The Home Theater Thread

[rconverse]

Best outdoor TVs? Anyone have an inside track on those suckers? From what I've seen online, they're pretty expensive but I don't recognize the brands. I really want to get two for next summer.

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by rconverse

Best outdoor TVs? Anyone have an inside track on those suckers? From what I've seen online, they're pretty expensive but I don't recognize the brands. I really want to get two for next summer.

Get something cheap, and not too big. Get a cover for light rain, and get mounts where you can easily bring them inside if needed/in the colder months.

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by BTBaboon

Get something cheap, and not too big. Get a cover for light rain, and get mounts where you can easily bring them inside if needed/in the colder months.

But I want them outside all year round, 24/7. Something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/SunBriteTV-43.../dp/B0794CYXKJ

4K UltraHD LED TV for Permanent Outside Installation

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by rconverse

But I want them outside all year round, 24/7. Something like this...

https://www.amazon.com/SunBriteTV-43.../dp/B0794CYXKJ

You planning to much watching outdoors in those mild Chicago winter's?

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by BTBaboon

You planning to much watching outdoors in those mild Chicago winter's?

Yeah, I know. It's like 10 degrees here today.

I just don't want to have to drag them around from the back to the inside and whatnot due to the crazy Chicago weather, specifically "fall" and "spring."

[Ascf33]

Yeah just buy the biggest cheapest shit TV in that case.

[dobyblue]

Watching NHL games outside from the hot tub with a cold beer is the shit in cold climes on Saturdays.

[drop2d]

Originally Posted by rconverse

Yeah, I know. It's like 10 degrees here today.

I just don't want to have to drag them around from the back to the inside and whatnot due to the crazy Chicago weather, specifically "fall" and "spring."

Yeah, I looked into this over the summer and decided to buy a regular tv b/c 'outdoor' tv's are fucking stupid expensive. I just ended up getting a regular TV and an outdoor cover. Bought the same mount for inside/outside and just carried it in and out. As light as they make them now, it was not a very difficult thing to do.

[rconverse]

Do you have issues seeign the picture in sunlight? That's another concern of mine. I don't have a covered area or shaded area in the backyard.

[drop2d]

Originally Posted by rconverse

Do you have issues seeign the picture in sunlight? That's another concern of mine. I don't have a covered area or shaded area in the backyard.

Well, I put it in a shaded area.

[dobyblue]

Sold my Servo 15a last week and made an offer on a Servo 15v2, out of pocket altogether CDN$100 for the upgrade which seems like a no brainer. I really enjoyed the move to two subs, but moving to two of the same and them being the v2 model of the Paradigm Servo 15 has me very excited.

Will have to spin a few of my favorite scenes like War of the Worlds initial decimation, U-571 depth charge scenes, almost anything from Interstellar, couple scenes from new Blade Runner and perhaps a couple SACDs like The Stranger's Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.

Picking up on Wednesday, will be with just my original Servo 15v2 until then. Missus is probably away with the kids on Saturday night, might have to watch a couple episodes of Band of Brothers (Japanese Amuse Soft Entertainment version - https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Band-...-Blu-ray/7884/)

[Benny003]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Sold my Servo 15a last week and made an offer on a Servo 15v2, out of pocket altogether CDN$100 for the upgrade which seems like a no brainer. I really enjoyed the move to two subs, but moving to two of the same and them being the v2 model of the Paradigm Servo 15 has me very excited.

Will have to spin a few of my favorite scenes like War of the Worlds initial decimation, U-571 depth charge scenes, almost anything from Interstellar, couple scenes from new Blade Runner and perhaps a couple SACDs like The Stranger's Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.

Picking up on Wednesday, will be with just my original Servo 15v2 until then. Missus is probably away with the kids on Saturday night, might have to watch a couple episodes of Band of Brothers (Japanese Amuse Soft Entertainment version - https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Band-...-Blu-ray/7884/)

If you have the extended version of Lord of the Rings, watch the scene where they are discussing what to do with the ring in Rivendell and Gandalf gets angry when Boromir suggests they use the ring. Maybe it was the BEQ I had applied, but that scene surprised me with how much bass it had.

Also, watch the opening sequence of Spectre and when MI6 explodes at the end of it. The music alone in that opening is thumping.

Another good scene is toward the end of Casino Royale in Venice when the building is collapsing.

[smudge1]

Originally Posted by rconverse

Do you have issues seeign the picture in sunlight? That's another concern of mine. I don't have a covered area or shaded area in the backyard.

Are you going to mount it on a fence or something?
I assume you have no trees to mount it on...due to lack of shade.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Benny003

If you have the extended version of Lord of the Rings, watch the scene where they are discussing what to do with the ring in Rivendell and Gandalf gets angry when Boromir suggests they use the ring. Maybe it was the BEQ I had applied, but that scene surprised me with how much bass it had.

