New to all this...
Discussion
Right, here goes...
At the moment I am re doing my living room and I am thinking where to put plug sockets etc, which brings me onto thinking about what kind of home entertainment system I want.
I have already decided that I do not want a TV in my house at all, anywhere, ever. So that leaves me going down the projector route. I am also thinking surround sound for movies, although I still want great sound quality for my music. Also thinking about getting a turntable so I can play my LPs.
So a few questions...
1. any projector recommendations? - has to be able to be plugged into a computer
2. any AV reciever recommendations?
3. any speaker recommendations?
4. can I interface a turntable to an AV receiver or does that have to be a seperates Hi-fi system?
Also if anyone has any ideas on the best way to set it up in the room then that would be ace.
I was thinking of putting it all in an alcove on the back wall and projecting above the fireplace between the two windows. Would this work well or should I turn it round 90deg?
The alcove isn't shown in the pic unfortunately, as I still haven't measured where its going to be etc.
The room is about 4.6m x 4.3m and about 4m high ceiling.
Budget is probably about 2.5-3k for projector, AV receiver, speakers and cable. Although I am happy to just get a couple of shelf speakers to start with and build up the surround sound from there.
So fire away, pick holes, advise etc. Its going to be at least 6 months until I buy the first part probably as I have a LOT of work to do in the living room. Am just doing my dreaming / research now so that I know how hard to save
At the moment I am re doing my living room and I am thinking where to put plug sockets etc, which brings me onto thinking about what kind of home entertainment system I want.
I have already decided that I do not want a TV in my house at all, anywhere, ever. So that leaves me going down the projector route. I am also thinking surround sound for movies, although I still want great sound quality for my music. Also thinking about getting a turntable so I can play my LPs.
So a few questions...
1. any projector recommendations? - has to be able to be plugged into a computer
2. any AV reciever recommendations?
3. any speaker recommendations?
4. can I interface a turntable to an AV receiver or does that have to be a seperates Hi-fi system?
Also if anyone has any ideas on the best way to set it up in the room then that would be ace.
I was thinking of putting it all in an alcove on the back wall and projecting above the fireplace between the two windows. Would this work well or should I turn it round 90deg?
The alcove isn't shown in the pic unfortunately, as I still haven't measured where its going to be etc.
The room is about 4.6m x 4.3m and about 4m high ceiling.
Budget is probably about 2.5-3k for projector, AV receiver, speakers and cable. Although I am happy to just get a couple of shelf speakers to start with and build up the surround sound from there.
So fire away, pick holes, advise etc. Its going to be at least 6 months until I buy the first part probably as I have a LOT of work to do in the living room. Am just doing my dreaming / research now so that I know how hard to save
Triple the budget, and add another 20% on - no seriously!
And that's not even allowing for the same 20% on acoustic treatments.
You don't want a TV, but you're happy with speakers sitting about?
No sure I follow the logic behind that, but on-wall or in-wall speakers may be a better option, assuming you're having a motorised and hidden screen, and drop-down projector.
Regarding the turntable played through the AV processor - you just need a decent RIAA phono unit, which will give you a line-level output for it to use.
Plotloss and OldSkool would be worth chatting to.
And that's not even allowing for the same 20% on acoustic treatments.
You don't want a TV, but you're happy with speakers sitting about?
No sure I follow the logic behind that, but on-wall or in-wall speakers may be a better option, assuming you're having a motorised and hidden screen, and drop-down projector.
Regarding the turntable played through the AV processor - you just need a decent RIAA phono unit, which will give you a line-level output for it to use.
Plotloss and OldSkool would be worth chatting to.
It seems like a big hassle to go through to end up with such a small projected image - I doubt you'll get much saving over buying a big TV to put on the fireplace, which would be a better solution. So I'd be inclined to spin the whole thing 90 degrees and use a big flat wall as a screen, that way you get the USP of a projector - a massive image.
If the room is being gutted, you should think about "pimp" solutions from the outset - get the projector mounted in the ceiling, for starters, and perhaps put the speakers and wiring into the wall or behind the skirting.
If the room is being gutted, you should think about "pimp" solutions from the outset - get the projector mounted in the ceiling, for starters, and perhaps put the speakers and wiring into the wall or behind the skirting.
I have an alternative suggestion for you 
I have plasmas and a projection system and wouldn't go projection only.
My alternative is get a 50" panasonic, mount it on the wall, build a frame around it finished in whatever style you would like for a mirror and fit a one way mirror over the top of the plasma. It works a treat, the tv isn't intrusive, you'll have fewer issues with light penetration for the PJ, less issues with bulb life and save a s
t load of money.
It's what I would do if I didn't want the TV to be the main point of focus.
I have plasmas and a projection system and wouldn't go projection only.
My alternative is get a 50" panasonic, mount it on the wall, build a frame around it finished in whatever style you would like for a mirror and fit a one way mirror over the top of the plasma. It works a treat, the tv isn't intrusive, you'll have fewer issues with light penetration for the PJ, less issues with bulb life and save a s
t load of money.It's what I would do if I didn't want the TV to be the main point of focus.
Ok I am going to try to reply in a logical manner...
PJ S:
One of the things I don't like about TVs is the way that they (especially big ones) dominate a room even when they are turned off. The room is not going to be just for sitting watching tv, films, or gaming.
Speakers in general are less intrusive, especially if you get nice ones, with a wood finish or something. They don't draw the eye like a big black screen does.
