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57U's Home Theatre
Thought you might be interested in seeing my home theatre setup. It's probably a bit different from what you usually see because I have my components beside my chair. Three video connections (component, S-Video and composite video) run from the receiver to the TV. Now that I have the SA8300HD, only the component connection is really necessary, but the others remain connected since they were there...
All the components are connected to the receiver via the various appropriate connections. I built the "rack" for the components myself. As you can see, the components are in the middle, vinyl and turntable underneath, CDs and some VHS on the left side, DVDs and some cassettes on the right side. There is plenty of space around the two "heat generating" pieces ? the receiver and the STB. Some lesser-used VHS and cassettes are stored in the room adjacent to the home theatre.
The room is in our developed basement and can be made quite dark, even during the day or on summer evenings.
The room is about 16' x 20' x 8' high, with the TV along the 16' wall. We sit about 10-12' from the TV (seats are easily movable, if desired, but usually stay in the same spot). "The boss" sits in the large dark green chair, which is a little amusing, since she is quite a small person.
The equipment consists of:
Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV
Martin Logan Scenario Main Speakers
Martin Logan Cinema Centre Speaker
Clements Richter II Subwoofer
Polk PSW-505 Subwoofer
Yamaha NS690 Speakers used for surrounds
Yamaha centre rear speaker
SA8300HD PVR with 500 GB eHDD (Pictures still have the older STB)
Yamaha RX-V1 Receiver
Toshiba SD2109 DVD Player
Kenwood LVD710 Laser Disk Player
JVC S7500U S-VHS VCR (not used much since the PVR arrived 2004.06.01)
Yamaha KX670 Cassette Deck
Dual 714Q Turntable
Grado SR-125 Headphones
Photos of my setup are located at the link below:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=669
The TV's picture is a little "washed out" because the TV image is overexposed. Since the room is quite dark, the exposure time was 1/2 second. Normally a picture of a TV looks best at about 1/15 to 1/30 second.
To the younger people just starting out, it took us 40 years of saving, purchasing and upgrading to get to this point, so take your time.
AdminJoe
11-24-2002, 11:21 PM
Sweet setup....
Wolfpacker96
12-31-2002, 10:57 AM
Sweet looking setup you have there! Know anybody in the band Rush? I've been thinking about vacationing in Toronto for I while. I've heard that the city has a nice European feel to it and I've never been to Canada.
P.S. Thanks for the responses in other discussions.
dbrungard
02-08-2003, 10:53 AM
nice setup,i live in los angeles and we don't have basements.i have a hitachi 65swx20b/dish 6000 hd toshiba/sd4800 dvd yamaha receiver/bose speakers/yamaha subwoofer.
i just had a isf calibration done.
billw
02-10-2003, 09:41 AM
ISF calibration.
I know this has been discussion.
Did you see a difference after the calibration?
A Hitachi technician did do a little convergence and focus, and I did a setup with AVIA. There was a big difference after AVIA. I didn't get the set ISF calibrated because I thought I got it most of the way, without spending the $.
I have seen calibrated TVs and I think AVIA gets most of the way there. If you're really finicky about grey scale, or your TV has a really awkward interface, the calibration is probably more important.
On the Hitachi you can turn off Black Level, SVM, etc. Some sets require actual modifications (wires cut) or service menu entry for these things.
Depends on your level of comfort doing these things.
spaceman_spiff
02-12-2003, 08:51 AM
Hi 57U,
Neat set up.
Stupid question, you must have to point your remote to your rack on the right side when you are watching TV or do you have a RF remote! :D
35 years of saving and hard work, Good job :)
I was thinking all this time I was way far behind compared to you guys, its my first (beginner) set up after I started my career couple of years ago. Makes me feel like I still have a long way to go and lot of equipment to buy. :D
Originally posted by spaceist
Stupid question, you must have to point your remote to your rack on the right side when you are watching TV or do you have a RF remote! I put the Yamaha remote on the arm of the chair and it seems to be powerful enough to "reach" the components most of the time. If I'm using the STB's IPG, I usually pick up the remote because that's a bit of a "two-handed" job anyway. It's "only" an IR remote, but it works fine.
