How to Set up a Home Theatre Room (Advice / Recommendations etc.)

macfudge on 16/09/2022 - 20:34
Last edited 16/09/2022 - 20:36

I am need of the collective brains trust!

I have seen a couple of forums discussing individual parts of my needs but hoping to get a more complete picture.

We have a room in our house that we are looking to convert into a home theatre. It's a downstairs room in a double story house. There is some space above the ceiling between the two floors (we have downlights installed) but understand this may cause some complications. I am looking for recommendations and some advice on what to buy for the following:

  1. Projector - FHD definitely, is it worth getting 4K? Ideas on brands / models and where to buy for a decent deal? Needs to be ceiling mounted. Needs multiple HDMI ports or some other way of connecting multiple devices.
  2. Projector screen - there is a huge array of prices here - what should I be looking for? I want something that drops down from the ceiling (ideally motorised) and produces a really good picture (the room can be well darkened)
  3. Sound - Is it worth going all out and installing in-ceiling speakers? A soundbar? 5.1, 7.1? Pros and cons of each type? Although, honestly, the boss probably won't be happy with anything too loud and bass-y…
  4. Seating - I looked at "proper" home theatre seats and they are ridiculously expensive. I have to be practical here and factor in that the kids will have friends for sleepovers and they may need to sleep in this room - Any thoughts on what to buy that could possibly be used as a bed too? A weird one, I know!

In terms of practicalities and installation:

  1. I'm assuming it's best to get a professional in to install? Any recommendations on someone? (I'm in Sydney Hills District) Anything I should be asking potential installers?
  2. This room would also be the "games" room so I would want to connect the XBox, Switch etc. How does this work? Very long HDMI cables up into the ceiling to the projector? Is there a wireless option by any chance?

For anyone that has gone through this, I would be very interested to hear your story - what worked well, what caused issues, what wasn't expected etc.

I'm at the very start of this journey so hoping I can get the right advice to avoid issues later on. Assume budget is decent but not looking at the "ultimate" setup.

Thank you in advance!

Electrical & Electronics Home Theatre System

Comments

  • Hybroid on 16/09/2022 - 20:40
    +8

    You need to do a lot more research on what you want and speak to a professional installer for guidance and quotes. Asking people what's "worth it" is not the way to go. It's all subjective and personal preference. No way would I be building a 1080p FHD setup in 2022…

    • pingMarky on 16/09/2022 - 20:51
      +3

      Second that 4K minimum.

  • Nugs on 16/09/2022 - 20:42

    "want to connect the XBox, Switch etc" use a HDMI switch, a bit like a reverse network switch
    https://www.bing.com/search?q=hdmi+switch&PC=U316&FORM=CHROM…
    .

    • spackbace on 16/09/2022 - 23:40
      +2

      Or a decent amp will have multiple hdmi inputs…

  • Morien on 16/09/2022 - 21:13
    +3

    What is a "decent" budget?

    My current 5.1 setup was about $3.5k, add an extra grand for the receiver which I got on runout. I'm looking to upgrade and the fronts alone will be more than the entire price of my current setup.

    Some might read that and think I'm bragging. Others might read that and think I went full budget level.

    Like @Hybroid suggested, contact a professional installer. Look at a hifi shop. Audition and decide on how much you want to spend.

    Oh, and just to reiterate. 1080p in 2022 is a no go.

  • macfudge on 16/09/2022 - 21:36

    Thanks - 4K seems the only option. Will see what hifi shops are around here and go have a chat. Just don't want to get taken for a ride. Appreciate the input so far.

    • Morien on 16/09/2022 - 23:10
      +1

      Hifi shops kind of rely on reputation. You won't get taken for a ride by comparing prices.
      Ultimately you have the last say though. Audition equipment, and decide if it is worth the price for you. If you don't notice a difference between the $2000 projector and the $5000 projector, don't go the $5000 regardless of what the salesman thinks.

  • pingMarky on 16/09/2022 - 21:38
    +1

    My personal taste is high end stereo for music (KEF Q150) and soundbars for theatres (Samsung HW-Q990B). These two system can co-exist side by side pretty reasonably.

