Can you rate my home theater install from 1-10?

Question

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee36/scorpio9000/plasma-1.jpg

Also, I need advice or ideas on consolidating my dvd collections on one unit so I can pick and play on my plasma at anytime. Ex. apple tv (not all movies are dvd quality). I was thinking of purchasing the ps3 but should I hold out till the battle between blu-ray and hd-dvd is done? I believe in spending my money wisely...

It's recommended based on research that the eye level while sitting is aimed at the bottom half of the plasma. If you are sitting 10-12 ft. away, a 42-50" display is suggested. Yes, the wires are hidden behind the wall, all up to code. The boston acoustic bookself speakers are on the adjacent walls aimed at ear level on the left and right. Yes I'm neat about my place (some thanks to the military), I maintain and value the things I do have so hopefully they last a long time coming.

Thanks sirbo, but I need advice on dvd storage. Ex. I was looking at a episode of cribs and fifty had a remote that controlled his whole dvd collection on screen, kinda like apple tv but different. Any suggestions?

Yea Amber, that's why I'm sticking to the ps2 for right now, and the funny thing is that they are still putting out new titles for it as well.

Agb I have to disagree, If that was true about the height then why do you see so many plasma's over the fireplace, and I checked good reliable sources on the distance and screen size placement if you see my above comments, that is correct in every way, but I appreciate your opinion...

Answer 1

I'd give it a solid 9 rating.

The install is perfect and very clean: 10 points

You have a in-wall speaker for the center, but DIFFERENT bookshelves for the L/R. This can reduce the surround illusion as sounds move from speaker to speaker. It's real important to have all speakers tone-match, or at least the front 3: -1 point

The window/doors on either side are something you cannot control - but will make the TV watching nearly impossible during day time. But other than blackout blinds - there is nothing you can do about it..

The rack is nice and clean, but you have only 1 shelf left. I guess you can go with a 300 disk DVD player - but with so many changes in the DVD world, my advice is to stick with a single-disk unit and 'hide' your DVD collection in either:

- A "Lawyers Bookshelf" with glass doors over every shelf
- A 3-ring binder arrangement for the disks so you can get 96 disks in 1 container and store the display boxes elsewhere.

I do recommend a PS3 - it's a great game system and one of the best BluRay players available.

Note: You should try to have telephone and Cat5 network setup behind the rack. Many box's (BluRay, CATV) want either phone connections or internet connections. Some people predict that Downloadable content for HD is the next thing after HD-DVD and BluRay wars die down.

Despite my criticism - you have a fantastic, clean install there. Kudos.

Answer 2

Overall about a 3.

Good marks for neatness and lack of clutter.

TV is too high (should be with your eye height about 1/3 to 1/2 height of the screen)

TV is too far away (optimum is 5'-6' for a 42" @ 1080p, or 7'-8' ft @ 720p)

Sub woofer may or may not be optimum but there is no fixed acoustic reason to be where it is.

Front speakers are way too far apart (less than your viewing distance apart is best)

I can't comment on the surrounds since they are not displayed (but they should be 2 ft above ear level and slightly behind (if directional and 5.1 system)

Centre speaker may be OK location, but in wall speakers are often not great.

It would be better having the electronics behind or off to the side since lights are a distraction.

Can't comment on light control ... but for optimum contrast ratio you need to be able to control light.

I can't comment on the wiring, but I hope you have a) large enough speaker wire, b) "future proof" wiring if any connection cables are in the wall, and c) surge protectors on all electronics.

I've provided a couple of links below which may be of interest.

EDIT EDIT EDIT:

Just because others are high doesn't make them right. Cruchfield Advisor states "Your TV will look its best when viewed on-axis (from straight ahead), at a height where your eyes are level with the middle of the screen". DTV City says "For optimum viewing, your eyes should be level with the middle of the screen when you're seated in your normal viewing position".

As to viewing distance, see the "viewing distance calculator" at http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html and read this article as to why closer than you have is beneficial http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/284986.html

It's your HT, but you asked for input!

Answer 3

I assume the components are actually connected via in-wall wires and not just posing, unconnected, for the picture? If so, it's a very nice, clean install.

And your room is very uncluttered. So much so that I only see your center speaker and subwoofer. The other speakers are out of the picture? If so, they're probably too far apart.

My other niggles are: your TV looks too high, much higher than eye level. I'm wondering why you did that. And unless you only watch at night, you're going to want some light-blocking shades on those windows.

So I guess I don't have enough information to give you a number grade. ;-)

Answer 4

Tight... 9..... I got something like it...But I put the floating shelves directly under my TV...(50" Panasonic)...I just think it looks better that way...Anyways....you dont have any wires showing so thats legit as hell...

On the PS3 thing...Its worth it for the blu-ray...the battle between blu-ray and hd-dvd is going to go on for way longer...Might as well do the gaming at the same time...

I gotta PS3...So Ima bit bias though..

Answer 5

1

Your TV is too high. It should be at eye level.

And I don't think much of in wall speakers. They will never offer the tonal quality of boxes. I also can't figure out where your L and R speakers are and I'm afraid they are in the ceiling. They should be at ear level.

Answer 6

in accordance to experts, they propose 3 foot minimum viewing or sitting distance for each 12 inches of show screen. it is an identical you could desire to calculate that based of the area the place the closer guy or woman `s gonna be from the television. in case you get a forty six show screen you could desire to no longer be closer than 12 foot from show screen minimum. Do you opt to seat in the 1st row in the action picture tutor? ninety watts is extra beneficial than sufficient.

Answer 7

My rating: 8


If it were me I would wait until the blu-ray and hd-dvd battle is over.