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Hobby Diaries
Home Theater|
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Hobby Diaries
Home Theater |
Home TheaterI took me a long time to get around to build a home theater, mainly because I'm not that keen of a movie goer or DVD collector but then I tought, what the hell, you only live once! And wide screen projector picture with Dolby Digital surround sound might be very nice on games too. [28.08.2004] Halfway there Audio is ok and I am not going to do anything with it but video needs more attention! Display device is now few years old Sony television, not very exciting or anything like a movie theater screen... Current audio setup:
Current video setup:
While the DVD player and amplifier are not particularly new (lacking progressive video output and 7.1 sound) I think they are more than enough for me for now.
Front setup in Copenhagen, summer 2004
Micropod speakers for computerComputer is connected to system via optical SPDIF cable for sound and with S-VIDEO cable for video. For computer I have pair of Micro Pod speakers which are driven by amplifiers B speaker output. [05.09.2004] Next step Is to buy an LCD projector. Used one is ok for me (and with so many other projects going on I need money elsewhere too) so I'm looking for suitable model on german eBay. Panasonic AE series seems to be best choice with their native 16:9 LCD panels and there are few models available. Here are some details: Panasonic AE 100 (Projectorcentral.com review) + 700 ANSI lumen Price in ebay about 450€ Panasonic AE 200 + 700 ANSI lumen Price around 600€ Panasonic AE 300 (Projectorcentral.com review) + Contrast 800:1 Average price seems to be 900€ Panasonic AE 500 (Projectorcentral.com review) + 850 ANSI lumen This is the Latest model and used prices are near 1250€ mark. [17.10.2004] The Deal I just bought used Panasonic AE 300 from ebay for the price of 929€. It will be few weeks until it arrives so I have plenty of time to build a DIY screen. Panasonic AE projectors have quite short throw distance (until AE 700 arrived recently) meaning the projector has to be relatively close to the screen. This makes placing the projector behind sofa etc. difficult but this is no problem in ceiling mounting. I will design the screen measurements for optimal fit in my Tampere apartment for ceiling mounted projector. Material will be MDF sheet. [02.11.2004] Oh joy, the projector arrived today! Screen is half ready, supporting frame at the back is built and attached and border frames are ready for painting. I could not resist temptation to hang the screen to a wall to get preview about the image quality. It looked NICE!
Check out page about my DIY Sreen. [07.11.2004] Almost a week later, first real experiences... Screen has now been painted twice, after careful sanding third layer of paint is required to get a really smooth finish. Then black painted borders can be attached and the screen is ready. Projector is connected to the rest of the system via S-VIDEO cable, amplifier is used to select source. It's handy because rest of the equipment (miniDV camera, computer and xbox later) are all connected via S-VIDEO. I tried component signal but did not see any improvement on image quality, even when the component cable was only 1/5th of the lenght of S-VIDEO cable. I have tried to configure computer's ATI Radeon 9800 to produce good resolution for the projector but no luck so far. [22.11.2004] Playstation 2. I initially planned to buy an XBOX but after looking available driving simulations and force feedback wheels for both, Playstation 2 was clear winner. Gran Turismo series is best available driving sim for any console and PS2 has also the best force feedback wheel (Logitech's latest 900 degree model) which also works for PC. XBOX does have Project Gotham Racing 2 (and Forza Motorsport soon) but in my opinion lack of decent wheel and total lack of force feedback now and in future due architechture problems was a dealbreaker, altough XBOX's Dolby Digital 5.1 sounds and raw computing power were enticing. And oh, oncoming Gran Turismo 4 will have around 15 BMW models, including 2004 M3 SMG II and even M3 GTR street! That combined with Nurburgring Nordschleife alone will provide hours and hours of fun. I might have to build a cockpit for the steering wheel and pedals... Seems like I have to create new section for them. [13.04.2005] No more projector... My Copenhagen apartment was broken into night before christmas eve (worst... christmas... ever!) and among other things the Panasonic AE 300 projector was stolen. After using projector for almost 2 months I haven't felt like watching any DVD's with old TV, I have been spoiled for good I guess. I am looking for replacement projector, most likely AE 500 or AE 700 but I will get it on next autumn at the earliest when I have moved back to finland. In the meantime, Gran Turismo 4 has been finally released! Looks very nice, Dolby Pro Logic II works ok well, altough some of the engine noises sound bit tinny. [22.10.2005] Near term plans Move to Finland is only two weeks away now. I have agreed to sell my trusty old Sony 29" 4:3 CRT to my brother as soon as I arrive. I need to renovate my apartment in Tampere before setting up a projector & screen, there is just no suitable place. I think I will buy medium sized widescreen LCD TV, later to be moved to bedroom. I have an reasonable offer on ebay for Teac AG-350H home theater amplifier, only 21,5 cm wide and in gold colour. Why? Just because I like the design, if I get it cheap I can put it to bedroom or take it to work so I can listen music in high fidelity :) |
