Theater equipment suggestions

[sfurules]

Ok, this is in 2 parts. After nearly 50 hours of studying up on what to put into my new (and first....MAN I am exited!) dedicated theater I am now opening up my decisions to you guys for final analysis and thoughts.

PREAMBLE-

I am currently finishing the basement in the house, and have not yet framed the theater-to-be (my....precioussssss). It will be a room about 10' by 14' by 8' tall. I know that is not very large, but this room will be mostly just for my wife and I, and it was the best that I could do (WAF is in the mix).

1. EQUIPMENT

Da-Lite 100" HDTV Format Projector Screen - $449.99
I understand that this is not a top of the line screen. I am Okay with that for 2 reasons. 1. I have never had or seen a home theater in action, and therefore will be impressed pretty much no matter what. 2. I don't have the budget for much better.

Panasonic PT-AE900U Projector - $1500ish after rebate
This is the only piece of equipment that I have already ordered....and I think it is an excellent decision....do you?

athena Technologies Micra 6 - $284
This was the suggested speaker system for the 1,000 dollar range. I think it will be great considering the size of the room. I would like suggestions for a 7.1 system if any of you have one. I have a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance...so I am thinking that I would like nice sounding stuff....but at this time I do not have the money for anything huge....or a preamp to power anything huge....

Denon AVR-2106 receiver - $439
I KNOW, I KNOW! One step higher and I could have HDMI and some other perks, but this keeps me in budget (which is ~$3,000).

Monster Power HTS 3500 Power Center - $188
I think having another component on the rack would be cool looking, and this does have some neet features ($100,000 equipment protection Guarantee, for one). BUT, is this a good purchase? I have researched everything else very well, but not this too much.

I have not decided on a DVD player yet. I would like some advice on that.

2. I am wondering what to do for wiring the room. I can do anything, since the room is yet to be framed even. My main question is regarding wall interfaces. Do I need to spend the money to have cool looking outlet connections on the wall and in the ceiling above the projector, or is it acceptable to just have a hole (PVC conduit for the wiring is in the plans) and long cables running straight from the receiver to the projector without any "outlets"? If there is a need for the outlets, how do I go about finding them?
Also....how do I get power from the Power center (see earlier) to the Projector in the ceiling? That is really stumping me.

I have no A/V experience (excepting the 50 hours of studying I have done), so please take that into consideration when you decide to tear me a new hole over some of the equipment I have chosen.....pretty please.

 

[df4801]

Congrats on your new project!
Have fun with it.

But, if you want nice sound. I think you need to re-think your decisions.
Dont worry about about 7.1. 5.1 is just fine, especially if budget is tight.
But, I would consider some nice bookshelves and a nice center. Then you can spend less on the 2 rears. Also, a nice $400-500 sub.
Unfortunately, this will put you over budget, but will be a very nice improvement over what you are planning. My quess is that you will need to spend $1200 or so to get all your speakers and a sub. Anyway your budget can expand? I think the biggest mistake people make is to spend too little on speakers. Trust me, I know from experience myself.
I like your other choices. All nice for the budget.

Yes, you want outlets. Its cheap, easy, and looks finished.
Where is the equipment going? Front or back of room?
The ideal way is to put an extra electrical outlet in the wall or ceiling near the projector.
Some people run electrical with the cables in the ceiling. Not up to code, or even recommended, but it does work fine.

As far as dvd players, check out panasonic and pioneer. Both make good $100-$150 dvd players. I also saw an open box Panny S97 for $179 online.

Keep researching and good luck!

p.s. - all of the above is just my opinion, so take it for whats it worth.

 

[sfurules]

I think I was a little vague on the "outlet" question that I posted. I am also wondering about cables and such that need to be run up to the projector....so do I need to do a connection point for the HDMI and Component video stuff? Or, as I tried to convey in the initial thread, should I just have a "hole"?