Ed Rafalko
06-04-2003, 04:36 PM
All that high-tech gear, and a rotary-dial phone.;)
Nice looking room, 57U, seriously.
kojak light
06-04-2003, 04:48 PM
Originally posted by 57U
57U’s Home Theatre
To the younger people just starting out, it took us 35 years of saving, purchasing and upgrading to get to this point, so take your time.
So you started saving when you were 4?!?! What foresight! ;)
What, no pics of "The Boss"?
Actually, it all looks very well put together.
keith1229
06-04-2003, 04:51 PM
35 years, but i want it NOW!
that's super sweet. i'm shocked YOU don't have a P.S. dvd player. they are like $90 now (2 years ago they were $300-400. quite a drop). when do you thing HD-DVD is gonna be out? now that samsung replaced my tv with this years model, i have a DVI input now. maybe i should leave it open for the HD-DVD.
Originally posted by Ed Rafalko All that high-tech gear, and a rotary-dial phone Nostalgia - I've had that phone about 30 years. I bought it for $10 when Bell stopped making us rent phones, about 20 years ago. I also am one of the remaing 5% who have "digipulse" (not touchtone) service. Saves me about $4-5/month and I don't miss anything, because once you finish dialing, you just switch the new phones to "tone" to do whatever you want...
They tried to make us all switch to touchtone a few years back but the 5% made such a stink that they kept us "grandfathered". Many of us wrote to the Government Regulatory Agency saying that they can get rid of digipulse if they pass the savings on to all the customers (95% would see lower bills). Bell backed off... They probably figure we'll all die soon, well I've got news for them...
Ed Rafalko
06-04-2003, 06:05 PM
I have a Princess phone with a dial in the handset, if you can remember those. But it's tucked away in a box somewhere and hasn't seen the light of day since around 1981 or 1982.
I just thought it was a Canadian thing.;)
turbonutn
11-21-2003, 10:50 PM
when do you thing HD-DVD is gonna be out?
there is only maybe 2 dvd's that are cut in HD, however the samsung dvd-hd931 is a HD-DVD player that upcoverts normal dvd's to 720p using the same chip that the tantus line dlp's use
There are a couple of HD DVD units out. Unfortunately only in Japan and they're US$4000. I think it'll be a couple of years before we get any reasonably priced units in North America.
Sony is supposedly launching a WMA format HD DVD player next year....
It's deceptive marketing to call the Sammy 931 an HD DVD player, since it takes DVDs that are 480i and "converts" this to a higher quality signal. People with CRT-based TVs will see a little or no difference compared to a good PS DVD player.
Hippie
04-05-2004, 11:19 PM
Hey 57..
What is the autographed Everest photo in the back?
A Shirakawa? Reason I ask is there is some show on INHD now with this Shirakawa guy's Everest photos.. and they showed one that reminded me the one I saw on your back wall in the gallery pictures.
In 1982 we were living in Calgary and we knew several members of that year's Canadian Everest expedition. One was a teacher at the school where my wife taught - he was base camp manager, and another was Laurie Skreslet - who made it to the summit in October 1982. The poster was signed by the base-camp manager thanking us for our efforts in Calgary (arranging stuff before they left.) We did a few small climbs together in the Rockies.
Hippie
04-06-2004, 12:21 AM
cool stuff.
deckard
07-08-2004, 10:23 PM
It pains me to see a $200 dvd player sittin atop that $6000 beast of a receiver lol. Canadian prices on electronics depress me:( I'm surprised to see you don't have matching surrounds but your system is obviously kickass!
I don't envy you only because like me you have built your system with blood, sweat, and tears. And a damn fine job man......ok maybe a little jealous!
Canadian prices on epuipment aren't that bad at all, it's the taxes that suck. But if you pay cash sales people are very quick to shave a few thousand off the top of almost anything.
And yes 57U has a great system.
