Building my Home Theatre Room - Please guide me

[reddream]

Lovely thread, and really admire the passion of Santhosh and all the passionate people who are setting up their dream systems.

Hats off to you guys.

I want to get my hands on a projector also, and reading this thread want to go with the same setup as Santhosh.

Will be placing an order for the HD20 in a couple of days, and will call Hyderabad for the 120" screen. Was just wondering, since my room is not a dedicated theater, and paint is cream, if I should go for a grey screen.
Any suggestions.

I will be getting my WD live in 2-3 days, any experts want to do a review with it in Bangalore this weekend? would love it if someone can test it and post the reviews here, aneelr ?

I am stuck like Sathosh, my room is close to 14 feet, I am not sure if I will get 120", but I am taking the plung whatever it is. I was guessing that I need a really long HDMI / component cable (for Tata Sky +, I actually right software for Tata sky boxes), will it be ok to buy MX HDMI 10meter cables ? will I get 1080p.

I am crazy about sound also, though I don't have a great system wanted to know where I stand, so learnt something about room modes and got some mics and software to understand what I am hearing as a starting point.

Just an link to my car system graph :
Home Audio - Finally I measured what I am hearing - Team-BHP

Thanks, appreciate tips if I am missing anything for my projector setup.

 

[subhash]

Lovely thread, and really admire the passion of Santhosh and all the passionate people who are setting up their dream systems.

Hats off to you guys.

I want to get my hands on a projector also, and reading this thread want to go with the same setup as Santhosh.

Will be placing an order for the HD20 in a couple of days, and will call Hyderabad for the 120" screen. Was just wondering, since my room is not a dedicated theater, and paint is cream, if I should go for a grey screen.
Any suggestions.

I will be getting my WD live in 2-3 days, any experts want to do a review with it in Bangalore this weekend? would love it if someone can test it and post the reviews here, aneelr ?

I am stuck like Sathosh, my room is close to 14 feet, I am not sure if I will get 120", but I am taking the plung whatever it is. I was guessing that I need a really long HDMI / component cable (for Tata Sky +, I actually right software for Tata sky boxes), will it be ok to buy MX HDMI 10meter cables ? will I get 1080p.

I am crazy about sound also, though I don't have a great system wanted to know where I stand, so learnt something about room modes and got some mics and software to understand what I am hearing as a starting point.

Just an link to my car system graph :
Home Audio - Finally I measured what I am hearing - Team-BHP

Thanks, appreciate tips if I am missing anything for my projector setup.

welcome to this hobby , and all the best

 

[santhosh]

Lovely thread, and really admire the passion of Santhosh and all the passionate people who are setting up their dream systems

Hats off to you guys.

I want to get my hands on a projector also, and reading this thread want to go with the same setup as Santhosh.

Thanks and welcome reddream

Will be placing an order for the HD20 in a couple of days, and will call Hyderabad for the 120" screen. Was just wondering, since my room is not a dedicated theater, and paint is cream, if I should go for a grey screen.
Any suggestions.

I am stuck like Sathosh, my room is close to 14 feet, I am not sure if I will get 120", but I am taking the plung whatever it is.

No need to get stuck since you can still can change your plans. If your room is atleast 15 feet, then only think of HD20 and 120 inch screen. Viewing 120 inch is not the problem. It is just that HD20 needs atleast 14 feet to cover 120 inches. So, look at some other projector or go in for 104 inch. Decide only after you have finally measured the length of room (I lost about one feet to acoustic treatment).

About Screen color, most of us except Srinisundar have not experienced any other color other than matte-white. So PM Srini to post his views.

I will be getting my WD live in 2-3 days, any experts want to do a review with it in Bangalore this weekend? would love it if someone can test it and post the reviews here, aneelr ?

Aneelr and Dushie are the Media player experts in Bangalore. I shall join you guys as a spectator.

I was guessing that I need a really long HDMI / component cable (for Tata Sky +, I actually right software for Tata sky boxes), will it be ok to buy MX HDMI 10meter cables ? will I get 1080p.

HDMI cables from MX and others are available and will get you 1080p. I had trouble sourcing 10m component cables(for Tata Sky plus) and Subhash was kind enought to give me a set that he had.

Since you write software for Tata Sky Plus, can you write something that will hide that envelope kinda thing(message reminder) for me please. Most of the time the messages are redundant as Tata Sky bugs you with SMSes anyway.

