Nice setups from SCHTEEVIE and John in the 53inch HDTV for Sale thread got me interested in seeing what everyone has.

Below is my current setup. I've still got a lot of work to do to get the "movie theater" look I'm trying to achieve. I don't even have any speakers other than what is INSIDE the TV!! I need to get just a small compact set as I shouldn't be around large speakers.

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup1.jpg
Here's my TV. It's a 50 inch Zenith Plasma, and xbox 360. The antenna sticking out of the back is for over the air HD reception. Like I said, no external speakers, I need to get some. I tried to get curtains and a rug that would give a "movie theater" feel to it.

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup2.jpg
I'm ordering another poster to go right beside Batman, which is why it's over to the side.

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup3.jpg
One of my favorite movies of all time! :D :D

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup4.jpg
8 ft air hockey table. I've got a very cool Ferris Bueller poster ordered to go on the wall that should be here tomorrow or Thursday.

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup5.jpg
Popcorn and Soda. Non alcoholic house (meds, couldn't drink if I wanted to) so I've searched the world for the best root beer and cream soda. LOL. Best Root Beer goes to Bergoffs, Best Cream Soda goes to Sprecher's. :tucool:

My old system:

A Sanyo Z2 720p high def projector in a dedicated room projecting onto a Steward Firehawk in 2.05:1 aspect ratio (105" wide). Sound 7.1 channel with Lexicon Logic7 into Martin logan electrostatic speakers.

This was my baby, my dream system, the home theater...

Got on a get out of debt kick, am now using a walmart 27" TV :doh:

I miss what was, but it wasn't really MINE so I guess I didn't have anything to miss.

-Allen

My old system:

A Sanyo Z2 720p high def projector in a dedicated room projecting onto a Steward Firehawk in 2.05:1 aspect ratio (105" wide). Sound 7.1 channel with Lexicon Logic7 into Martin logan electrostatic speakers.

This was my baby, my dream system, the home theater...
-Allen

Very cool! :tu:

I dont have pics, but I have links :)

Harman Kardon Reciever (http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR%20235&sType=C)

Bose AM6 Speakers (http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=am6_surround_index)

RCA 61" TV (http://tv.rca.com/en-US/ModelDetail.html?MN=HD61LPW167&nav=BySize&PC=BySizeLarge) Mine is not this exact model. Nor is it a Scenium, but you get the idea. Same company, same light engine, same size.

Please do bear in mind, the prices on the sites are, of course, higher than I paid. These are the mfg sites. :D

I love my setup. Looks and sounds fan-friggen-tastic :tu:

I dont have pics, but I have links :)

Harman Kardon Reciever (http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR%20235&sType=C)

Bose AM6 Speakers (http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=am6_surround_index)

RCA 61" TV (http://tv.rca.com/en-US/ModelDetail.html?MN=HD61LPW167&nav=BySize&PC=BySizeLarge) Mine is not this exact model. Nor is it a Scenium, but you get the idea. Same company, same light engine, same size.

Please do bear in mind, the prices on the sites are, of course, higher than I paid. These are the mfg sites. :D

I love my setup. Looks and sounds fan-friggen-tastic :tu:

Cool. Those speakers look like about what I need.

Cool. Those speakers look like about what I need.
I have a large living room and they work great. You might also consider a Bose Lifestyle system as well. If you dont like that then look into the Harman Kardon Home Theater system. Sounds awsome without killing the whole budget. :tucool:

All right my kind of thread. Right now I am in the process of putting our home up for sale and building a new one which will have an actual theater room. Some of my stuff I have set up now, and some are I've got put away till the room is up and built. I have a 42" samsung DLP TV right now with a frew audio components set up for a little extra sound. But for my new play room I have put away.


Epson Powerlite Pro Cinema 810 Projector , With a 96 inch screen.
Sony ES Str-da5es Reciever
Definitive Technology Main Speakers
http://www.zdnetindia.com/print.html?iElementId=48706
With matching Center Channel and 3 surround for 6.1 surround Sound

Still on my wish list is a Blue Ray DVD player but my wife told me I had to wait untill the room is actually built.. :cry: :cry: :cry:

So that's my set up, I will post pics of it when my house is built and were all moved in which should hopefully be late summer early fall.

For some reason the links I sent with my projector and reciever didn't go through so here are the links.

http://www.audioholics.com/cedia/cedia2004/Epson810CinemaProHQV.php

http://www.epinions.com/Sony_STR_DA5ES_ES_Receivers__Receiver_STRDA5ES

Well put a check mark next to jealous for me on that room Maxzeus! :D
Someday I will have a projector and screen :p

The prices on on them have really come down lately. I got mine for the projectorpeople on the internet. They have complete packages with everything you need including cables. Mine was around the $3000 range. Witch is about the cost of a good plasma. Having the room for it is another story.

