Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Thanks wfmiller and Robert! If you haven't read through the thread at the top of this section, it will help tremendously from running into any pitfalls.

Borrow away, I know I got plenty of my ideas from other people.

I will check that out Robert, Thanks!

concession area and IB Sub box build

Well here is the latest and greatest, I will hopefully have the last of the drywall done within the next day or so in the concession area. I still need to haul some drywall down in the basement for drywalling the ceiling in the storage room to sound deaden the base of the sub from going upstairs. That means cleaning out the storage room. But on the up side, I am hopeful that we will be able to start priming the room this weekend possibly.

I also I started on the construction of my sub box for the IB setup. I am hoping to have that pretty well finished by tomorrow night.

Here are some of the latest pics that I have of the concession area and IB sub box.







Here are the pictures of the IB Sub.





I will hopefully have more pictures of the room this weekend, keeping the fingers crossed there will be primer or paint on the walls.

I also received my popcorn machine for the concession area yesterday, but had a big old dent in the top middle that will be facing everyone. I am in the process of trying to contact UPS and see what needs to be done to get this taken care of. If anyone has been through this process before, I would like any info that I can get on how to start the process with UPS.

Thanks,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Looking good!! Sorry to hear about the Popcorn Machine! Also good luck on the UPS claim. They are DICKS!!!!!! One more thing Jay, I've just been popping in here about once a week so If you need anything shoot me a E-mail or call.
But on a cool note! The Sunfire is back, Plus the TV. so we are back in action. So if you are ever in the area stop by for a test drive.

Shannon

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Thanks! Alright, sounds good... Glad to hear that you got it all back together, I will definitely stop by the next time I am down your way.

ON A SIDE NOTE, for acoustic treatments I decided to do a whole wall treatment. Now I am still not sure if that means going up the wall to ear level or going all the way up the wall to the ceiling yet. I think this would probably look the best instead of just randomly sticking up panels. Plus I might make one section a little deeper on the other side from the sub to act as a bass trap. I still not a 100% about that yet, so if anyone out there has some opinions on how I should finish this out with acoustic treatments PLEASE chime in!

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

I have a few questions about using these ""Pro"" type amps....

How do you connect from a Receivers RCA/Preouts to these type of amps???
Most of them do not have RCA inputs...

Also, how is the sound quality???

I've been pondering on doing something like this for bit, but never really looked into it...

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

A $5 adapter from Radio Shack. The male RCA plugs into the LFE output of the receiver and the 1/4" mono plug goes into the unbalanced input of the amp. You only need one if you run your amp in mono mode. You will need a Y adapter if you want to run the subs in stereo. In my system, I use a few of these adapters because I also run a Behringer Feedback Destroyer to flatten the response of my sub.

Almost any pro amp can run a sub. Quality is not that important. That being said, my opinion is that Behringer is the lowest quality I'd run on a full range system. A lot of people run the A-500 to power their mains with 200w/channel into 4 ohms. Some even run the EP-1500 (400w/channel into 4 ohms) but the EP series have a very loud fan. As you move up the scale into QSC and Crown amps, these are used to power systems in theaters. For example, Malco Theater's Paradiso location in Memphis uses 63,000w of QSC power with their largest screen - link. These pro amps sound good enough to get the THX stamp of approval. And Crown or QSC is not the only that are good. Mackie, Nady, Carvin and many others make very capable amps.

-Robert

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Ok, It has been a while since I posted last and I am happy to report progress!!!

Well, it has been a long time coming but I can finally say that the drywall is all done!!! So far the ceiling is painted and looking at having the HT room along with concession area and bathroom finished being painted tomorrow.

I have been working on putting in OC703 behind the screen on the wall and will be cutting 703 for the corners for bass traps.

Once painting is done, I will be working on finishing out the A/V rack and DVD slideout i.e. getting both painted. Finishing the screen wall is also on list for this week.

I will get some pictures posted by tomorrow night once I get everything situated down there.

I am also finishing up the IB sub and will try and get it mounted yet this week.

I am getting close to having an early Christmas! I can't wait till I get to start unpacking all the gear I have bought within this last 6 months or so. I also was able to pick up the Toshiba HD player at Wal-Mart a week or so ago for $98. I might be getting a PS3 for Christmas this year, then I will have both formats covered then.

I will post more when I get the pictures updated.

