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Community weekly poll: What kind of home-theater setup do you have?
- 4/18/06 5:19 PM
I have this setup
by tazadsldevil - 4/19/06 7:51 PM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
TV : Tube stereo TV TXT 55 CM (metric) provision
DVD: JVC XN-v5SL slimline (dts/dolby digital/prologic/mpeg3/jpg
surround receiver : sony str-de545 (DTS/Dolby Digital/ prologic 1/stereo/ afd + several surround modi
home cinema speakers : JVC SP-X100 (5.0)
"sub" = creative fps 1500 7w rms / 14 w max
the dvd is also coupled with a hgh end stereo amp thus havign the posibilty for 7.1
when i have found a anther set of sp-x 100 speakers 2 of them go to surround speakers on the sony
rear speakers are worth the hassle because you can follow a chase through the room, and enjoy music dvd's with delay and effect sound like live experienced but now in a comfortable chair with a good wine or nice beer
My set-up
by givemeaname - 4/19/06 7:54 PM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
Sony KD-30XS955
Yamaha RX-V1500 7.1
Sony DVP-NS70H
JBL Studio LC1 (black)
JBL Northridge E Series E50
JBL Northridge E Series E250P
JBL Studio S36IIPM - speaker (back speakers)
Monster POWERCENTER HTS 5000
Monster Power AVS 2000 - Automatic Voltage Stabilizer AVS 2000
Xbox
DVR
& $1650 in monster cables + $800 in monster speaker wires
The only thing I want to change is too get bigger TV, that is 1080P (37-42") & a XBox-360 when the price comes down
here some photos, note my room is messy so I did not include images of the back speakers (1 is mounted on the wall the other is on a shelf)
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/12models/cc58ddc0.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/12models/e3599380.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/12models/eaec909e.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d122/12models/6ec9c21f.jpg
A mix of new and old
by lasereyes66 - 4/19/06 9:11 PM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
Mitsubishi Diamond 55" Rear Projection
Mitsubishi Progressive DVD
DirecTV HD10-250
Denon 7.1 Channel Receiver
5 B&H Satellite Speakers
1 B&H Subwoofer
re: A mix of new and old
by saleeh - 11/22/08 7:51 PM In reply to: A mix of new and old by lasereyes66Do you use the TV speakers with the receiver or just the 5.1 speakers?
If you do, how have you set up the cabling.
If not, do you turn off the TV speakers off or what?
thanks,
Lee
my setup
by TreyTable - 4/19/06 9:25 PM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
I have a traditional (meaning old) setup with a flat screen 480i TV, 5.1 speakers, a reciever that can tell if it's DD5.1, Dolby Pro Logic II, dts, and stereo, etc. No VCR. Who needs a VCR these days? A lower end DVD player (component video, cacapable of progressive scan, but not using PS cos of the TV), Other items using componet video include a PlayStation 2, two XBOX systems, a an XBOX 360. On S-video is my Dreamcast and GameCube.
Dolby Headphone for little appartment !!
by spanky6666 - 4/20/06 1:26 AM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
Hi there, I'm from Belgium, (so excuse my bad English writing...)
I'm living in a small appartment (centre of a city) with neighbours all around me on the other side of the walls,floor and ceiling.
If I should install a Dolby Home Theatre in my living room, it wouldn't take long befoure my neighbours would be conspiring against me to throw me out! 
But I really wanted to hear my movies and play games in Dolby Digital 5.1, what to do??
But first my setup: Sony 32'' widescreen tube TV, Panasonic HiFi Videorecorder and DVD Recorder with HDD 200GB, all current gen game consoles.
I like to watch my movies late at night and therefore bought me this '' Thrustmaster T510 Dolby Digital 5.1 '' decoder that translates analog Dolby Prologic II and Digital (optical) Dolby Digital 5.1 signals into a Dolby Headphone signal.
This way I get a very nice sounding surroundsound through my headphone, this works with every brand of headphone, the little Thrustmaster box does the trick.
I know, this is not the same experience as feeling the bass rumbling through your stomach but if you have a very good headphone with deep bass, it's a great alternative, if you want to live in peace with your neighbours,that is!
