Fade Away and Radiate

[DarrenHW]

It's been quite a while since I've been active on here, life mostly got in the way in the form of work, a dabble into the world of classic (a.k.a. “old”) cars, and a house move. I've now had enough time to get things (pretty much) finished off and settle in, so now with the dark nights drawing in, it's time to turn my attention to the things that really matter, namely the Home Cinema and Listening Room! This thread is going to detail the journey of my Home Cinema, or as normal people call it the Living Room. I refer to it as a Home Cinema as I’ve ditched the TV in favour of a projector and I’m currently enjoying the benefits of a 120” image.

Construction.

The room measures 4.1m x 4.1m x 2.4m. All 4 walls are solid concrete block, rendered and skimmed. The floor is 75mm reinforced cement screed laid over 225mm PIR insulation, topped with laminate. The ceiling is 38mm PIR backed plasterboard with 150mm PIR insulation between the joists.

IMG_9054 by Darren Watts, on Flickr

IMG_9055 by Darren Watts, on Flickr

IMG_9056 by Darren Watts, on Flickr

The wall paint is Dulux Trade Steel Grey 2 and has been selected as it is one of the ingredients of the UK version of the DIY Black Widow Projector Screen. This was designed for rooms with ambient light and not the traditional “Bat Cave” which I have no intention of perusing.

For now the image is projected directly on to the wall, but this is really a False Black Widow. The original recipe calls for 1 part Auto-Air Aluminium Base Fine to create a reflective screen and improve white levels, however the formula has apparently changed since the creation of the recipe and I'm pleased enough with the results for now to dedicate my time and energy into other projects in the room, but will continue with this in the future. Painting all 4 walls has really helped the image and also convinced me that in my situation a grey screen will yield better results than a white screen.

IMG_9075 by Darren Watts, on Flickr

IMG_9107 by Darren Watts, on Flickr

IMG_9114 by Darren Watts, on Flickr

The photos are of the 1080 BD of Cloverfield and were taken whilst the film was playing so not a great reflection of what the projector can do, they were more taken to txt to my brother whilst I was watching a film on the grey walls for the first time .

Over the coming weeks and months I’ll be moving forward with new equipment, rack, networking, cabling etc... All in all a nice little project to keep me occupied during our local lockdown and well into the coming colder months.

[AJSki2fly]

Very nice and interesting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DarrenHW]

Thanks Adrian.


As detailed in my Super Sounds of the 70’s thread, the Oppo 105 acting as preamp/processor feeding a pair of Nakamichi AVP1 power amps still forms the backbone of my system. I use one Nakamichi for left and one for right channels. In my old room I ran a 6.1 setup so there was more justification for a pair of power amps, now I’m down to 4.1 (due to available wall space) it may seem like overkill, but I bi-amp the fronts and do hear a benefit to running independent amplifiers to each speaker, plus I already have them so I may as well use them.

Unfortunately, after 6 years of loyal service, I’ve outgrown the Oppo. This is a real shame as the only reason is because I need 4K switching, and more inputs. There are plans afoot for its replacement, but I will be sad to see it go, it was the first piece of high end equipment I bought, I love it’s build quality and most importantly I really enjoy its sonic output.

There have been some new additions to the fold, namely:

Xbox One X.

I’m not much of a Gamer, in fact I’m pretty bloody useless, I bought this at the beginning of Lockdown as I was concerned boredom might kick in and because it’s quite a good communication medium. You can have a group or individual chat with other Xbox users either within the same game or playing independently, both my brothers use an Xbox as do a number of my friends so in these socially distant times, this is very handy, especially if like me you don’t like to video conference.

As a disc spinner it’s not up to much, but as a HD streamer it outperformed my previous Roku box and has flexibility and compatibility my other streamer doesn’t. It gives me access to Red Bull TV which covers a lot of the sporting events I follow and NOW TV which broadcasts a lot of the Bubblegum TV I watch, neither of which are supported on my other streamer.
With the exception of gaming, it doesn’t do anything exceptionally, but IMO it represents superb value for money as an internet enabled multifunctional device, it’s not that noisy either.

Panansonic DP-UB820EB.

There isn’t much I can say about the “Oppo 203 killer” that hasn’t already been said, but I do have a love/hate relationship with it.

The Good.

Picture quality is outstanding, especially for projector users. Setting it to Dynamic Range Conversion, allowing it to process HDR and Tone Mapping to output a signal based on user defined parameters to the display yields spectacular results. UHDBD’s, 4K Netflix and Prime material is very impressive. UHDBD output trounces BD output from the Oppo which may sound obvious, but I’ve seen plenty of UHD players outputting to 4K displays and few have convinced me of the need to upgrade to 4K. Admittedly these experiences have been on <55” displays where differences other than WCG are less obvious.

The Bad.

Build quality, whilst not horrible is a far cry from Oppo standards. I’m a big believer in getting what you pay for and I realise the Oppo 203 originally retailed for twice the RRP of the Panny, but it was a shock when I first took it out of the box.

