Need Help with deciding on home theater equipment.

[arffman]

Hi everyone,

This is my 1st time to ever post on a forum and I may not know some of the lingo or abbreviations used. I know a little about home audio and video from speaking with a local retailer so please bare with me. Now to my questions. I would like to know which is the best 1080p projector for the money and also I am interested in the hdmi 1.3 set up. My old receiver/amp will be replaced, so I also need advice on which new one of those to buy for the best price. I currently have the Bose 5.1 speakers (5 double cubed) with nonpowered sub and a stand alone marantz powered sub. I love the way they sound and I am very pleased with them. I just don't know if I should upgrade them also. I will be connecting my Direct TV HDDVR, my sony playstation 3 (for blu-ray), Nintendo Wii, and possibly a new HD DVD player using hdmi 1.3 and component hookups to the receiver. I also need advice on the best screen for the money, preferably a fixed screen. No problems with lighting control except during the day, there may be some light from around the blinds in the windows. I have been searching on ebay and found some sellers that offer screens for under $200 and they compare them to $800 screens and also claim the material is the same as the name brand screens. I just don't want to purchase something for whatever price and find out I could have spent a little more money and received something a whole lot better. My budget is around $3,500. I have been looking at the Panasonic AE2000U which is in my budget and from what I have read the JVC RS2 is the one to get if I could afford it. I may be able to get one of those in the lower $5000 range. Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone. LOL If there are any projectors out there that are just as good for a whole lot less please let me know. I would really appreciate your help if anybody has suggestions. Thanks everyone, Freddie

[Chris D]

Well, the problem with "the best XXXXX for the money" is that everybody has a different price range.

If you're looking to get a HDMI 1.3 1080p projector very inexpensive, I would look at the current Mitsubishi model. I personally did go with the Panny AE2000, and that was the right fit for me. (ProjectorPeople.com really hooked me up) It's definitely more than the Mitsu, but better performance and features. Depends if those features and performance improvement is going to be worth it to you. Yes, if I had the money, I too would have gone with a JVC RS-2. But for me, it was not worth the larger amount of more $$$ for the improvement in performance. We have discussions going about all these models in our projector sub-forum here in the Guide.

Ummm... I think if you ask anyone here, the answer will be YES, replace the Bose! You'll find so much out there giving you better performance.

As for a new receiver or pre/pro, you can do anything from $200 on up to $20,000 or more. Each move up in price will give you better performance. Need to know a price you're looking at and what performance is important to you.

For screens, if you're going to go with a nice 1080p PJ, don't get a $200 screen. I would plan on spending at least $1000 on a screen--the ones I go for are usually more like $2000 and on up.

[Azeke]

Indeed I agree with Chris, the Panny AE2000 is the best bang for the buck, check out Costco, pricing under $2K. Carada, one of our sponsors and has nice fixed screens for the money and great bang for the buck, I recommend them to my friends and I have had no complaints. You probably should call them and provide them your specs, i.e.room lighting, etc. However, if you have money to burn Stewart screens set the benchmark. Try Outlaw for your receiver and Oppo for you DVD player. So now let's see, you have about $4000.00 in total cost not including speakers. My quick estimate and suggestions.

BTW, welcome to HTGuide :welcome:.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[arffman]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help. I will check back with you soon on some more suggestions.

[Chris D]

Wait... the Panasonic AE2000 at Costco for less than $2k? Are you sure? That seems ridiculously low--I just bought mine for $2699 with a bunch of little free stuff thrown in. Now, there is an AE***200*** model that's out there, and can be confusing, but the AE200 is only 720p, where the AE2000 is 1080p.

[Azeke]

Wait... the Panasonic AE2000 at Costco for less than $2k? Are you sure? That seems ridiculously low--I just bought mine for $2699 with a bunch of little free stuff thrown in. Now, there is an AE***200*** model that's out there, and can be confusing, but the AE200 is only 720p, where the AE2000 is 1080p.

You/'re absolutely correct, I misspoke it is $2699.99 at Costco including bonus HD cables. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking .

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[John Holmes]

Wait... the Panasonic AE2000 at Costco for less than $2k? Are you sure? That seems ridiculously low--I just bought mine for $2699 with a bunch of little free stuff thrown in. Now, there is an AE***200*** model that's out there, and can be confusing, but the AE200 is only 720p, where the AE2000 is 1080p.

This was a good "morning" read! Caught me off guard for a moment! Glad that I'm not the only one lack of sleep hits hard! :W

[John Holmes]

You/'re absolutely correct, I misspoke it is $2699.99 at Costco including bonus HD cables. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking .

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

Too late, Azeke, I already caught it! :rofl:

[Azeke]

Thanks John, I guess I better get some rest now .

Peace and blessings,

Azeke