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Making some good progress the last few days. The Theater and Concession area is all painted along with the bathroom. Here are some of the latest pictures of where we are at.



This is a picture of the OC703 installed on the wall behind the screen.



The step lights up and functional.



Here is the colors of the HT room, ceiling color is French Toast in a flat finish and the paint is Porter paint HI Hide. Let me say one thing, the French Toast would have to be severely burnt in order to be that color.

The wall color is Mocha Bean in a eggshell finish and is also Porter paint.



Here are a few of the Insteon Switches installed.



This is a picture of the concession area looking from the bathroom. I am using track lighting on the left to highlight the cabinets.



Another angle looking at the concession area. In the room on the left you can see a nice blue color in there, that is the bathroom.



Picture of the A/V and DVD rack, the A/V rack has two coats of paint and DVD rack is awaiting some finish sanding.



Here is the HT room starting to come together.




Here is the back of the theater. Wall lights will be highlighting posters. IB sub sitting on the floor waiting to be installed into its final resting place.

Anyway, everything seems to be coming along pretty good. In the next day or so I am planning to try and get doors installed and start getting the bathroom tile layed. I am also going to concentrate some energy to finishing off the A/V rack, so I can start getting components unboxed and onto the shelves. It seems as X-mas is coming early this year!

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to ask.

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Looks good Jay!

Shannon

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Here is the latest and greatest going on in the build. I finally got carpet ordered and should have it installed by the end of next week.

I also have a finish Carpenter building my door frame with tinted glass for the A/V rack. He should have that to me by next week sometime, then I should be able to start placing the equipment in the rack.

I ordered my GOM cloth today and should be getting that in next week sometime also. After typing all of this, it sounds like I will be pretty busy next week.

I have mainly been working on the concession area along with the bathroom. I am hoping to get the counter top in today or tomorrow for the concession area and get it installed right away. I am also going to try and finish installing the rest of the tile in the bathroom along with the toilet, vanity, and sink. I am really getting tired of having to run up the stairs when I need to go to the bathroom!

I finally have all my Insteon switches installed and will need to start figuring out how to program them.

I am still shooting for an early Christmas to start opening up all my toy boxes that have been taking up all the nooks and crannys of the house.

Here are some pictures of the latest progress.

This is the fun we had trying to stuff four Insteon switches into the box!




Here is the concession area cabinets. What really sucked was the wine rack was damaged along with the wall cabinet on the right. So I am waiting on replacements for them.




This is without the flash on the camera and just using the track lights to highlight the cabinets. Just in case if anyone is wondering what the opening will be for next to the fridge, is the microwave opening.





This is a closeup of the tile. I got it at HD and the name of it is Midnight Slate Copper. The tile is a porcelin tile, real slate is a little to pricey for me and a pain in the a$$ to grout.




Here is the bathroom that will have a car theme going on in there. In case you were wondering about the blue, the color was taken from a poster print of a Carrol Shelby AC Cobra blue w/white stripes, which will be going in the bathroom.




This is a night light that my wife thought would go nicely in the bathroom. She has good taste in night lights!




The Cobra cruising at night!





I do have one question that I hope somebody might have an idea on. On the top of my half walls, I was going to make 6" countertops to cap them. My question is if I laminate the plywood how do I go about fastening them to the walls?

Thanks in advance for any responses on my question. As always, I am open to suggestions, comments and questions if anyone has any.

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Things are looking good JJ, I am looking to be finished with mine about a week before christmas. I will still have a lot of finish work and stuff to do, crown, base and other molding, etc, but it should all be usable. I have a question for you though.
What have you decided to do about your walls. Will you run the sound board from the floor to about 4 ft up, or are you going to do panels?

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Thanks! I am hoping to be done a week or two before Christmas also... At least that is what I am shooting for. I am glad to hear that your theater is almost finished!

As far as acoustic treatments, I decided to just do panels. It started to become a cost issue as far as running it from the floor all the way up or even just to the 4' mark. I am hoping to start assembling frames for the panels as early as next week.

Have you decided what you are going to do for acoustic treatments yet?

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

I was leaning toward panels also, I am just going to buy some rigid 1/2 inch thick from an AC friend of mine. It may be a little into next year before I get around to that.
I will probably go ahead and post pics as soon as I get the carpet put in.
I am just ready to put up the equipment and see if it all works and watch a movie :p

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

I was able to pick up my counter top today for the concession area. The only downside is that the counter top is 16" to short. It needed to be 8' 2", but instead it was 82"... So I will be heading back to the store first thing in the morning and see if they can have one made to the correct length within a week or so. I am not having much luck with the cabinet area!

