Finally took the plunge and setup our home theatre in our livingroom. (The Pioneer Elite 53" rear projection TV died after 6 years of constant use.) This new setup is really only best viewed at night after 5pm. We never use the fireplace so we decided to block with the couch and put up the large screen on the big wall. Nice. It looks phenomenal while watching HD DVD movies and HD TV. The screen size is (diagonal) 106".

Well, this did not happen overnight. It has been a few years (literally) in the making. The speakers were puchased 6 years ago and we've been "building" since then until just recently when we bought the screen and projector, etc.

We bought a software called SpyderTV by Colorvision and we calibrated the screen's output. I highly recommend this software - it really helped get the colors right.


I have a sample .mov file viewable with quicktime but it's 5-6 mb. PM me and I will email the file direct if anyone would like to see it. The sample short movie clips I have are The Italian Job and 2 short clips from Phantom of the Opera. Granted, they're not hi-quality clips - only shot with a cheapie digital camera but you get the idea regardless.

I did not think they make screens that big, then i saw the projection system (hanging from the ceiling)
Terrific! Nice day outside too I'm jealous..

Wow--that's a lot different from what I have:

http://elsmar.com/jpg/1950sfamilyandtvbq8.jpg

I did not think they make screens that big, then i saw the projection system (hanging from the ceiling)
Terrific! Nice day outside too I'm jealous..

Thanks! The projector is whisper quiet - you don't even know it's there.
You know, somebody just came out with a 108" LCD TV at the CES show, but now the brand name escapes me. I hate when that happens! Memory is the first to go!:rolleyes:

Wow--that's a lot different from what I have:

http://elsmar.com/jpg/1950sfamilyandtvbq8.jpg
Gone are the days when the entire family watch a show or program together.. so sad..
The modern look Sepia!

Thanks! The projector is whisper quiet - you don't even know it's there.
You know, somebody just came out with a 108" LCD TV at the CES show, but now the brand name escapes me. I hate when that happens! Memory is the first to go!:rolleyes:
To avoid it you need to keep your mind SHARP :notme:
I'm mulling on getting a big screen but, $$$ gets in the way. What am I gonna do with my working 27", convert to a candle holder not gonna work..

The 108" TV at CES is actually a Panasonic Plasma television. They actually showed it off here in Toronto before CES. It required a CRANE to put it in a downtown store.

I currently have a 50" Panasonic Plasma with a full surround sound system (used to work in the industry...brings costs WAY down!...it is a very large markup business <the speakers are anyway>). Let's just say that people LOVE to housesit when we go on vacation.

Considering my family is currently in Florida. I am enjoying my system with action films for the last week. I don't think the dog will ever be the same! ;)

John

The 108" TV at CES is actually a Panasonic Plasma television. They actually showed it off here in Toronto before CES. It required a CRANE to put it in a downtown store.

John


Well there is a SHARP 108" LCD that was announced a the CES show. It's only a prototype apparently. My co-worker saw it there and said it was the best picture he had ever seen. No pixels were visible up close!

Finally took the plunge and setup our home theatre in our livingroom. (The Pioneer Elite 53" rear projection TV died after 6 years of constant use.) This new setup is really only best viewed at night after 5pm. We never use the fireplace so we decided to block with the couch and put up the large screen on the big wall. Nice. It looks phenomenal while watching HD DVD movies and HD TV. The screen size is (diagonal) 106". I have a sample .mov file viewable with quicktime but it's 5-6 mb. PM me and I will email the file direct if anyone would like to see it.

Would you consider me as a candidate for adoption? ;-)

Considering my family is currently in Florida. I am enjoying my system with action films for the last week. I don't think the dog will ever be the same! ;)

John my dog literally attacks my TV when a show is on (loud or sudden action from the screen) and does this over and over.. I wonder if I video tape this thing I'll get my 10K from America's Funnies Home video.

