Budget Home Theater

Sep 16, 2014 10:28 PM

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672805

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4829

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102

Original space. I bought a cheap used projector just to see how it'd work, and I knew I'd have to go a little bigger.

Piecing together the audio equipment. I already had the front LR and surrounds, so all I needed was a center, SW, and receiver. (SW pictured is not the one I got, it was separate.

This receiver sounds amazing fully calibrated, especially for the price

New projector came in (BenQ W1070), and the audio equipment was all set up. Just testing out the new stuff in this pic.

These next pictures show our original mounting position and cable management. We moved the projector towards the screen a few feet since it has a shorter throw.

The right surround wire meets up with the projectors power and HDMI

All the wires run down behind the curtain to the entertainment center

Paint for the screen! I used a mixture from AVS forum for proper color and what have you

Painted the wall and ceiling almost black (black brown) and then painted the screen over using tape. I can go more in depth on this, I spent a bit of time getting the screen perfect

Testing out the colors on the new screen

Walls painted a dark blue to avoid reflections that wash out the projector image

All done!

Here you can see the closer projector location

Same cable management as before, but we had to add a short channel on the ceiling for the extra length

Lost lookin good

Bonus cool pic

Happy to answer any questions, all in all the total spent was between $1000-$1100

*activates mom voice* Don't think I don't see that bong.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Was the projector $700? It looks great from here, assuming it's worth it. Is this something you do for a living or just fool around with?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Hah...poop

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I have no money and no friends. What do you recommend?

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

$1100 + your security deposit

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Nothing says "college student" like a bong and a roll of toilet paper on the coffee table.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I see you there, Mr. Bong. James Bong.

11 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

That's a big ass screen just to watch porn

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Soooooo what do you do when you move out of your college apartment?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

What projector did you get?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"relatively cheap"

11 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 3

projector costs over $1100

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I did a whole home theatre system in my college house for ~$400 (I got the sound system for free). Wasn't able to paint but bought an 1/2

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

actual projector screen and framed it with wood from old pallets to define the screen.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The WiFi SSN... hehehehe.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

TIL: Denon, Polk and BenQ are "relatively cheap". SMH FML

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Thank you for this. $1k my ass. Someones either peddlin' the drugs they're smoking or mommy & daddy are paying for college.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

TIL that you can paint walls in a rented space

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

how were you allowed / to drill those holes in your walls / i want one of these.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Do not host a party that involves drinking or else..

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

Where in Gods name did you get everything? A 1080p projector is 1200 by itself. And a brandnew Denon receiver is 200 for the cheapest model

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

11 years ago | Likes 265 Dislikes 3

hahaha

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

his chromecast is named 'poop'

11 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

Haha, yay for chromecasts!

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I remember when I was in college...P.S. it didn't look anything like that.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You painted the walls in your college apartment? Smells fishy to me

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Everyone saw the bong but missed the gun in the first picture

11 years ago | Likes 34 Dislikes 7

I found the vegan

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Not a real shotgun. Likely an airsoft or paintball gun.

11 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

Doesn't the orange at the tip mean it's not a real gun?

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Everyone saw the gun you pointed out, but you missed the orange tip in the first picture.

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Have fun painting that white at the end of your lease!

11 years ago | Likes 45 Dislikes 1

Go with 1-2 coats of a good quality primer. Then you should be able to paint the wall a lighter color with ease.

11 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

"Nice! Distilled water"

11 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

#7 Nice! (Walgreens)

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

What college campus allows airsoft rifles?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Mine sure as heck doesn't.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Does that test photo say poop in the corner?

11 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 2

It's the chromecast's name, and yes it does!

11 years ago | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

yes..yes it does.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If you have a chromecast you can name it to differentiate from other chromecasts on your network; I have one in my kitchen and two upstairs

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yes, they apparently named their chromecast poop.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I named mine porkhammer.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Bottom left of #9? Sure does.

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

That photo does indeed say poop in the corner

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

very cool. emphasis on "relatively" cheap tho...

11 years ago | Likes 503 Dislikes 0

Do the bulbs in those things still have a lifespan of only 2000 hours? I have an old one and replacement bulbs are nearly $100.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Just replaced the bulb in the Epson I have. It lasted almost 3 years, intermittent use. We would use it 3-5 times a week, ~3 hrs each time.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have a 1080p projector, sony receiver with polk surround. I think it was all about $450

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Very cheap if you consider what a TV that size would cost.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Yeah but split between roommates it was probably half or a third that price. And for a tv the size of that projection its not too bad

11 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 1

"Split between roommates". Have you ever lived with other people? Based on my experience, never that easy.

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

My setup: 400€ china 1080 projector, 150€ Sony 7.1 Receiver 50€ used speakers with active sub 25€ paint for the wall=750USD

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I was on student loans, working 38 hrs a week, taking 15 credits and barely getting buy in college, who the fuck has $1k+ for this?

