Kitting out a gaming den ~ need suggestions

Abooie

Abooie

Abooie

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I've come into a small amount of funds with the priviso I spend it quite recklessly (true story) and my wife suggested I spend it kitting out my own den.

After the initial paranoia (she was actually selling the idea to me) she's probably right that with me as a gamer and her and our 2 daughters and one lounge I probably do need my own space to disappear to from time to time. Really, she's just trying to get shot of me and this is her first step.

My current set up is a 42" 1080P Toshiba TV, 5.1 with Yamaha Amp, 360 Elite and Wii.

I'm taking over one of the bed rooms (about 10' by 7') and I'm quite undecided on what to get.

TV:

I think I've narrowed it down to 3 sets though they each do different things:

32" LCD ~ The Panasonic TX-32LZD85 ~ 100Hz, 1080P ~ £650 ~ would look nice in the space and probably the best 32" I could get. 37" is outside the budget (even this is slightly ott if I'm honest) though maybe I should be looking at other less specced LCD's @ 37". Is 1080p overkill on a 32" set?

37" Plasma ~ Panasonic TH-37PX80B ~ 100Hz, 720P ~ £550 ~ would do nicely even though it's just 720p (movies would still be shown down stairs on the main set) and better value for money. Really worried about IR as it would primarily be a gaming set.

Optoma HD700 Projector (with 84" screen) for £430 ~ maybe over kill for a small room? Do they have to be ceiling mounted and how much work is involved as I may have to move room in a year or so.

Consoles:

360 gaming is my bread and butter (I just like rpgs best and Fable 2, Mass Effect etc. hit the right notes) so my Elite would come upstairs.
I'm thinking of getting a PS3 for downstairs as blu-ray would compliment the set up but I'm worried it won't really get much use and my wife still wants us to have a 360 downstairs for Fable 2 coop, Rock Band and Lips.

I could get a PS3 and 360 Arcade Unit and switch the hard drives, see any complications doing this? I'm still really unsure whether to get a PS3, though Eye Pet really excites my 3 year old and I was hoping LBP would be something we could play together (how kiddie friendly do you think it really is? ~ my daughter is ok with stuff like Cloning Clyde)

Sound: Was thinking of just using the TV's speakers (would have to do something if I got a projector) and maybe getting some really good headphones (suggestions?)

Sorry, a bit of a ramble there and it's taken 3 days for me to kind of agree (even Nokkon's told me just to go for it) though I'm convinced there's still got to be a catch.

Would love some opinions, especially on my worries about IR if I got a Plasma. Then there's sofa, furniture, beer fridge ;) etc etc.
 
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Lucky sod :p
I'd go for the 360 arcade and a PS3 downstairs if you can afford it. Seems the best of both worlds then :)
That's the only constructive comment I can add really, I just wanted to express my envy :D
 
Sorry to hijack.. but will those Z-5500 give me proper 5.1 on games and movies on my ps3? :)
 
Margaret said:
Yup.


Use Optical, job solved.

I use an Optical witch to cycle between my 360 and PS3. :)
Click to expand...

ive been looking for a cheaper solution to seperate amp etc that looks good. You seem to have solved it lol. shame it dont have a remote tho

Edit.. just checked spec on logi site and they do have one. winner!
 
The HD700 is iirc largely dependant on positioning for the size of the projected image, if you grab the dimensions of your room and use the checker on Optoma's site you'll quickly be able to determine whether the achievable screen size is worth the hassle.


edit: the same reasoning applies to a certain extent (in reverse) with regard to choosing one of the two other displays, you'll have to be sat pretty close to make the 1080p worthwhile on a 32" set.
 
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I wouldn't bother with a projector or plasma for this personally and Z-5500's get my vote too.
 
PS3 downstairs on the 1080P panel for BD, and 360 with 720P panel upstairs :)

Then you've got a PS3 for the family, LBP, Eye Pet, Buzz, singstar etc, and a 360 for yourself and RPG's + if you rent then Cars, Ratatouille etc look & sound stunning in 1080P.

Win win situation :)

Plus you'll need 5.1 upstairs so a set of 5400/5500's will do the job nicely.
 
Right if I were to start from scratch, to get ultimate "boys room"

Home theatre, at least £5K on the sound system.
Display- since you want gaming, and movies I'd probably have a dual screen system, perhaps 60" Pioneer plasma and 50" LCD, or perhaps dual 50" LCD for two person gaming (LAN gaming) or maybe DLP projector for movies, with two 50" LCD's for gaming (LCD screens behind a automated drop down projection screen)

Full racing and flight sim systems, Logitech G25 systems x 2, race seats. Flight Yoke, flight stick, 6 way gear/flat levers, rudder pedals, 2x.

Then a few cinema seats.

Wouldn't bother with Logitech 5500, a bit pants really.
 
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No such thing as "way ott" it'll be fantastic, if you can afford it. For a cheaper system then probably £1000 for sound system, and have to choose a single display- will be a problem choosing plasma for TV & movies, if you also do lots of gaming. Bit risky with screenburn. Choosing a LCD only will be fine for games but not as good picture quality for TV & movies.
 
badbob said:
Right if I were to start from scratch, to get ultimate "boys room"

Home theatre, at least £5K on the sound system.
Display- since you want gaming, and movies I'd probably have a dual screen system, perhaps 60" Pioneer plasma and 50" LCD, or perhaps dual 50" LCD for two person gaming (LAN gaming) or maybe DLP projector for movies, with two 50" LCD's for gaming (LCD screens behind a automated drop down projection screen)

Full racing and flight sim systems, Logitech G25 systems x 2, race seats. Flight Yoke, flight stick, 6 way gear/flat levers, rudder pedals, 2x.

Then a few cinema seats.

Wouldn't bother with Logitech 5500, a bit pants really.
Click to expand...
Oh **** of badbob, you ALWAYS do this.

(for others; bob always comes in threads and starts recommending £1000+ items randomly)
 
Get a proper Amp and separate speakers. No doubt the one recommended isn't good but if you are going all the way you need a HDMI amp that supports LCMP. Optical is for n00bs. :D
 
lol Margaret let me guess you own crappy Logitech 5500's, don't like it if I spec something better?

The OP asked for system, granted it's quite expensive, but a "boys room" needs more than a 32" LCD and crappy 5500 sound system.
 
Why limit yourself to crappy 5.1 speaker system? Can you plug two consoles, a DVD player, a HTPC, a Blu-Ray player, Sky, CD into your Logitechs? Nope. Will your Logitechs offer superb 2 channel sound quality? Nope.

A £200 PC system is only suitable if you don't have the funds to buy better, from the sounds of the OP he's come into some money so if that's the case a rubbish PC system isn't worth bothering. A £5K audio system is a nice investment and will give you years of pleasure the whole family can enjoy.

Go back to your £200 POS 5500's.
 
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