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Trying to set up home theater in upstairs bedroom. The video source will sit on a Bell'ogetti stand against one wall--it is 11 feet to the other wall. I primarily plan to watch widescreen anamorphic DVDs, and some nonanamorphic ones. Other gear: NAD T751, Marantz DV-8300, Monitor Audio silver speakers in a stereo set up.I'm not concerned about rear surround sound speakers--I'll either use L&R fronts only (synthesize surround sound), or add a center and have L/center/R.
Since I only have 11 feet, I must optimally use space. A plasma screen is ideal in several respects: thin, large video source (32", 42"), but there are several drawbacks (cost prohibitive being #1, screen burn in, poor black levels). I don't want to spend 5,000 on a plasma now, b/c I think the prices will continue to drop (not fast enough for me!), and plasma technology is advancing enough that 3 years ago, I would want a new one. Also, the plasma pictures I like most are on the more expensive plasma sets--Pioneer Elite.
I've considered LCD technologies (30" Sharp), but off-axis viewing poses a problem, and I'm not ready to cast my lot w/ Samsung or Panasonic DLP RPTVs yet (I do think this technology holds promise and I eagerly await the 2nd generation sets).
I therefore incline to direct view HDTVs. A 34" is a nice size screen, but since they are all ~2 feet deep (Sony, Panasonic, Phillips), it seriously cuts into my 11-foot area. Also, these sets are so large (in addition to being 2 feet deep, they are about 2 feet high and over 3 feet wide)they overpower the room somewhat.
So I am left with a 30" HDTV set. They are slightly smaller and fit well on my stand. I like the Phillips best, Samsung's Tantus next, though Panasonic and Samsung (the black one) are also out there.
My question: has anyone set up a similar home theater? I concerned that the viewable screen on certain DVDs will produce a picture so small that it's simple not enjoyable to watch. I know this is a different set, but on my 27" Panasonic TV, Blackhawk Down--with an aspect ratio of 2:40:1--is almost unwatchable. It's just too narrow. I don't want to spend 2,000 for a 30" and end up feeling that DVDs on the screen are so small that there isn't a smidgeon of the "theater" experience. E.g., I have a 19" Dell monitor, but I don't enjoy watching movies on my computer.
I know that w/ the Phillips set, one can expand the picture to "fit" the screen, but I don't want to do that if the resulting picture is "distorted".
P.S. I know there are rules that one needs to sit from 2 to 2 1/2 screen heights from the video source, etc.
I know it might not be possible to set up a decent system in such a "narrow" width (11 feet), but if someone has wrestled w/ this problem, I would appreciate your insights, & any comments on the 34" Phillips are welcome (I think the newer one has addressed the HD source hook up problem found on last year's model). Thank you.
Follow Ups:
I ourchased the 34" 9818 in October. I like it a lot.I *strongly* recommend this size set - you may think it's too big for your room but you're wrong, 34" is a perfect size to watch DVDs in a small room. The 30" WS sets are REALLY (I mean really) too darned small - 2:35 films are *tiny*. I'm serious as a heart attack - go for the 34" set! For movies, bigger is much, much better. I watch my Philips from 8-9 feet and it's the perfect distance. Yes, the 34" sets are deep, and they're heavy. But they are the minimum for HT movie enjoyment IMO.
For standard def 4:3 cable viewing, I like the Philips' 14:9 expand mode. I never use zoom or stretch.
If money were no object, I'd have been interested in the 38" Loewe Aconda or a 42" plasma. (I almost pulled the trigger ona 42" Panny for $3600.) But it was and I'm very pleased with the Philips 34". I am still looking for a bigger display, but I'm waiting for some of the new technologies to settle down.
BTW, I got my 34" Philips for $1550 delivered. It's a refurb, but it came with full factory warranty and it's performed flawlessly. Contact Jason at ebay@hartoninnovations if you want to know more. Their service was excellent. There are many favorable comments about this reseller on avsforum.com.
I suspect LCOS and DLP will pull ahead of plasma. They have many of the advantages and fewer of the drawbacks, and will cost less.. Prices should be better in a year. I can't live with the black levels and shadow detail on the LCS RPs, not even the new Grand Wegas.
PLEASE - go bigger. If you like movies, stay away from the 30" sets. There are several good ones - Philips, Sony, Toshiba.
I have a similar setup, except that I have a standard definition 36inch 4:3 flatscreen. I think I'm remembering my measurements correctly - I have fit the TV, on a 48inch wide stand, two tube monobloc amps (12inch wide each), and two Acoustat Model 3 electrostats some 30inch wide each. The Acoustat panels are toed in a little, so they take up a little more than 30inch wide. This is all along a wall that is 12 feet wide. Everything more or less fits pretty well. The large ESL panels downplay any chance the TV has of dominating the room.I think I sit about 8 feet back from the screen. Previously I was used to 13inch and 19inch TVs. So this 36 was a big change for me. I sized it based on the 16:9 and 2.35:1 image heighs that I wanted. I think it's a good size. It doesn't have the shear visual impact of te large screens at the movie. But it's a close enough fascimile for me right now.
I think this may help you. The first week I had the 36, I thought it was TOO BIG, especially on 4:3 content. (You have to understand I spent the majority of my life growing up with a 10inch B&W TV and 13inch color one. We later got a 19inch in '94 when I was in high school). I was within seconds of taking the set back and exchanging it for a smaller one. One the fourth weekend, I had logged about 10 ours on the set. Took on look at it, and decided it could stay. It didn' seem to big anymore.
I would have liked to gone with a front projector and 7 or 10 foot diagonal screen, but I bulked at the price of that setup. Hell I thought 36 inch was big. Went looking for a CRT HDTV (don't care for RPTV). But eventually settled on a SDTV. A 42inch plasma would have been nice. But you need to factor in the extra price and setup concerns (scaling, quality signals, etc). The price and rapid technology change untimately deterred me.
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