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General discussion

THE PERFECT HOME THEATRE

Aug 9, 2005 12:53PM PDT

I am planning to renovate my entertainment room. I would like the best setup available right now. What would the ideal home theatre set up be? I want the best money can buy, money is actually no object. I need professional advice. Thank you.

PS. I am not interested in projectors, lcds and plasmas are fine.

Discussion is locked

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not a professional but may I ask?
Aug 9, 2005 1:27PM PDT

If money is no object, then why not projection?
Wish I had the money! :}

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check this - link
Aug 9, 2005 2:02PM PDT
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answer
Aug 9, 2005 2:03PM PDT

It's nothing technological per se. It is just a preference for me. Let's just say that a plasma/lcd looks much slicker than a projector hanging from the ceiling or worst in the middle of the room. Any advice on a worthy 50+ inch plasma/lcd is appreciated...

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oops
Aug 9, 2005 2:22PM PDT

So Sorry!
I posted exactly when you did!
I can't answer whats the best, only relate...
I bought a Mitsubishi WD-52327 52'' Digital Cable ready HDTV Monitor, and it was a ''lemon'' the lamp burned out after only 5 hr's and I could not `make it` recognise the dvd player ($2395.00 but the picture was GREAT!) so I returned to store, and exchanged for a maxent 42'' plasma that is fine for the money ($1850) but I have issues with it....
not really but I am now really pining for a projector...
''the best home theater''

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Projectors are best?
Aug 9, 2005 2:44PM PDT

Ram, so you really think the best for my perfect home theatre set up would be a projector? I was looking at your link for a sec. the Yamaha LPX-510 LCD Projector caught my eye. As I said though, I prefer the plasma/lcd due to their "better" looks as opposed to the boxy looks of a projector. So what do you think?

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Interesting thread...
Aug 10, 2005 4:00AM PDT

Flip,
I'm going to follow this thread.
I've seen magazines in the grocery store with home theaters in the over 100k range, and the under 100k range.
mine is the under 3k range....
maxent plasma 42" $1800
pioneer dolby 5.1 $200
philips dvd player $80
advanced acoustics (and monster cables) $100 +
Watched anacondas search for the blood orchad on hbo and was astounded! but I'm the bottom of the pit so to speak....

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Forget LCD....
Aug 9, 2005 2:53PM PDT

...They're not made past 45" and. at that, are obscenely expensive as you get up to the big sizes. Add to that that they look awful off axis and you have one "choice," plasma. Believe me, it's the better choice anyway. Much more life like and vibrant than LCD (in my opinion anyway). Check out the 55" Sony plasma(s) (I think they have two models at this size) and the Pioneers and Panasonics. If you really want to spend money, take a look at Fujitsu, they make some very sweet plasmas.

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Sony Qualia
Aug 10, 2005 4:24AM PDT
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(NT) (NT) Wow! (nt *)
Aug 10, 2005 4:35AM PDT
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Other options
Aug 11, 2005 1:43AM PDT

There are 50" plasma's coming that actually do 1080p, be careful, there are some that claim to handle 1080p, but they down scale the picture to the plasma's resolution.
Immersive makes a DVD player that is also an up coverter to 1080p, which would handle your video sources.
There are lots of very good high end compnaies out there that make wonderful equipment, Linn hi fi would be one, Theta another. Speakers should be purchased to fit your room and room response, once again lots to look at here. Spend some money getting your room treated if you really want the best performance from your system. Also if you really want it done right, at the very least pay for a consultation with a CI pro.

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Home Theatre
Aug 11, 2005 4:56AM PDT

I just helped install a home theatre, I am going to list the compnents that were used. They used a Sony G90 projector, 2500x2000 resolution. I would strongly suggest the projector route if you are able to spend the money. After it was put in we watched it for awhile and this thing was mind blowing. I think they are about $25,000, not bad for the quality. They used a Linn system for the audio, as well as a custom Klipsch THX Ultra speaker system. I guess custom things do not help any since they are not really availble. They spent around $50,000 on the audio.

I also helped to install anther system that was even more expensive. They used a custom three chip porjector worth about $155,000. As well as a custom Mcintosh audio system that ran them about another $130,000.