I am crazy about sound also, though I don't have a great system wanted to know where I stand, so learnt something about room modes and got some mics and software to understand what I am hearing as a starting point.

Just an link to my car system graph :
Home Audio - Finally I measured what I am hearing - Team-BHP

Thanks, appreciate tips if I am missing anything for my projector setup.

Wow!! Thats impressive. So we know whom to lend an SPL meter from. Where can I buy one from in Bangalore?

 

[reddream]

Thanks Santhosh for the detailed mail.

I will do a proper check on the measurements, I think I can get 14 feet.
I will stick with White, I wanted to check if I will get the Panoview in Bangalore, and one guy in Indiranagar offered the Liberty screen for 1/3 the price. Our there dealers in bangalore.

Do I just drill the holes in my ceiling, in the line of the middle of the screen and fix the mount and then adjust the projector ? or is there any other way to do it.

I will keep in mind the 9.4" height distance from center of lens to start of the screen.
Santhosh are you using any keystone ?

I would be happy to lend the meter, I got a radio shack meter from ebay.

I know that message icon is crazy, but there is so much security in these boxes to protect from hackers that no serial/usb/etc will be enabled in the field boxes, and software (firmware) is downloaded and same for all the boxes.

Again Tata guys send these messages and we just provide the software, they should be the ones to use it in discretion.

Will PM when my device arrives for the test.

 

[subhash]

Thanks Santhosh for the detailed mail.

I will do a proper check on the measurements, I think I can get 14 feet.
I will stick with White, I wanted to check if I will get the Panoview in Bangalore, and one guy in Indiranagar offered the Liberty screen for 1/3 the price. Our there dealers in bangalore.

Do I just drill the holes in my ceiling, in the line of the middle of the screen and fix the mount and then adjust the projector ? or is there any other way to do it.

I will keep in mind the 9.4" height distance from center of lens to start of the screen.
Santhosh are you using any keystone ?

I would be happy to lend the meter, I got a radio shack meter from ebay.

I know that message icon is crazy, but there is so much security in these boxes to protect from hackers that no serial/usb/etc will be enabled in the field boxes, and software (firmware) is downloaded and same for all the boxes.

Again Tata guys send these messages and we just provide the software, they should be the ones to use it in discretion.

Will PM when my device arrives for the test.

with the hd20 you shud be able to fill up the screen from 14 feet , as i said

earlier the pj shud be mounted above the level of the screen ,and not

straight , by mounting it above the level of screen,i guess u get additional 1

feet

kindly take professional help to celeing mount the Pj

let me know , i cud put u across to the person who did the job for me

 

[srinisundar]

with the hd20 you shud be able to fill up the screen from 14 feet , as i said

earlier the pj shud be mounted above the level of the screen ,and not

straight , by mounting it above the level of screen,i guess u get additional 1

feet

kindly take professional help to celeing mount the Pj

let me know , i cud put u across to the person who did the job for me

No Professional is need to fix the mount....Man u r doing so much DIY,,,do not think about it... it is very simple...Sorry to tell this...

Regards

 

[subhash]

No Professional is need to fix the mount....Man u r doing so much DIY,,,do not think about it... it is very simple...Sorry to tell this...

Regards

i suggested profesional help bcoz the hd20 and hd65 do not have placement flexibility, and u cannot use mounts with longer handles , bcoz it wud come below the level of the screen if the ceiling is low and so may not be able to fill up the screen as in santosh,s case .all this bcoz of lack of space @ the back

so its better to get the mount with a smaller handle

i am using the mount called vantage point which is ideal for the hd20 and hd65

the manual says it cud handle upto 8 kgs , wondering if this cud take heavier pjs

the cost of vantage point is a little on the higher side abt 6k

 

[aneelr]

....

I will be getting my WD live in 2-3 days, any experts want to do a review with it in Bangalore this weekend? would love it if someone can test it and post the reviews here, aneelr ?

......


.....

Hi,

Sure dude, congrats on your HT setup, HD projector with 120" is simply going to be awesome. I've experienced that last week at Subhash's and Santhol's place .......... it is tempting me to replace my Samsung LED.

Congrats!!

And is it possible for you to get the WDTV Live to my place for testing it(sorry if i'm asking too much), if no then give me your address, shall definitely drop in.

