Demi's HT

Demiurge

Some of you know I'm working on putting together my dedicated HT space so the purpose of this thread is to get ideas and help as I piece this thing together.

I was just talking to Sherard about the big problem I have right now, and that is my screen. I wanted a bigger screen than 100", but it looks as though that's what I am going to have to settle on due to some unforeseen constraints....and even that is going to be tough fit.

The problem? Well, from the floor to about halfway up the wall is some wood paneling that juts out from the wall about 9" overall and on the top is a ledge. If you look at Grimster's HT it's a little like that. I was planning on removing this paneling and just having drywall all the way from the floor to the ceiling, but what's behind that paneling is concrete...so that isn't going anywhere.

Here's some pictures (and yes I will be carpeting it). Sorry about the crappy quality I left my DSLR at the office and had to snap some pics on my phone:

Ceiling to floor is 90"
The section I want the screen to go is 116" wide



I'll have a darkening treatment on that window, of course:


Picture of the ceiling tile I'm dealing with:

Demiurge

From the ceiling to that ledge there is 46" to work with without removing the moulding. The 100" Elite screen is 48" high. :cool:

Grimster74

My first suggestion would be to just sell everything and go back to a CRT television, it's gonna be much cheaper and a hell of a lot less of a headache. LOL!!!!

Demiurge

Grimster74 wrote: »

My first suggestion would be to just sell everything and go back to a CRT television

That's gonna happen...

Here's the other side of the room:



My house is Bi-Level, which is why the basement has windows. Yes, that support pole is a major buzz kill, but its not too bad.

Grimster74

Okay, first off extended that wall from the floor to the ceiling so you have a straight, flat surface to work with for your screen is a) gonna to be really easy to do and b) a must do so your not limited on your screen size. I am planning on doing the exact same thing with my ledge as well if I decide to keep my H/T room where it is. My wife and I have thought about moving the H/T room to where the game room is for a larger space. Room treatments are definately going to be needed in this room as well which I'm sure you know.

Sherardp

Overall not bad Dave. Looking at the last pic, are you using this for the screenwall? I do have some ideas of how you can make this work. Just need to know how much space we working with. What are dimensions of the room?

Demiurge

The room is 357 SQF

I can use either one for the screen wall. Obviously the wall in the last picture has the most space at 164" Wide, but there are two problems:

1.) Window

2.) The ledge

That window is useless other than for letting light in (which we don't want anyways) because there are some real thick bushes in the front of it. It would be much easier to put my bar in that 'nook' area where the bathroom is.

Practically speaking I can't do what Rob is suggesting to eliminate the ledge on the wall with the window on it. I could do it on the other one, though.

Grimster74

Is a damn shame we don't live closer, I'd just come over and remodel it for ya.

Demiurge

Wouldn't that be easier? haha.

leroyjr1

Demiurge wrote: »

From the ceiling to that ledge there is 46" to work with without removing the moulding. The 100" Elite screen is 48" high. :cool:

What about going 2.35:1 or get a motorized screen and hang it past the ledge.

Grimster74

With the second pic you could almost build a floor to ceiling false wall that way if you decided to move just tear it down and the ledge as well as the window are still intact. You could then use the closet for a media closet to store your gear, movies, etc. Not only that it seems like its a larger area so you'll have better luck getting a wider sound field due to being able to space your speakers further apart. That way you still have the bathroom area on the other side so you could put your bar nook in like you said. Then you could remove the paneling around the support pole which should be bare medal then. Sand that down put a good coat on gloss paint on it and call over the dancers, Movies and a show baby.

leroyjr1

One more thing remove the support post and install a stripper pole.:D
I'm local so I can help you install it and send a couple big girls over to make sure it installed correctly.:)

dorokusai

I would offer some help but I'm a terrible person.

madmax

Do you need to worry about sound getting outside? If so you could add a layer of bricks from the ledge on up to the ceiling then put up a false wall to cover the whole mess. I have a similar situation in my future sound room and can't wait to make it sound proof for those late night blast fests. You could build an arch or something around that pole so it doesn't look like what it is.

mhmacw

hey there. if it were me i would buy an acousticly transparent screen and install the speakers behind it on the ledge. the post is a pain but not impossible... loose the bathroom? thingy and put a beam across the ceiling and ditch the pole.