Our new home has a spare room that was meant to be a dedicated theater but wasn't really large enough for what I wanted to do. Thankfully, it was the perfect size for a home gym. :)

In our gameroom, I have a 50" Sony Grand Wega RPTV LCD.
5.1 Yamaha receiver and Bose AM10 series III speakers.
Panasonic HD upconvert DVD player.

Eventually, the 50 will go in the bedroom and be replaced with a 60" S(or larger) SXRD and a new receiver with HDMI inputs. I'm not sure if I'll go with HD DVD or Blue Ray. I may just wait for a dual format player. I hate format wars!

Just finished up adding some new posters/frames, and some other small decorations to my movie/rec room. :D

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup6.jpg

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup7.jpg

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup8.jpg

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup9.jpg

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup10.jpg

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup11.jpg

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup12.jpg

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup13.jpg
42inch LCD in Bedroom

http://www.thriftyfox.com/images/setup14.jpg
42 inch Plasma in living room

Well I did this a couple months ago, but never added an update.

I put my plasma on the wall and built a platform for a 2nd row of chairs.
I looked at prices online for a 2nd row platform and they were absolutely insane: $1k or more for the same size I have. I just got the lumber (2x6, 2x8s, with 3/4inch plywood for top) at Lowes and had a carpet company come carpet it (with padding). It's very sturdy and quiet, and total cost was around $350.

And for those wondering, no the 2nd row of chairs won't fall off the back of the platform. The actual base for the chairs are on the platform. :D

http://www.legitincomes.com/images/seating.jpg

Well I did this a couple months ago, but never added an update.

I put my plasma on the wall and built a platform for a 2nd row of chairs.
I looked at prices online for a 2nd row platform and they were absolutely insane: $1k or more for the same size I have. I just got the lumber (2x6, 2x8s, with 3/4inch plywood for top) at Lowes and had a carpet company come carpet it (with padding). It's very sturdy and quiet, and total cost was around $350.

And for those wondering, no the 2nd row of chairs won't fall off the back of the platform. The actual base for the chairs are on the platform. :D

Very nice! I like the "hider" thing you have running down from the plasma to the entertainment center/DVD/cable box/receiver. Where did you get it if you don't mind me asking? My dad just hung his LCD in his bedroom and needs to get something similar; looks like what you did would work perfect!

We just hung our plasma on the wall recently as well. We did it at night after I finished a workout. Standing there holding the 100+lb. tv and trying to mount it was fun... :blank::lol:

Very nice! I like the "hider" thing you have running down from the plasma to the entertainment center/DVD/cable box/receiver. Where did you get it if you don't mind me asking? My dad just hung his LCD in his bedroom and needs to get something similar; looks like what you did would work perfect!

We just hung our plasma on the wall recently as well. We did it at night after I finished a workout. Standing there holding the 100+lb. tv and trying to mount it was fun... :blank::lol:

Thanks!

Hanging TVs are so much fun! My neighbor and I got 3 screws into the studs pretty easily, but the forth one was giving us some trouble. Took some time, and sweat, but we got it.

Yes, I didn't want to mess with going into the wall for wires myself, so I just bought a "hider". I got it at CircuitCity for around $30. You can cut them to any length you want, and paint them. So I just painted them to match the wall.

Actually, here's a link: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/OmniMount-Flat-Panel-Cable-Wall-Cover-CMK/sem/rpsm/oid/161346/catOid/-12887/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I think the guy complaining about the covers popping off in the review section at CircuitCity should have used the screws that came with the kit, instead of the tape, and he wouldn't have had any problems. I first went with the tape, but realized it wasn't going to be strong enough, so I went with the screws and it works great.

I can actually post in here now, cool!

In a 22'x24' room I have:
A 46" Full HDTV LCD by Samsung
Sony 5.1 surround sound - surround sound was pre-wired during home construction with a hook up to my outdoor Yamaha deck speakers as well.
Automatic 4-port AV component switcher for my Xbox, Playstation & Wii. It chooses which component to use based which is sending a signal which is AWESOME.

And I still have to pick up an antennae for over the air HD.

Very nice! I like the "hider" thing you have running down from the plasma to the entertainment center/DVD/cable box/receiver. Where did you get it if you don't mind me asking? My dad just hung his LCD in his bedroom and needs to get something similar; looks like what you did would work perfect!

We just hung our plasma on the wall recently as well. We did it at night after I finished a workout. Standing there holding the 100+lb. tv and trying to mount it was fun... :blank::lol:

I've heard of a cool way to hide wires to the TV. Just take a circular saw and use it to score the drywall to make a channel. Run the cable up the channel, then tape, remud, sand, and paint. If you ever decide to move the TV, just cut the ends off and patch up the wall at the end.

