Dumping Cable, getting an HTPC

[michigancat]

I don't get cable because I'm poor. And WatchESPN's quality is better than ESPN FullCourt (at least it was two years ago). But yeah, way worse than cable.

I have found the picture quality on WatchESPN is really good for the games that are on ESPN and ESPN2 when watching on the xbox, i would say 80% as good as the Directv picture.  But the "espn3" style broadcasts are very hit or miss - sometimes you get great picture for a Vandy @ South Carolina on Tuesday night SEC network game and the next week SoCar @ LSU is almost unwatchable 

True, but that was true for ESPN full court, as well. It was all SD, and BAD. (Maybe that's changed).

[Emo EMAW]

This is kinda what I'm thinking:



Just hide everything else behind the wood paneling.  What about sound though?  One of those (stupid) sound bars?

[Emo EMAW]

Damnit, this:  http://www.houzz.com/photos/71289/Gentleman-s-Pub-traditional-media-room-portland

[Skipper44]

Damnit, this:  http://www.houzz.com/photos/71289/Gentleman-s-Pub-traditional-media-room-portland

looks like they have two speakers in the sloped ceiling.  It this is just your hearth or family room tv setup that will be used primarily for kids/casual viewing just 1 pair of good speakers may be the way to go.  There are so many different listening positions in hearth/living room that a 5.1 can actually make it harder hear what you want, especially when you start putting speakers in the ceiling.

[Emo EMAW]

We won't have sloped ceiling like that.  Inspection is tomorrow and can get some better pictures of the actual starting point.  I'd like this to be a legit watch party type setup.