'm lucky that we finally bought what we did: 43" Samsung DLP HD monitor (http://www.samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?eUser=&prod_id=HLN437WX%2fXAA).

Now to get the cable company to clean up the signal...

[Hawk]

Beautiful setup. . . When R U going to invite the BE crew over for a movie. ;)

[sodface]

I'm a big fan of samsung. I've had a few of their monitors and have been very pleased with them. That big screen is very good I'm sure. We originally had planned on getting a big screen but I talked my wife into trying out the projector first. We're happy with it but it's not all roses. A poor quality DVD (David Lynch's Lost Highway) REALLY looks bad at 70". I swear that movie looks like someone played the vhs tape of it, filmed it with a camcorder and then transfered it to dvd. I did read the reviews of it on amazon before I bought it so I was prepared, but still. Finding Nemo, on the other hand, looks fantastic. The "screen door effect" is evident at times but not overly so. I have only tried dvd as the video source so I have no idea what other signals would look like. I don't think I would even try cable, I know a lot of people get very dissappointed when they get their big screens home and hook up the analog cable. Digital cable may be ok. I would probably go with satellite if I ever get to that point. Right now we just watch our cheapo cable package in the living room on a regular tv and the projector is for movies only. I might be more concerned with it if I ever watched tv (selfish I know :) ) but I rarely watch anything but movies. The other big mistake I made was not running an s video cable to the projector when I installed it. I went with the component to d15 cable and then figured out that I can't switch any of the inputs over on the av receiver to go out of the component video jacks. If it's s video in, then it has to go out s video. Same with composite. Stupid mistake. I have since bought the s video cable, just haven't run it yet.

[sodface]

Originally posted by Hawk
Beautiful setup. . . When R U going to invite the BE crew over for a movie. ;)

Whenever you are in Charleston next, stop by! :wave:

[Underwater Mike]

I forgot to ask: Can I come to your house for the Super Bowl? 70-inch screen is going to be the envy of your block. :beer:

[sodface]

:D , well I've got no way to watch the Super Bowl on it right now. My brother keeps asking me about it also... maybe I should break down and get directv or something. :rolleyes: another monthly payment.

[RotorHead]

Hey sod,

What's the MTBF on the bulb, I heard they can be a little spendy to replace.

[sodface]

2000 hrs. I haven't priced them recently but when I was reading up on the purchase they were listed at $199. :(

[RotorHead]

That's only 83 days worth of Colin Mcrae :D

Looks like you'll need to sale tickets for the Super Bowl :p :D

[sodface]

Yeah, I didn't think it sounded like a lot either but then, 2000 hrs is about a 1000 movies worth. So about 2 movies a week for 4.8 years. :) Considering we usually rent them, let them sit around until they are late and then return them unwatched, it should last forever. :p

[Mikki]

sodface, what happened to the old furniture? Or is that in another room? That setup looks sweet bud, I'm jealous...:D I'll have to go with RH and buy my wife that also....:p;):D