MAX,
KillemDaggett
07-12-2004, 03:54 PM
Hi,
Wondered if you had any time to mention your favourite HT shops for Canadian buyers (either online or brick and mortar). I'm in the Whitby area, and I'm always on the lookout for places where I can get deals on HT equipment.
:canada:
You may wish to start a new Thread on this subject and have everyone comment.
Matt27
07-15-2004, 05:38 PM
You have good taste, and the room appears to be have good lighting for the setup, by the way how is the accoustics in that room, it looks very nice to me.
1 Dvd i asked LeeS to check out was the transporter, it was a pretty good, above average action flick that a lot of people have overlooked, plus it holds very well to dvd.It's got a nice video transfer that's crystal clear, and a very good color pallette.Th e sound was average, but good, lot of effects.
A decent movie check it out. And like i said you have a very comfortable looking setup, very cozy, feel like going over there right now and watching a movie with you :D
Matt~
Matt27. Thank you for your comments. Acoustics are a bit "lively" due to our need for "minimum dust" in the house due to allergies, but it's quite workable with the chairs some wood, some books and the one "area carpet".
HD-FAN
08-19-2004, 05:36 PM
Hey, 57U,
Whacha doin? Watching the Olympics? In High Def? Can I watch with you?
I brought chips....and salsa
And I can get hookers and cocaine.
NIIIIICE SYSTEM, my man.
Thank you. Please, no hookers or cocaine, my wife might object. Feel free to come on over though, I am watching the Olympics in HD and it's goooood.
jaragaki
08-20-2004, 10:26 AM
Hi 57U, great setup! For years I wanted a bigscreen to go with my hi-fi setup. Finally get the screen, and wife says "no, put it in the den". Go figure.
Sony CD don't know the model
Proceed DAC
Acoustic Research LS-7 pre-amp
B&K ST-105 amplifier
Apogee Acoustics Caliper speakers
Stop by if you're in Los Angeles. And I see that you ride. Do any mtb? I've got trails almost right out the backyard, so bring your bike. BTW, re your original post, what's vinyl?!
1. Do any mtb?
2. BTW, re your original post, what's vinyl?!
1. Yes, but only in the mountains. I usually rent an aluminum hardtail when I travel to western Canada. I ride a road bike most of the time - Trek 2300 - Carbon Fibre frame, bought 1992-3. My best average speed for the hour is 34 kph, not using Scott (aero) bars. Lance doesn't need to worry about me, but then I'm 20 years older than he.
2. Vinyl = records.
Ratman
08-20-2004, 10:39 AM
.... what's vinyl?!
Haha! Kids! :rofl2:
jaragaki
08-20-2004, 10:46 AM
Haha! Kids! :rofl2:
J/k! I still have my turntable hooked up (Kenwood 2050 w/Audioquest cartridge). My kids laugh at it, but it sounds so sweet! :hah33:
Ratman
08-20-2004, 11:37 AM
CD's have their benefits, but whe you grow up with vinyl, there's some type of 'comfort' that I personally experience. And perhaps nostalgia.
Additionally, I have a lot of LP's that will probably never be converted to CD. A loss for the new generation...
Not only for musical and senimental reasons, but I'm sure that many of the LP's that I have would bring bring in a few bucks from collectors.
I use a Philips semi-automatic with a Ortofon cartridge/stylus.
Gresh
10-06-2004, 03:22 PM
Looks good. Exactly how did you get the center channel speaker mounted to the top of the TV?
I have the Mits WD-52525 and it's only ~3 inches wide at the top, sloping down to ~17 inches at the base...
My TV is very "deep". The center channels simply sits on top. Since the picture was taken, I've put some "rubber" on the back, bottom of the center channel to angle it down some. There is a "lip" at the front of the TV that it rests against, so it won't fall forward. We also have no kids or pets.
See the following post for center speaker ideas:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showpost.php?p=73535&postcount=5
gtogre
11-05-2004, 07:33 PM
Looks great. I'm sorta new to this A/V stuff, so this question might sound stupid. But, how are you hiding all your wires (from the rack to TV & out to speakers)? Along baseboard? Wireless? Up into walls, into attic, then back down to connection? Just wondering how to make a clean, clutter-free setup.
