What should my next upgrade be?

[flyboylr45]

I currently have a "dedicate" room for my home theater. The space is 13x13x8 and is acoustically treated with GIK panels. I am using the equipment listed in my signature. What should my next upgrade be? What do you think the weakest link in the system is?

 

[AVRat]

Looks like you're due for a BD player and at least a 60" screen.

 

[flyboylr45]

I thought about the Bluray player, the problem is that the tv is not 1080p, I don't think I can get a bigger screen for that size room and getting 7.1 is out of the question for now since I don't plan on fishing wire anymore. We'll probably move in the next 2 years where I'll hopefully be able to have a really dedicate home theater.

 

[Davemcc]

Your system looks pretty good to me already. I think I'd go with a larger 1080p display. My room is about the same size as yours and I moved from a 40" to a 52" display. It seems just fine but I think the room could support a larger display. Once you get the 1080p display, then it's time for the BD player with analog outputs. The video upgrade alone will be well worth the effort.

 

[GlocksRock]

I say get a blu ray player, even if you don't have a 1080p display... 720p still looks better than 480p.

 

[deedubb]

What is your budget? A bigger screen is going to give you the biggest increase in wow factor and enjoyment of your system. I'd suggest front projection if room/budget allows.

 

[goodman]

After you get your BD player with multichannel analog outs, get a 1080P projector. The projector will allow you to experiment with picture size, and when you move, buy a screen suitably sized for your new theater room.

 

[jostenmeat]

My votes, in order:

1. Bluray player
2. Larger 1080p display, whether front projector or not
3. More GIK traps. (Your room is both small, and square, and could probably use PLENTY. How many of which models do you have up already?). Trap the heck out of the room.

 

[flyboylr45]

I got (2) 244 on the back, (2) 242 on the sides (first reflections), will get (2) on the front or back of each speaker and next week will get (2) tri-traps. I like the idea of the projector I'm just afraid that the room is too small.

 

[john72953]

1. Blu-ray player.
2. Acoustic treatments
3. 1080p TV/Projector

 

[calnbs]

I dont know how you guys can watch a movie roaring with awesomeness with your speaker on a 42 inch TV. A movie is NOT a MOVIE unless it's on a 100 inch screen. Match the sound with the picture......1080P Projector should be your next upgrade

As for me.....I will never watch movies on a 42 inch....for tv it's fine but not for movies.

 

[john72953]

I dont know how you guys can watch a movie roaring with awesomeness with your speaker on a 42 inch TV. A movie is NOT a MOVIE unless it's on a 100 inch screen. Match the sound with the picture......1080P Projector should be your next upgrade

As for me.....I will never watch movies on a 42 inch....for tv it's fine but not for movies.

Some of us or probably most do not have the room for a 100 inch screen. And for the record....I LOVE watching movies on my tiny, puny, little 42 inch Panny Plamsa!

 

[AVRat]

If you position your LP/VP at the 61.8% x room length = 100” for acoustic room modal minimization, and use 66% x VP = 66” for screen width you’d be looking at about a 75” diagonal screen. For some this would be too big. I’m about this distance from a 55” and I’d rather have a 65”.

 

[mr-ben]

You appear to be missing a turntable

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Man, you have plenty of room for a 90" screen so I say go with a FP and BD player.

I like the saying, "if it is below 100'', you're just watching TV". I am just watching TV BTW but I dream of the day I can begin watching movies!

 

[Midcow2]

Some times 100 iches is just too big.

I dont know how you guys can watch a movie roaring with awesomeness with your speaker on a 42 inch TV. A movie is NOT a MOVIE unless it's on a 100 inch screen. Match the sound with the picture......1080P Projector should be your next upgrade

As for me.....I will never watch movies on a 42 inch....for tv it's fine but not for movies.

Calnbs,

You are correct if you have a large HT room. Just for grins , take an extra chair and go up 3-4 feet from you screen and watch a movie. let me know what you think? Was the screen too big?

Nw, granted most people are going to be farthr away in my case about 8-9 feet and I currently have a 37" screen. Yes, Ie would like it larger, but in my case I have no way to put in a projector and 100 inch screen would be way too big. To get full benefit of 1080p on a 100" diagonal screen you need to be about 12.5 feet away, whereas 60" the ideal is around 8 foot. In my case the puny little 1080p 60" I am planning on getting is going to work out great.

Later on in 2009 or 2010 when 1440p with 48 bit color depth becomes available you might be able to see the benfits but just barely sitting that close. But it will be another 5 years or so before 1440p becomes universably viable.

Later,

MidCow2

 

[jostenmeat]

Calnbs,

You are correct if you have a large HT room. Just for grins , take an extra chair and go up 3-4 feet from you screen and watch a movie. let me know what you think? Was the screen too big?

Pulling the TV out, or scooting the couch forward is sometimes great advice! Saves money, and often gets people off the back wall where the worst nulls and peaks usually reside.

Nw, granted most people are going to be farthr away in my case about 8-9 feet and I currently have a 37" screen. Yes, Ie would like it larger, but in my case I have no way to put in a projector and 100 inch screen would be way too big.

Well. I actually played with viewing angle for an entire week before selecting screen size. Even after purchase did I continue to fiddle. The viewing angle that I've finally settled on, and haven't moved since, is 42 deg. So, at 9 ft away, I would opt for a 96". Granted, only native hidef BD and HDDVD for me. But, my point is it wouldn't be too big for me.

Later on in 2009 or 2010 when 1440p with 48 bit color depth becomes available you might be able to see the benfits but just barely sitting that close. But it will be another 5 years or so before 1440p becomes universably viable.

OTOH, I'm seated close enough to be at the full benefit of 1440p! Call me future-proofed.

 

[Midcow2]

You're too much

Pulling the TV out, or scooting the couch forward is sometimes great advice! Saves money, and often gets people off the back wall where the worst nulls and peaks usually reside.



Well. I actually played with viewing angle for an entire week before selecting screen size. Even after purchase did I continue to fiddle. The viewing angle that I've finally settled on, and haven't moved since, is 42 deg. So, at 9 ft away, I would opt for a 96". Granted, only native hidef BD and HDDVD for me. But, my point is it wouldn't be too big for me.



OTOH, I'm seated close enough to be at the full benefit of 1440p! Call me future-proofed.

Jostenmeat,

You're too much! I am looking forward to 60" plasma; hopefully within a month or so. I would be at 100" but i will consider it a movie experience; it is pretty darn good now

And thanks again for the RF20 receommndation; the RF20 is awesome. Only one question and I can completely eliminate the DishNetwork controller. The hard functions programin easily; I am having trouble with a simple ( or should be simple one) the numbers 0-9. I program them in in "learn" mode and each says good. But when I presss them the transmit symbol doesn't come on and they apparently don't transmit. The Macro "off" and marco "on" is awesome.


Later,

MidCow2

OP --very, very nice system already; I agree with othere recs: acoustic treatments, BD player and maybe a larger screen