Not for the whole family though, but if you're living alone it's a nice solution for your Surround Sound needs 
Hope this helps some people realize there are alternatives...
Kind regards,
Dirk ( from Belgium )
5.1 and no rear speakers - LOL
by kayakbob - 4/20/06 4:20 AM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
If your going to invest in a 5.1 (or better) and you don't have rear speakers, its plain and simple, you're wasting your money. I have a Samsung DLP, Sony 300 disc DVD mega-changer, Sony 300 disc CD mega changer and a Sony AV unit. The speaker system is Polk Audio including a Polk Audio powered sub woofer which puts the whole sound experience over the top. By far the system is not top shelf, but then is not a home theatre in a box either. With this system I believe I can compete with going to the movie theatre, but I don't have to wait for the start time. And by the way, take that second look at those DLP televisions, the black is so crisp, I will put it up against any Plasma or LCD. So do you really think a system such as this would be that great without a set of rear speakers - now I'm rolling on the floor laughing at you techno-freaks that don't have rear speakers - Duh.
5.1 and no rear = impossible
by ranron - 4/20/06 1:29 PM In reply to: 5.1 and no rear speakers - LOL by kayakbobNot disagreeing with you, but when one mentions 5.1 it is implied there is a left front, right front, center channel and two rear surround channels, plus a subwoofer. Only a fool would set-up 5.1 with all 5 speakers in front.
better than some, and probably less than others...
by JohnnyDunbar3 - 4/20/06 6:19 AM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
A little bit from all can be just as entertaining, as I have come to find out. I bought my Hitachi projection 43" TV five years ago, and then went into the digital mode three years ago.
As the local cable company could now start offering the digital signal, my TV could now provide me with the HD experience that it was origanally purchased for! (Another football season freak)
With the expanded capability of the digital input signal came the digital audio, so I purchased a Yamaha receiver and hooked the Sony DVD and the TV into it with fiber optic digital audio cable. In addition, the new Sony surround system. Watch any movie now in one of about 6 versions of sound, such as theatre mode, night mode, studio mode, etc, as well Dolby Digital.
Nothing like having a fire in the fireplace, a good movie on the TV (or a good football game), a cold beer in hand, while watching from the comfort of one's own Lazyboy!
By the way, yes, one does require the rear speakers to enjoy the surround sound effects, but even more enjoyable through all 6 speakers of a very nice speaker system! Paul
Great but inexpensive home theater
by keyguy - 4/20/06 6:30 AM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
My home theater setup was not expensive at all and yet it still does the trick. It's ugly yet functional but it only cost me $1030 for a 7.1 theater with an 8' screen.
Dell MP2200 Projector - $800 on ebay
104" diagonal screen material and lumber - $30 ebay/lowes
Inspire 7.1 speaker setup - $99 wal-mart
Tuner card (can't remember brand) - $100 newegg.com
Use your computer with the free powerDVD software and you have an awesome home theater.
I'm definitely ol'skool!
by loviece - 4/20/06 8:24 AM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
I have a Sanyon 27" set, w/DVD-VCR running thru an old Sansui receiver (100 watts rms) w/EQ & CD/Cassette setup w/2 Cerwin Vega & 2 JBL floor speakers (all 15" woofers) set up in my bedroom. I know this equipment is definitely not the latest in the world of plasma screens and 7.1 theater systems, but believe me when I tell you it suits me well and when it comes to sound quality, I'm definitely surrounded. When it comes to sheer power, I just don't believe that old stereo can be beat. But I have been shopping for a plasma screen for the living room.
My home theater set-up
by ranron - 4/20/06 1:21 PM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
First I would love to have the movies and everything live in my house, but that would be impractical.
