Feeling restless (with my HT setup)

[SilK]

Hello fellow Blu-Ray members! Haha I don't even remember if I ever posted at all. But anyway I've been a long term lurker. I started visiting this forum a year ago during the whole Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD war. (Can you guess which format I chose? )

Anyway this forum is one of the few forums that I check on a regularly basis. I absolutely love the hot deals section!

Ok now that the intro is out of the way, here's the meat and potatoes of the my post.

A year ago, I decided I want my first ever home theater setup. So first thing I did was get a LCD 40 inch TV. Wow, HD looks great! So what do you do now that you have a HD TV? You get yourself HD media. After months of reading the boards, I decided on Blu-Ray and got myself a PS3.

I popped in a Blu-Ray movie and and whew did it look good. But still I was lacking the HT sensation due to the audio aspect. So what did I do? I bought myself a receiver. If you get yourself a receiver, you need to get some speakers too right? The next thing you know, I was ordering a subwoofer and then a rack and stand for all my stuff.

So now after a year later. I feel I got everything I needed. But now I miss tha feeling of buying something new and shiny! Home theater has become a hobby of mines of sort nowadays. But now, the only things I buy are Blu-Ray movies.

So I'm not sure what to do next. (Ha maybe I should just be happy with my current setup?). Here are some things I can think of.

1. Buy a bigger screen TV
2. Consider a projector (this option really intrigues me)
3. Buy a Squeezebox duet (besides movies, I love music and it would be nice to stream it)
4. Decorate my room to make it feel more like a home theater

I'm trying to not make drastic changes yet because I could see myself moving in a year or so. So my question to all the home theater enthusiasts out there, what do you guys and gals do when you are satisfied or bored with your setup?! What finishing touches do you do to spice things up? Buy a popcorn maker? Framed movie posters? Theater seats? Lighting effects?

I do not think I will touch the audio portion of my setup. I love the sound of my speakers and subwoofer so I'm happy there. I suppose I could use a bigger TV or explore a movie projector. The though of having a theater-like screen is very appealing and intriguing to me. But I'm not sure if I like the idea of replacing bulbs year after year just for limited viewing.

Well sorry for the babbling. It's my day off work and just wanted to say hello to the forums!

[ixlegitballinxl]

do you have a good power conditioner to protect your gear?

sounds like you have upgraditis, what receiver/speakers do you have?

do you have a good universal remote? LOL

it never ends....

[Uniquely]

Welllll........ how about utilizing the HT gallery and uploading some pictures of your current set up and a list of your current equipment (look under my name on the left and see where it says HT gallery and click to see what I am talking about.) I'm sure we can find some ideas to help you spend your money!

[SilK]

Haha thanks for the quick replies! I can take some pictures later.

I purposely didn't list specific equipment because I was looking for generic answers. I'm pretty happy with my equipment so I'm not really looking to upgrade them per say. I'm more looking into adding new gadgets like a music streamer for instance.

Haha I just edited my original post. For some reason I posted saying I have a 46 inch LCD when I have a 40 inch LCD. Heh it's probably cause I was looking at all those Costco TV deals over Black Friday and had a bigger TV in mind

In terms of equipment:
Samsung LNT4065
Onkyo TX-SR805
5 channel Aperion Speakers
Epik Tower Subwoofer (thing's a tank! my fav piece)
PS3 Blu-Ray player

Nope, I do not have power conditioners I have some surge protectors from Costco heh. Funny thing that mentioning the universal remote. I'm considering the Harmony One remote but decided to hold off on it because I'm fine with using multiple remotes for the time being. I figured my money can be used in other areas. Haha I am sure once I used a universal remote that I will never want to go back though!

I think the two things I am seriously considering is a projector or some type of music streamer. I was so tempted to get an Apple Ipod Touch. I never paid attention to it before but I saw my friend using it as a remote to control his HTPC. So I'm seriously considering something like a Squeezebox Duet along with Ipod Touch so I can enjoy music in my home theater rather than on the pc.

Since I do plan on moving in a year or so, I'm hoping whatever changes I do is not too troublesome. I'm already dreading the day I will have to relocate my HT setup to a new home.

Yes you are right it never ends! And I'm sure you all don't have any problem helping me spend money lol. Anyway I was just looking for inspiration. What do you guys normally do when you feel "finished"?

I probably won't do it in this home but I always dreamt of of having my own "home theater". More like a movie theater type rather than just a home theater. But alas, I live in California so things are pricier here and we have less real estate to work with (no basement or home theater friendly rooms). But it would be nice one day if I could some how manage to get a whole theater/game room setup

Edit: Just saw the HT gallery feature. Both of you two have very nice setups!

[Uniquely]

Well....... on the music streaming..... you could

upgrade your receiver to a network capable receiver

get a PS3 (good for back up blu ray player too) or XBox 360 (the 360 will also work like a tivo if you have a tv tuner card on your pc, and stream netflix)

but what I want right now is the new Slingcatcher. This thing will allow you to frame a portion of your PC desktop and stream it to another room via wi-fi, which would be great for music and music videos stored on the pc.

I have a Harmony 550 remote...... one of the cheaper universals you can find.... and I love it...... would never go back to the 15 remote system!

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by SilK

Edit: Just saw the HT gallery feature. Both of you two have very nice setups!

Then by all means..... feel free to rate us both as 10's!

[callas01]

I take it you are listening to music over your PC speakers? can the PS3 play CD's??

I don't have a PS3 so I am not sure, I use my BD35K as a CD player all the time. is there a way to connect your computer tower to your receiver so you can stream off the music that way?

[SilK]

Haha I'll be sure to do some ratings.

