Home theatre setup ~12k

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99GTB

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Wannabe Geek

Topic # 65582 4-Aug-2010 00:11

Hi, first post as I don't usually post stuff just browse the forum.
But would like a little bit of advice on a reasonable quality home theatre setup.

I am setting up a system that is for my parents that I will also use.

Budget is supposed to be ~$12,000, I'm having a hard time keeping it near this.

Aim is to do as much as possible with my dad to make sure he gets better components for his money, instead of paying someone else to set it all up.
Will be used for movies, watching freeview/sport, probably a bit of gaming and will be a 5.1 setup.

Don't currently have sky but may get it back again possibly for sport. I'm more into movies myself.

These are the things I am after and possible models I am looking at...

Projector - Panasonic pt-ae4000 for the aspect ratio shifting
http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/television/projectors/panasonic-pt-ae4000projector
$3800

Screen - ~120" diagonally 2:35 AR
http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/1710/2.35-CINEMASCOPE-SCREENS/2.35-CINEMASCOPE-SCREENS/
$2200

Receiver - Yamaha rx-v1900 must do HD audios and would like a reasonable power output.
http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/amplifiersreceiversprocessors/av-receivers/yamaha-rx-v1900home-theatre-re
$2100

PS3 slim - For dvd/bluray and freeview PVR
$550

PlayTV - Freeview decoder for PS3
$150

Universal fully programmable wireless remote:
Ipod touch 8gb - $300
iRule app - $70
Global cache GC-100-06 - $265
Logitech PS3 adaptor - $100

Subwoofer - cht12 Velodyne
http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/subwoofers/velodyne-cht12q12subwoofer
$1800

This area is where I could do with a little help

Unsure of front speakers - Floor standing OR possibly inwall behind acoustically transparent screen (more cost for screen?)

Centre - preferably matching fronts as best possible.

Surrounds - Most likely in ceiling due to room constraints.

The room has large windows/doors surrounding the back of the seating covered with blackout curtains and another large window on the side with venetian blinds that will need to be blacked out better.

Room is 4.9m wide X 4.8m long and ceiling is 2.6m high.

Seating position is mainly 4m from wall. Projector is likely to be mounted on the ceiling and ~4.1m throw from the wall.

Probably missed some info, but let me know what you think, suggestions and best places to buy etc.

Joey.

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 362733 4-Aug-2010 05:47

Is there a please?

Mark Ascroft
Wellington

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Reply # 362742 4-Aug-2010 07:19

may i suggest - you dont use PS3, but an oppo BD player and freeview pvr - ps3 has bluetooth and is not one touch play which annoys the crap out of me.

secondly - get 2 subs which both can go down to about 14-18Hz. it's not the power, it's the lowness of the frequency that makes a sub rock. having 2 will rock better. check avsforum.com

my 2 cents ... man i wish i could spend like that!

wmoore

510 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 362749 4-Aug-2010 07:49

Also you need to factor in all your cabling as well. Wiring of plugs for projector and projector mounts etc.

Personally you don't need two subs just this one

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Dunnersfella

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Reply # 362751 4-Aug-2010 08:09

If this setup is for your parents - can I ask how technically minded are they?
Will they trouble shoot a universal remote / enjoy working through a PS3 menu system to play a disc?

I'd get a Panaonic BluRay Recorder instead of a PS3...
Who would be playing games? You, or your folks?
And looking at the size of the room, you MAY not need a dual sub setup. But you'll probably know this once everything is set up. Checking for even bass response is a lot easier to do once the room has furniture / all the gear in there.

99GTB

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 362781 4-Aug-2010 09:28

ascroft: Is there a please?

Sorry, after all that and I didn't say please.
So, thanks for your comments so far and if you have any more suggestions please feel free to comment.

The ps3 was chosen as it can do alot for a reasonable price; freeview viewing/recording, bluray/dvd, the occasional game (me/mates/sisters), media server and for firmware upgradability.

Parents have trouble operating one normal remote, the idea is to have macros setup to make things easy and with the app simple screens can be made to make it all seem simple for them. They are very likely to trouble shoot a dvd player and 42" let alone a system like this.
They will be fine navigating the ps3 menu I think.

I think it should be fine with one sub, as I have heard a very similar sub and it went very well, with plenty for their needs.

Cabling etc, I'm not too worried about, I will try and write that off as installation costs. :)

The bluray recorders look like they would reduce the budget which could be used for better speakers etc.

Oh and gear does not necessarily have to be purchased new.

buzzy

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Master Geek
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Reply # 362783 4-Aug-2010 09:34

The RX-V1900 is probably overkill. I'd say the RX-V665 or RX-V765 would do nicely. They're both discontinued, so you may be able to get them quite cheaply (have a look on TradeMe, there are often second hand receivers like these going quite cheap). Otherwise, the newer model RX-V667 should be fine. It also has 2 sub outputs - rather than one on the RX-V1900.

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/compare/Detail.html?compitem1=5124254&compitem2=5016804&compitem3=5028422&...

Speakers.

