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Building a basement theater: Advice on Projector, Screen, Seating, etc. (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein

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I have been dreaming of having a legitimate home theater room that is not based in a small bedroom (which is what I am using now)​
As a 3D enthusiast, I have had quite a few members urge me to look into a front projector as the 3D imagery is supposed to surpass even the best plasma.​
Been doing some thinking about my basement. To date, it has been used for storage. It's not in the best shape, but once cleaned and with a few drop ceiling tiles replaced, I think I can turn it into a rudimentary home theater.​
Stick with me as I show you some pictures and some ideas that I have. I will need advice on purchasing a projector, screen and seating.​
Let's start with the room itself...​
DSC00314.JPG
Basement room as it looks today. Notice drop ceiling tiles that need to be replaced from a pipe that leaked water (that is now fixed)​
The plan is to remove all the junk. Completely carpet the room with nice padding in order to get better sound.​
The drop ceiling brackets are not strong enough to handle a hanging projector. However.....​
DSC00317.JPG
On the opposite end of the room are cabinets. The blue cabinet is high enough that I can put the projector inside it and tilt it slightly down if it needs to be. The throw distance would be about 17-18 feet. Of course, not being able to hang the projector from the ceiling would mean that anyone crossing the room would momentarily block the projector light stream.​
The projector I am looking at....​
hc5030ub_fcs-our_396x264.jpg
Epson PowerLite 503UB​
Seems to be the best bang for the buck when it comes to 3D projectors. I would be happy to go with something even better and brighter if you guys insist. Though I am on a budget, I am willing to spend more money to get the best projector I can for a picture that rivals my plasma.​
Now for the screen....​
61Q0MXDGdxL._SL1500_.jpg
Know nothing about screens, nor even the right size I need, but this one on Amazon caught my eye...​
Do I need a motorized screen over stationary? No. What I would really love is an adjustable motorized screen for different aspect ratios. Don't know how expensive those are, but perhaps someone could recommend one.​
Now for the seating....​
seatcraft-madera-7000-main-image.jpg
Really liked the look of these seats. I want three of them. Not purposely pushing a retailer. I don't know of any recommended retailers. Just found this seating set here
So here is what I am willing (and expect to spend)​
Room Carpeting: $600 (estimate)​
Epson Projector: $3,000​
Screen: $250 (willing to spend more)​
Seating: $2,200 (approx.)​
I already have a receiver, blu-ray player, 7.1 speakers from current home theater setup. Won't have to reinvest.​
Looks like my budget is about $6,000​
Let me know what you would recommend for me to do and if the room I am using, the means of mounting the projector, and the throw space will work for what I need.​
 

Gregg Loewen

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hi Ron!!

Its about time.

Your going to have lots of suggestions.

Figure $800 for a good fixed mount screen....more if you want some kind of adjustable aspect ratio.

Id also strongly consider a 2.35 screen for you. I good screen can run 3K-8K. Elite is just junk.

Your throw distance wont be a problem.

Nice PJ choice, consider JVC and LCOS if wanting to spend more money.


Gregg
 

Gregg Loewen

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First thing to do (besides cleaning! ) is replacing the ceiling tiles with black tiles....it will dramatically affect your contrast ratio.
 

Ronald Epstein

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Wow...$3-8k for a screen. That's waaay over budget.


I would gladly consider $1-$2k....but damn.


Listen, Gregg, I know you are recommending the best. I am

sort of doing this on a budget. Thought I would put more money

into the projector. An upgrade to JVC is quite possible.


Maybe I need to look at the second best when it comes to screen.


I'll consider any recommendations.


And anyone who has experience with seating companies, please

chime in.
 

Peter Apruzzese

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I had one of the inexpensive Elite screens and while it did the job OK, it had a surface texture that was visible no matter what. I would expect, for 3D especially, you would be very unhappy with it. I looked into other solutions but ended up building my own acoustically transparent screen (which made a huge impact) out of wood and a dual layer of stretched spandex fabric. Cost less than $200 and was the exact size I wanted. Built 4-way adjustable masking panels for it for another 100 bucks or so. Between the AT fabric, masking, and black walls surrounding the front third of the room, the image and sound with my Epson 8350 just floats there.
 