This WeekEnd I'm planning to go to absolute phase also to test TViX, just for curiosity purpose.


cheers.

 

[subhash]

Hi,

Sure dude, congrats on your HT setup, HD projector with 120" is simply going to be awesome. I've experienced that last week at Subhash's and Santhol's place .......... it is tempting me to replace my Samsung LED.

Congrats!!

And is it possible for you to get the WDTV Live to my place for testing it(sorry if i'm asking too much), if no then give me your address, shall definitely drop in.

This WeekEnd I'm planning to go to absolute phase also to test TViX, just for curiosity purpose.


cheers.

u sure shud replace the tv with a hd PJ

 

[srinisundar]

i suggested profesional help bcoz the hd20 and hd65 do not have placement flexibility, and u cannot use mounts with longer handles , bcoz it wud come below the level of the screen if the ceiling is low and so may not be able to fill up the screen as in santosh,s case .all this bcoz of lack of space @ the back

so its better to get the mount with a smaller handle

i am using the mount called vantage point which is ideal for the hd20 and hd65

the manual says it cud handle upto 8 kgs , wondering if this cud take heavier pjs

the cost of vantage point is a little on the higher side abt 6k

Please note that handles can be altered to your wish to any dimension, if you are choosing an pipe type handle on which projector mount and ceiling mount will be of pipe insertion type( extension type). Cut to match/ drill matching holes where you want and reduce the height or increase the height....Most of the Home theare projectors will not have more than 8kg weight.... And almost all mount will withstand this.

I paid 4k before 5 years for an universal mount in chennai, wonder the price could have comedown, not followed up on the price part.... is it 6K?? ...
regards
Srini

 

[subhash]

Please note that handles can be altered to your wish to any dimension, if you are choosing an pipe type handle on which projector mount and ceiling mount will be of pipe insertion type. Cut to match/ drill matching holes where you want and reduce the height or increase the height....Most of the Home theare projectors will not have more than 8kg weight.... And almost all mount will withstand this.

I paid 4k before 5 years for an universal mount in chennai, wonder the price could have comedown, not followed up on the price part.... is it 6K?? ...
regards
Srini

the pjs we are looking @ now (1080p) pjs are all heavy , and bulky and weighs between 8-10kgs

the vantage point mount is on the pricier side , but sure will be cheaper in chennai

dint know the handle length cud be altered

 

[srinisundar]

enclosed link from Monoprice,,, this suits for heavy projector and extension . May be this will be costing here Rs.2000( Not more than that)


For only $11.88 each when QTY 50+ purchased - Ceiling Bracket for Projector (Max 44Lbs) - BLACK | Projector Bracket

 

[santhosh]

I paid 4k before 5 years for an universal mount in chennai, wonder the price could have comedown, not followed up on the price part.... is it 6K?? ...
regards
Srini

Opert and I bought an adjustable universal mount for 1.3k. The brand is "Pearltek" and the height is adjustable between 1 feet and 2 feet. With some DIY mods, you can modify it to be adjustable between 4 inches and 2 feet. It comes in a very slim packing and I had to assemble it myself. Bolts provided are all allen bolts and hence very strong. This projector mount offers a lot of flexibity.

the pjs we are looking @ now (1080p) pjs are all heavy , and bulky and weighs between 8-10kgs

After fitting my projector with anchor bolts, I casually asked my carpenter if it was fitted tightly. Overconfident monkey that he was, he hung from it to show how strong it was(before I could stop him) and he was atleast 70 kilos. We checked again and completed the install of the projector.

Unfortunately, I am not using it now because I am not able to project a 120 inch image from that location. I have left it as is and covered it with a 12mm black glass, shall pull it out when I have another projector.

I realised I have not mentioned this anywhere. The 12mm black glass is an access point for any future maintenance. I have made the area above the glass a junction for my cables and wires. Also, I hide ugly things like UPS for Projector, Stabilizer for A/C up there.

Subhash's Vantage Point PJ mount has a much better quality in terms of fit and finish. Mine is very functional in its appearance similar to what Srini has just posted but mine is white. Opert may be able to post a picture.

 

[santhosh]

Do I just drill the holes in my ceiling, in the line of the middle of the screen and fix the mount and then adjust the projector ? or is there any other way to do it.