Demiurge

dorokusai wrote:

I would offer some help but I'm a terrible person.

In general it would be best if you just don't talk.

mhmacw wrote: »

hey there. if it were me i would buy an acousticly transparent screen and install the speakers behind it on the ledge. the post is a pain but not impossible... loose the bathroom? thingy and put a beam across the ceiling and ditch the pole.

The only speaker that would fit is the LSiC, but I'm not going to be doing that. I'll be putting the LSiC on top of a wide gear rack. I like to look at my speakers rather than try to hide them.

...and yeah, losing a **** to get more room for an HT doesn't make a lot of sense considering a bathroom gives more value to the house than a nominally larger basement area.

Anyways, I'm going a different direction. I'm going to be putting the screen against the wall on the right in the last picture. I did some more measurements and that makes the most sense for soundstage and for seating.

Demiurge

madmax wrote: »

Do you need to worry about sound getting outside? If so you could add a layer of bricks from the ledge on up to the ceiling then put up a false wall to cover the whole mess. I have a similar situation in my future sound room and can't wait to make it sound proof for those late night blast fests. You could build an arch or something around that pole so it doesn't look like what it is.

I don't go too nuts with the volume so it's not much of a concern. Although my system is currently in my living room and I blasted it a few times this summer and went outside to see what I could hear....pretty well contained.

BIZILL

simple fix is mount manual or power drop down screen, mount to ceiling and be done. custom fix...possibilities are endless. check out avsforums' diy ht section to get some ideas.

Demiurge

Yeah, I'm just getting a fixed screen. I like those much more.

Well, the spending spree has started.

I bought the Pioneer Elite SC-25 AVR and the Oppo BDP-83 this morning.

I think the Pioneer sound is some of the best around at their price point, so that was an easy call to me.





Still to come will be some new cables, a VTI rack (BL-503, most likely), and the EliteScreen.

Now I just need to order the HDMI and speaker wall plates do the "wiring". I also need to figure out how I am going to mount the PJ. At this point, I think building a shelf for it on the back of the wall above the closets makes the most sense and will be less expensive than buying a mount. I don't want to hide my gear, so I'll be keeping that out in the open in front of the screen.

SolidSqual

The sound of my Pioneer is indeed exceptional for not only a receiver but also integrated amps or DACs in the same league.

leroyjr1

Demiurge wrote: »

Yeah, I'm just getting a fixed screen. I like those much more.

Well, the spending spree has started.

I bought the Pioneer Elite SC-25 AVR and the Oppo BDP-83 this morning.

I think the Pioneer sound is some of the best around at their price point, so that was an easy call to me.





Still to come will be some new cables, a VTI rack (BL-503, most likely), and the EliteScreen.

Now I just need to order the HDMI and speaker wall plates do the "wiring". I also need to figure out how I am going to mount the PJ. At this point, I think building a shelf for it on the back of the wall above the closets makes the most sense and will be less expensive than buying a mount. I don't want to hide my gear, so I'll be keeping that out in the open in front of the screen.

Uncle Sam was good to you this year...

lumpy

Have you considered usint the closet on the left in the last photo as an AV closet? Replace the swing doors with sliders and put the equipment in there (much quieter).

I have a 106" elite electirc that I mounted on a wood cleat that holds the screen off the wall 6". I have artwork on the same wall that I preffer looking at when I am not watching anything. If the equipment was in the closet and the screen dropped down in front of the window the room would have a larger feel to it.

