Home theater advice?

Question

i want to get the home theater thing with the projector and the screen and surround sound but i dont know whats good but is still fairly cheap

Answer 1

You need to do some research. I have found a couple AV forums to be very helpful. Home Theater Shack and AVS forums are both excellent sources for research. Good luck.

Answer 2

It's going to be tough trying to answer this one with any real degree of accuracy for several reasons... but hopefully I'll be able to give you some ideas by trying.

1) We don't know how large of a room you've got.  This will effect everything from the wattage needed for your surround sound system, to the size of screen you'll need.  The size of the screen needed will influence the style and type of projector you're going to need.

2) We don't know what type of media you want to use it for.  Just movies?  Or do you want to watch television on it as well?  And if you want to watch movies... what kind?  DVD?  Blu Ray?  

If you're going to watch standard definition titles (DVD), then you can find many good lower-level projectors that can match your output.  DVD resolutions in America (NTSC) are standard at 720 X 480, meaning that most projectors that can match this resolution would be good candidates.  On the other hand, if you'd like to future-proof your investment, then look at projectors that can match or beat 1920 X 1080 (Blu Ray and HD sources).  

Any thumbs-downs I've gotten so far would likely be from videophiles who live and breath home theater.  To those guys I can only say, "Relax.  I know I'm over-simplifying."  That's because not all projectors are created equal... and not all room environments are the same.  Let's not forget that quality is highly subjective:  What you call "good" might be unwatchable to me.

My suggestion would be to look in your phone book for places that offer home theater equipment.  Some will have showrooms that have projections from various equipment, and salespeople who can offer advice that's taylored to you.  When you go, be sure to have the following information handy:

1) The size of room you're thinking of using.  Length and width both.  It won't hurt to draw out a rough diagram of what you'd like to see; where you'd like to place the screen, seats, and projector.  Where windows are located, and what type of blinds you either have or are going to get to block out light.  Based off of this, the salesperson can tell you

     A) The best places to locate speakers

     B) How powerful of a sound system you're likely to need

     C) The intensity of the projector, along with being able to show you models that fit for your situation.

I wouldn't plop down a credit card the first place you go.  Instead, bring a notepad.  Write down model numbers that sound like they fit, and anything you feel is relevant.  Then visit another place and ask the same questions.  You're bound to spend several thousands of dollars, right?  So the investment in time is time well spent if it leads to a good purchase.

There's also home theater magazines that you can buy at the local Barnes and Nobel that can give you other ideas, as well.  Also, don't be afraid to go to Newegg.com with those model numbers you wrote down.  Read some reviews and get some prices.  Then once you're ready to buy, you'll do so with confidence.

Sorry I couldn't be more specific--but good luck to you.