Main A/V Preamp Processor Lexicon MC-1
Power Amplifier ADCOM GFA 7000
DSS Systems RCA 5451RB
DVD Player Sony S7000
Laser Disc Player Pioneer CLD 79
TV Tuner TiVo Personal TV
VCR-1 (SVHS) Pioneer VH 930SD
VCR-2 (Hi-8) Sony EV S3000
CD Mega-Changer Sony CD-CX255
House audio Amp (all rooms except Theater) Kustom KHS 240V
Main Projector (front projection) Sony 1042Q (120" diagonal)
PIP Monitor Sony 20" Trinitron KV20M40
Screen Dalite 120" Permanent mount, gain 1.3
Movie Speakers 7 - B&W in wall Signature 7 Series
Sub woofer Velodyne HG-12
Music Speakers (front Left & Right) Shahinian Acoustic "Obelisks"
The control system
PC Micron 200 MHZ 10 gig HD 32 meg RAM
Keyboard/Mouse Airboard (IR mouse keyboard unit)
Monitor 20" Trinitron (matches PIP monitor)
IR Board (IR send ) Applied Digital Inc IR-X
X-10 Control X-10 CM11A
IR Receiver/decoder Custom Remote Systems NEC IR2PC
IR Remote Control Philips Pronto
200 CD Mega Changer Control Nirvis Slinke
The IR Network Xantech -Various receivers, emitters, control blocks, distribution amps, switchers, etc.
The room, measured 16' x 35' x 10' when built. The back 8 feet are the wet bar area and a full bath. The front 2 feet are the equipment bays and cabinetry. There is complete control of all ambient light. This gives an overall dimension for the theater of 16'x25'. The seats are approximately 20' from the screen, with the rear speakers 2 feet rear of the seating, on the side walls. The entire theater is soundproofed from the rest of the house with recessed lighting all under the control of the PC. The front cabinetry is finished in Cherry veneer with a granite counter top where the screen is recessed 12 inches.
Design and specification of the room, construction of the cabinetry, component selection, and all of the cabling and installation was done by the homeowner with the aid of his wife.
The system is fully controlled by the Pronto/PC combination. This includes status display on the PC monitor, lighting control, and setup/operation of all components. The Lexicon MC-1 is on an RS232 link and has full 2-way communications with the PC. It reports all status changes (including volume) to the PC.
X10 control is two-way via the CM11A interface. The PC has 10 COM ports, all of which can be active at the same time.
The PC, using the Nirvis Slinke interface, controls the Sony 200 disk CD mega changer. Selection of disks to play is via pull down lists on the PC in large type (36 point) with the Pronto remote acting as the keyboard. The mega changer feeds both the Theater for music(we then call it the Music Room) and the whole house (4 independent zones) for general music. The PC sets the Lexicon MC-1 Ambiance sound field mode based upon what disk or track is currently playing. The pronto allows you to change the ambiance and have the PC remember it for next time. When listening to music in the theater, the speaker configuration is adjusted by the PC to use the Shahanian Obelisks as the left and right front channels. For movies, the system selects the seven matched B & W Signature 7 units.
The PC controls the two VCR's and will record based upon its own schedule as entered from the Pronto via its graphic interface. The PC gets time of day once a day from WWV Boulder Colorado. We no longer care what time the VCR's think it is.
The following additions/changes are being discussed (between my wife the "CFO" and myself the "COO", we split the "CEO" job between us):
· Sony 200 disk DVD/CD mega changer (approved)
· Sony D50HTU HDTV ready Projector or new Sony 10HT LCD.
This was one half of a joint project between my wife and myself. The other half was her Kitchen. We agreed to "Fiscal Parity" so her kitchen is pretty nice!
Feel free to contact us relative to any part of the system that interests you. I can be reached via email at bvgordon@digital.net.
Barry and Jill Gordon