I'll be in florida by the fisrt week of Feb. You don't happen to be needing a housesitter.. :notme:

Would you consider me as a candidate for adoption? ;-)

We have 4 felines. No more room! :lol:

Gone are the days when the entire family watch a show or program together.. so sad.. Not so, my entire family gathered around the HDTV to watch NCIS just last night. We love to try to be the first to figure out whodunnit. Momma loves to watch Mark Harmon. The boys love Pauley Perrette. I had to look them up online...I don't have their names memorized. We had a lively debate about this line: "When you insult his religion you also insult yours and mine." From a Israeli Mossad agent, to a Virginia Deputy about his comments to an Iraqi informant under US government protection.

Crusader, your system is awesome! :applause: You need to replace those vertical blinds with some thick, black curtains so you can watch college football on Saturday at noon. I'll bring the adult beverages and chips!

I hate you! (Actually it's envy)

I'm a TV junkie period, while both Judi & I are addicted to movies (chick fliks and the like).

I'd love to be able to dedicate a space for a similar setup.

Crusader, your system is awesome! :applause: You need to replace those vertical blinds with some thick, black curtains so you can watch college football on Saturday at noon. I'll bring the adult beverages and chips!

Thanks! The verticals do block a ton of light and we can still watch shows/sports in the daytime but the picture is not as impressive as in the evening.

One correction.

Panasonic debuted a 103" Plasma at Bay Bloor Radio (very popular AV store in Toronto) in December. At the time, it was the largest flat panel TV in the world. Sharp did top it with a 108" LCD at CES.

Back to the thread,

Sorry, don't need any housesitters. If my list ever runs down of volunteers (have 24 year old brother in law, and my wife has a 24 year old cousin that jump at the chance...plus I have a sister that would love alone time to sit the house) I will post on the cove how is that for a deal?

Btw, if I ever sell the house my wife said we are selling the TV with house. If that comes up I will let you know as well. ;)

Off to go watch another movie and scare the dog.

I did not think they make screens that big, then i saw the projection system (hanging from the ceiling)
Terrific! Nice day outside too I'm jealous..

The projector is a Sony VPL-VW100 SXRD.

sony VPL-VW100 SXRD.

:mg: Oucha mama! Crusader, must be really good from that price huh?
I'm afraid I'll have to stick with my 27" hitachi for now... now I'm really depressed (jk)

John, sounds good if you ran out of volunteers do post.... remember fellow torontonian.. :notme:

Crusader,
Looks impressive but, call me an old fogie, I'd skip the big TV and use the fireplace. Much cosier and relaxing.

To each his own.:agree1:

James

JRKH,

I have the best of both worlds.

TV on wall and fireplace available as well. I can watch the home theatre AND stay cozy and warm. In Canada at this time of year that can be a BIG deal!

We're cozier without the fireplace. We don't entertain/have parties so that is why we both decided to convert the entire living room to the theatre room - it's a small house. We hate the movie theatres so much that we stopped going years ago - guess that is why we "went all in" with our system. We're also movie and tv junkies like Randy. It takes a long time to get to where we are now. Lots of sacrifices. We're audiophiles and tend to go overboard but it's worth it in the long run. Funny... now that we have it, everyone wants to come over to watch movies! :lol: So I guess we'll start "entertaining" now! Admission Free!

Crusader,

I hear you on the entertaining thing.

We always entertained now people want us to entertain more often. We have a friend that is allergic to cats (we have a very affectionate feline). He tries to come over at least once a week for football or hockey games. To watch our friends eyes swell shut as he tries to watch TV is comical (if you ask him, he is doing just fine! :rolleyes: ).

We don't have the space issues that you do so it is part of our family room and we still have lots of space to entertain (big kitchen makes it handy).

It is very enjoyable though to be able to have 4-6 people able to sit and be able to watch the movie without squinting. Like you, we rarely if ever go to the theatre unless the is a mom/dad night out (we have a 2 year old, for sanity reasons we go out and drop the little one off at grandma and grandpas).

It is quite depressing though when my little one watches Dora on the big screeen :biglaugh:

John

sony VPL-VW100 SXRD.

:mg: Oucha mama! Crusader, must be really good from that price huh?


Yeah - it was quite pricey but the video quality is GREAT. It's much nicer than going to the actual movies and paying a fortune to have to sit around noisy people and sit in uncomfortable seats.

