Brand new cinema room - don't know where to start

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surfisup1000

5288 posts

Uber Geek

#1018552 4-Apr-2014 14:56

sophiehemm: We've bought a house that has an extra room and as my husband has always wanted a cinema room, I thought why not. Trouble is there's so many options out there, I'm confused as to what to get.

We have a budget for $1500 - $2000 for a projector. I know I need a 1080 and the more lumens the better but other than that, don't know.

I found this screen:
http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/projector-screens-1/106-inch-nova-16-9-manual-pull-down-screen.html

and I haven't even started on audio.

Please could you point me in the right direction - particularly for the projector. The room will have black out curtains but we will mainly be using it at night to watch films. It is about 6x6ish (from memory). I'm not adverse to importing but would prefer NZ found.

Thanks in advance

Here you go...(assuming you have a bluray player/media player/apple tv or whatever).

Go for just a stereo setup initially and add surround at a later date. I think after a while you become accustomed to surround anyway and don't really notice.

Projector...benq 1070 from harvey norman $2170 rrp, with haggling, get $200 off so $1900.

Receiver: Sony STRDH740 7.2CH 4K A/V Receiver $299 jbhi on sale now.

HDMI cable : $60 (guessing a bit but could be a bit higher as you may need a 10 meter cable )

Proj Screen : $200 inc shipping (http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/projectors-screens/screens/auction-712447892.htm)

Speaker Cables: don't need high end, just go for value speaker wire that is not too thing but for your setup should be around $30

Subwoofer coaxial cable: $30

Speakers:Sherwood 5.1 Speaker Pack $592 from JB HIFI right now. I was going to say just stick to 2 speakers but this is a pretty decent deal.

total cost: $3111.

I reckon , this would be a fairly reasonable setup and very good value given the sales that are on just now.

It seems too cheap to me actually, i wonder if i missed anything :)

Sideface

9353 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1018642 4-Apr-2014 16:33

sophiehemm: Unfortunately our budget is there for a reason. We have about $3500 for the projector, screen, speakers, amp and wiring.

I think that this is an unrealistically low budget, even with carefully selected second-hand equipment.
Save up your money for later, and then do it right.

Sideface

kendog

325 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1018765 4-Apr-2014 20:14

If you can resist 'upgradeitus', your budget can probably work as suggested by others.
If you think you will upgrade down the track, think about getting a good screen and speakers, these don't update anywhere near as fast as amps, projectors and bluray players.
Think about the type of content you will watch most, if blockbuster type movies then look at 2.35 screens. Nobody regrets 2.35 screen size screen for movies. Using a 16.9 screen for movies is a bit sh!t when tv watching on that screen has a bigger picture.

33coupe

988 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1019492 6-Apr-2014 14:13

I think it is possible to build a home cinema room on the budget given (as surfisup has shown). It wont be as good as the $6k set up that someone has on here, but that wont be as good as a $12k set up. . . . . .

My Wharfedale Diamonds are budget speakers, but are plenty loud enough (deafening when cranked up), and clear enough for me. I havent heard more expensive speakers tho, nor do I intend to (ignorance is bliss ;o).

My advice would be to buy the best you can afford. It's a lot of money to pay out in one hit, but it will make your viewing pleasure more enjoyable, and less need to upgrade over time (if ever).

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