Dedicated HT room (finally)

Tim Hess · 03-17-2007, 01:23 PM

We moved yet again, this time to a house that has a 'bonus' room, the only 'upstairs' on this ranch style house.

NOTE: Furniture and current set in the shots are not mine but the current occupants.

Sadly, as with my other homes that didn't have a dedicated room, this space is not ideal due to the slanted ceilings and alcove (built-in bar).

I'm leaving my old 50" LCD downstairs as the general viewing set, kids shows, etc. the non-movie area so I need something new.

The rooms dimensions are over 12' long and around 11' wide, pretty standard, though the alcove and slanted ceiling take away from the over all layout.

Looking into the room from the top of the stairs:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...derecho022.jpg

Looking further to the right near the stairs:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...derecho024.jpg

Top of the Stairs:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...derecho021.jpg

In the alcove area:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...derecho018.jpg

Another angle:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...derecho019.jpg

I'm thinking I might be able to get a projector in there, in the alcove throwing towards the far (slanted) wall, thought the screen would have to hang from the ceiling in front of the angle, pushing the screen closer to the couch, pushing it back more towards the alcove and possible cutting off easy access to is.

If I can't get a projector, it looks like I am 'stuck' getting another 'set' - I make video games for a living, so it has to pull double duty whatever I buy and I will be watching both HD-DVD and BluRay (Xbox 360 and PS3 - until I settle on a real player).

What do you all think? I won't be doing any remodeling in the near future so fixing the layout is not an option - I can also blackout that one window to have it totally dark (door at the bottom of the stairs to close off the room). Squeeze in a projector or sit a big DLP/Plasma on a stand under the angles ceiling?

Not too concerned with cost (but nothing upwards of 10k

)

Jim Mcc · 03-17-2007, 05:51 PM

I would normally say projector, but that room seems kind of small. Would the screen be on the wall where the flag is? What would your seating distance be from screen? Your seating distance will be the main determining factor whether you should go projector or TV.

Tim Hess · 03-18-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Mcc

I would normally say projector, but that room seems kind of small. Would the screen be on the wall where the flag is? What would your seating distance be from screen? Your seating distance will be the main determining factor whether you should go projector or TV.

Thanks for the response, Jim. There are two options for a FP, screen where the flag is with the FP mounted here: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...derecho021.jpg furthest wall away (cable run would be an issue and as I am not interested in doing any construction just yet). With the FP there and seating where the TV is in the previous shot, I'd guess there to be about 8' between the screen and the front of the couch, with very poor placement for surround speakers.

The other option would be to put the screen hanging in front off the angled wall and the FP tucked away in the alcove, this would give the throw needed as well, but cutting distance down with the seating in front of the alcove and the screen hanging down where the angled wall meets the ceiling.

No and ideal space for a FP as it's a bonus room, not a 'media room', I'm leaning towards a 70" plus Sammy or Toshiba DLP right now, until I can get back in and measure some other areas of the room.

Jim Mcc · 03-18-2007, 05:43 PM

Would 8' be your furthest seating distance in either scenario? If so, I wouldn't get a projector.

Tim Hess · 03-19-2007, 08:57 PM

I found the actual dimensions of the room:

11' Wide x 15' Deep (not factoring the Alcove space which is 5'4"Wide x 8'5" Deep) for the seating/viewing area.

Take into consideration the seating and depth of set/screen hanging, the seating area would be less (just guessing) than 8' or right around it - couch/chairs + angled ceiling forcing the screen closer to the seating area...

Pretty sure that if I did the FP over the stairs shooting across to the wall with the flag, the viewing area would easily be less than 8'.

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Jim Mcc · 03-20-2007, 01:28 AM

Forget the projector.

TeddM · 03-20-2007, 12:41 PM

Projection is possible in your room

Gary's space is 13x13', with sloped ceilings. A NEC 1352LC is in the window alcove. A cinescope screen works with the sloped ceiling nicely.

http://home.bigsandybb.com/gmurrell/...r/screens.html

Or you could use a digital pj with lense shift, frame in a small soffit in the alcove, and be able to pass under the pj to the sink and window.

You could use a SandmanX acoustical screen, and hide the fornt speakers behind it. It'd also allow you to move the screen up, but would cost you throw distance.

joseph westcott · 03-20-2007, 07:40 PM

I would rule out a projector. A smaller display would be more appropriate in such a small space.

For audio, you really would like to have your front channels on the short wall.

This would seat you further from the display, and allow you to pull a smaller display and speakers away from the sloped wall for better acoustics. This would also provide more seating at an appropriate distance and make better use of the room with the lower ceiling in that area.

Don't know how serious you are about your audio but it is worth considering. You do not want to sit too far back in a room, especially against a wall. 2/3 back is the recommended distance from the short wall.

Jim Mcc · 03-20-2007, 11:07 PM

TeddM, the problem with Tim's room is not the size, it's the seating distance. 8' is just too close to get a projector.