So you end up with a truly hidden cable run without going all the way into the wall.

I've been trying to decide if I'm going to wall mount the 50" plasma I'm getting ready to buy. It kind of depends on if I switch the layout of the room around or not. But if I do, it will go over the fireplace (as much as I'm not a huge fan of that...that's the way the room is). So I can't go just straight up the wall between studs anyway. Making a channel is the only way to really hide the wires.

Thanks!

Hanging TVs are so much fun! My neighbor and I got 3 screws into the studs pretty easily, but the forth one was giving us some trouble. Took some time, and sweat, but we got it.

Yes, I didn't want to mess with going into the wall for wires myself, so I just bought a "hider". I got it at CircuitCity for around $30. You can cut them to any length you want, and paint them. So I just painted them to match the wall.

Actually, here's a link: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/OmniMount-Flat-Panel-Cable-Wall-Cover-CMK/sem/rpsm/oid/161346/catOid/-12887/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I think the guy complaining about the covers popping off in the review section at CircuitCity should have used the screws that came with the kit, instead of the tape, and he wouldn't have had any problems. I first went with the tape, but realized it wasn't going to be strong enough, so I went with the screws and it works great.
Thanks for the info and link! It took us some time to get our TV up as well, but it saves so much space being up there so it's really worth it.

I'm going to forward that link to my dad. That route should be a lot better than what they're doing now for their temporary solution, which is just wires hanging down and a plant sitting on the dresser in front of the wires... :lol: He was going to run them through the wall here pretty soon but I think he'll like this idea better. :tu:


I've heard of a cool way to hide wires to the TV. Just take a circular saw and use it to score the drywall to make a channel. Run the cable up the channel, then tape, remud, sand, and paint. If you ever decide to move the TV, just cut the ends off and patch up the wall at the end.

So you end up with a truly hidden cable run without going all the way into the wall.
That's not a bad idea either. It's too much for me (I'm not exactly "handy") but my dad could do something like that. Thanks!

I've been trying to decide if I'm going to wall mount the 50" plasma I'm getting ready to buy. It kind of depends on if I switch the layout of the room around or not. But if I do, it will go over the fireplace (as much as I'm not a huge fan of that...that's the way the room is). So I can't go just straight up the wall between studs anyway. Making a channel is the only way to really hide the wires.
At our house we had to go over the fireplace too. Like you I'm also not a fan of that but our room and furniture really left us no other options either. It's really too high on the wall when you're sitting on the couch, and IMHO it looks a little weird, and now we have no usage for the mantle. But we didn't really have any other options. Getting it up that high was a HUGE pain too, especially with our plasma (it's surprisingly heavy).

At our house we had to go over the fireplace too. Like you I'm also not a fan of that but our room and furniture really left us no other options either. It's really too high on the wall when you're sitting on the couch, and IMHO it looks a little weird, and now we have no usage for the mantle. But we didn't really have any other options. Getting it up that high was a HUGE pain too, especially with our plasma (it's surprisingly heavy).

If I do it, I may look into a bit of a tilt in the mount to get the angle better, but then I still have to figure out how to mount the big center speaker (Klipsch RC3) and have it sound right. Below the screen to get the angle closer, or above on a tilt mount? I really like my big Klipsch stuff, but mounting them and a 50" plasma maybe not work out well in the space allowed.

On the weight, this years Panasonic's look to be lighter than last, but they are still heavy. I'm sure it won't be fun.

If I do it, I may look into a bit of a tilt in the mount to get the angle better, but then I still have to figure out how to mount the big center speaker (Klipsch RC3) and have it sound right. Below the screen to get the angle closer, or above on a tilt mount? I really like my big Klipsch stuff, but mounting them and a 50" plasma maybe not work out well in the space allowed.

On the weight, this years Panasonic's look to be lighter than last, but they are still heavy. I'm sure it won't be fun.
Ours tilts, which helps, but it's still awkward looking. Even though it's only a 42" it still just looks huge up there and kinda corny IMO. We've been looking at houses lately and one of the major factors in our house decision will of course be the family room. I won't go over the fireplace again if I can help it.

I like the Panasonics a lot. :tu: We're kinda stuck with Philips though because we like Ambilight; before having it I thought it was a cheesy thing but after having it for over a year I really do think it's worth having. I've read of a lot of problems with them on various forums but we have had zero trouble with ours.

As for your speakers... there's just enough room on each side of our TV to put the speakers on the mantle. But I'm not sure if yours will fit up there with a 50" and your speakers might be bigger than mine. Currently we have a Bose 3-2-1 which I would never again spend money on :blank:; I'll probably get a better system when we move, get out of debt, etc. :) So, my knowledge of sound systems is very limited; I'm not sure where your center speaker would be best put. :confused:

Ours tilts, which helps, but it's still awkward looking. Even though it's only a 42" it still just looks huge up there and kinda corny IMO. We've been looking at houses lately and one of the major factors in our house decision will of course be the family room. I won't go over the fireplace again if I can help it.