Peter Apruzzese

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The drop ceiling brackets are not strong enough to handle a hanging projector.

Put the ceiling plate on the joists *above* the tiles and run an extension pipe down through the tile to the projector mounting plate. Most of the name brand mounts (Peerless, Chief) let you use standard NPT pipe you can get at Home Depot.
 

Josh Steinberg

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I have the Epson 5030 projector and I love it. I wasn't able to demo the 3D function before I bought it, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that 3D discs which were problematic on my LG plasma TV played just fine on the projector.


As for the screen, I have an Elite screen as well (I think from the same line that you linked to, but a slightly smaller size). I had also heard that they weren't the best, but I honestly haven't had a problem with it. My setup is more makeshift rather than dedicated movie-only room at this point, so it wasn't practical for me to go out and buy the best possible screen right now. I decided to get a more inexpensive one with the idea of upgrading that later on if/when I have a more permanent space. (It didn't make sense for me to wait on getting the projector I wanted just because my screen was most likely going to be temporary.)


In terms of deciding on screen size, I set up the projector first and let it throw onto the blank wall - sat in my preferred seat and just adjusted it until it seemed a comfortable viewing size, and then I went and measured the image, and that's how I determined the size.


I have mine shelf mounted in the back of the room, the lens shift and zoom on this particular Epson makes placement super easy.
 

schan1269

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DLP for 3D. Every DLP beats every LCD on 3D.

As for audio, you know me. Map out an area in the room where the main seat will be an equal distance from LR, center and rear surround (rectangular will mean the surrounds will be closer than the rear surrounds, nothing you can do about it).

And...hoping you do AT. You might get lucky and find woven material to make your own fixed frame.
 

Ronald Epstein

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Appreciate all the responses in this thread. Particularly thankful to Gregg Loewen

for also contacting me privately with some additional recommendations.


I wish I was handy enough to build my own screen. I am willing to pay for a good

screen -- but not in the position to afford something awfully expensive.


I am looking at Carada screens. I like the idea of a fixed screen with motorized

aspect ratio changing. Here are a list of their screens


http://www.carada.com/masquerade-masking-system.aspx


Just not certain which aspect ratio screen I would need. Certainly, they all

handle 16.9. But there are so many aspect ratio screens to choose from, which

is a bit strange to me since the screen is motorized to change to any aspect on

the fly.


I could use some help selecting the right screen from the list I have provided.

Of course, if someone has a suggestion for a better screen, let me know.


The Epson projector is still a priority, though I am looking into the JVC DLA-X35B projector.
 

Ronald Epstein

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schan1269 said:
DLP for 3D. Every DLP beats every LCD on 3D.

Schan,


You are suggesting going with a DLP projector?


Since I know nothing about front projectors I never knew there was a difference.


Do you have a recommendation on brand and model? I see BenQ as DLP projectors
 

Robert Crawford

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Wow! A big step for you, Ronbo. Good luck with this project as I know you'll be happy once everything is in place.
 

Ronald Epstein

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Thanks, Robert.


Not 100% certain I am going to go through with this.


A few problems...


1. The basement is split in two. The other half of it has the furnace and water heater.

The water heater has failed in the past 10 years, flooding the basement. I have a feeling

there are devices I can install that can give me a warning before that happens again, but

there are concerns about laying down good carpeting and having it ruined by another flood.


2. You can see in the pictures that the drop ceiling tiles are stained. There are pipes running

above it. There was once a leak in the pipes. That has been fixed. But again, always the

chance for water damage.


I would think anyone building a basement home theater runs the risk of water damage


Finally...


I am not a handyman by any means. Putting in new drop ceiling tile is something I have

never done before.


I would need to hire a "handyman" to do simple work like hanging a screen and mounting

the projector to the ceiling (if that can be done at all). I don't think it would cost me an arm

and a leg for that kind of help, but finding someone in my area competent enough to do it

may be a problem.


If there is anyone in New Jersey reading this that wants a good days pay to do the work,

I am willing to hire if I go ahead with this project.
 