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I have that Denon receiver, it cost $750. Worth it though for the crazy good sound and HDMI switching.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I read "cheap" then saw Denon in the second pic.. Wtf

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If that receiver is $750 (which I believe you that it is), OP lied about price b/c the projector is also about $700.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Easy enough to find old ones cheap, just lacking HDMI 1.4 or whatnot. I got my Sony STR-DA5300ES for $2, works fine just no remotes.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Put it into perspective. Most college kids will spend $20 a week on booze. For anyone that doesn't, there's the 1k after only 12 months.

11 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 3

Alternately you could work for a week or two.

11 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

Where the fuck can I make a grand in a week?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Anywhere where you average over 50k a year? With no experience? Mostly restaurants probably.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Except this is a post about a college student who I really doubt is making that much in a week while working.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah...1k isn't all that cheap.

11 years ago | Likes 93 Dislikes 6

We did ours for probably about $1500. Epson projector, Pioneer AVR, 5.1 speakers, paint, cables and misc. stuff. About 3 years ago.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

People need to do research seriously, BenQ is cheaper usually, but the Optima 131xe is 600-700 on amazon.

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

I'm out of college with a fucking job and spent around 1k on a 60" and sound bar/subwoofer for psuedo surround sound. 1k isn't cheap at all

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

It is when you sell drugs like OP

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

but it's pretty darn cheap relative to the cost of most home theater set ups. hence "relatively".

11 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 0

yeah but hes a student

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You are technically correct. The best kind of correct.

11 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

If you have to argue based on a technicality, you're wrong. Unless your opponent is doing it. Then they're wrong.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

only thing that costs its the projector, so its relatively.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That is actually very cheap for a home theater. The audio in my set up costs 1000 dollars alone

11 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 2

Our cheapest speaker is a good 2 or 3k alone, so yeah. Very cheap

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yea, I set up a home theatre in my basement and it cost a few grand. 110 inch drop-down screen & Epson 8700UB projector were the majority.

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Didn't even bother to move the bong.

11 years ago | Likes 1629 Dislikes 5

Arizer Extreme Q vape. Nice.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Or gun.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Or the grinder and papers

11 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Or the dunny roll.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

But he blurred out the item that was sitting on the jar.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's a vase mom....duh

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

It moves them

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

or the glass jar with the weed, or the grinder, or the joint roller...

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have that same bong.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

It's a vase. Haven't you seen grandmas boy?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

That's how projects like this get done.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

"Pencil Holder"

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

"Water pipe". Better watch it kid, three strikes and i'm kicking you out of the store.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

lol theres weed there too

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah he did, he moved it into the shot.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

IT'S A VASE!

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"That's not a bong that's a nice flower vase."-Grandma

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

It's for smoking water.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Why would you?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That's pretty much required equipment for a college movie room.

11 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 1

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11 years ago (deleted Nov 15, 2014 3:57 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Why? Because he didn't move the bong for the picture?

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

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11 years ago (deleted Nov 5, 2014 1:34 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

What? It's just weed! In 20 years it will be as legal as alcohol. Coffee's a "drug" too. What are you 89 years old and from Mississippi?

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

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11 years ago (deleted Nov 5, 2014 1:36 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

It really bothers me that marijuana is still illegal.

11 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 3

"College Appartment" Can't you read

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Wonder if they're from WA or CO, or just cool about giving zero fucks.

11 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 6

LOL ZERO FUCKS GIVEN XD XD -1

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 4

or the gun

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Now I'm stuck paying find the bong for two hours

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

now searching for it / though don't know what one looks like / this is a hard game.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

11'th image down, blue thing

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

you, friend, are too kind / i have learned something today / now i will sleep well.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

it's actually in a couple of pics, but that was the clearest lol

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Meh, I have been to college. Everything's a bong if you are willing enough...

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

"smoking lamp" jeez

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Probably because it's just a bong.

11 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 6

Exactly. Who cares these days

11 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 6

:O Play it cool bro.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

To be fair, he did say "college apartment." College students can live in apartments, but it's a necessary item for a "college apartment."

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

As someone who lives in Washington, why would you? It's legal, I think?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You have to be high to say "Lost looking good"

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That's a nice blue vase

11 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 0

also there's a shotgun

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"Do, or not do, there's no try" here, it mean that when you're letting people slip into your personal space, do it entirely.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I think you mean decorative vase.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

for?

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

the most college thing i've seen +1

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He uses it for "tobacco"

11 years ago | Likes 178 Dislikes 1

wacky tabaccy

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Good heavens, what else would it be used for!

11 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 0

Or the Buddha vape

11 years ago | Likes 55 Dislikes 0

I have that vape. Like $150 on Ebay and it's a boss.

11 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Thar isn't a Buddha, it's an Arizer V-Tower.