By using outlets I will have cables coming from the DVD player to the receiver, from the receiver to an "outlet" in the wall, cable running up to the ceiling by the projector at another "outlet", and a cable from the outlet to the projector. That is 4 connections that could be 2 without "outlets" (I think that I am not using the correct word with "outlet"). WHere do I buy that stuff too?

I think you answered alot of that, but I want to clarify just to be sure. The equipment is going to be in the back of the room, behind the seating area...so I will need to run cables in the wall to the front of the room....but it will not be difficult. I "could" expand the budget for the theater, but that would mean dipping into the HELOC that I am using to build the basement. At the moment the money is coming from my tax return (interest free).

Also, I want to power the Projector from the Power Conditioner (because it is also a surge protector). How can I do that when the projector is in the ceiling, but the power station is on the rack with the equipment? Does that question make sense?

 

[df4801]

I'm not sure I totally understand, but you will need cables going from the receiver to the speakers up front. I assume that those will be in the ceiling.
If you have your cable/ sat. receiver in back of the room also, then you will just run your cable from it upto the projector. If behind walls, then they can just exit the ceiling thru a plate cover that has a 1" round opening and then they connect directly to the projector. Those plate covers are available at HD/Lowes. No need for a separate cable from an "outlet" to the projector.
For the power, I would run the electrical cables up in the wall and to the projector. Now that I said it, I will put on my bulletproof vest as the remaining posters bash me. (I told you it wasnt recommended)

some examples of other speakers to consider. Many, many choices. Search some of the threads for other ideas. Or just stick to your budget and upgrade if you feel the need.

bookshelves - under $300/pair
http://www.brand-electronics.com/products/?product=1181
center - $220
http://www.brand-electronics.com/products/?product=1182

Then you could get some back surrounds or even in-ceilings for under $200/pair. ( I would recommend in-ceilings as they look better IMO, and they work just fine for surrounds). Add a $400 sub from Hsu or STS.
Puts the speaker package at around $1100, and I think it would be a big upgrade. But I havent heard the Athena set, but it really looks small.

One more thing to consider. Viewing distance.
If your equipment is at the back of the room, then your sofa, etc, may end up less than 10' to the screen. (2ft for rack, another 2-3ft for space). Way too close for my tastes. May have to put the rack on the side of the room, or go down to a 92" screen.
I sit 15' back from a 100" screen by choice. I think "ideal" THX distance is around 11-12' from a 100" screen.

 

[sfurules]

Well, although I have done a terrible job of describing what I was interested in, you have answered the question that I had about the "outlet" thing (you told me to do the outlet cover with the round hole). Unfortunately, It is not an option for me to do the cord in the wall. I decided to do the right thing and get a permit to do the basement, which unfortunately means that I have to pass inspections.

Regarding the seating placement; I wasn't very clear about the equipment placement in the room. It will really be in the back corner, allowing room for a couch and then some other stuff in front (love sacs or something...who knows). When I gave the room specs it was from memory, the real footage (now that I can look at the plans) is 10.5 x 15.5 x 8. That being the case I am able to meet the (1.5 x Screen width) recommendations of reviewers, because I can have the back of the seating against the wall (which would be a 2 x screen width I think).

Regarding the speakers, I got my info on those from audioholics itself. http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/AthenaTechnologiesMicra6p1.html

Those are good suggestions for the other speakers...I might look into scrubbing the power conditioner and try to get some better speakers....I could also downgrade the receiver....but it's so nice!!!!

 

[luvdodo]

Oppo

Check out the OPPO DVD Player www.oppodigital.com

I have not decided on a DVD player yet.

 

[dburchet]

I would definately spring for some better speakers. I made the mistake of thinking that I could get by with mediocre speakers and quickly found out that they weren't pleasing to my ear. My advice would be to audition a few speaker set-ups and see what grabs your attention, and then make your decision.

 

[Matt34]

Another small room setup worth checking into:

HSU Ventriloquist VT-12 + STF-2= $598.00

You save $100 when you order them together.

http://hsusubs.stores.yahoo.net/vt12.html