Epson's high-end HTIB: the Ensemble Home Cinema System

Home cinema newbies can collectively rejoice, as even Epson has stepped up to the plate and is offering a high-end HTIB of its own. The Ensemble Home Cinema System provides "everything" (even patience?) you need to turn your den into a theater worth being proud of, and includes your choice of a 1080p or 720p Epson projector, 100-inch motorized screen, a 5.1 Atlantic Technology surround system, ten-inch subwoofer with built-in amplifier, AV controller with twin HDMI inputs and an upconverting DVD player, and a pre-programmed universal remote that takes the fun frustration out of establishing a one-button setup. Interestingly, Epson claims that the entire installation can be completed in a mere four hours, so if you're inches away from tearing your hair (or walls) out, simmer down and hand over your $4,999 (720p) to $6,999 (1080p) to handle HT the easy way.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

[brad @ Jul 17th 2007 1:33PM]

except that the picture will look like crap with that huge window, epson fails to mention (or understand) that projectors are awsome...in dark rooms

[brad @ Jul 17th 2007 1:34PM]

picture will look even better with that huge bay window too, its not like projectors work better in dark rooms

[paloooz @ Jul 17th 2007 1:40PM]

Do you often paraphrase your own comments?

[Jonhimslf @ Jul 17th 2007 3:03PM]

it's a good thing that the room is dark enough
, it's not like epson would be aware of projectors only working dark rooms

[zargon @ Jul 17th 2007 2:24PM]

This is a pretty good idea if it in fact is not one of those sub-par all-in-one systems. Sure, those all in one systems are nice, but they leave something to be desired.

When you are looking for a HT system like this should be, you really need to go with separate components and the non-crappy speakers that are usually packed with the all-in-one systems.

It is a interesting concept that I am surprised more electronic companies haven't done yet. To date, you either research and buy the components separately (which I still think is the best way so you get the most for you money) or go with a pre-packaged system like the OneCall.com (or others) have done.

[StrangeBum @ Jul 17th 2007 2:35PM]

Not bad. I've been wanting to get a HT setup for awhile, but I don't feel like piecing it all together. Generally, I know that the HTIB isn't the best solution, but this doesn't seem like a horrible solution for those who wish to get one started at the very least and then upgrade it later.

The five thousand dollar price point for 720 doesn't seem highly unreasonable either, assuming that everything that comes in the package is semi-high quality.

[WhyNotV2 @ Jul 18th 2007 8:22AM]

The thing is, if you're going to do 720p and want to do a system under $5k you can do far better than this by purchasing a Mitsubishi HD1000 projector. They'll run you about $850 (pretax) and are absolutely insane. Best HD projector under $1000 in my mind and in the minds of a lot of professional reviewers. If you want to save more money, skip the power screen and do 1 of 2 things. Manual pull down screen or 2, buy the paint. There's a paint sold specifically for the purpose of projecting images on it. Using the pull down screen method, you're at $1500 for 100" of screen. Add to that another $1000 for an okay receiver and moderate speakers, skip the HD DVD player for the moment and buy an upconverter player for $75 and you are at half what this Epson is. Once HD players drop further, then go ahead and upgrade the player.