Nice.. A killer video should be coupled with a matching killer audio..
do you get the feeling that someone or something is coming at you from the back.. I love those sound set-up.

BTW. about noisy theather, how about someones phone ringing in the middle of the movie.. HELLO! :whip:

Nice.. A killer video should be coupled with a matching killer audio..
do you get the feeling that someone or something is coming at you from the back.. I love those sound set-up.

BTW. about noisy theather, how about someones phone ringing in the middle of the movie.. HELLO! :whip:

I hear on ya on that cell phone thing. The audio is setup to be equally "killer" to the video. It is weird to hear stuff behind and all-around - takes some getting used to!

Don't go with just movies try a music DVD of your favorite artist if its available. You'll get a kick out of it. It's like watching a personal concert.
I.e. Eric Clapton, James T, Michael Bolton, Sarah Maclachlan, etc..

Admission free? I've got an uncle that lives on Pacific ave in Long beach. how far away are you.. No planned visit yet though but it can be arranged. :bigwave:

Don't go with just movies try a music DVD of your favorite artist if its available. You'll get a kick out of it. It's like watching a personal concert.
I.e. Eric Clapton, James T, Michael Bolton, Sarah Maclachlan, etc..

Admission free? I've got an uncle that lives on Pacific ave in Long beach. how far away are you.. No planned visit yet though but it can be arranged. :bigwave:

Yep - done the concert thing already too! We also get an HD channel of concerts through our cable service - very nice.

Long Beach - I am about 30-40 minutes West. BTW, I can see all of Long Beach from the living room.

Long Beach - I am about 30-40 minutes West. BTW, I can see all of Long Beach from the living room.

Oh you've got the best of both worlds. I should call him and see what his plans are for this year. Thanks for sharing and we'll just have to :drool: :lol:

I'd love to have a nice set up like that, but I can't justify it right now.
Our TV is only ever tuned to three channels for most of the year - Food Network, History Channel, Disney Channel. Four this time of year as the wife is an American Idol junkie. And we're not big movie watchers.

Maybe when the kids are older...

Still, it would be cool to watch Cars with my son on a big screen.

I'll just view it at home.. no sound on my desk..

Update on my theatre set-up:
My Sony VPL-VW100 projector stopped working. The fan had been making noise for awhile - sounded like a hamster/mouse running in its exercise wheel! :lol: Well the fan finally stopped, then the projector shut down and was inoperable. :( Yesterday, I sent it back to Sony's service center in Laredo Texas. The unit is 10 months old! :mg:

Hubby and I already have plans for it...sell it as soon as it returns from being serviced, certified, etc. We went down to the local dealer and bought a new projector: JVC DLA-RS1. It is amazingly sharp and bright. It also costs less than the Sony!

Update on my theatre set-up:
My Sony VPL-VW100 projector stopped working. The fan had been making noise for awhile - sounded like a hamster/mouse running in its exercise wheel! :lol: Well the fan finally stopped, then the projector shut down and was inoperable. :( Yesterday, I sent it back to Sony's service center in Laredo Texas. The unit is 10 months old! :mg:

Hubby and I already have plans for it...sell it as soon as it returns from being serviced, certified, etc. We went down to the local dealer and bought a new projector: JVC DLA-RS1. It is amazingly sharp and bright. It also costs less than the Sony!
Bummer about breakdown.

As sterile as your home theater looked from the photo, I'd be afraid to munch my usual bowl of popcorn and drink one of my favorite beverages while watching - Talk about a 5S environment - WOW!

Bummer about breakdown.

As sterile as your home theater looked from the photo, I'd be afraid to munch my usual bowl of popcorn and drink one of my favorite beverages while watching - Talk about a 5S environment - WOW!

Popcorn is always welcome! Weekends, we sit on the floor and eat dinner on that coffee table! :D

The Sony projector (now returned from Sony and is completely brand new again) is going on eBay today. Hopefully, there is at least 1 bid! :cfingers: It's basically a brand new machine after the repair. The bulb is brand new - so no hours on it.

By the way, the new JVC RS1 projector is very, very nice. A step-up in picture quality compared to the Sony.