There is no harm in doing this. Fix the mount leaving around 1 feet from the rear wall. Most projectors have an offset for the lens which will have to be considered if you are buying a DLP projector. Nothing to worry, the Universal Projector mounts are very flexible and can be adjusted to counter the offset. Best to decide on projector, buy it, then fix the mount. Only after that, you should buy the screen. Member advised me this, but I was in a hurry to meet a deadline(which was not fully met anyway). So, I made some calculations(some wrong) and ordered stuff.

I will keep in mind the 9.4" height distance from center of lens to start of the screen.
Santhosh are you using any keystone ?

Sorry, I did not understand the 9.4" height. What Subhash is saying is, by mounting the projector higher than the screen, you are getting more projection distance. A HD20 should be able to project at 120 inch image at a distance of 13.2 feet according to some calculators available online.

Yes, I have had to use keystone.

I would be happy to lend the meter, I got a radio shack meter from ebay.

Please PM me more details. I would like one too. Also the Radio Shack meter is not accurate. But there are corrrection look-up tables for the Radioshack meter. Hope you are aware of this.

I know that message icon is crazy, but there is so much security in these boxes to protect from hackers that no serial/usb/etc will be enabled in the field boxes, and software (firmware) is downloaded and same for all the boxes.

Again Tata guys send these messages and we just provide the software, they should be the ones to use it in discretion.

I was just kidding when I asked you about disabling that message icon. It is very distracting.

 

[reddream]

Great, so I will first get my HD20, get the mount / cables from SP road and then get the screen after measuring.

I didn't know that we can install the projector on the wall, so this way I have 16 feet distance. I read that it is better not to use keystoning, so let me see if I can get a proper image in the ceiling mount or wall mount without keystone.

Should get the WD Live anytime, so I guess I will come to your place Aneelr, we can compare with your videos/setup.

 

[subhash]

Great, so I will first get my HD20, get the mount / cables from SP road and then get the screen after measuring.

I didn't know that we can install the projector on the wall, so this way I have 16 feet distance. I read that it is better not to use keystoning, so let me see if I can get a proper image in the ceiling mount or wall mount without keystone.

Should get the WD Live anytime, so I guess I will come to your place Aneelr, we can compare with your videos/setup.

can i ask @ what price u are getting the hd20 for? , if you are getting it from here its almost double the price , i guess it is close to 1 ,
actual price is 999USD, anywhere around 60k from here is worth it, beyond that i think its a major rip

try to avoid keystone
but @ times its unavoidable ,
so to allign the pic on the screen u may have to use the keystone to adjust the sides to fit your screen
mild use of keystone and overscan will do no harm

 

[srinisundar]

Great, so I will first get my HD20, get the mount / cables from SP road and then get the screen after measuring.

I didn't know that we can install the projector on the wall, so this way I have 16 feet distance. I read that it is better not to use keystoning, so let me see if I can get a proper image in the ceiling mount or wall mount without keystone.

Should get the WD Live anytime, so I guess I will come to your place Aneelr, we can compare with your videos/setup.

Hi, do an DIY to get your desired pics since your room is 16ft... From Minimum throw postion of 13.1ft to your end wall-16ft, put an rail sliding( not cost much do with an normal steel angle or wood) and keep the ceiling mount base on the rail. This will be good to acheive desired picture quality by playing with zoom lens... Not necessarily you should some rollers...but it will be easier to slide..

 

[santhosh]

I didn't know that we can install the projector on the wall, so this way I have 16 feet distance. I read that it is better not to use keystoning, so let me see if I can get a proper image in the ceiling mount or wall mount without keystone.

I have installed my projector by placing it on a shelf on the rear wall. Right now, I am not tweaking for further improvement. My final setup of the projector will be done only after I source a rightangle HDMI coupler and rightangle power cable from US. This way I will get a little over 13.2 feet and hopefully I am able to project a 120 inch image.

The HD20 is a very nice projector with little flexibility of placement. I would not have had to use keystone and other settings if only my HD20 could do this:
http://www.projectorpeople.com/resources/images/anim_lenshift.gif

 

[reddream]

Thanks Subash, Santhosh, Srinisundar.

I am such an impulsive guy, after reading this thread I badly/immediately wanted a projector. The HD20 would have taken some time to come from Techclave for Rs 60k.

