Setting Up A New Home Theatre on a Budget

[fireseal859]

Before I get started, feel free to offer any help you can with this. I am new to this and I really don't know what I'm doing.

I'm setting up a home theatre with about $2000 budget (if this just isn't going to happen, feel free to say so).

Up until now my setup has been my 67" Samsung DLP which had adequate sound for our arrangement. I'm primarily looking to upgrade to a DLP projector (not LCD) with an HD Pictureframe Screen. Sound just has to be decent, honestly a soundbar may work since that's pretty much what I have now.

These are the specs thus far (everything is pending of course):

Projector
Optoma HD20 OPTHD20

Screen
Elite ezFrame Fixed Frame Screen (120") ELIR106WH1
106" Da-Lite Perm-Wall Fixed Frame Screen DAL78676

Sound System
Denon DHT1312BA Home Theater System DENDHT1312BA

Total Cost:
$1825 before cables


Again, I am new to this. Thank you for any help you can offer.

Just another question, will I need an HDMI splitter for the reciever/projector?
I have a PS3, Xbox 360 and PC which all connect to the HDMI ports.

[Favelle]

You`ll LOVE the Optoma HD20....no question.

Most recievers have 4 HDMI inputs or more, there`s no splitter necessary.

[almadacr]

The Optoma will be a nice option for a DLP , but i prefer for example what Favelle as ( non DLP ) the Epson 8350/8345 ( well i`m a bit biased since i have one also ) . Looking at the US site of Denon - if you are getting with that MRSP , i would look at places like Newegg.com or Accessories4less.com and would look for a nice receiver and would start with some floor standing front's and sub . At newegg sometimes they have the Pioneer VSX-1021-K for 249$ you can also ad a pair of Polk monitor 60's that some times are at 100$ and you could ad a BIC america sub under 200$ truth amazon this is a nice and cheaper way to start and later you can ad a center and surrounds .

At Accessories4less they also have sometimes good deals on the Onkyo receivers . They also have a great selection of speakers as KEF or Wharfedale but this will bring you a bit more out of your budget .

But the best advice that anyone can give you is .... audition everything and what you can in terms of sound and image .

[fireseal859]

I'm not sure there are places like that where I can test out the product in the area. I live in the Phoenix Metro area in Arizona.

Thank you for the input btw.

I really like the image quality I've seen with DLP projectors, but haven't been impressed with LED/LCD projectors that I've seen. But to be fair, I don't understand the technical difference between the two. If it's the same as stand alone televisions, I think I will stick with DLP.

So the Optoma HD20 is a good model then?

[Badger3920]

I'm not sure there are places like that where I can test out the product in the area. I live in the Phoenix Metro area in Arizona.

Hey man, from experience, the BestBuy at I10 and Ray has a Magnolia home theater center. You might check to see what sorts of things they have, and see if they cross with anything you're interested in; then you can go see/hear/test

I really like the image quality I've seen with DLP projectors, but haven't been impressed with LED/LCD projectors that I've seen. But to be fair, I don't understand the technical difference between the two. If it's the same as stand alone televisions, I think I will stick with DLP.

So the Optoma HD20 is a good model then?

Make sure to read a lot of reviews, but if that's a look you enjoy like - then feel confident in your purchase.

Best of luck and let us know what it looks like once you have everything together!

[AV_Integrated]

If your heart is set on DLP, then I think I would go for the Mits HC4000 over the HD20.

For a screen, defintiely pass on the DaLite screen as it is really overpriced for what you get. While Carada really delivers, your budget doesn't really allow for it, but you can get some nice options with the Elite or with the Focupix screens. Just take your time putting them together as they aren't really top of the line at that price point.

The HTiB is a weak way to go. You have a ton of options in home theater in a box setups, but you should really be looking for different manufacturers which can play up the strengths of what they do exclusively. So, get a surround receiver from a decent company and then get the speakers from a lower priced manufacturer that is not just padding their sales.

Realistically, your audio budget sucks, and audio is really important, but you truly will have a good starting point which is miles ahead of where most people ever get to with their setups. If all you've used is your current DLP speakers, then about anything will be a big step up.

