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Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

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Old 02-02-2009, 12:31 PM   #1
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Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Hello Everybody!

Been checking out these forums for a long time and wow some of you guys are impressive! Elootos - Genius!

So, what do i have planned? well basically im starting with my Lounge, which will include a wall mounted Screen and inset HTPC, i will also need to build some cupboards to hide a gas meter! I have a horrible, horrible fireplace to remove or hide! and i also have some problems with bendy walls & ceilings possibly a projector

first things first Clear the room and hoover up! followed by some head scratching and brainstorming!

(Oh... i don't actually live at this house at the moment as i gutted the house about 6 months ago to install a new kitchen (which is 90% complete - will post some pictures when i get back later on).

Pictures Promised later...
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Old 02-02-2009, 3:26 PM   #2
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Well...Havn't you finished yet?
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Old 02-02-2009, 11:37 PM   #3
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Quote:
Originally Posted by apul View Post
Well...Havn't you finished yet?
Just about as you can see, lots to clear!



But getting there...



and finally...



So, any ideas what to do? im planning on removing the wooden cupboards and shelving, and replacing with a clean looking wall with inset plastered shelves, i will also have a mounted screen set back into the wall. If i decide to go for a projector i will have a pelmit which will house an electric screen running along the front of the room, but im not sure if its worth it as i will be sitting just under 3ms from screen and the throw will be about 3.5 meters? any suggestions?

oh as promised, some pictures of my kitchen which is 80% complete in these photos.

before





After




anyway back to work for a few days, then it will be finishing off the kitchen and getting rid of the fire hearth!
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Old 03-02-2009, 1:21 PM   #4
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

my mom says to clean my room....if she see yours...

but looks nice hard work, wanna see wind7 working
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Old 03-02-2009, 10:15 PM   #5
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Have a look for short throw PJs, there are plenty, and you'll get a healthy sized image at 3/3.5 metres. As I found with DLP, half of it is the size but half of it is the DLP image - very cinematic. You'll not regret it, even if the image isn't like 200". Just 90" odd will still look awesome and very different to a 90" TV. Plus 720p DLPs look awesome with HD and still really really good with upscaled SD-DVD. Go for it, it's a different class of machine, a whole other way of watching films (I don't use my 42" plasma for films, only TV, as films come alive more on the PJ). Plus it always impresses people who come over. Always!
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Old 03-02-2009, 10:52 PM   #6
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

I agree with Gunark - you definitely have room for a PJ. In my last house I sat no more than 2.5-3m from the screen and found a 77" screen was nice and cinematic without making you dizzy.
In my current setup I've gone for a 105" screen and the seating position is 4-4.5m away.

No idea why you'd want to rip out that chimney - it's a beauty!
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Old 04-02-2009, 1:42 AM   #7
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Excellent, looking at an 80" screen

should be some more updates by friday!
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Old 07-02-2009, 1:02 AM   #8
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

As Promised!

Removed the hearth and started a bit of framing up!

sorry about poor pictures, used my girlfriends camera, (she has it on a rubbish picture quality)!









going to be boxing out the appliance shelf, screen mount and the pelmit this week! also i need to think about the lighting. Don't really want that light bulb dangling in front of my projector screen
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Old 07-02-2009, 12:25 PM   #9
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

looking good there keep up the good work. looks very profesional. i have the same chalenge drill as you from argos.

ian
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Old 09-02-2009, 11:36 AM   #10
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Hi Ian

I think its a great idea to sink your panel into the wall as I`ve just done (see link).

Also def have to agree with all the others regarding a screen and pj, you will never want to go back to a plasma/lcd ever.

Where the hell did all the mess come from mate

keep it up and loads of pics as well like `em

Al
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Old 10-02-2009, 1:36 AM   #11
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Quote:
Originally Posted by albriscoe View Post

Where the hell did all the mess come from mate
Al, tools, materials and general house clearance rubbish, i found out the hard way why you should take regular trips to the dump!!! loving your build! how is the ONKYO TX-SR576? thinking of getting one for my build

took some pictures of some equipment today.....

LG 32LG5700



Antec Fusion Veris Case (For HTPC - Will have Windows 7 installed, Currently running 2x S2 HD Cards with native H.264 (BBC, ITV HD)



Antec 300 series (Windows Home Server - Will be in the office housing around 5TB of HD/Blu Ray Films & DVD's along with around 700 Albums of music



Ian

More updates tomorrow....
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Old 17-02-2009, 12:10 AM   #12
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

well what a week, ended up working more than expected so no updates for a while.

however, i have manage to box in the av rack and have started on the lcd mount.







