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Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

#1
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1/13/08 at 2:17pm
  • Joined: January 2008
  • Post Count: 9
Hello,

My current media room is 12' W x 25' L x 10' H.

I have a Mitsubishi WS-65807 a 65" HDTV Widescreen. I was going to upgrade to the Mitsubishi WD-73734, but was convinced by a local Home Theater store to go the projection route. I am considering the Sony VW40 and the Carada Brilliant White 110" screen.

I am new to this type of Home Theater, and appreciate any assistance with calculating screen height, projector distance, and mounting height etc.

The room is currently white, with charcoal gray carpet. We are planning on painting the room a dark burgundy. One end of the room has three windows, that I am planning on blacking out under the white faux wood blinds and mounting the screen over them.

The other end is the entrance doors, that I am planning on curtaining on the inside of the doors.

The room is wired for 8.1 and I currently have 6.1 on a Sony Receiver that I am ugprading to 7.1 to the Onkyo 875.
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#2
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1/13/08 at 3:38pm
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
  • Post Count: 4,540

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

Check out other projectors before buying the Sony. I checked out a $10,000 Sony (don't remember the mode) and a $1,000+ screen (again, not sure of the model) before making my purchase. I got a Panasonic AE-900U and $70 DIY screen. After tweaking it with Video Essentials, I had a better picture for under $2,000 than the setup at the store.

Check out Projector Central dot com for throw distance and screen size based on different projectors. They also have seating distance and screen height suggestions as well. Based on those suggestions, I sit 12.5' from a 103" screen.

-Robert
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#3
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1/14/08 at 5:34am
  • Joined: April 2007
  • Location: Southern IL Close to St. Louis
  • Post Count: 102

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

Before purchasing a projector, check out these two review sites of the projector that you may be considering. In the reviews they will usually compare it to a similar model and might change your mind to which one that you want to purchase. I also have a Panasonic projector like Robert_J, but mine is the 720P version model (PT-AX100U).
projector reviews.com
ProjectorCentral.com

Here is a projector calculator to make sure that the projector will work in your room. The calculator will also tell you what size screen you could use along with the screen gain that would be needed for it. The only thing that it does not take into account is the size of your room. So obviously, if the calculator says you could go up to a 160" screen the width and height of your room may not allow it.
Projector Calculator

Ask away if you have more questions!

Cheers,
JJ
Sunbeam Cinema Build Thread

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance....
Author Unknown
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#4
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1/14/08 at 5:02pm
  • Joined: January 2008
  • Post Count: 9

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

Hi there,

Depending on the initial reviews of course, I am sold on the Sony VW40. It is supposed to be the $5,000 VW50 with new packaging at a below $3k price. 1080p and all the good stuff that the Sony's are known for, like their deep black levels. I was told by the Carada rep that they are fantastic at the 110" size, and to stay there.

Any tips on building a lightweight, but durable two deck platform for seating? My Theater room is on the second floor, so I want to be sensible about weight distribution.

Also, We are considering doing the room in burgundy, but I have read some reviews that if you make the walls any shade of red, it reflects and makes the colors on the screen more red. Is that true?

Will there be any problem with the windows being behind the screen, with light going through the screen and showing where there is wall, and where there is window? The windows will be blacked out behind the white faux blinds.
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#5
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1/15/08 at 11:03am
  • Joined: January 2008
  • Post Count: 9

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

Just to put what I have currently again, to maybe get more accurate responses to my real questions.

Mitsubishi 65" WS RP HDTV WS-65807
Sony STR-DB1070 100 watts per channel 6.1 Receiver
Bose Acousimass 16 II 6.1 Surround sound system (200 watt speakers)
PS3
XBOX 360
Wii
DVR
DVD

Room is
12' W x 25' L x 10' H
Walls and ceiling are painted white
Floor is dark charcoal gray carpet.
Walls have 4 dimming sconce lights
Screen Wall has three windows that the screen will go across
Opposite wall has two wood panel french doors.