I will personally say that the Monoprice 8" 3-way in-wall speakers are FAR better than most other speakers you will hope to afford at your budget. It may also make sense to consider a stereo setup for a bit and build up with some more/better speakers as your budget allows. It is a very common recommendation to not just blow it all on mediocrity, but to get less at higher quality so you don't immediately feel like upgrading everything.

Still, you can do it for your budget, but I would consider reworking things a bit and looking for some serious sales or b-stock perhaps on Audiogon.

[badasscabletech]

Here's a few breakdowns of what u can do with $2K

Mitsubishi HC4K $1089
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....154656367_.css

AccuScreen Hi Contrast Grey 106" screen $235
http://www.projectorpeople.com/scree...roductID=21798

Onkyo TX509 $199
http://www.accessories4less.com/make...eceiver/1.html

5.1 Speaker system from MonoPrice $84.99
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Also get all cables and projector mount u from MonoPrice.

I took the "bang 4 buck" approach with your budget and pushed it as far as I could for what I would do. I would definitely get the HC4000. It's a really good projector and worth the extra money since u must have DLP. I have the prior model (HC3800) and I love it. The Onkyo is a good unit that has tons of HDMI inputs. The screen is good to get things going and will present u with a picture u will be very happy with. The speakers, while not everyone will agree with me on, will get the job done. They will complete your package at you budget. The real gem is that u can always upgrade them with better quality down the line and u really won't have to touch anything else unless u want to. Say in 12 months u have another 1K to spend. U can then upgrade the speakers to something that will be more inline with your PQ. That totaled bring u to around $1600 not including shipping and other cost. Even adding those cost in, I'd say at most you're around $1850.

[nmcmahan52]

From personal experience owning the optoma for a couple months it's pretty good (I'm not an expert, the picture is pretty), I too had a pretty low budget to get all this stuff, for audio I went with the onkyo hts-3400, it was cheap and the speakers are tiny but i really just wanted the receiver

Since then I've picked up two polk monitor 70s and the cs2(world of difference) total spent for everything was about 1900

[Favelle]

I've seen the Optoma in action....its pretty sweet. And you can get it for $650-750 on sale...I would say the Mits is not $300 better than the Optoma. I'd rather put $300 into the audio if we're going to keep increasing the budget.

[fireseal859]

I'm really not into premium sound quality so the basic ones work for me. I've had hearing problems since I was a kid, so as long as I can hear it I'm happy. But visually I want something sparkly, I guess my eyes overcompensated...

So, current build:

Mitsubishi HC4000 300-Inch 1080p - $1089 shipped
http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-HC4000-300-Inch-1080p-Projector/dp/B0044UF0PM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I17P9H425SFXH0&c olid=RX7UJW9B1YHU

Onkyo TX-NR509 5.1 Channel Network A/V Receiver - $229 shipped
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-NR509-Channel-Network-Receiver/dp/B004O0TRCO/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

Screen
Nothing definitive yet - AccuScreen is apparently the vote thus far...

Speakers
The set offered are on back order... Anything else?


Thanks everyone! Your input means a lot to me!!

[Favelle]

Build your own screen. Custom size, custom finish, custom gain or grey level depending on room's ambient light and video source(s).

[fireseal859]

How would one go about this?? Not that I'm opposed by any means...

Build your own screen. Custom size, custom finish, custom gain or grey level depending on room's ambient light and video source(s).

[Favelle]

There are MANY DIY screen forums....and all the pros have already worked out the best screen types for the Mits. The hard work is done. PM me if you can't find the sites.

[badasscabletech]

There are MANY DIY screen forums....and all the pros have already worked out the best screen types for the Mits. The hard work is done. PM me if you can't find the sites.

The DIY Screen is the way to go on a budget. I personally didn't feel like investing the time, but have seen some really sweet DIY's in different homes I've worked in. Next screen I do though, will be DIY now that I have the DIY bug.

[Favelle]

The DIY Screen is the way to go on a budget. I personally didn't feel like investing the time, but have seen some really sweet DIY's in different homes I've worked in. Next screen I do though, will be DIY now that I have the DIY bug.

Exactly. One you see what's possible....they sky's the limit!