Jerk!!

Sorry...that was the jealous video game junkie in me coming out!

Beautiful setup!! I think what bothers me most is the view you have out the patio!!! NICE!!!

Beautiful setup!! I think what bothers me most is the view you have out the patio!!! NICE!!!
I had the PS3 hooked up to it in the beginning. The room just isn't dark enough yet to play/watch in the daytime.
Thanks. It's a decent view when there isn't smog! :lol:

The Sony projector (now returned from Sony and is completely brand new again) is going on eBay today. Hopefully, there is at least 1 bid! :cfingers: It's basically a brand new machine after the repair. The bulb is brand new - so no hours on it.

By the way, the new JVC RS1 projector is very, very nice. A step-up in picture quality compared to the Sony.

Hey Crus, Hope you get a good deal from the sale.
The price you had here was a steal, for those with disposable income. I still could not afford that. Good luck.

Hey Crus, Hope you get a good deal from the sale.
The price you had here was a steal, for those with disposable income. I still could not afford that. Good luck.

Someone took the buy it now bait but it was fraud. So the ad is now posted again and the bidder was reported to ebay. It was blatant fraud....unbelievable. I raised the start bid and the buy it now price.

Someone took the buy it now bait but it was fraud. So the ad is now posted again and the bidder was reported to ebay. It was blatant fraud....unbelievable. I raised the start bid and the buy it now price.

At the risk of derailing the thread, could you provide details on the scheme? I have not sold anything on eBay in a while, but do have a few items...

At the risk of derailing the thread, could you provide details on the scheme? I have not sold anything on eBay in a while, but do have a few items...

The buyer has a friend in Nigeria (yeah, right) and they want me to ship direct! They claim they will make a payment but no such thing has occurred. The projector only works in the US! The buyer also signed up on ebay right before clicking buy now and closing the sale. Scam. Their email reply is phony, it's written in the worst spelling and there is "canned" text inserted. It's just soooo phony.

The buyer has a friend in Nigeria (yeah, right) and they want me to ship direct! They claim they will make a payment but no such thing has occurred. The projector only works in the US! The buyer also signed up on ebay right before clicking buy now and closing the sale. Scam. Their email reply is phony, it's written in the worst spelling and there is "canned" text inserted. It's just soooo phony.
There are a number of variations on this scam, not just limited to ebay. For years, scammers have been sending counterfeit or forged cashier's checks and money orders to brick and mortar catalog houses (payment in advance) for a sum a few dollars more than the stated price of the goods (including an extra large amount for overnight shipping.) The counterfeits are EXCELLENT and often fool bank tellers. By the time the paying bank returns notice the check or money order is counterfeit (about 3 days to a week later), the goods and the buyer are long gone. The merchant's own bank then debits his account for the amount of the phony check, sometimes adding insult to injury by charging a "returned check fee."

Similar thing happens, of course, with credit cards - a big problem for some retailers who go through several layers of services to accept credit cards. Rarely do the banks take the hit on phony or stolen credit cards - the burden is ALWAYS on the merchant!

To get back on track... (it's okay to derail, I do not mind.)
My living room will be getting new drapes in the next 2 months. The verticals in the photo (in the original post) do not keep the light out enough. We've ordered dark navy drapes with "black out" lining. When I get them, I will post again with a new photo.

The new JVC projector is a piano-gloss black, which shows the dust!:( The Sony was silver color as shown in the photo from my first post.

Also, the rear speakers were lowered - they were too high to be fully effective. They are now lower than the projector and above the couch height.

Update:
a. the new drapes were installed awhile back and they're perfect! TV/movies can be viewed any time of day.
b. the screen was a 106"... it is now a 120". (Sold the 106" on ebay.) The new projector is a JVC RS2, which allowed us to move up to the larger screen. JVC Projector is brighter than the Sony VPL-VW100 and the JVC images are sharper - a lot sharper.
Photos are now attached:
1st - me holding up the 120 screen frame in front of the 106 screen to show size difference.
2nd - new drapes opened up
3rd - new drapes closed but needed to turn on the lights otherwise it was pitch black in there!
4th - the color swatch of the new drapes