Originally planned on upgrading to:
Mitsubishi 73" DLP WS HDTV 73734 or 73833
Onkyo 875 Receiver
Walls and ceiling a dark red
Carpet to white/black zebra carpet

Now planning on upgrading to:
Sony FP VW40
Onkyo 875 Receiver
Carada 110" Brilliant White screen across the three windows
Walls and ceiling a dark burgundy
Blacking out the three windows under the white faux wood blinds
Building a two level platform with black leather reclining seats arranged as couches.
Want to hang movie teaser posters on walls.

Need assistance with:
Wall/Ceiling colors
If the difference in depth behind the screen from the windows will be an issue.
If the wall/windows behind the screen should be a particular color
Optimal distance for the Sony VW40 from the screen
Optimal height for the screen to be mounted, and the projector from the ceiling.
Building a lightweight, but sturdy platform for the seating since this is on the second story.
Will the movie teaser posters cause a problem with reflected light?
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#6
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1/16/08 at 8:35am
  • Joined: August 2004
  • Post Count: 180

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

You can make seating decks yourself with lumber and ply from your local store.
The biggest help you need is with the speakers!!!
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#7
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1/16/08 at 12:40pm
  • Joined: January 2008
  • Post Count: 9

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

The speakers are the one thing I am completely satisfied with. Everyone that has ever come over has always been blown away by the quality of sound from them, and I still am. Maybe my opinion will change once I hook up the Onkyo 875 or the Denon 3808, but as of now, I have no desire to change them.

I have no problem building the seating myself, but I am looking for tips on what height I should use, for my room size. Should I leave the first row on the regular floor, or build the riser for both rows?

I am sure this ties into where the 110" screen gets mounted, but that is also one of my questions.
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#8
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1/16/08 at 2:33pm
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
  • Post Count: 4,540

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

Don't audition any other speakers. Just be glad you are happy with your Bose.

Viewing distance calculator - Viewing Distance Calculator

Screen height information - Vertical Viewing Angle

Riser calculator - Riser Height Calculator | Theater Calculators | www.Theater-Calc.com

-Robert
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#9
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1/16/08 at 2:37pm
  • Joined: September 2006
  • Post Count: 663

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

We are in similar boats. I currently have a 61" DLP (only 1.5 years old) and want bigger.
I am going projection so like you, I am researching all the brands and screens and calculations and what not.
Mine will not be a dedicated room though. No risers or anything like that.
My one question is how will you mount the projector? Will it be ceiling mounted?
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#10
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1/16/08 at 3:31pm
  • Joined: January 2008
  • Post Count: 9

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

I will be ceiling mounting mine. Looks like Robert has given me a few links to research. Part of the problem right now is I am having to assume that the Sony VW40 coming out at the end of the month is the in actuality the VW50 with a lower price tag, so cannot buy anything until I see a 'real' review.
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#11
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1/17/08 at 6:24am
  • Joined: September 2006
  • Post Count: 663

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

Jeremy - I'm ceiling mounting mine as well. I'm looking hard at the Sanyo Z2000. Great price for 1080p/24. My electrician is coming out early next week to install the wiring and cabling to the projector for me. So I am scrambling trying to figure out the best location for all that stuff. It looks like no matter which projector I choose, a 12-13 foot mounting location from the screen is ideal.
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#12
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1/29/08 at 1:14pm
  • Joined: January 2008
  • Post Count: 9

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

I am also looking at the Panasonic PT-AE2000U. It has extremely good reviews, and looks like it outclasses everything around it and a few steps up.

Anyone on here familiar with it? My room will have controlled light and will be pretty much pitch black when the lights are off. I would like to have around a 120" screen, but the Sony VW50 for instance is recommended to not go higher than a 110".
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#13
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1/29/08 at 4:00pm
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
  • Post Count: 4,540

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

You can browse the projector forum at AVS for dozens of people with the Panasonics. I'm getting another Panasonic when my AE900U dies. But after 3 years, it's still going strong on it's original bulb.

-Robert
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#14
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1/29/08 at 4:54pm
  • Joined: September 2002
  • Location: Madison, Wis
  • Post Count: 51

Re: Need help with how to set up Home Theater Room

If you are looking at the Sony VW50, I would also consider the JVC DLA-HD1 or HD100.

All highs.... all lows... it must be.....YUK!!!!

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