DaveF

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The Wirecutter reviewed screens and has a budget recommendation:
“The best projector screen for most people is the $200 Silver Ticket 100″, which I found out after spending 90 hours building (and painting) screens, watching content, measuring image quality, and comparing them side by side.”

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-projector-screen/

I'm curious what folks like Gregg think of their review of screens?
 

Ronald Epstein

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Dave, thanks for pointing that screen out.


I have read comments about that screen through Google searches

and many people seem to really like the Silver Ticket.


I would also like to hear the opinion of Gregg or anyone else on the screen.


What I *really* want is a motorized wall screen that changes aspect ratios.

I cannot seem to find anything like this through searches. I know they will

be expensive, but I would love to remotely change the screen's aspect ratio

when needed.
 

Megdagooch

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Does anyone here use Jamestown screens? I'll go and do a search.
If people are reading this I'll warn you: the shipping time is not the greatest. He is not a business man, but a quality screen builder. His communication and customer service leave a little to be desired but the QUALITY for price is awesome! If you are even considering them put your order in NOW. You will get it in a few months when you are finally ready for it ;)
ImageUploadedByHTF1423403737.128556.jpg

My 3D budget theater and Jamestown screen
 

Gregg Loewen

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What I *really* want is a motorized wall screen that changes aspect ratios.
I cannot seem to find anything like this through searches. I know they will
be expensive, but I would love to remotely change the screen's aspect ratio
when needed.
ive already told you the price point for that ;-)
 

Gregg Loewen

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most people, if they get a 2.35 screen and then have some kind of masking for 16x9 have more than enough variety in aspect ratios.


Megan, your picture is showing serious wrinkles in the screen....you expect us to take your recommendation seriously?


My recommendation for a screen....dont buy shit. ....think of a projector as a 2-3 year investment (until technology changes)...think of the screen as a 8-12 year investment. Buy a good screen.


In my opinion, carada makes a good entry level screen.
 

Megdagooch

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Gregg Loewen said:
most people, if they get a 2.35 screen and then have some kind of masking for 16x9 have more than enough variety in aspect ratios.

Megan, your picture is showing serious wrinkles in the screen....you expect us to take your recommendation seriously?

My recommendation for a screen....dont buy shit. ....think of a projector as a 2-3 year investment (until technology changes)...think of the screen as a 8-12 year investment. Buy a good screen.

In my opinion, carada makes a good entry level screen.
I guess I should re take the pic. The wrinkles were gone 1 hour after setting it up. It was from shipping.
He stated his budget and based on the room he is building there are reasons to not spend the higher amounts.
 

Megdagooch

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Ronald Epstein said:
Thanks, Robert.

Not 100% certain I am going to go through with this.

A few problems...

1. The basement is split in two. The other half of it has the furnace and water heater.
The water heater has failed in the past 10 years, flooding the basement. I have a feeling
there are devices I can install that can give me a warning before that happens again, but
there are concerns about laying down good carpeting and having it ruined by another flood.

2. You can see in the pictures that the drop ceiling tiles are stained. There are pipes running
above it. There was once a leak in the pipes. That has been fixed. But again, always the
chance for water damage.

I would think anyone building a basement home theater runs the risk of water damage

Finally...

I am not a handyman by any means. Putting in new drop ceiling tile is something I have
never done before.

I would need to hire a "handyman" to do simple work like hanging a screen and mounting
the projector to the ceiling (if that can be done at all). I don't think it would cost me an arm
and a leg for that kind of help, but finding someone in my area competent enough to do it
may be a problem.

If there is anyone in New Jersey reading this that wants a good days pay to do the work,
I am willing to hire if I go ahead with this project.
I have had water issues in my basement also. I feel as if we have similar situations. I am doing carpet tiles and floating wall panels in my wet area. Due to the repair costing $30,000+ and the fact that we have always just delt with it I've decided to work around it the best I can. Which is why so far my theater (existing room) has only cost $6000 so far (also with existing sound system). There is a lot yet to do but you might like some of the ideas we have come up with with water issues in mind.
I have a thread "to the moon and back theater"
 

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