Yes, the PS3 can play CDs. I'm avoiding CDs because I prefer to have all of my music collection with a touch of the finger via digital streaming. Yeah I am currently settling with listening to music on some PC speakers. It's not all that great but managable heh.

Yeah I can probably connect my PC to my receiver if I want. I would just have to run a long wire to do so. I actually have a PS3 and Xbox so streaming with those systems is possible. In fact, I already placed some music on the PS3 and play it that way. I was hoping I could avoid turning on the PS3 just to play music though.

So I was looking at getting a Squeezebox and possibly a NAS server. That way I can have the computer off and stream music off the NAS. And then for the final touch get a Ipod Touch to use as a remote. But that's pretty expensive just to stream music

I never looked into a Slingcatcher or Slingbox. I may have to do some research.

Thanks for the inputs and suggestions so far! Besides you all giving me suggestions, I would be interested in hearing what you guys are doing to your own setups. It will probably give me some ideas!

Maybe a cheap thing I can do is decorate my walls. Heh they are bare at the moment. I probably can get some framed movie posters. I was going to put some framed sport jerseys up but I'll probably wait until I move to do that. Also, I'm still looking for a cheap professional frame and or service. I guess it will probably end up being a DIY.

This probably belongs in the projector section but does anyone have experience with a projector? Is it really a whole different experience than watching movies on a TV? I was just curious if all the expenses was worth it (projector, screen, bulbs, setup). I'm guessing it is because I am sure we have some enthusiasts out there that love their projectors.

[Beta Man]

If you don't have satellite radio, I suggest integrating one of those into your setup.... (I'm a big fan of Sirius) I don't have a "home-dock" for mine, but plan on adding one to my theater, which is still in the construction stage at this point.

If you can find a good deal on a projector, then by all means, GO FOR IT.... it's a completely different movie experience.... I did my screen etc by myself, set it up, and I'm thrilled, and I am by NO MEANS a videophile, and I managed to get it all working pretty well

Universal remotes are nice..... I went from multiple remotes, to a cheap one, to a $700 fancy thing I couldn't stand using, back to my cheap one.... so I figure it's just a matter of personal preference, but I wouldn't spend more than a couple hundred bucks on a remote, that's for sure.

If you decide to do "Decor" just don't go over-board..... less is sometimes more


Lighting is always good too.... or accoustical panels/bass traps, painting the room darker, etc....

there's many ways to "tweak" what you already have.

Good luck!

[ixlegitballinxl]

for a ht mp3 player, i'd recommend something with IR capability, that way you can controll it via remote. I had an ipod touch until my car was stolen... decided to get an archos 30 gig with docking station, my harmony 1000 now controls it ( it sucks to have to get up to change songs, volume, etc

idk, ipod may have a ir docking station, either way get ir capability for it!

[gblaue]

You don't need to buy a Slingbox. You can wirelessly stream music to your PS3 from a PC. The PS3 is a great media hub. I have a PS3 and a Denon AVR-4308ci. The 4308ci streams from a pc, has an XM tuner, a Sirrius tuner, and also does internet radio. I have to say, the internet radio feature is pretty cool. There are thousands of stations from around the world out there, for free.

[SilK]

Yep I agree, the PS3 is a great piece of machine. It can just do about everything! I streamed music via the PS3 before. It works great especially with a slide show.

Only drawbacks though is that the PS3 uses a television as its interface. Also since I plan to play a lot of music, I prefer to keep my PS3 and TV off. So I'm looking for some type of alternative.

I've seen my friend hook up his laptop to his receiver and play songs using the Ipod Touch as a remote.

I can hook up my laptop of PC to the receiver but don't have a remote control. So that's why an Ipod Touch or Squeezebox seems appealing to me.

Only problem I have with the Squeezebox is that it streams from the PC. It would be nice if I can get my music without having the PC on all day long.

gblaue & robinandtami - Good points about using the receiver as a streamer. I can look into upgrading a receiver for that purpose. The only problem I have with upgrading things is I don't know what to do with my old equipment lol. I suppose I can save it for a second smaller setup like for a bedroom or something.

I'll definitely have to think about a projector. I'm not sure how much I will use it on a daily basis but it would be fun to be able to use it on a weekend evening with some friends and family over.

Thanks for everyone's inputs! I'll see if I can get some pictures up later this week of my setup.

[jappler]

I've been looking for a new toy. I think I found it... Popcorn Hour. Sounds like quite the little box. Only problem for your setup is it uses the TV as an interface.

[gblaue]

What about Roku?

[SilK]

Hmm never heard of Roku before I may have to look into that.

I've been doing some more reading and think one thing I should look into purchasing is a power conditioner. It's not a very sexy pick but I suppose it had to be done.

I was thinking of the Panamax 5300 but I'm not sure if that is overkill or not. $500 bucks is a lot to put down for something that you may or may not notice. Like others said it is more a peace of mind thing especially since our HT equipment is so expensive.

I'll see if I can do some research on power conditioners and hopefully find a cheaper alternative. I'm guessing a $500 power conditioner is probably overkill. I can probably find something that suits my needs at a lower price?

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by SilK

Hmm never heard of Roku before I may have to look into that.

I've been doing some more reading and think one thing I should look into purchasing is a power conditioner. It's not a very sexy pick but I suppose it had to be done.

I was thinking of the Panamax 5300 but I'm not sure if that is overkill or not. $500 bucks is a lot to put down for something that you may or may not notice. Like others said it is more a peace of mind thing especially since our HT equipment is so expensive.

I'll see if I can do some research on power conditioners and hopefully find a cheaper alternative. I'm guessing a $500 power conditioner is probably overkill. I can probably find something that suits my needs at a lower price?

I'm getting an APC H15 shipped out to me now. Several members of the forum have purchased and like them. It's not nearly as expensive as what you were looking at.