Also, watch the opening sequence of Spectre and when MI6 explodes at the end of it. The music alone in that opening is thumping.

Another good scene is toward the end of Casino Royale in Venice when the building is collapsing.

I will check those out, and that reminds me of another scene from LOTR with wicked deep bass - the scene in Fellowship towards the beginning where Frodo first hides under the tree as the Berserkers or whatever they're called pass by on the dirt road above. I wonder if the Blu-rays are as good with the bass as the original dts-es 6.1 track on the Extended Edition DVDs.

[TheLastStop123]

are blu-ray discs generally still the best way to go as far as best sound? what is the difference (if any) of the physical media compared to something that's streaming say on Netflix, or Vudu?

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by smudge1

Are you going to mount it on a fence or something?
I assume you have no trees to mount it on...due to lack of shade.

The back of the garage. My garage is detached.

[smudge1]

Originally Posted by rconverse

The back of the garage. My garage is detached.

Why not inside the garage?

[rconverse]

Originally Posted by smudge1

Why not inside the garage?

Well, first is no room. It's a small, two car garage and both spots are filled. On top of that, I have the other normal crap you store in a garge (mower, snow blower, ladders, etc...)

In addition, I have an outdoor kitchen and putting the TV in the garage wouldn't work while I'm cooking. The whole point is for me to be able to do all the cooking crap and still watch TV.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by TheLastStop123

are blu-ray discs generally still the best way to go as far as best sound? what is the difference (if any) of the physical media compared to something that's streaming say on Netflix, or Vudu?

Most of the streaming stuff is lossy, BD and UHD are almost always lossless. There is more object based audio on physical too, I don’t know if the Atmos via steaming uses the lossy version or not.

[Benny003]

Originally Posted by TheLastStop123

are blu-ray discs generally still the best way to go as far as best sound? what is the difference (if any) of the physical media compared to something that's streaming say on Netflix, or Vudu?

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Most of the streaming stuff is lossy, BD and UHD are almost always lossless. There is more object based audio on physical too, I don’t know if the Atmos via steaming uses the lossy version or not.

The difference between audio from streaming and audio from blu-ray discs (4K or regular blu-ray) is basically the difference between compressed mp3 music and lossless music files (flac, wav, etc.). If you want the best, blu-ray is unquestionably better.

[TheLastStop123]

good stuff, thanks for the info

[harryhoudini]

I bought my surround sound back when we lived in a house (2012) and we now live in a smaller apartment. I've had my 5.1 setup in the apartment for a few years now, but am looking to move to a smaller setup that enables 4k on my TV (my receiver was pre-4k).

Current setup:
Front - Polk RTiA1
Rears - Polk RTiA3
Center - Polk CSiA4
Sub - Dr. Hsu STF2
Receiver - Denon 1513

Current painpoints:
1. receiver isn't 4k
2. the speakers generally take up space in a small space (the rears and center channel in particular).
3. running wires under a carpet is an issue with no solution in my apartment
4. I mostly can't take advantage of the power of the system because I live in an apartment building with other humans

I see a few options:
1. sell my fronts and center, move my rears to a front setup and live with a 2.1. Upgrade my receiver if I do this.
2. sell it all, upgrade to Sonos with a sound bar, sub and maybe a remote speaker or two
3. something else

#1 solves issue 1, 2, and 3
#2 solves all four issues, but is expensive and I'm not sure Sonos does true surround? Although it isn't out of my price range, I could make it work.

Thoughts?

EDIT: if it matters I have a X-bone for streaming/blu-ray and a LG OLED55B7 55" TV

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by harryhoudini

I bought my surround sound back when we lived in a house (2012) and we now live in a smaller apartment. I've had my 5.1 setup in the apartment for a few years now, but am looking to move to a smaller setup that enables 4k on my TV (my receiver was pre-4k).

Current setup:
Front - Polk RTiA1
Rears - Polk RTiA3
Center - Polk CSiA4
Sub - Dr. Hsu STF2
Receiver - Denon 1513

Current painpoints:
1. receiver isn't 4k
2. the speakers generally take up space in a small space (the rears and center channel in particular).
3. running wires under a carpet is an issue with no solution in my apartment
4. I mostly can't take advantage of the power of the system because I live in an apartment building with other humans

I see a few options:
1. sell my fronts and center, move my rears to a front setup and live with a 2.1. Upgrade my receiver if I do this.
2. sell it all, upgrade to Sonos with a sound bar, sub and maybe a remote speaker or two
3. something else

#1 solves issue 1, 2, and 3
#2 solves all four issues, but is expensive and I'm not sure Sonos does true surround? Although it isn't out of my price range, I could make it work.

Thoughts?

EDIT: if it matters I have a X-bone for streaming/blu-ray and a LG OLED55B7 55" TV

So a couple things:

1) do you have a photo/layout of the space?

