Home Theater, On a Budget Like Mine - part 4

ACT IV (The Finale): Make the Most of Your System Well if you've read the three previous posts I'd like to thank you for getting this far. Think of this as the bonus features on a DVD. We've traveled through the environment of a great home theater, looked closely at the projector, and hopefully you we're listening during the ramblings on about the surround sound. What more could we possibly talk about? Glad you asked, because there is more. This is a rundown of a few items that enhance the use of your system and ensure that you squeeze the most of your investment. Then we'll finish with a full list of all items pictured and noted in this 4 part post.(Before you continue, it's wise to read this.)

*The DVD player - I noted earlier that I opted for a 400 disc DVD player. The unit I use at home features HDMI and Component output for high quality and features an upconverter. Upconversion helps crispen up the video output before getting to your HD projector or display. Your HD capable unit has a higher resolution than a standard DVD and when a lower resolution signal is displayed it often takes on a fuzzier or less detailed look since its 'spreading' that image and upconverting DVD players help cut down on that effect. Also the other benefit of a 400 disc player is the elimination of the need for a DVD rack, keeping the clutter down to a minimum. Also on that not the projector setup also allowed me to have a home theater with no need for an entertainment center again freeing up a lot of space in the mixed-use room of mine.

*High Definition - With digital broadcasts coming and the latest format war between HDDVD and Bluray ended its time to prepare yourself. First digital does not mean HD. Did you catch that? If not, read that line again. I'm sure that's eventually where its all headed, but when over the air (good ol' rabbit ears) goes digital it only affects those not currently with cable or satellite TV. HD media will be present in select digital broadcasts, and certain satellite and cable channels and programs. Slowly more and more programming will move toward HD. Home movie viewing changing quite a lot actually due to Bluray and internet streaming/downloadable content. Bluray is simple and in my opinion going to be the most common for some time. You buy a Bluray player or PS3 gaming console a Bluray movie disc, pop it in and enjoy. For internet content there are subscription based services streaming to your PC, latest gen gaming console, and a few more services in the works.

*Media Centers - Truly add another dimension to your home theater by combining the best of PC entertainment as well. PCs designed to fit into your array of home theater components are PCs featuring TV tuners, music and video libraries, the internet and so on. With wireless keyboard and mice sets designed for use while lounging on the couch its the best of both worlds. In my list of favorite things article I mentioned XBMC (Xbox Media Center) which in my case is a software modified Xbox that can play games, and manage my media, check weather, watch movie trailers just for starts, and so much more, it's all the PC without the PC.

*The Other Rooms - Don't let your other rooms feel left out just 'cause one of them has been graced with a sublime home theater. Most A/V receivers come with Room B or Room 2 speaker outputs. It's just like it sounds, it'll play to either the main room and a secondary (or outside on the patio) or both. With my 2.4GHz wireless (think cordless phone) Xbox controllers I can go any where in my house adjusting volume and changing songs as I am cleaning up or just relaxing. I put two floor speakers in my front room to fill my whole house with music of my choosing.

*Home Networking - Take your mother's advice and be sure to share. Share your internet connection and media storage to all PCs, media center PCs, or XBMC units throughout your home. Again, in my favorite things article I mentioned another fabulous device the Linksys NSLU2 Network Attached Storage (NAS) adapter. Basically it converts an external Hard Drive's USB connector to work through a network cable. This allows 24hr access to your files from any device in the home, without a dedicated PC to be on all the time in order to share your data. It's not the only adapter out there, but it's a great flexible small device that can hook up to two hard drives and has a lot of features.

*Well that about does it, 'cuz I'm sick of all this typing. So as promised I'll sign off with a few more pics and a full list of all that I use in the home theater I put together (on a budget like mine).

Projector: Mitsubishi HC1500 DLP (720p)

Screen: Optoma Panoview 92" Grey Wolf, pull down

A/V receiver: Sony STR-DE695 6.1 Channel Receiver

DVD Player: Sony DVP-CX995V 400 Disc DVD/CD player

Speakers: Harman Kardon HKTS 8 (6.1) Home Cinema System

Speakers (room B): Infinity Reference 2000.4 Floor Speakers

Console: Xbox, soft-modded with XBMC (Media Center)

Data Storage: Linksys NSLU2 2-port USB 2.0 HDD network storage adapter

-and the last 3 pics:


Screenshot of the main XBMC menu screen
Though not particularly pleasing to the eye, this closet hidden mess stores nearly 1TB of information. The NSLU2 is the small furthest to the rear.
Infinity Reference 2000.4 floor speaker, classy looking unit I think, looks at home in my front room.