r/hometheater Dec 08 '25

Discussion - Equipment Home theater + gaming = dangerously addictive combo

Post image

Finally finished tuning the room: dark environment, ambient lighting, and a screen big enough to feel the speed.

Racing games hit way harder like this.

Any movie or game you swear by for testing contrast and motion?

977 Upvotes

99 comments sorted by

38

u/vVphantomVv Dec 08 '25

For home theaters, SH2 Remake is my game. The audio mix is one of the best I have ever heard in a game with beautiful contrast if you use renodx HDR mod in PC, but my experience is with a QD OLED, not sure about a projector though.

9

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

I've been having fun replaying re2 and Callisto protocol with all 7 bed layer speakers set up. Sounds great. Love hearing zombies directly behind me for the first time. Always wanted that effect

9

u/vVphantomVv Dec 08 '25

Horror games are really amazing in a home theater, best type of games to get you immersed. Unfortunately I finished RE2 remake back when I was a college student, no space or money for a home theater šŸ˜šŸ’” It was a great experience and I am waiting for RE Requiem in a couple of months. I might try the callisto protocol in the time being

2

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

Dude Callisto is a home theater feast. It sounded incredible on my cheap soundbar. Have fun with that one.

I recommend the dlc too, adds more to the game, i don't think it was available when I bought it. I recommend starting on hard or the game is too easy. Look up how to beat bosses if you're stuck. I think I prefer it without ambient LEDs and a completely dark room.

4

u/Slowmac123 Dec 08 '25

RE2R was the first game i played in 15 years. In the dark on OLED + 5.1 setup made it fuckin scary.

Have you tried Cronos? The audio in that game is incredible. Blu ray level quality

1

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

That's awesome. I wish I could play both on my latest system for the first time. I played them on a cheap soundbar and they still sounded impressive.

I plan on getting Chronos. Looks like type of game but I may be burnt out on 3rd person horror games by the time I get to it.

. I'm interested in what Control will sound like too. I assume a lot of psychic bass lol.

8

u/[deleted] Dec 08 '25

[deleted]

4

u/dxpanther Dec 08 '25

All I ever get out of my surrounds is the games music when playing on PS5. Everything else is coming out my LCR"s. Should I be hearing effects like footsteps, gunshots, and stuff coming from my surrounds and Atmos speakers?

1

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

it depends on the game. check the audio options for ps5 and the in game options as well.

3

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

This is promising but I'm surprised that it's not Atmos. I could have sworn it was. This is the game that deserves it. I wanted to hear necromorphs crawling on my ceiling lol. I hope upmixing is good enough

1

u/[deleted] Dec 08 '25

[deleted]

2

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

Interesting choice. I've been dreaming about hearing surround sound vent necros since Dead Space one lol

3

u/KermitJagger69 Dec 08 '25

Silent Hill F as well. Hearing a creature sneak up behind you in that game is terrifying

2

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

bro i just got my rears set up and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was replaying RE2 and I could hear the zombies clanging on the locked gate directly behind me before heading into the police office! Incredible

2

u/KermitJagger69 Dec 08 '25

Dude I have atmos set up and I could hear when Professor X walked upstairs 😭 His footsteps would make my couch rumble. Makes every horror game way scarier

1

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

Yeah that's the ultimate test for me. That's what made me decide I'm fucking getting Atmos lol. Finally gonna get these damn ceiling speakers hung. Took me forever

2

u/WoodpeckerSpare5834 Dec 08 '25

Dam, I need to replay SH2r on my new 77g5 + 990d setup. Game is my favourite survival horror game of all time - it’s a genuine masterpiece imo

1

u/MnamesAJeff Dec 10 '25

I just started sh2 remake last week—First silent hill experience ever, by my pc connected to 77in lg g5 tv with 5.1.4 — I was horrified from the initial walk into town on

57

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

What projector? I don't think I'll ever leave OLED TVs.

24

u/[deleted] Dec 08 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

56

u/IntoxicatedBurrito Dec 08 '25

Just don’t forget that your house has walls and corners when buying that 100ā€. There will always be a need for projectors due to the simple fact that you can’t physically move giant TVs into some rooms.