2) which XB1 do you have? While the original Xbox One does technically support 4K gaming and video, it has an HDMI 1.4a port which only outputs 4K at 30Hz, which is limiting. I'm also not sure if it supports 4K streaming through services like Netflix/Prime/etc

3) do you plan on being in this apartment/any apartment for a long time? I ask because while right now you might not be able to crank the volume, you might want to hold onto the gear for the future

[harryhoudini]

Originally Posted by BTBaboon

So a couple things:

1) do you have a photo/layout of the space?

2) which XB1 do you have? While the original Xbox One does technically support 4K gaming and video, it has an HDMI 1.4a port which only outputs 4K at 30Hz, which is limiting. I'm also not sure if it supports 4K streaming through services like Netflix/Prime/etc

3) do you plan on being in this apartment/any apartment for a long time? I ask because while right now you might not be able to crank the volume, you might want to hold onto the gear for the future

1. I don't have a layout or photo, but let me think if there is something I can pull together (maybe in a spreadsheet using cells or something).

2. XB1 S, which (I believe) supports it through streaming services and obviously through games which are 4k

3. yeah, no plans in the immediate future to move. My wife and I have talked about getting a small vacation home somewhere and if I still had this setup I'd probably move the whole thing there and start from scratch in the apartment. I'd say the possibility of this happening in the next year is somewhere in the 20% range (logistics of doing it, not to mention cost, etc.). So while a possibility, it isn't something I'm going to hold my breath on. If it happens I'll figure out the audio solution for that place at that time.

[harryhoudini]

Lies, I do have a layout. Attached.

The TV is against the wall opposite the kitchen, couch is on the wall opposite, rear speakers on either side of the couch and the rest of it is next to the TV. Sub is next to the couch.

[harryhoudini]

Bueller.....Bueller....? Any recs for a smaller profile sound system for an apartment that also reduces (eliminates) the number of wires being run throughout the space?

[BTBaboon]

Originally Posted by harryhoudini

Bueller.....Bueller....? Any recs for a smaller profile sound system for an apartment that also reduces (eliminates) the number of wires being run throughout the space?

Sorry to leave you hanging. Man, that's just a tough one given the limited space, noise concerns with neighbors, etc.


If you want to keep a surround option, I'd almost suggest going with the Sonos and wall mounting the surrounds/rears. It's pricey, but that's a tough space to make work.


If surround isn't really a desire (if you don't have any 5.1 mixed music, or don't do a TON of good surround sound from movies), then shifting to 2.1 might be the best option.

[harryhoudini]

Originally Posted by BTBaboon

Sorry to leave you hanging. Man, that's just a tough one given the limited space, noise concerns with neighbors, etc.


If you want to keep a surround option, I'd almost suggest going with the Sonos and wall mounting the surrounds/rears. It's pricey, but that's a tough space to make work.


If surround isn't really a desire (if you don't have any 5.1 mixed music, or don't do a TON of good surround sound from movies), then shifting to 2.1 might be the best option.

All good.

Yeah, I guess my general question to summarize my original post, is if there is an alternative to Sonos if I want to go 4k and wireless.

To your question, I don't listen to enough 5.1 music to make it worthwhile. On the movie side I do, I am one of the few that still gets blu-rays from Netflix and that is mostly for the higher fidelity audio. With that said, I still only am getting real 5.1 mixing on like a third of the movies I watch I feel like.

So the lack of need across the board plus my desire to eliminate wires is what is pushing me towards a 2.1. I still get the upgraded sound over the TV speakers, remove the wires, and just lose out on true surround sound on some of the stuff I listen to.

[unccrombie]

Originally Posted by harryhoudini

All good.



Yeah, I guess my general question to summarize my original post, is if there is an alternative to Sonos if I want to go 4k and wireless.



To your question, I don't listen to enough 5.1 music to make it worthwhile. On the movie side I do, I am one of the few that still gets blu-rays from Netflix and that is mostly for the higher fidelity audio. With that said, I still only am getting real 5.1 mixing on like a third of the movies I watch I feel like.



So the lack of need across the board plus my desire to eliminate wires is what is pushing me towards a 2.1. I still get the upgraded sound over the TV speakers, remove the wires, and just lose out on true surround sound on some of the stuff I listen to.

I feel like Bowers and Wilkens makes something, but if you're hurting over Sonos...

[harryhoudini]

Originally Posted by unccrombie

I feel like Bowers and Wilkens makes something, but if you're hurting over Sonos...

I wouldn't say Sonos is out of my range for what I want to spend. More that it is not cheap (although with the cost you get high quality).

Are you referencing the Formation line of products by B&W? Anyone have experience with the sound bar (https://www.bowerswilkins.com/formation/bar)? Soundbars are something I've considered, but I've never heard a sound bar that I've been really impressed by.