Home Theater set up?

[hongsc]

I was thinking of getting the Dell 24" wide screen with a HDTV tuner for TV use and maybe sell the Dell 20" wide screen. Or should I just get a LCD TV. I'm also getting the Onkyo HTIB HT-S770. Is there a better one you can recommend and also plays divx? Maybe I'll get a stand alone divx player. I really don't want to take up a lot of space since I'm getting another desk and furniture etc. What would be my best option? My budget is around $1500. I will mostly use for movies. Thanks in advance!

[linoleum]

onkyo htib: ~$500
infocus x1 projector: ~$800 (if you can find it for that)
do-it-yourself screen: ~$100
standalone dvd player: ~$100


At least, that's what I've got. :D

[Ian Flux]

With your pc connected to the ht you will get divx files without the standalone divx player. I would recommend a projector if you can control ambient light extremely well. If this is not convenient then you'd have to go to another type of display. What type of space do you have, i.e. do you need a flat panel display? Also, how far are you from the screen? This dictates screen size requirement.

[hongsc]

I'm not really thinking about about a projector. I need something compact that's why I want a LCD TV. It's going to be for a single bedroom apartment maybe two. I want my PC in my room so I want a stand alone divx player for the living room. I would probably sit about 10' away so I'm thinking about a 27" LCD TV. I might up my budget because I always spend more than I want to. As for the HTIB I heard the Onkyo is great for the price so I'll probably get that unless there is something significantly better for a little bit more.

[hongsc]

Okay looks like I'm getting a 27" maybe 30" LCD TV plus the Onkyo HTIB and a divx player in the summer. I can't wait now I have to find which LCD TV to get my budget is about $1200. I'm looking at Dell, Viewsonic etc. Any brands or specific models that are recommended? I never used a LCD TV before so any help would be appreciated.

[Trav2003]

Originally posted by linoleum
onkyo htib: ~$500
infocus x1 projector: ~$800 (if you can find it for that)
do-it-yourself screen: ~$100
standalone dvd player: ~$100


At least, that's what I've got. :D

That be a nice setup.

Mine (once i get the speakers & HTPC will look like this):

Panasonic PT-L500U Projector: $1450
Do-It-Yourself Screen: $100
Onkyo HTIB: $450
HTPC: $300-$400

Oh ****, i spend too much money

[Trav2003]

Originally posted by hongsc
Okay looks like I'm getting a 27" maybe 30" LCD TV plus the Onkyo HTIB and a divx player in the summer. I can't wait now I have to find which LCD TV to get my budget is about $1200. I'm looking at Dell, Viewsonic etc. Any brands or specific models that are recommended? I never used a LCD TV before so any help would be appreciated.

1 Word: Projector

Another Word: Rear Projection DLP TV

I, personally, couldn't bring myself to spend that much on an LCD TV, when you can get a picture 4 times the size (twice the diagonal) for the same price. There are some very nice $1200 HD RPTV's and the technology has improved greatly over the years.

Or get a light canon projector like the high Lumen Dell projectors and throw a big image on the wall.

an inForcus X1 can be had for well under a grand.

[hongsc]

Originally posted by Trav2003
1 Word: Projector

Another Word: Rear Projection DLP TV

I, personally, couldn't bring myself to spend that much on an LCD TV, when you can get a picture 4 times the size (twice the diagonal) for the same price. There are some very nice $1200 HD RPTV's and the technology has improved greatly over the years.

Or get a light canon projector like the high Lumen Dell projectors and throw a big image on the wall.

an inForcus X1 can be had for well under a grand.

Any Rear Projection DLP TV you can recommend? I'm not set on my decision yet.

[Trav2003]

Originally posted by hongsc
Any Rear Projection DLP TV you can recommend? I'm not set on my decision yet.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Televisions/4502-6484_7-0.html?tag=pageNav&orderby=-7eRating&qt=

Theres some at CNET, read some reviews on cnet and see if you can find any in your range. I don't know a lot about RPTVs, but I could reccomend a significant number of projectors.

Edit:

http://reviews.cnet.com/Televisions/4502-6475_7-0.html?tag=pageNav&orderby=9lwPrc&qt=&500963id=7809312

That might be a better link. There are quite a few Mid 50inch TV's that are HDTV ready for under $1200. Cnet doesn't have too many reviewed, but look those up online. That first Toshiba one looks really nice.

[stephenator75]

I have this TV (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7074453&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050029&id=1110265592237)
The samsung DlP was the best for the money at the time. Rear projection is nice, but I think DLP is a much better technology. So if you have the money get a DLP for sure. I thought about a projector, but the thought of setting it up and moving it didn't appeal to me.

So in other words I recommend the Samsung because I like it quite a bit. Also if you go DLP make sure it is 720p at least. There are some older models floating around that are only 480p. This will give you better picture with HD stuff and the XBOX 360.

[hongsc]

Looks like I have to go to Frys and BB to check some out. Thanks for the help!

[hongsc]

Originally posted by stephenator75
I have this TV (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7074453&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat31800050029&id=1110265592237)
The samsung DlP was the best for the money at the time. Rear projection is nice, but I think DLP is a much better technology. So if you have the money get a DLP for sure. I thought about a projector, but the thought of setting it up and moving it didn't appeal to me.

Looks great but that's twice what I want to spend. I really don't need bigger than a 30". I usually watch TV on a 20" TV and DVDs on my Dell 2005FP and I think thats big at times.

[vertices]

Meh....I prefer LCD. I went with Sony's Grand Wega IV 50" RP LCD after shopping the hell out of everything in the price range.

It was a close battle between the Sony and the Samsung 50" RP DLP. In the end, the picture on the Sony was just better. Not to mention analog channels, which looked horrible on the Samsung.

I don't know why many people say DLP is better. At least in the $2500-$3000 price range, the LCD looked a good bit better to me and my wife.

Even my wife was like, yeah I like this one the best pointing to the Sony.

I've got my HTPC hooked up to it at 720P and it fricken rocks. I've got a 6600GT with Pure Video using the Nvidia Decoder with MCE 2005 and DVD's look AMAZING, not quite as good as HD but pretty close.

I couldn't possibly be happier with my RP LCD.;):D

Edit---Isn't there a delay bug when using consoles hooked to Sammy DLPs? I remember reading about everyone *****ing about their consoles being delayed by like 1 second causing it to be impossible to play.


Edit2--- Yup: http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/8880/84818.html