Besides that little hiccup, I was able to finish laying the tile in the bathroom tonight and will grout first thing in the morning. I was also able to get a coat of black paint on the A/V rack shelves and the interior of the DVD cabinet.

I am hoping to post tomorrow with a lot more progress being made.

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Great thread! Thanks so much for posting your progress with pics. It looks fabulous!

My wife and I just bought our first house. Unfortunately, there's no dedicated space for something like this. I've always wanted a home theatre room...maybe in the next house. So I'll just have to be happy with the new plasma on a wall and my speakers back up...with bass! 8 years of apartment living has robbed me of real movie enjoyment.

Keep up with the great work and updates.

-Seth

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Seth, thanks for the comments! Congratulations on your new house! I have been wanting to build this room for a long time. Definitely gone through a couple of houses before I had the area to do one. I know what you mean about being robbed while living in an apartment. You just have to make due for the time being until you have the are to do a HT, but it sounds like you have a pretty nice setup already.

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Jay,
I'm at a lost of words right now on how good your HT is looking. I'm booked this weekend, so I'm sad to say that I wont be able to come up to help you start setting that thing up (Sorry man!) But the following weekend I'm thinking I'm free but that's the weekend before X-mass. Hey, but Damn it we will get over there to take that new girl for a test drive and set up..

Shannon

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Sounds good! Well if you have some free time the weekend before X-mas that would probably be fine also. What ever works with your schedule, I know you have been busy lately. I am going to try and at least get equipment hooked up this weekend and getting the remote all setup.

That reminds me, anyone out there know how to go about setting up a behringer amp to turn on and off with your remote. Or do you have to turn that on manually?

Thanks,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

I just leave mine on 24x7. The other option is to connect it to an advanced power center that has outlets that switch one automatically when it senses current on another outlet. Meaning when you turn on your receiver, the power center will see an increase in current flowing to that outlet. It then turns on the outlet the Behringer is plugged into. I know that Furman makes a power center with that capability.

-Robert

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Really... I guess as long as there is nothing going into the input there is not much of an electrical draw.

I bought a secondary power conditioner/surge protector, but I have not looked at it very careful to see if it can do what you are saying. I do have a Monster 3600, but I thought that I would be pushing the limit with both the reciever, projector, and the behringer amp on it. What are your thoughts on that?

Thanks,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Here is the latest and greatest going on with the build at the moment. I have been working like crazy trying to get things done before the carpet is installed. Well, this update should of been posted a day or so ago, because the carpet got installed yesterday.

Well the good news is my new countertop came in on Monday, so they were able to get that done in good time and yes it is the correct length! Like I mentioned the carpet got installed yesterday and I do have pictures of it, but the site I upload to is not currently working. So I will post the pictures that I have that was leading up to the carpet.

This is a picture of the concrete wall that I had to make look good some how, along with making a nice transition to the studded wall.



Here is a closeup of how it all turned out.



Here is the equipment placed in the rack to measure for cable lengths.



Here is the DVD storage rack all painted. Now I have to finish putting in the shelves.



Here is the sconces that I ended up going with.



Here is the Concession area with all the doors installed.



Here is the IB sub installed into the wall.



Looking into the mouth of the beast!



Here is the business end of the IB sub.




That is it for now, but as soon as I have the pictures of the carpet in the room I will post them.

Thanks for checking out the build.

Cheers,
JJ
__________________
Life may not be the perfect movie we hoped for, but while we're here we should at least enjoy it on our home theater....
Author Unknown

Sunbeam Cinema Build Thread

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

From the looks in the picture, the Monster power conditioner has a voltage display. Plug everything in and play some bass heavy scenes. If you get a voltage drop, then the Behringer should go to another circuit. I have mine plugged into a 20 amp circuit by itself. I'm thinking of getting a second. Use 3 channels to each power a pair of 18's and the 4th channel to power a pair of 12's. Use the 18's when I want to go all out and the 12's when I want to keep the noise contained in the theater.

-Robert

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

As promised, I finally got the pictures with the carpet uploaded and here are few shots of the room. I also have matching red GOM cloth to help pull everything together for the acoustical treatments.