I want a basement in my next house to split up for media/weights. But you live in FL, so that's probably not likely down there.

I like the Panasonics a lot. :tu: We're kinda stuck with Philips though because we like Ambilight; before having it I thought it was a cheesy thing but after having it for over a year I really do think it's worth having. I've read of a lot of problems with them on various forums but we have had zero trouble with ours.

The new Panasonics look nice on paper, with true 30000:1 contrast (1,000,000:1 dynamic). I hope they turn out as good as they sound. I'm either getting the TH-50PZ85U or the TH-50PZ800U (depending on cost and availability dates).

As for your speakers... there's just enough room on each side of our TV to put the speakers on the mantle. But I'm not sure if yours will fit up there with a 50" and your speakers might be bigger than mine. Currently we have a Bose 3-2-1 which I would never again spend money on :blank:; I'll probably get a better system when we move, get out of debt, etc. :) So, my knowledge of sound systems is very limited; I'm not sure where your center speaker would be best put. :confused:

Heh, my speakers are quite large. I have RF5 towers (http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rf-5.aspx)and the RC3 (http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/rc-3.aspx) center (8"x23"x9"). I'll wall mount my surrounds, and find a new spot for the 15" KSW-15" sub.

... I still have to figure out how to mount the big center speaker (Klipsch RC3) and have it sound right. Below the screen to get the angle closer, or above on a tilt mount?

You probably know this already but the higher the frequency of sound waves (in Hz), the more directional they are. Properly designed center channel speakers (yours is almost certainly one) are particularly directional, in order to avoid widely dispersed sound waves from reflecting off of floor and ceiling surfaces. Refelected sound can cause things (dialogue, for example) to sound a bit "muddy" or imprecise. Bad news for the center channel since it is intended to "anchor" the sound to the screen image.

In short, you want the center channel tweeter to be aimed directly at ear height in your primary seating position. Mounting a center channel above the screen (and well above the listening area) results in a greater degree of tilt to get proper aiming, which can lead to reflections off of the screen itself and can also result in a time delay that might become noticeable in the form of dialogue that isn't correctly synchronized with the video.

IOW, mount the center speaker below the screen and tilt it down slightly to aim the tweeter at the point where the bridge of your nose will be when you watch movies. :lol:

You probably know this already but the higher the frequency of sound waves (in Hz), the more directional they are. Properly designed center channel speakers (yours is almost certainly one) are particularly directional, in order to avoid widely dispersed sound waves from reflecting off of floor and ceiling surfaces. Refelected sound can cause things (dialogue, for example) to sound a bit "muddy" or imprecise. Bad news for the center channel since it is intended to "anchor" the sound to the screen image.

In short, you want the center channel tweeter to be aimed directly at ear height in your primary seating position. Mounting a center channel above the screen (and well above the listening area) results in a greater degree of tilt to get proper aiming, which can lead to reflections off of the screen itself and can also result in a time delay that might become noticeable in the form of dialogue that isn't correctly synchronized with the video.

IOW, mount the center speaker below the screen and tilt it down slightly to aim the tweeter at the point where the bridge of your nose will be when you watch movies. :lol:

Understood, but like the proper angle for the speaker, you also have to consider viewing angles. Mounting it below the TV would obviously require the TV to move up the wall, almost to where the top would be at the angled ceiling. Also not optimal.

All of this is why I don't want to mount over the fireplace.

I don't have "dedicated" theater room, but this is doing me very good.

52inch with HK and Polk

http://thereforeiam.com/misc/tv.JPG
http://thereforeiam.com/misc/tv2.JPG

I don't have "dedicated" theater room, but this is doing me very good.

52inch with HK and Polk

http://thereforeiam.com/misc/tv.JPG
http://thereforeiam.com/misc/tv2.JPG

That's awesome! :D

No projectors? A friend of mine has one and i have to say nothing beats dishin out frags and watchin intense movies on a 12' screen. You can get a decent one for liike $200 and a really good one for $1000, i cant afford either of those so I am currently in the procces of making a projector.

No projectors? A friend of mine has one and i have to say nothing beats dishin out frags and watchin intense movies on a 12' screen. You can get a decent one for liike $200 and a really good one for $1000, i cant afford either of those so I am currently in the procces of making a projector.

A projector would be nice, but I don't want to watch TV in a dark room all the time. I also think a "really good" projector, what I would consider "really good" anyway, would be much more than $1k, probably around 15k or so, at a minimum.