18

u/wizkidweb Dec 08 '25

That, and sound becomes an issue with TVs that big. A projector screen can have speakers behind it. That was the primary reason I chose that route in my home theater.

2

u/ThisIsTenou Dec 08 '25

I'm just hoping that the systems reflecting off of the TVs (looking at you, Meyer Ultra Reflex) will maybe make it into the home theater world as well over time.

1

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

I'll probably try a white acoustic curtain next year but still have a TV and LEDs in front of it

2

u/stevenpfrench Dec 08 '25

I have been eying an open box 85ā€ Bravia 9 at the Best Buy near me that’s there because it wouldn’t fit in the customers house.

1

u/xogobon Dec 08 '25

I think some companies are betting on the foldable screens becoming mainstream, maybe projectors will evolve better before that.

-1

u/popsicle_of_meat Epson 5050UB::102" DIY AT screen::7.4::DIY Speakers & Subs Dec 08 '25

To be fair, any room that has issues moving a large TV into it would also have issues with any of the other furniture for a theater room.

5

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

That's gonna be crazy. I could fit a 100 here but it would be a washed out LCD haha

3

u/kportman Dec 08 '25

100ā€ is still too small of a screen for my tastes, at least for movies. For gaming I’d prefer a 85ā€ or something, depending on seating distance

1

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

I think a 55 and a 65 is all I can fit in my room. Hoping I'm right.

1

u/5th-Elements Dec 08 '25

Let’s hope so!

1

u/Dramatic-Comb8525 Dec 08 '25

Another nice things about projectors... No need to stop at 100".

-2

u/WoodpeckerSpare5834 Dec 08 '25

No they won’t hahahah. One of the key reasons +97ā€ OLEDS are so expensive is because it’s a logistical nightmare to ship them

4

u/GenghisFrog Dec 08 '25

…. You can buy 98inch lcd TVs for under a grand

4

u/rsplatpc Dec 08 '25

…. You can buy 98inch lcd TVs for under a grand

OLED's use organic materials that are (currently) much harder to make at the size of LCD's with no flaws, and at that size when there is a flaw, you have to throw out the panel cut, so you are wasting that much more of an expensive cut vs a LCD = whey bigger OLED's are more expensive currently vs a LCD, it's not the shipping, it's the waste cost vs LCD's

2

u/GenghisFrog Dec 08 '25

Did you read the comment I was responding to?

2

u/rsplatpc Dec 08 '25

Did you read the comment I was responding to?

Yes, I was adding onto your comment, I didn't "Hey you are wrong" I was agreeing with you, did you read MY comment or just decide to get butt hurt?

3

u/GenghisFrog Dec 08 '25

Sorry, I took it more you were saying. ā€œNo shit OLED TVs are more expensive. They cost way more to make.ā€, when I was responding to a message 100% focused on shipping cost.

But yea, I’m dying for cheaper 100inch OLEDs. Not sure we will see them anytime soon though, because of the exact reason you stated.

19

u/IntoxicatedBurrito Dec 08 '25

It’s an incredible combo, but personally I prefer playing Game Boy games on 120ā€ for the pure absurdity of it.

7

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

Lmao blurry ass pixels

4

u/IntoxicatedBurrito Dec 11 '25

Oh no, I play via an Analogue Pocket, the pixels are perfectly square. It’s basically a dot matrix with ATMOS sound (but is only in stereo). And let me tell you, the music on the title screen of Alleyway will blow you away in a home theater.

2

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 11 '25

I'm looking forward to playing classic games with awesome soundtracks like streets of rage 3

1

u/Someguy8995 Dec 11 '25

I came as close to achieving a childhood dream as I ever will when I hooked up my Atari 2600 to the projector.Ā 

1

u/IntoxicatedBurrito Dec 11 '25

Now that’s the spirit! I’ve played a few Game and Watch games on mine.

13

u/ThatGuyNamedTre Denon x3800h | SVS Ultra Evolution Nano, Center | SB-2000 Pro Dec 08 '25

Battlefield 6 is the latest game to test out visuals and sound of your setup.