Oh, the postman delivered this aswell.
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Old 17-02-2009, 8:55 PM   #13
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

managed to get the screen surround built today, but forgot my camera, will post some pictures tomorrow.

also looking into an ambilight pcb board to create the same effect from my pelmit or from behind the screen!
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Old 18-02-2009, 12:01 PM   #14
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Hi Ian

the 576 is very good mate, infact for under £200 it has to be the best AV reciever around.

If I had to pick fault it doesn`t have on screen display like my 905 but its very punchy and channel separation is fabulous.

Its really drives the Bose great as well, can`t see you being disappointed mate tbh

cheers and keep up with the pics Al
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Old 21-02-2009, 2:23 PM   #15
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

lookin good ian! Which projector are you getting?
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Old 21-02-2009, 2:31 PM   #16
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

hi mark

Probably the infocus x9 or optima hd65/hd700x, if anyone has any opinions, that would be great!
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Old 21-02-2009, 3:26 PM   #17
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

i can recoomend the hd65...i used to have it and want another one!!!! but i'm not allowed said kerry
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Old 22-02-2009, 1:16 AM   #18
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

you should think about adding a DVB-T card to your pc setup too, extra FTA channels such as FIVER FIVE USA DAVE etc are a real bonus
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Old 22-02-2009, 3:55 AM   #19
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!

i've been meaning to put it back in actually, will do that in the morning...
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Old 22-02-2009, 8:09 AM   #20
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Hi, I have a HD65 in my Vista MCE set up (See Sig), absolute bargain and great PQ, well recomended
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Old 22-02-2009, 12:05 PM   #21
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

well i have been looking at projector screens (On a budget) and have come across this one

89" Electric HD Projector Projection Screen Matt White on eBay, also, Projectors, DVD Home Cinema, Consumer Electronics (end time 23-Feb-09 21:14:35 GMT)

have noticed a lot of people are using this screen for diy projects, and was just wondering if anybody had any opinions? the remote control looks so well built!!! i will be replacing with an ir relay!

Ian
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Old 22-02-2009, 2:09 PM   #22
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

finally managed to take a few more pictures of the screen surround today
coming along..... slowly!







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Old 22-02-2009, 10:42 PM   #23
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Quote:
Originally Posted by ian_solway View Post
finally managed to take a few more pictures of the screen surround today
coming along..... slowly!
Hi Ian,

looking good so far. Agree with the others, go for the PJ for films... You "can" fit a screen in there!

Just a quick question, why have you gone for a cantilever mount, wouldn't a fixed one have sufficed in that setup?

All the best

Barry
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Old 23-02-2009, 12:42 AM   #24
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Quote:
Originally Posted by bardel View Post

Just a quick question, why have you gone for a cantilever mount, wouldn't a fixed one have sufficed in that setup?
Hi Bardel, the Sofa is a large corner sofa, which will be off to one side, this will give us the option of pulling out the screen and aiming it better
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Old 23-02-2009, 12:52 AM   #25
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

ian do you ever sleep???
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Old 23-02-2009, 5:48 PM   #26
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Looking good Ian. I suspect that your something like me and can live on about 4 hours sleep everyday

Can I ask where you got your mount from? Been thinking of changing my bedroom ones from simply being on the pedastel and my parents are looking for something that may need to be corner mounted and that may be a nice solution to them as well...looks quite sturdy.

Thanx
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Old 23-02-2009, 6:03 PM   #27
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Got it on ebay!

Swing Tilt LCD Plasma TV Wall Bracket 17 21 26 32 37" on eBay, also, Wall Mounts Brackets, TV Accessories, Consumer Electronics (end time 08-Mar-09 16:35:37 GMT)

very strong!!
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Old 25-02-2009, 1:37 PM   #28
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Managed to get a vogel ceiling mount epc 6545 for less than £30!!!

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Old 26-02-2009, 8:53 AM   #29
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

Quote:
Originally Posted by ian_solway View Post
Managed to get a vogel ceiling mount epc 6545 for less than £30!!!

Thats an absolute steal fella! I paid over twice that!
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Old 27-02-2009, 2:00 AM   #30
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Re: Windows 7 - Media Center Home! Lets get started

thanks! Some bloke put a high reserve on it, i put in £25 . Reserve wasn't met, it didn't sell, he then sent me the offer of £25 PLUS p&p!!!!

Love your Project! keep up the good work Fooomanchu
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