exile Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 What a weekend!! Thursday night a typical spring thunderstorm rolls thru. I wake up the next morning and head to work. At lunch, I go home to eat(5 min drive) and find my cable modem completely dead. I also notice that my Home Theater is completely dark. I flip the breaker and my cable box turns on. So I leave for work again. When I get home after dinner, the wife turns on the TV and it won't power on. I try other outlets. F**K! I try turning on the DVD player... DEAD. I try the xbox 360... dead. I try my HD DVD drive... dead. When it was all said and done, I lost: Mits 55" CRT HDTV Sony 5 disc SACD changer which I had to pry open to get the dvds out of Cable Modem/Phone router(that cox supplies) Hub that allows me to connect my laptop and PC to my connection in the back. Xbox HD DVD Drive. My xbox would finally power up in the bedroom but I have no internet connection anywhere near there. I do get video so all is not lost. After frustration and dissapointment sat in, my wife and discussed our media room plans because it really is a dual purpose living room/media room space. here is the lemonade we are making out of this lemon of a weekend! TV is being replaced by a new Panasonic 50" 9UK commercial grade plasma monitor. I'm paying a little more than what a consumer model runs(50-600U) but I am getting the all important black bezel. The silver is not acceptable. All wiring will be rerouted into my closet along with my equipment. An IR repeater will be placed in the closet so my equipment can be completely 100% hidden. Center channel will be sitting on a shelf below the plasma. after a few months, I'll buy a new budget <$1100 720P Projector. The Optoma or Mits DLP are the 2 leaders right now. I'll do a pull down screen from above down in front of the plasma and I will use that for movies. So really the end of this I'm getting what I REALLY wanted. I just wish I didn't have to go at this way. Electrical storm related issues are NO FUN. My wife is pleased as punch because she gets her flat panel and I get my movie screen. The front stage of my room will be a center channel shelf with a 50" Panel above it. SUPER CLEAN which she loves. The whole clean look is the killer. It sold her on the idea because she was 100% dead against a PJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFo Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Shane; Sorry to hear about your loss, but it sounds like you're going to be getting some sweet stuff to replace it. If you get a chance, be sure to post some pics of your new toys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 So how do you plan to protect your new equipment? I'm currently trying to find something to do just that for my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of All Cosmos Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Ouch, I hope there's insurance to help cover at least part of the replacement costs for all that gear. Definitely sucks to lose all that, but getting new stuff is always fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Insurance would cover it if I could prove it but they'd jack up my rates and such. We're just going to swallow the cost and move on. I'm planning on buying a new panamax to protect the new equipment. the Plasma will be plugged into a new in wall surge protector(panamax makes one) and the PJ will also be plugged into something similar. No more cheap surge protectors for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solitice Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Good choice on the Panamax, its a great product that I've used in most of my client's setups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lutter Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 I have a Monster power conditioner/surge protector (which I happened to pick up on ebay by luck for like $10, hyuk) protecting my equipment. SUPPOSEDLY I have a "$100,000 lifetime guarantee" if my stuff fries. Works great (and my AC switching on/off no longer trips off my receiver ) If not that, get a computer UPS (uninterrupted power supply). Got of those on my Desktop... similar protection for around the same $$$ (and easier to find). That and you could theoretically watch your HDTV for like 2 minutes after the power goes out! (or however long the battery would last). I say this and we have underground power here in the sunshine state, so I'm not even sure surges are a problem (never had a fluctuation... even during the 3 hurricanes in a row we had a few years back both during and after the storm). I wish some lightning would strike my front projector so I could upgrade! Maybe I'll plug it in on the roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry the Clown Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Ugh, damn shame to see all that gear fry, Shane. Enjoy the experience of rebuilding the HT though. Look forward to hearing about how it all comes together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 You're taking this quite well. Good, healthy attitude toward such a devastating day. I guess getting more new cool stuff is always fun but paying for it certainly is not. I have a Monster power conditioner/surge protector (which I happened to pick up on ebay by luck for like $10, hyuk) protecting my equipment. SUPPOSEDLY I have a "$100,000 lifetime guarantee" if my stuff fries. If you purchased it off ebay for $10 you likely do not have that "$100,000 lifetime guarantee". Probably not an authorized Monster dealer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 I'll be placing an order for the following starting next week: Panasonic 50" 9UK Plasma Monitor Logitech 890 RF Controller. This is an RF/IR repeater system for slightly more than an IR repeater system costs. It has 4/5 inputs on it which is more than enough. Cables from monoprice to run within my walls. Moving my rack to the closet was not an easy task.