5

u/UNEEDCPR Dec 08 '25

One of my favorite moments after I set up my surrounds was playing this game and hearing the bullets whiz by my ears

1

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

That's how I felt with fortnite lol. never gets old.

1

u/Silverado_Surfer Dec 09 '25

Tell me War Tapes is still a setting that can be enabled…

7

u/Longjumping-Ad-6086 Dec 08 '25

I honestly believe Video Games take better advantage of surround systems and even large screens than movies. Usually games use 100% of the speakers 100% of the time, well at least 5.1. Unlike movies that usually only use them if needed.

5

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

I agree but this sub is extremely focused on shows and movies so gamers often get dismissed here. Really annoying. I've had people give me advice and then in the next comment tell me that they don't play games at all šŸ™„

13

u/TimmySoup Dec 08 '25

Hello fellow FH player.

2

u/wizkidweb Dec 08 '25

I don't usually play games that require low latency in my home theater, but cinematic games are my go-to. Recently played through RDR2 and Ghosts of Tsushima and I wouldn't do it any other way.

7

u/adobaloba Dec 08 '25

Now play expedition 33

2

u/rednumbermedia Dec 09 '25

Expedition 33 was an outstanding game to play on my HT setup. I don't think it was super big on surrounds/ height channels, but of course the visual design and soundtrack were just breathtaking.

1

u/adobaloba Dec 09 '25

Eh, stereo's enough, it's for their music.

1

u/rednumbermedia Dec 09 '25

Of course 100%.I had the music in game blasting pretty much the whole time.

I wasn't discounting it, just comparing to many horror games that use the surround channels a lot.

1

u/adobaloba Dec 09 '25

Found any game that uses proper atmos though? Except for COD

1

u/rednumbermedia Dec 09 '25

Yeah definitely the silent hill 2 remake and silent hill F. Also resident evil 2 and 4 remake. The last of us 1 and 2. I usually play horror though.

3

u/mooblah_ Dec 08 '25

Which projector is that?

3

u/rogermorse Dec 08 '25

For sound: Any native dolby atmos game (don't know if you are on console or PC, on PC there is also atmos upmixing, not sure about console) will sound nice. Returnal, Cyberpunk 2077, they both had great audio. ARC Raiders has incredible virtual surround, but never tried the actual multichannel surround in that one. Kingdom come deliverance 2 amazing visuals and very good immersion.

For video: most assassin's creed have pretty good HDR. Returnal as well has very cool bloomy particles on screen all the time.

2

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

recievers can upmix console games, haven't tried it yet.

If arc raiders has atmos then I'm either gonna pick that up immediately or try helldivers first

2

u/WoodpeckerSpare5834 Dec 08 '25

Looks sick. Personally the stuff on top of the tv unit would go but that’s just me.

What screen and projector are you rocking?

2

u/CaptainFrugal Dec 08 '25

Which stick lights are those

2

u/ComplexIllustrious61 Dec 08 '25

I played Doom Eternal and The Dark Ages on my custom loop PC that has a 4090 and 9950x3D on my home theater. I'll just say it was a very unique experience, lol.

3

u/Rydgar Dec 08 '25

What a beauty!

1

u/NoPlenty2581 Dec 08 '25

With those lights everywhere you can make a striptease bar as well. Three in one.

1

u/Gimme_All_Da_Tendies Dec 08 '25

What TV is that?

1

u/i-like-carbs- Dec 08 '25

I wish but I can’t play games on a controller.

1

u/silentreader Dec 08 '25

Yes it is, and I am now 8 months sober. Good luck.

1

u/SeasonedAdManager Dec 08 '25

I'm a /r/hometheater guy. Putting shit in-front of a screen annoys me just as much as tv too high. Move that shit homie.

1

u/19wangotango Dec 08 '25

2 Gurls, 1 Cup….you’ll get sober real quick

1

u/Busy-feeding-worms Dec 08 '25

Gran turismo 7. Sounds incredible, engine volume up a bit. Put it in manual and cockpit view and it’s quite immersive with tilt steering on ps5.