Whilst there are a plethora of options regarding picture processing, it’s otherwise very limited in just about every other aspect. Audio output is limited to Analogue, PCM or Bitrate with no option to specify the format and if there is auto detection it’s not working for me. The Oppo will not support lossless 7.1 input via HDMI, but it will support lossless 5.1. If I set the Panny to Bitstream it travels back to the year 2005 and outputs Dolby Digital, if I select PCM the lag on the audio is greater than the -100ms I can shift on the Oppo and the Panny only has the option to increase the audio delay even further.

The Ugly.

As a streamer, the availability of apps and therefore content is woefully inadequate. As previously mentioned, I use Red Bull TV and NOW TV, neither of which are supported, furthermore the available apps are appalling. I have 75Mbps fibre and the lag on Netflix and especially Prime is reminiscent of 0.5Mbps DSL (I’ll cover my network setup further in the thread, but as someone who worked for BT on Local Loop Unbundling, Tiscali with the rollout of DSL and for an independent IT Contractor in Schools and Colleges I can assure you, the problem does not lie within my LAN). Panasonics support and updates for these apps is virtually none existent, I bought the player in April and at the time of writing we’re still awaiting an update for full HDR support in Netflix.

The UI is not only limited, but looks like it was developed a decade ago and astoundingly there is no available app.

Saving the worst for last, it’s horrifically noisy. Not only does the drive create noise reminiscent of ripping a CD at 52x but there’s also a little fan at the back of the unit just to ensure it’s making itself heard even if it’s just streaming⸮

I accept that it’s still well within the budget end of the AV spectrum, but there are so many poorly designed and executed aspects of the player that it really irritates me. The image however is spectacular so I begrudgingly chose to live with it.

Optoma UHD300X.

This really is the star of the show and is something I’ve been waiting for, for about 20 years. Having worked in IT from 2000 I’ve had the chance to audition plenty of projectors, but nothing within my budget ever convinced me to drop the TV either due to image quality, noise, running cost, or lack of flexibility. The UHD300X caught my attention late last year as a Home Entertainment Projector i.e. one designed to be used in normal living rooms and not requiring full black out conditions, so when Amazon put it on a Black Friday deal last year it was an offer I just couldn’t refuse.

It’s faux 4K, but for the price I paid (half what I paid for my first 55” Samsung in 2010) I really couldn’t be happier. The picture quality is far better that it has any right to be and when used in conjunction with the Panny it really does impress me. Motion judder and blur are acceptably low as is rainbow effect. It easily outperforms the local Odeon, it isn’t at the level of a good IMAX, but it’s never closed, the Popcorn and soft drinks are far cheaper, viewings start when I chose and there’s no one making noise in the row behind me!

In terms of fan noise, it’s really not that bad either, it’s only audible in the quietest passages of a film and as an early adopter of a living room based Media Centre and Rear Projection TV’s it’s the most acceptable “noisy” display I’ve had.

I’m approaching 1000 hours of lamp time (an artificially high annual figure due to Lockdown) so it will be interesting to see what the TCO will be, but even if I had to replace the lamp annually it’s a cost I could happily live with.

Having waited so long to break the 100” screen barrier I’m very happy with this as my first foray into the realm of home projection. Watching Luke Skywalker bullseye the Exhaust Port, Trinity and the Keymaker ride a Ducati into oncoming Freeway traffic or Maximus Decimus Meridus and the Roman army take on the Barbarian Horde on a 120” image from the comfort of my own sofa make it all worthwhile.

[Marco]

Yo Dazza,

How's it going, dude? Looking good! I was certainly impressed last time I was round, just with the image projected straight onto the wall - still WAY better than any TV

Hopefully when we're out of this lockdown pish again, we can enjoy some more movie nights at your place or mine?

Btw, don't know if you've been following my Gallery thread, but I've replaced the 15XRs with 1960s originals - and even without being recapped (yet) they spank the pants off the XRs. It really makes a difference with both music and movies!

Marco.

[DarrenHW]

I'm good thanks, how are you?

Painting the walls has made a bigger difference that I'd expected. Luke was up the other day and he says it now looks more like a screen, than just an image projected onto the wall. I'm really happy with where the image is, but the sound needs more attention.

To that end on my way back from picking up the timber for my new rack I stopped in at Acton Gate Audio and ordered the Oppo's successor, a Denon AVC-X3700H https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...-review.15031/

I'm keeping the Nakamichi's and will use the Denon as a Pre, enabling 4K switching and Atmos etc decoding. There's at least a one month lead time on the Denon but this gives me time to get everything else in order. BT eventually hooked me up the other day, not bad considering my original install date was 20/03/20 (I've been suitably compensated!). The spark's still effing me about, but that's the only remaining obstacle that's out of my control.

Hopefully everything will work out with Covid restrictions and we can arrange some Movie nights again in November.

[Marco]

I'm good thanks, how are you?

I'm cool mate - just getting my big rig upstairs back to its former self, after many months of non-use, and anally optimising the sound of all its component parts. In that respect I've spent nearly 2 weeks fine-tuning the sound of my turntable, via the use of headphones, through my new valve headphone amp (£90 imported from China, lol), which is very revealing (through good cans) and sounds superb!