11 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

I have that same arizer, it's the greatest ever thing.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

edit, I actually have the extreme Q. either way, still the best thing

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Haha it really is, I have the Arizer EQ but they are almost the same and if you buy it on Ebay, you can get the EQ for $140, same as V-Tower

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Not that there's a huge difference. I use the whip way more than the balloons anyway.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I even use it aroma style, after 'intended' use. throw some lemongrass oil and a drop of lavender on a cotton ball in there, smells gud bro.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thats exactly what I did!! (after I posted this I remembered that I actually have the extreme q, not v-tower.) But yeah, i <3 it

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Aargh, Ye tells it true!

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

That*

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Somebody's not getting their security deposit back

11 years ago | Likes 281 Dislikes 6

It's going to take so much paint to cover it up. It'd be easier to forfeit the deposit.

11 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

yes, we did brown back in the day. the guys still left painted 6 coats of Kilz. thats expensive.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

OP from Reddit's plan is to try to convince his landlord it's a selling point and have landlord pay THEM in free rent. Haha

11 years ago | Likes 48 Dislikes 0

might work. might not. fuck it.

11 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Won't work, will never work. They'll charge you AND try to use it as a selling point.

11 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

Honestly, if they leave the ceiling mounts, the owner should give them a small discount.

11 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 6

At best, they won't get charged anything. At worst, they'll get charged for removal. Improvements are property of the landlord.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Remove the ceiling mounts, fill the holes with putty, sand, and paint. Paint the walls back to normal. Boom. Deposit back.

11 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

You've never lived in an apartment have you?

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

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11 years ago (deleted Jun 26, 2019 3:12 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

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11 years ago (deleted Sep 17, 2014 3:19 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

I know that's not how it actually works. Owner could possibly just put in their own projector and speakers and up the price for the next (1)

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

occupant though. An apartment having a home theater would make a nice selling point. (2) [edit]

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

as a prop manager: we would admire the fuck out of this and then just shake our heads because we have to tell the owner that their tenants

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

fucked up and done something stupid.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

In my unit we're allowed to paint as long as we make it white before we leave.

11 years ago | Likes 60 Dislikes 0

Yeah, but black bleeds through. They're going to have a heck of a time painting it.

11 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Especially since the screen area is white. You gonna see dem lines between white and black for a long time.

11 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

My brother is currently using an old projector screen, but he wants to build a custom screen. That would have been a better solution.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Paint it black first.

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

How much does a new projector bulb cost? They do wear out. Do you have to keep the room super dark to get any kind of visual fidelity?

11 years ago | Likes 53 Dislikes 1

The contrast levels and the color fidelity are poor. Yes you do need to keep ambient light low.

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 3

Depending on the projector upwards of $1000 sometimes. Usually closer to $200-400

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

They grow dimmer with time. Small ones have 2000hrs (bright) and better ones over 4000hrs. They cost from 100-400$ depending on the projecto

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Projector bulbs can be upwards of $100, but with heavy use (gaming every day) they will still last a year. Just for movies will be more 1/?

11 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 0

like 2 or even 3. For comparison, a TV close to that size would be several thousand, so it's still cheaper. And for fidelity, it depends 2/?

11 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

on what you're doing. Bright shows/games still look great even in daylight, but if there are lots of darks/shadows, obviously the darker 3/4

11 years ago | Likes 20 Dislikes 0

the better. Source: have one myself, and absolutely love it, even just projecting it on my dorm wall it still looks great. 4/4

11 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Room darkness is dependant upon lumens produced by projector. Bulbs can be VERY expensive based on model and they do fail.

11 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I bought my projector (Optoma HD65) about 6 years ago, and I've never replaced the bulb. It still looks as bright as ever.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

My Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8350's bulb is rated to 4000 hours. I'm nowhere near that yet. My buddy got an identical projector, bulb 1/?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

went out after 400. So it can be real hit or miss. You can get replacements in the $120 range - it's sorta link printer ink cartridges 2/?

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If you're not afraid to use the white label versions, it's way cheaper than buying the "official" bulb from the maker. But YMMV. 3/3

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

1) Yeah a lot of varying, too. I have the JVC HD1 and the factory stock lamp had 2500hrs and is now a spare. The next one died after 500.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

2) But it wasn't a genuine philips or osram so I got one that was. It's still going strong; great brightness unlike the previous, cheap one

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Update: 3,307 hours on mine and it's still going. I'm watching Blue Mountain State with it right now!

11 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

1) I know it's possible but when your projector says 'Change Bulb' you really should consider it. It's not just the image degradation you

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

need to worry about, but a blow-out while it's in the projector can seriously screw it up.

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh dang okay I'll look in to that. Thanks!

11 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Also it's hell when it goes, then you have to live without the projector until you get a new lamp *whiiiine*

11 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0