I went to a guy to finalize about the screen and he was selling projectors too, so he told me to go for a panasonic projector (AX-200) and said that Optoma were not that great ( I don't believe that, after all the reviews ), but happened to read the review at his place on this projector and felt the only shortcoming was that it was not 1080p. I did 1-2 weeks of reading on HD20 and I just read 10mins on AX-200 and decided on that projector.
So checked with the dealers, 80k something, called up the grey market, got a AX-200 for Rs 57,000.

The reason it won me are :
1. It has a response time of .3 milli seconds, I am more of a car nut and racing is in my blood, I just could not play the simulator racing games on my LCD TV after playing it on my computer LCD, so I knew that response time matters.

2. Got worried about placement distances, this is an LCD and gives 120" from 9-10 feet I guess, optical lens shift.

3. My room is not light controlled so felt that 2000 lumi will be good.

I can't differentiate colours so well, I cant say which is better colors when comparing tvs ( i know what is abnormal though), and I stick with stock settings, so I went for the panny ax-200, more than all the reasons, it was readily available.

Came home and projected it on my cream wall 120", was an experience, cause this is the first time I am seeing a projector working. I liked watching tata sky, with 4:3 it just looks so big. Even DVDs with my cheap HDMI Onkyo was not too pixelated.

So, taking all your advice will install the projector at the farmost end of my room 14 feet and will use the zoom ( I think zoom should be in between, now at 9-10 feet I am using max zoom).

I found the wall itself pretty good, and in the afternoon thick curtains made a lot of difference, hence ordered for some curtains 8k, and need a screen.

The grey market guy said he will get a liberty (8x6) for 4 k (said Indian one ) or 7k (Imported). Or should I get a grandview.

I need help choosing the screen.

Got 10m HDMI high speed from grey at 2500 Rs, and mount for 1,800 Rs. Need a component video 10m. Thats it, I am all set.

Will update the photos, anyone have an light meter to callibrate projectors ?, else thinking of getting one to adjust all my TVs with proper color.

 

[cmsajith]

Thanks Subash, Santhosh, Srinisundar.

I am such an impulsive guy, after reading this thread I badly/immediately wanted a projector. The HD20 would have taken some time to come from Techclave for Rs 60k.

I went to a guy to finalize about the screen and he was selling projectors too, so he told me to go for a panasonic projector (AX-200) and said that Optoma were not that great ( I don't believe that, after all the reviews ), but happened to read the review at his place on this projector and felt the only shortcoming was that it was not 1080p. I did 1-2 weeks of reading on HD20 and I just read 10mins on AX-200 and decided on that projector.
So checked with the dealers, 80k something, called up the grey market, got a AX-200 for Rs 57,000.

The reason it won me are :
1. It has a response time of .3 milli seconds, I am more of a car nut and racing is in my blood, I just could not play the simulator racing games on my LCD TV after playing it on my computer LCD, so I knew that response time matters.

2. Got worried about placement distances, this is an LCD and gives 120" from 9-10 feet I guess, optical lens shift.

3. My room is not light controlled so felt that 2000 lumi will be good.

I can't differentiate colours so well, I cant say which is better colors when comparing tvs ( i know what is abnormal though), and I stick with stock settings, so I went for the panny ax-200, more than all the reasons, it was readily available.

Came home and projected it on my cream wall 120", was an experience, cause this is the first time I am seeing a projector working. I liked watching tata sky, with 4:3 it just looks so big. Even DVDs with my cheap HDMI Onkyo was not too pixelated.

So, taking all your advice will install the projector at the farmost end of my room 14 feet and will use the zoom ( I think zoom should be in between, now at 9-10 feet I am using max zoom).

I found the wall itself pretty good, and in the afternoon thick curtains made a lot of difference, hence ordered for some curtains 8k, and need a screen.

The grey market guy said he will get a liberty (8x6) for 4 k (said Indian one ) or 7k (Imported). Or should I get a grandview.

I need help choosing the screen.

Got 10m HDMI high speed from grey at 2500 Rs, and mount for 1,800 Rs. Need a component video 10m. Thats it, I am all set.

Will update the photos, anyone have an light meter to callibrate projectors ?, else thinking of getting one to adjust all my TVs with proper color.

Great, congrats on your purchase. Panny 200 seems to be good as per the reviews. Enjoy maadi..