I worked on the baseboard last night and got about half of it done. Going around the steps is no fun!!! The one good thing about it though is that it looks really good when it is in place!

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Very interesting read JJ. I go searching the net for my first thread about a HT development and I find a neighbor. I am just West of St. Louis and starting my own HT project. I will probably steal a few ideas from you as I am a novice in this area. Thanks for the picks. Can you tell me any more about the screen you chose as that looks like the right size for me. The screen is the portion that I have received the most varied information.

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Do you live in the suburbs of St. Louis or are you farther out? When I get my room up and running, if you are interested you can come by and check it out.

One bit of advice do as much research as possible before you build it will pay off in the long run. I did quite of bit of reading and there are things I definitely would have done different.

The screen can vary on a couple of different factors. Some of the variables in choosing a screen are seating distance, projector requirements, where you want to place your speakers and last but not least how much you want to spend.

Depending on what your seating distance from the screen will give you an idea of how big of a screen you would want to go with. I am running a 120" diagonal screen and my first viewing distance is about 12'. I personally would not go any bigger than that with that viewing distance, but again this is personal preference. If you like to sit in the front row of a theater to watch a movie then going bigger might be an option for you.

The projector will determine also to some degree the size of the screen and what type of color and gain it should have. Some projectors will not be as bright as others so if the projector is somewhat dim then you would need to increase the gain of the screen to make it brighter. The downside to increasing the gain is your viewing angle starts to decrease. So if you go way up in gain you almost have to be sitting straight in front of the screen to see the picture, (that is to some degree over emphasized). It seems that the majority of the people are going with a white screen. I decided to go with a grey screen to help make the blacks a little more black. Here is a projector calculator where you can select the projector that you may be interested in and will give you a lot of valuable information on distance of projector mounting and screen information.
Projector Calculator

The speaker placement is also a consideration. You can get a screen that is acoustically transparent and place your front 3 speakers directly behind the screen. I would have done this but the cost of the screen swayed me in another direction. I purchased my screen for around $500, it is an elite ez-frame and comes with black velvet already on the frame. I am pretty happy with it from the few movies that I watched on it before I took the screen back out for construction purposes.

I hope this helps you out, I have a general understanding of this information and I do not by any means think that I am an expert on screens. Like I said, read up and do searches in the forum for subjects and if you can't find your answers that way post a thread and someone will give you the info that you need.

Good luck with your build!
Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

I live in St. Charles, but work in St. Louis.

I have been cramming with reading about this and wish I had done more research, but as I got the go ahead from my wife to hire someone to finish the basement I jumped on it. The contractor is doing the HT now and I am scrambling. I was originally going to get the projector you did, but found a great deal on the Sharp XR-30X and couldn't pass it up. I am not thrilled with the throw ratio as my plan was to mount it behind the wall of my 14X18 room and 18 feet if the max distance I can have for this projector which leaves me little room for error. I guess this goes back to your point about research. I am trying to do mine on the fly for the most part. I am relying a lot on this site and folks at Magnolia in BB.

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Your are around a 45 minute to an hour drive from me.

I am sending you a PM ljb17.

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

JJ, coming together nicely! I like the color scheme. What do you have left?

Bud

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Thanks Bud!

Finally, everything is coming together nicely. I need to hook up equipment, install the A/V rack door, finish up the projector box and a few other little misc. items. I will be posting an update shortly with some pictures of the progress.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Cheers,
JJ

Re: Official announcement for starting construction for my HT room!

Well here are the latest pictures of what has been going on.

Here is the room in its current state. I have all the fabric around the screen done and I will be putting the screen back into the frame tonight along with installing speakers. As you may have noticed I am still working on finishing out the baseboard. I also need to get the acoustic panels installed on the walls.




Here is the A/V and DVD rack with the trim installed along with the sliding glass door. The remote has found its new home in the wall also.




Here is another shot of the A/V rack door slid back out of the way.




I am finishing up mounting all the countertop pieces to the top of all the halfwalls.




My wife got me a great addition to the theater for Christmas. She got this blanket along with a shirt and some hand towels for the concession area with our cinema name and logo embroidered in them. We are planning to get two more blankets embroidered for the other two couches yet.




We are really getting close to the finish now and have a tight schedule to keep, since we will be hosting 3 parties in the next week for extended family Christmas gatherings and our New Year's Eve gathering.

I will post more pictures this weekend as items on my checklist keep getting scratched off!

Cheers,
JJ