I was originally thinking of projecting straight onto the wall to be honest, but apparently this isn't as good as getting a screen? Something else to think about I am sure!
Davepoth:
The projected image would still be about 2m diagonal, which seems really big to me? If I projected it on to the right hand wall in the plan it would be roughly 3.2m diagonal. Would I be able to actually achieve that size with the distance the projector would be away from the wall - max 4.6m?
But then I wouldn't really be able to put any furniture against that wall, which would be a shame. Hence my original plan of projecting above the fireplace where it is essentially dead space.
The room is totally gutted at the moment and I am going to put in speaker points and try to hide as much of the cabling as possible.
I am not sure that I would be able to put the projector on the ceiling as the cabling would be a nightmare, 4m high ceilings!
Or am I thinking that its going to be more cables that it actually will be? What if I want to change the stuff that is plugged into the projector? Is it just one HDMI from the AV receiver up to the projector?
Councilbaby:
This is interesting. Do you have any pics of this kind of setup with the one way mirror etc? How do you see the image through the mirror? Am I being dense (probably).
I do REALLY like the idea of a projector though, as there is a LOT you can do with them e.g. I could have a famous work of art over my fireplace
Re budget, I can barely justify 2k to myself for a setup let alone doubling that!
I was thinking:
£1k for a good projector (don't want this 3D nonsense)
£300-500 for an AV Receiver
£400-600 for a pair of speakers (to start with...)
Cabling is an unknown quantity for me...
Also thought I ought to mention I live in a flat so it doesn't have to be a LOUD system, but quality is important, and its always nice to have the option of pissing off the neighbors
PJ S:
One of the things I don't like about TVs is the way that they (especially big ones) dominate a room even when they are turned off. The room is not going to be just for sitting watching tv, films, or gaming.
Speakers in general are less intrusive, especially if you get nice ones, with a wood finish or something. They don't draw the eye like a big black screen does.
I was originally thinking of projecting straight onto the wall to be honest, but apparently this isn't as good as getting a screen? Something else to think about I am sure!
Davepoth:
The projected image would still be about 2m diagonal, which seems really big to me? If I projected it on to the right hand wall in the plan it would be roughly 3.2m diagonal. Would I be able to actually achieve that size with the distance the projector would be away from the wall - max 4.6m?
But then I wouldn't really be able to put any furniture against that wall, which would be a shame. Hence my original plan of projecting above the fireplace where it is essentially dead space.
The room is totally gutted at the moment and I am going to put in speaker points and try to hide as much of the cabling as possible.
I am not sure that I would be able to put the projector on the ceiling as the cabling would be a nightmare, 4m high ceilings!
Or am I thinking that its going to be more cables that it actually will be? What if I want to change the stuff that is plugged into the projector? Is it just one HDMI from the AV receiver up to the projector?
Councilbaby:
This is interesting. Do you have any pics of this kind of setup with the one way mirror etc? How do you see the image through the mirror? Am I being dense (probably).
I do REALLY like the idea of a projector though, as there is a LOT you can do with them e.g. I could have a famous work of art over my fireplace
Re budget, I can barely justify 2k to myself for a setup let alone doubling that!
I was thinking:
£1k for a good projector (don't want this 3D nonsense)
£300-500 for an AV Receiver
£400-600 for a pair of speakers (to start with...)
Cabling is an unknown quantity for me...
Also thought I ought to mention I live in a flat so it doesn't have to be a LOUD system, but quality is important, and its always nice to have the option of pissing off the neighbors
I'll did some pics out if I can find some, it's been done in a few hotels I've stayed in. When you turn the tv on the light penetrates the mirror and the tv is visible, when off it's a mirror, you can still put a moving image slide show on via a PC from what you've described it seems a logical option and will be cheaper with a decent 50 inch plasma at £650 ish now.
I've looked into it a bit more, depending on how much light you get in the room it may suffer reflections during daylight when the tv is on.
The concept is covered by Mirror media and other companies but is pricey, much cheaper to have your own built to spec using dielectric glass (sp??)
I'd jump over to avforums and post on there, you'll get a far better response
I've looked into it a bit more, depending on how much light you get in the room it may suffer reflections during daylight when the tv is on.
The concept is covered by Mirror media and other companies but is pricey, much cheaper to have your own built to spec using dielectric glass (sp??)
I'd jump over to avforums and post on there, you'll get a far better response
Edited by Council Baby on Tuesday 10th May 11:41
Alfachick said:
although I still want great sound quality for my music. Also thinking about getting a turntable so I can play my LPs.
There's your problem within your total budget.As said above, your budget doesn't encompass this and the video side.
I'm not "into" video and home cinema but I do know that most affordable AV amps and their associated speaker systems will not reproduce music satisfactorily for one who "listens".
That said, visits to dealers, explaining your requirements, and then demos, might help you to make decisions.
With regards projector recommendations, I have recently bought an Epson EH-TW3200 full HD projector and am extremely pleased with it (was about £1200 delivered, with a 105" screen.) The blacks aren't as black as my plasma but, that will be the case with any projector and it isn't very noticable tbh. You'll get slightly better blacks with a DLP projector but, I had to have an LCD as I can't mount it in line with the centre of the screen so, lens shift was a big factor for me. It also has a 3 year manufacturers warranty, which includes the lamp (est. lamp life = 3 - 4000 hours)
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