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 If you need any help installing your stuff, let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Do you like attic work? Installing the projector will be a task.. It won't happen for a few months anyway. I know kelley is not a fan of the DLP's but the Mits 720P HD1000U is looking good right now. I'll post a pic later of my rack in the closet in it's new space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 I don't mind attic work, as long as its not over 50 degrees outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 I'm calling at lunch to discuss the panel with VA. If they are willing to deal a bit(given shipping), then I'll place an order and get the recovery process started. What's interesting is the wife's sister and mother both had their eyes lit up when she told them we're buying a flat TV. This may be a trend... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Do they sell a PJ you are interested in? Maybe you could get them to give you a good deal if you buy both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 I can't buy the PJ this soon anyway. I'll have to make due for a few months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine5555 Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 I have a Monster power conditioner/surge protector (which I happened to pick up on ebay by luck for like $10, hyuk) protecting my equipment. SUPPOSEDLY I have a "$100,000 lifetime guarantee" if my stuff fries. Works great (and my AC switching on/off no longer trips off my receiver ) If not that, get a computer UPS (uninterrupted power supply). Got of those on my Desktop... similar protection for around the same $$$ (and easier to find). That and you could theoretically watch your HDTV for like 2 minutes after the power goes out! (or however long the battery would last). I say this and we have underground power here in the sunshine state, so I'm not even sure surges are a problem (never had a fluctuation... even during the 3 hurricanes in a row we had a few years back both during and after the storm). I wish some lightning would strike my front projector so I could upgrade! Maybe I'll plug it in on the roof. Please do check on this but.... Monster will not do ANYTHING for you, unless you have the Original receipt, from an Authorized dealer. Trust me, I learned this fact the very very very hard way Panamax, is great but do make sure you get it form an authorized dealer for the same reasons as above. And that would be my first purchase Sorry to hear about the rest of your gear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 The boxes for Panamax say on them warranty void if bought online or something to that effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 It's ordered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelley Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 It's ordered! Grats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lutter Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Please do check on this but.... Monster will not do ANYTHING for you, unless you have the Original receipt, from an Authorized dealer. Trust me, I learned this fact the very very very hard way Panamax, is great but do make sure you get it form an authorized dealer for the same reasons as above. And that would be my first purchase Sorry to hear about the rest of your gear Well, my equipment isn't exactly worth $100000 anyways... $499.99 receiver (circa 2001) $0.00 floor-standing mains (hand-me-down from dad) ~$200 for center/surrounds $799.99 for front projector DIY screen (~$30) ... so in other words... I'm not out TOO much if *knock on wood* something were to happen. So don't worry about this poor college kid. Now, when I graduate from college and get some real equipment, perhaps I'll see to a better solution Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMonkey Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Well sorry you lost the equipment, but you're doing it the right way. A projector and a flat panel is the way to go. Best of both worlds. I got my $2k MSRP 720p Optoma HD72 for $836 AR ($400 Optoma rebate, last year's model). You can get some killer projector these days for cheap. I have trouble even playing Gears of War on my 37" LCD. It looks so tiny compared to my 115" projected screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Ordered some things last night.. AC4l(as usual) is fast out of the gate with their shipping Monoprice has been great to deal with as well. VA is very responsive. They haven't given me a tracking number just yet but that's ok. J and R has been slower than the others but we'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted March 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 Everything but the TV will be here Friday. The TV should arrive next Tuesday or Wednesday. I've got a tracking number for the trucking company. It left Las Vegas yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exile Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Some pics: Stuff that has arrived: Rack is now in the closet Harmony 890 Panasonic 9UK 50" Plasma More to come as the Martin Theater gets rebuilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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