Projectors

[darbo1103]

What is required to set up a projector in a livingroom? I am looking to replace my current TV with one and was wondering if you can still get TV programmes as well as being able to play DVD's and use with a games console. Is much work involved and what exactly do you have to do to set it up? The room isn't exactly huge and if I can do this it will free up somemore space as I wont have to find room for a floor standing TV. If it is not feasable to do, what's involved in fitting a flat screen TV (37" - 40") to a wall and hiding all the wires for SKY, DVD player, games console, etc. TIA

[ChuckFickens]

Do not go the projector route! it's the hard and expensive one and they are not really suitable for every day use!!

Flat screen on wall is easy.

Hiding cables depends on a lot of things..... but it can always be done

If you want to hide things the cables and a flat screen are the least of your worries....where are you planning to put the DVD player and games consoles?

[darbo1103]

Ahh, that's the million $ question. Where do you put the DVD player and games console? I would imagine that some sort of shelf would be required, but I think it would look rather ugly. I'm open to suggestions. If I do do this it's going to be a one shot excercise, so I want everything in place for when the wife want's to start decorating. I hate cables showing, the current floor standing TV we have looks like spaghetti junction and I want it to look clean and tidy.

[ACtheTROLL]

I think you've just got to think positive - I'm with chuck - you positively don't want a projector - cause you still need a screen, they are noisy - and new bulbs (you'll go throught lots if it's your telly) cost �200-�500

you have to be realistic - a telly isn't paper thin - nor are the boxes that connect to it - and they connect with cables.
your options are holes in the wall or a length of trunking to bridge the gap (and the closer the cables are together - the greater the chance of crosstalk - also long runs will reduce quality

probably the least obvious and most practical is the traditional 3 shelf stand - at least all the wires can be stuffed behind the pretty boxes

third option is do without ... then you just have a pile of boxes

[Cmitchell]

Darbo1103!!

My god I wish I knew how to use that "photo sharing thing" (no I'm not a member offacebook or myspace) coz my fella is REALLY good at this kind of stuff. I'd take pics and share if i knew how.

For starters we have a HUGE plasma, EVERYTHING is plugged into it. He's even added (home made) electric blue LED lights so that's another wire!! However getting back to the wires. The plasma is mounted on wall quite high. We did have a "unit" with DVD player on and a plant. The plant hid the cable tidy thingy. It's a long piece of plastic and it wraps all the wires together like a spiral bound book. (you buy it with a gadget to do the job and get instructions too)

He went into town and bought a tallish slightly eastern style stand (looks like it might be from somewhere like bali). Put all the wires behind it using the above mentioned cable tidy thingy and some cable ties. Now we don't need the untidy looking plant.

Go to comet/currys and ask about the cable thing. Remember if you haven't got a piece of furniture quite tall enough, you can hide the cables with a plant.

I agree with others projectors are NOT the way to go.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on!!! Cx

[ACtheTROLL]

Cmitchell
pikkie sharing with
http://www.tinypic.com/

second page gives the info to share
for here post the
Direct Link for Layouts info
http://i38.tinypic.com/21130bc.jpg

[darbo1103]

It's been decided, we are going for a flat screen on a stand. I have looked at most of the major retailers and have a couple in mind. I'm looking for 37" to 42", with stand and if poss a surround sound. If everything comes as a package all well and good.
Anybody got any ideas on good, reliable make (apart from P*****PS. Had an issue with them, won't buy again) and would you recommend LCD or Plasma? Based on average use, what would the lifetime of either of these types of TV be?