    1 & 2 - i don't have lived experience with projectors, i just know that i don't enjoy them as much as a decent OLED. (sorry i'm not much help there)
    3 - A decent full sized 7.1 or 7.2 surround system will get you most of the way to an immersive theatre experience but the first step is Waifu factor (what style your partner will accept, which is partially why sound bars are so popular (sleek)). The second thing is, your centre channel speaker is most important followed by Left / Right (and that's the other reason sound bars are so popular, they're mostly decent centre speakers) and money is best spent of these three speakers. Atmos speakers are a nice to have item, especially if your amp can drive 7.4.2 setup. I'm not a audio-wise-fan of ceiling speakers but your waifu may request this when he/she sees to size of your 6-8" speakers at left, mid and right.
    4 - Do read into where exactly surround sound speakers should be positioned and then consider placement of your chairs. Turns out mostly in the mid is about right to correctly position the speakers.

    Part 2
    1 - it's all very simple to install, assuming your pretty handy are running some speaker cable behind walls etc Best allocate budget towards better devices then expensive labour.
    2 - I've got a Samy TV in my lounge with a OneConnect box, this provides ample HDMI 2.1 inputs for my needs. There are modern amps with multiple inputs but expect to pay a bit here for full feature sets. I also run a directional HDMI 2.1 over fibre cable (30m) between my PC and TV, which works nicely for me 4k@120hz or 8k@60hz, and may solve your AMP to projector issue.

    Lastly, there is nothing wrong with the high-end surround soundbars, sure they rely on the subwoofer to provide most of the low but for $2-4k you get alot. Get a system with expandable subs (Sonos for example). Oh and not to mention wireless speakers are a dream to install. I've got a Samy sound bar and while weak in the low-mid area, watching movies is decent enough for me.

    • macfudge on 17/09/2022 - 11:45

      Thanks - that's really useful advice! We currently have a soundbar for the TV in the lounge room and the wife loves it, so might end up with this and maybe a subwoofer to pair it with. I like the idea of the OneConnect box.

  • QuickdraW on 16/09/2022 - 22:35
    +3

    Put more thought into what you want. Sounds like a media room would be more suitable than an traditional home cinema. Large tv is more convenient than a projector setup. Soundproof the room if noise is going to be an issue. Would recommend an audio system that supports atmos. Spend money on an appropriate setup if you want to enjoy it.

  • bmerigan on 16/09/2022 - 22:45
    +1

    Not soundbar. Cross that out and don't mention it again.
    Normally you'd only have 1 HDMI input on the projector connected to the 'monitor' output of your AV receiver/amplifier. All the inputs plug into the receiver.
    I believe native 4k is quite expensive and it is better to get the "pixel shift/interlaced" 4k or whatever it's called. Depending on budget of course.
    I'd choose couches for seating. Much more usable and comfortable than formal theatre seating.
    Either 5.2.1 surround or 7.1 surround. Might come down to where windows, doors and other things are located.

  • askbargain on 16/09/2022 - 22:47
    +2

    watch OP's budget be like 2k.

    • macfudge on 17/09/2022 - 11:46

      Wouldn't get much for $2k! Thinking probably more like 8-10k

  • jv on 17/09/2022 - 00:48
    +1

    Don't forget this…

  • AustriaBargain on 17/09/2022 - 01:16
    +1

    Blackout curtains or shutters for the windows will help a lot.

  • solidussnake on 17/09/2022 - 06:05
    +2

    Budget mate ? What are we talking $2k $5 $10k ? That's going to be a massive limiting factor here…

  • muppet on 17/09/2022 - 19:30
    +1

    Forget projector. Just buy a 75" or 86" LCD TV. Much much brighter and more versatile, not to mention cheaper and easier. You can actually watch it while having the windows open, although of course you can get a blackout curtain and make the room dark as well. You won't have to deal with "focus" or "keystone adjustment", or dust, lamp life, etc.

    • askbargain on 17/09/2022 - 19:38

      don't think this is for his living room

      • muppet on 17/09/2022 - 19:49

        don't think this is for his living room

        Yes, I knew that

        • askbargain on 17/09/2022 - 22:35

          so why does he need to care about versatility?

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