I've got a Panasonic Tau 50-inch plasma display (TH-50PHW3) running 720p/1080i. I bought this 5 years ago when it 50-inch were fairly rare, but I purchased it at close-to-wholesale price, so it was really cheap (40% MSRP then--about MSRP for today). The display does not have speakers, so I use a Bose Lifestyle 50 system with the jewel cube speakers. I also have my Samsung HD receiver for DirecTV. For many off-air HD channels, I use a self-built Pentium M Small-Form-Factor PC with Snapstream Beyond TV. The Beyond TV software is fanastic and easy to use. I also provides me the ability to stream video over network without need for ''Squeeze Box'' or equivalent. This computer I build last year and its running really well and has not crashed once. Specification for it are (if you are interested?): Intel Pentium M 770 (OC'd to 2.56 GHz), OCZ 2GB DDR2 (PC 4200 CAS 2-3-2-5), 400GB Western Digital HD, Plextor DVD Drive, and generic media reader. Also have a Creative X-Fi for sound duties. All is packed in a SilverStone SFF chassis. The good thing about using the PC is I can burn those videos onto DVD when I need or when Blur-ray/HD DVD hits mass market, I can upgrade to those.
Oh yes, I forgot it also runs a eVGA Geforce 7800 GT CO (256-P2-N516-AX), and since it connected to my Gigabit ethernet network, I can play first person shoots on the brilliant display with kick ass sound. (Not my main purpose--but nice to have).
Answer to original question
by ranron - 4/20/06 1:25 PM In reply to: My home theater set-up by ranronI also forgot to answer the question whether rear speakers (called Surround Speakers) are important.
Well of course they are! They are vital to tell when enemies are shooting me from behind when I play first person shooters. As for movies, it gives me a sense that I'm in the movie (especially with lights off).
My nice comfy Home Theater System
by cfabian123 - 4/21/06 11:04 AM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
In our house hold I'm the gaget person. I love what we have done in many additions(and still going) to our TV/components. Being a self taught woman, I love to try to improve our home with good sound systems (without breaking our bank account) We don't have a top class level, but our Philips home theater/DVD suits our needs. We also have dvd/dvr/vcr as well, satillite/ PVR. I know, more toys. But I have a ball with the options we now have. My husband of course is going crazy. He is NOT and gadget man. So many times I have to show him how to use the remotes or systems. I had to of course install a switch box to control the many boxes. I was thinking of the all in one remote, That will be my next purchase. The extra work that was required was well worth the final result. We sit back and listen to good sounds of shows/movie sthat we didn't hear before! We love it! I know that it gives you a whole new experience. I thought in mentioning this as I know many of you out there as well...
Big Screen, Bigger sound
by Vicky Brown-Ravano - 4/26/06 5:44 PM In reply to: What kind of home-theater setup do you have? by Marc Bennett
I just recently turned my downstairs room into a split Home theatre / Kids room. Formerly it was all kids ... Honestly, it has changed our family's life. We used to go separate directions, kids watching cartoons, adults upstairs reading or watching something else, nobody together or talking. Having the home theatre brings us together several nights a week. We all gather to watch movies and invite our friends over to enjoy it with us, we talk, we laugh and generally have better "together" time than ever. It may be one of the best investments of my life.
I have the following equipment:
TV: Sony SXRD 60" KDS-R60XBR1 - Absolutely stunning picture
DVD: Sony 400 disk upconvert changer DVP-CX995V - One of my favorite parts of the whole thing. A lot of work to set up, but well worth it. No more scratched disks, no cases cluttering up the room..
Receiver: Yamaha HTR-5990 HDMI receiver, - HDMI switching simplifies using multiple High-def components, multi zone, room shaking power...
Speakers: All Klipsch Synergy - F-3 Floorstanding front speakers, C-2 Center channel, S-2 multi-directional surround speakers, and Sub-12 650 watt sub. - The sub rumbles the foundation, the speakers have phenomenal clarity, & one pair of surrounds sounds like 4 or more because of the multi-directional aspect
Source: Dish Network HD with Voom. - Lots of HD programming - 20-something channels - good stuff too.
Other:
PS2 with Eyetoy - very cool on the big screen
Sony RM AX4000 Remote Commander - My wife loves this, it is actually simple and intuitive to use once set up, though set up is a chore and a half.
I built a backlight behind the TV on a dimmer switch so that we get a very cinematic feel when we watch a movie, and I am hanging movie posters around the room to complete the experience. All in all I transformed a room that was just for the kids into family central, and everyone loves it...
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