Rather than recommending particular brands, I think you need to shop around. Go visit some hi-fi stores (if you're in Wellington, I can recommend Absolute Audio and Vision, on Willis St). Find a sales guy you like and trust. Tell him your budget and requirements. Get him to set up a few sets of speakers, and sit and watch/listen to something on them. *That* is the way to find a set of speakers you like.

Don't be fooled into believing that hi-fi stores are all about rip-off gear. Some probably are, but most are genuinely there to help. For the kind of prices you're talking about, they're going to be a much better bet than big-box retailers.

buzzy

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Master Geek
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Reply # 362785 4-Aug-2010 09:35

ascroft: Is there a please?

Manners? On teh Internets??

Batman

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Reply # 362818 4-Aug-2010 11:01

walk into paul money and tell him what you want and he'd be able to help. i think the boss is john tom who had been very helpful all the while.

are you sure ps3 can do freeview dvb-t pvr??? the last i checked it's not plug and play?

speakers: what's your budget?

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Reply # 362825 4-Aug-2010 11:06

buzzy: The RX-V1900 is probably overkill. .

overkill? there's no overkill if you have the dosh! the 665/667 is the minimum you should buy and i would do that and have more money for speakers because they're what you hear, not the amp and the 665/7 the lowest range yamaha amp that doesnt limit it's power output (THD at 7 channels driven) giving your speakers max potential. in very simple terms that is. the other differences are in the features mainly.

vinnieg

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Reply # 362873 4-Aug-2010 11:55

Have you thought about the Denon?

http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/shop/amplifiersreceiversprocessors/av-receivers/denon-avr2809home-theatre...

joker97 is right, it's not simple plug and play, well plug into the PS3 and then you need to set it up, if you are still wanting to game, then I'd go a Logitech Harmony and bluetooth adapter to the PS3, then setup some Macros to make recording easier for your parents, because I'm sure they don't want to have to go in with the PS3 controller, hit Login, scroll to Video, hit PlayTV, then choose the channel, then record.

Setup the Macro to do the following:
Turn on TV
Turn on Reciever
Turn on PS3
Login, goto directly to PlayTV and select channel 1(or any other channel as default)

Otherwise a Dreambox, Tivo or MyFreeviewHD style box would be a better solution...or MySky but I really don't rate MySky, the bit rate on most of the Sky channels is so sub standard, although the recording and playback as so easy a child can do it and most probably will if the remote is left on the floor!

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

wellygary

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Reply # 362882 4-Aug-2010 12:12

99GTB:

The ps3 was chosen as it can do alot for a reasonable price; freeview viewing/recording, bluray/dvd, the occasional game (me/mates/sisters), media server and for firmware upgradability.

They will be fine navigating the ps3 menu I think.

Without the weekly EPG the PS3 is not a great option for Freeview HD

LookingUp

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Reply # 362891 4-Aug-2010 12:36

I can totally recommend the Oppo BluRay player (http://www.rapalloav.co.nz), although I do have the slightly more expensive BDP-83. I borrowed a friend's PS3 to have a play with HD before making the investment, and am glad I got the Oppo.

Speakers and amps are a challenging purchase, and if possible, I'd buy them together. Some combos "work", and others don't, and how you like your sound also comes into the mix. At a mimimum, I'd want to hear the combo running together before buying either. Amps DO make a substantial difference, and can attest to this just having done an upgrade.

For simplicity, I'd also look for an amp that does HDMI and other video source switching, as that makes it easier to run - otherwise you end up having to change channels on too many devices at once.

I'd possibly reconsider the projector idea, as you could save some dosh by getting a reasonable Plasma or LCD, and spend the savings on other bits. Watching a huge screen is fine for good source material, but standard def TV will look pretty bad at that size.

All good fun :-)

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)
http://www.astrophotogallery.org/u141-rodm.html

buzzy

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Reply # 363012 4-Aug-2010 14:31

joker97: overkill? there's no overkill if you have the dosh!

Agreed, however the OP said he's having problems sticking within the $12k budget, hence the suggestion that he look at cheaper receiver. It'd free up another grand or so which could be usefully spent on better speakers.

70mm

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Master Geek

Reply # 363022 4-Aug-2010 14:48

99GTB:
Screen - ~120" diagonally 2:35 AR
http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/product/1710/2.35-CINEMASCOPE-SCREENS/2.35-CINEMASCOPE-SCREENS/
$2200

No way would I recommend that screen of ours for your setup. A 120" 2:35 screen for your room will be tiny on 16x9 and any 4:3 material, to maximize all ratios you should just go for a much cheaper 16x9 120" screen with RS232 if you ever wish to automate.

The money you save can go towards a larger 15" Velodyne CHT-15Q

bazzer

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Reply # 363032 4-Aug-2010 14:59

I have PS3, PlayTV, Freeview PVR, Harmony remote etc.

In my opinion, PS3 is a fine BD player. You can set it to auto play the discs, so it's easy to just put the disc in and it plays. I wouldn't worry about that.

I wouldn't rely on PlayTV as the only Freeview player/recorder. It's a bit buggy, and not as fully featured as a standalone. There's no EPG. I had trouble with pixelation on HD recordings. It's OK, but they'll get frsutrated probably.

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