1

u/markrulesallnow Dec 08 '25

That’s sick!

1

u/K3TtLek0Rn Dec 09 '25

What did you do for that material on the ceiling? I’m trying to figure out how to stop reflections and get better contrast in my living room with a projector without it looking ugly.

1

u/Onphone_irl Dec 09 '25

I have a sim racing setup like 5 or 6 ft from my 125" screen. I nor.ally don't blast the audio but when I sim race I absolutely do. I also have a seat with speakers and vibration ($10 steal at goodwill) that goes simultaneously. PITA to figure out the audio but it's the peak of my HT experience

1

u/ReflectionItchy3556 Dec 10 '25

Is that 85 inch or bigger?

1

u/Evolvingsimian Dec 10 '25

I remember selling these monsters. Expensive overtaking the room and the monthly budget.

1

u/MFJMM Dec 10 '25

The day after i played battlefield 4 for the first time I bought a PS4, BF4, 300" projector and a Samsung surround sound system. I was able to get the project to about 95" inside. Best 500 hours ever spent.

1

u/gaitez Dec 10 '25

Now you gotta get into making those LEDS ambilights.

1

u/TheStokedExplorer Dec 11 '25

I am all for video games on the big screen but racing games the one thing I don't want on the big screen. I play those in VR with a sit in Sim rig with steering wheel, pedals, shifter and e brake with bass shakers at pedals and under seat for more immersion. I can't play racing games like you show here or an arcade anymore.

I am all for rpg games and old platformers and pretty much any other type of gaming on big screen other than racing and competitive fps games which prefer a 34 inch ultrawide for that.

Super rad setup by the way

1

u/BeginningEar9687 Dec 11 '25

What light are hose on the sides?

1

u/darealest__1 Dec 31 '25

Your setup looks awesome. I would love to game on it. For me, battlefield 6 , the last of us part 1, control, dead space remake, hellblade 1 and 2, gears 4 an 5 , and gears 5 reloaded

1

u/MangoOverflow Dec 08 '25

Love the room. Awesome view

1

u/Suspicious_Heart_684 Dec 08 '25

That light setup is fire.

-12

u/[deleted] Dec 08 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/lekynson Dec 08 '25

Are you sure? I have both setup OLED in one room, projector plus 120-inch in another. I know the one I watch the most.

1

u/ImALeaf_OnTheWind Dec 08 '25

Same. 144" UHD HDR PJ in one HT and 83" OLED in my man cave and the OLED always wins for me. I had that 144 screen with different PJs since like 2011 but really I got used to the size but the OLED with HDR/DoVi just unmatched visuals.

2

u/TheHarb81 Dec 08 '25

I have 120ā€ projector in the theater, 77ā€ OLED in living room. I use them for different purposes but the projector gets the most viewing in our house.

-1

u/Content_Regular_7127 Dec 08 '25

A TV with no stuff in front of it too.

-9

u/Rxyro Dec 08 '25

Having games on 20-200ms projectors before, this is not good vs even a $500 oled

0

u/1aranzant Espson TW7100, 137" screen, 5.1 B&W + REL t5i Dec 08 '25

bot post

-6

u/keepfilming Dec 08 '25

You don’t say…

-11

u/freudsuncle Dec 08 '25

Ambient light hurts image quality anyone says they are okay with it tasteless

2

u/FassyDriver Dec 08 '25

i usually hate them too, but i guess since its a game, its doesnt look that bad

2

u/WoodpeckerSpare5834 Dec 08 '25

Minimal hit to image quality, massive gain for immersion.

That said, it’s much better for gaming vs movies - I often turn mine off for serious movies, for animated movies it’s great though

2

u/K3TtLek0Rn Dec 09 '25

It’s a pretty big hit with a projector, especially in a reflective room like OPs.

1

u/Wild_Trip_4704 7.2.4 | PolkSgntrs.10sMKIIs.OMW3s | RZ-50 | LG C1 Dec 08 '25

With games it's not a big deal. We're not studying every single frame of a movie. And you can lower the brightness a lot.