Try sitting where you plan on putting your seating and looking at the wall where you want to put your screen. I think that if you put it above the ledge, it will be too high up from the dinstance you will be sitting from. Your neck will get sore unless you plan on being fully reclined in a recliner chair.

you could try the following: Mount a drop down screen about a foot below the ceiling height and off the wall enough so that it drops down in front of the ledge (this will give you a lower screen that will not cause neck pain). Put a wood closet rod at the at the ceiling height with a vallance across the top to hide the wall space and the screen housing, and then put floor to ceiling curtians on either side of the screen for a theater look.

Grimster74

Come on Big $$$, send some this way and I'll make a road trip out of it and come and design it for ya and/or build it anyway ya want it. Congrats on your new purchases by the way. I know you are going to really enjoy the combo of the Elite as well as the Oppo. Bet ya Bizill's head is about to explode right about Now!!!!:D Just showing ya some love as well Bill!!!

BIZILL

my head is exploding because i can't get my darned panny until monday. fedex is the bomb since they do saturday delivery. ups sucks in this case.

too bad we aren't all "virtual" buddies. if we were all in the same city, imagine how we could get together and build home theaters in no time.

check out monoprice for hdmi and speaker wire if you wish. go thicker runs, obviously. when i get my projector i'm gonna shoot it on a wall and then make screen size choices and hdmi run lengths after that time. even new equipment rack since i'll be having to go low-profile. oh, and will i ceiling mount and hang low or put it on a rack...tbd.

Demiurge

Pile of sexiness:





Gotta get my **** home to hook this stuff up. :eek: I didn't realize Oppo includes both an Audio Calibration BR Disc and a Video Calibration BR Disc with their player...awesome.

Grimster74

Between you, Epplebee and Bizill, I'm ready to pull the trigger on something new. Oh, that's right, need to find a freakin job first. Congrats to all you XBOX clan members, it's about time you guys catch up with technology.:D

mhmacw

Demiurge wrote: »

In general it would be best if you just don't talk.



The only speaker that would fit is the LSiC, but I'm not going to be doing that. I'll be putting the LSiC on top of a wide gear rack. I like to look at my speakers rather than try to hide them.

...and yeah, losing a **** to get more room for an HT doesn't make a lot of sense considering a bathroom gives more value to the house than a nominally larger basement area.

Anyways, I'm going a different direction. I'm going to be putting the screen against the wall on the right in the last picture. I did some more measurements and that makes the most sense for soundstage and for seating.

yea i get you as far as the value of the home. i loose sight of resale value when mine not now or ever will be for sale. as far as the **** thing goes i just thought you were turning the basement into a theartre not a rec room. how are you going to see your speakers when your watching in the dark? you picked up some nice components though.

Demiurge

mhmacw wrote: »

yea i get you as far as the value of the home. i loose sight of resale value when mine not now or ever will be for sale. as far as the **** thing goes i just thought you were turning the basement into a theartre not a rec room. how are you going to see your speakers when your watching in the dark? you picked up some nice components though.

It will be a theater. I guess I made the mistake of calling it dedicated HT space in my first post. :rolleyes:

There's no reason why it can't be a place to watch movies, game, and hang out. There's plenty of room to have the bathroom a bar a poker table and plenty of seating. In fact, I'm probably going to throw my guitars and amps in there, too.

It's not like i'm going to be putting risers and stuff in. Don't get me wrong, I love those setups, but its just not practical in this house. I have no idea how long I'll be living here.

Demiurge

Grimster74 wrote: »

Between you, Epplebee and Bizill, I'm ready to pull the trigger on something new.

Don't do it!

Sherardp

Looking good man, nice way to start out for sure. This setup should be killer.

Demiurge

I fooled around with the new AVR for a bit but I won't be able to really enjoy it or the new BDP until my stuff comes in from Monoprice tomorrow. I need the longer HDMI cable to run to the projector.

Oh...and what do you know, the AVR doesn't fit in my A/V rack. :rolleyes: It isn't a cheap one either, so I'm kind of annoyed that there's going to be another expense down the line. Looks like I may have to put off those LSi9s for a while.