Behind the baseboards... Although I'm not using them, here are some new products (hollow baseboards) that conceal wires.
I had the main speakers and coaxial cable prewired when I gutted the house 14 years ago, but at the time there were no ideas of as much equipment as I have today, with all the connections...
dreamscape
11-18-2004, 12:58 AM
:rockon: U57...Your system rocks....man I miss my basement. Does Martin Logan speakers have a website?
Thanks
Here is their "speaker gallery".
http://www.martinlogan.com/speaker_gallery.html
dreamscape
11-18-2004, 06:22 PM
Thanks 57U
TurboJim
01-02-2005, 02:31 PM
Why the need for a HD-DVD when the sources are shot on film/analog video? I have only seem one video shot with a Panny Digital HD camera, and the DVD was not reproduced in HD, nor was there a menu option to view the HD version.
Just curious...
But I must say, gorgeous setup, and fantastic room. Looks real cozy!
Jim
Film has a higher res than HD video so it is easy for them to convert it to HD-DVD.
MAX,
TurboJim
01-02-2005, 04:32 PM
Oh, I see. I didnt know that. Makes sense now!
beefolynch
04-26-2005, 12:25 PM
I get an error that I don't have permission to view images in that gallery when I click on the link to your pictures.
Matt27
04-26-2005, 01:05 PM
You have to log in to see it!
beefolynch
04-28-2005, 11:42 AM
You have to log in to see it!
I was......
Try clicking on the gallery (top of this screen) and seeing them from there... Lots of people have seen them. Perhaps it's an issue with your cookies turned off? Any forum member should be able to see them...
Hello 57u, I wish I could view the pics you posted, but when I click on it, it says I don't have access to view. Do you know why?
You need to log in to see the gallery.
HDTV-NUT
01-17-2006, 05:47 PM
57U, have you made any upgrades to your system since the original post in 2002?
Nothing other than the SA8300HD instead of the SA3100HD or whatever I had then...
I don't tend to make many changes. Probably once every 10 years or so. I am still quite happy with my setup.
craddie
02-07-2006, 11:22 AM
Electrostatic.....drool.... :drool11:
EllsinoreOutlaw
05-31-2007, 11:06 AM
Wow, nice setup you have there. :)
simlockboy
09-24-2007, 02:29 PM
y cant i view the picture
You have to be a member and you have to log in. I think that's it.
Corky Clifton
04-16-2008, 03:57 PM
You got the whole thing right when you said...
"The boss" sits in the large dark green chair, which is a little amusing, since she is quite a small person.
Splicer
06-30-2009, 12:38 PM
Have you upgraded any of your components??? I see you still have a non PS DVD player listed...;)
I haven't done any recent upgrades and yes, I'm still using that now 10-year old DVD player. I don't watch that many DVDs. Most of the time I'm watching recordings off the SA8300HD.
With my HT Optimization business, I get to see a lot of new equipment and even so, I'm quite happy with what I have. I tend to keep my stuff for a long time, having purchased pretty good quality to begin with.
In 2008 we replaced our old 27" SDTV, which I gave to my father, with a 40" Sony LCD and I purchased another (used) SA8300HD with eHDD. This is used upstairs occasionally when my wife wishes to watch something when I'm watching something she's not interested in. We mostly watch TV together.
Splicer
06-30-2009, 10:14 PM
Interesting...I would have figured you to upgrade to a HD DVD player what with all the fire sales there were...Especially after seeing the HD DVD comment next to your DVD player description...
I agree tho...I tend to keep things as long as possible...But when deals too good to pass up come along I just feel compelled to get them if my means allow...
First I was waiting for the HD DVD vs BD DVD battle to end, then when it ended I realized that I probably watch a DVD every couple of months now - there's so much HD available on "TV" to watch - PBS, Discovery, HDNet, Movies, etc.
I'll get something eventually, just no rush. At some point in time, I'll need to do a lot of replacing - new AVR, New TV, a new BD player will almost be inconsequential.