I hope I added to the confusion, actually I hope it gave you some ideas on items that could be used. It is interesting to see how much people will spend on their toys. Too rich for my blood for sure.

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Sony G90
Aug 11, 2005 11:00AM PDT

Although I agree the G90 is spectacular, Sony no longer makes CRT type projectors, so getting one now may prove to be difficult. Linn with Klipsch speakers?? I guess would be OK, not a common combination. I would not shy away from the Linn, it's great, I might audition other speakers though.

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wow, WOW ! (nt)
Aug 14, 2005 11:31AM PDT

I love reading this stuff... wish i could get one

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My system
Aug 21, 2005 10:04AM PDT

I just got a new home theater system. It cost $6,000,893. The projecter has 10,000 by 10,000 resolution a contrast of 80,000 to one, and has 300 HDMI and Component imputs and outputs. I have A blue ray and High-DEf DVD player, PS3 and Xbox 360, Halo 3, Gran tourismo 5, and Kill zone 2. I have a full time consesion stand, where I can get fresh popcorn and any snack, beer, or beverage i want. I have a movie libary of 100,000 DVds (that have been upconverted to 1080p in blue ray format), and a 40,000 square foot house in Dafur. (now you know how I can affoard all this, a dollar goes far in the suddan.

Okay, so stop being rediculoous, some of the systems I heard being described are upsurd. Personally, I like my polk audio speakers $2,000. My Yamaha RXV series reciever $1500, and my sony XBR for 6 grand. I would like pure High def, (1080p) to be displayed on my tv, and I would like my reciever to have three HDMI imputs and outputs. In a year or two I will upgrade and get that, but for now ps3 can be connected by HDMI to my tvs port, with a coaxil audio to my 6.1 system. But you know what, I like spending $400 dollars for a kick *** graphics card game player, and blue ray player, than spending $6,000,000 on some system that I would never use, and if I did, I would be in a giant room underground with 40 leather chairs. Lets be reasonable, how much do you need to spend on a home theater, I like spending beneath $30,000 as far as I am concerned, I could spend the rest on a farrari enzo, Anglelina joelie as a wife, and an Azimut yacht.

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Your system..
Aug 21, 2005 1:52PM PDT

Not the response I think they were looking for.

The original post asked what people thought would be the best, if money wasn't an issue.
People buy exotic cars (a farrari might be hard to find)and mega yachts, if thats what they are in to.
Having the resources to afford a top quality home theatre system means there are alot of choices, and depending how much the person is into sound and video it is possible to spend well over a million dollars to do a room and system that reaches perfection.

From the many posts I read on this and other web sites, most are at least looking (or hoping) to get the best that they can afford. If that means a system that fits a budget of only a few thousand dollars, thats fine, there are lots of choices in that snack bracket too. But don't expect people to get too excited if you tell them you have a top of the line system, with a name brand receiver and XYZ brand speakers.

To the person that made the first post, read the various magazines out there that specialize in home theatres, and home entertainment systems, you will get an idea of what is out there. Check Cedia's web site, do a little home work first,Then, the only other advice would be to contact a custom installation firm (or 2).
Start thinking about what you want the room to be, a dedicated theatre? Media room, multi purpose setup for movies, gaming, computer? If you are still feeling like you will be happy with a plasma on the wall VS. a projection system, great, a nice 65" plasma (like the panasonic in the link up in one of the other posts)and a great sound set up, with a system remote control, all professionally installed and calibrated and programmed may only set you back 30 - 100k depending on final selection of equipment and room treatment.
And of course if you want to go to the extreme, post here and I will be glad to chat more with you.

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hahahaha
Aug 22, 2005 3:09AM PDT

thats hilarious, I about spit up my pop reading that. I know what you mean man, but keep in mind...
it wasn't that long ago that families were lucky to own more than one cheapie CRT tv & kids were happy just to own a ball glove, now young guys like us are spending THOUSANDS on home theaters & the like. soon the norm will be "good equipment" that costs a lot right now.

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hahaha ??
Aug 22, 2005 1:50PM PDT

What did you find so funny???

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erm...
Aug 22, 2005 5:10PM PDT

I replied to emrtr4's post, not yours. Thats why they show the little tree, so we can see stuff like that.