The net result of painstakingly optimising Azimuth, VTA, VTF and anti-skate, plus also applying some Soundeck sound-deadening pads to the wall support shelf, thus further reducing mechanical feedback, is quite something, and the sound I'm getting now from vinyl reply is the best I've ever had.

Info on Soundeck pads here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/20210353121...YaAm_5EALw_wcB and full description here: http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBa...39727000&ver=0

I've also been doing more tube-rolling with the Croft, again through headphones, and that's also singing now better than ever!

Painting the walls has made a bigger difference that I'd expected. Luke was up the other day and he says it now looks more like a screen, than just an image projected onto the wall. I'm really happy with where the image is, but the sound needs more attention.

Nice one, that sounds really good, as it was impressive before.

To that end on my way back from picking up the timber for my new rack I stopped in at Acton Gate Audio and ordered the Oppo's successor, a Denon AVC-X3700H https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...-review.15031/

Lol, nice one... Denon (and also Yamaha) have always made superb AV amps. You may be shocked at how good it sounds, musically on 2-channel duties, with all tone controls and processing defeated!

I may also consider upgrading to that model as I'd like to take advantage of Dolby Atmos, so will be keen to hear yours.

I'm keeping the Nakamichi's and will use the Denon as a Pre, enabling 4K switching and Atmos etc decoding. There's at least a one month lead time on the Denon but this gives me time to get everything else in order. BT eventually hooked me up the other day, not bad considering my original install date was 20/03/20 (I've been suitably compensated!). The spark's still effing me about, but that's the only remaining obstacle that's out of my control.

Yeah, would be silly to lose the Naks considering how good they are, versus how little they cost for being such lumps!

You not got Virgin where you are? We're now on their silly-fast 500mbps fibre-broadband, which once a few initial teething problems were ironed out, has performed faultlessly.

In terms of a sparky, if you're getting nowhere, I could put you in touch with Matt, the chap who did the mains install for my system. He's top-notch and a great guy to deal with. Just let me know!

And yups, we'll defo get together again when the lockdown has been removed, hopefully as you say by November.

Marco.

[DarrenHW]

I've heard quite a few AV Receivers, my first exposure was in 1997 to my mates, uncles, battleship Yamaha hooked up to his Pioneer Laserdisc player As you know, Home Cinema/FBA was my main interest before stumbling into the world of turntables, vintage audio and forums... but I've never actually heard a Denon AVR. I was initially in the market for a Marantz but after stumbling across the ASR review of the 3600 and subsequent 3700, it seemed like a no-brainer for my system, as it excels with the internal amps defeated, I've certainly got high hopes for it!

No Virgin up this dirt track, I can't even get FTP, I'm still shocked I've got a (thus far) reliable 75Mbps.

I'm stuck with the spark, he was involved in the initial design, but I ran and terminated it all. I just need him to sign it off (Matt wouldn't be able to do that unless he's changed employers?), all the work is done I just need him to test it and give me a certificate. Thanks anyway

[Marco]

I've heard quite a few AV Receivers, my first exposure was in 1997 to my mates, uncles, battleship Yamaha hooked up to his Pioneer Laserdisc player As you know, Home Cinema/FBA was my main interest before stumbling into the world of turntables, vintage audio and forums... but I've never actually heard a Denon AVR. I was initially in the market for a Marantz but after stumbling across the ASR review of the 3600 and subsequent 3700, it seemed like a no-brainer for my system, as it excels with the internal amps defeated, I've certainly got high hopes for it!

I don't doubt you'll be delighted with it. Laserdisc players - now that brings back fond memories! At the time, they were superb and head and shoulders above ANY VCR, in terms of picture and sound quality. Sadly though, they were another great invention (much like minidisc) that never properly took off.

I'm stuck with the spark, he was involved in the initial design, but I ran and terminated it all. I just need him to sign it off (Matt wouldn't be able to do that unless he's changed employers?), all the work is done I just need him to test it and give me a certificate. Thanks anyway

No worries. He still works for Wrexham council, so is that an issue in terms of his ability to sign things off?

Marco.

[DarrenHW]

I don't doubt you'll be delighted with it. Laserdisc players - now that brings back fond memories! At the time, they were superb and head and shoulders above ANY VCR, in terms of picture and sound quality. Sadly though, they were another great invention (much like minidisc) that never properly took off.

Agreed about the upgrade from VCR, but I'm quite happy I don't have to get up in the middle of a film to turn the disc over.

No worries. He still works for Wrexham council, so is that an issue in terms of his ability to sign things off?

Marco.

Exactly, even if they did have the right paperwork, he'd incriminate himself when the paperwork got back to his office. Plus he'd had to sign off and therefore make himself liable for an installation he's never seen because it's buried in the walls and ceilings.

[Marco]

Ah I see what you're saying... Failing that, if it's necessary, I'd also thoroughly recommend the sparky who did the electrics in our new kitchen.

His name is Adam and his company is Kelletrics: https://www.facebook.com/AdamKellectrics/

Again, a great guy who really knows his stuff

Marco.