I am building a theatre in a converted garage for my son. The garage is timber frame with Hardiplank exterior and concrete floor. I would really like some advice from people on the design I have created so far. I am not an expert in design or drawing, and know nothing about home theatre, but have managed to thrash out roughly what I want using Visio. I have reached a point where I am not sure of a number of elements in the design. This is the first attempt we have had to create something like this and will probably only ever do it once. For this reason we are really keen to get advice from people who have already been through the same experience.

The things I have not incorporated in the plan yet are:

1) Lighting placement and how to control the lighting.
2) Soundproofing.
3) Seating on the plan is not showing the actual chairs they are just there to show where the seating area is.
4) Height / positioning of speakers.
5) Placement for the projector. The projector will be used for movies only.
6) We are having a plasma/LCD TV under the main projector screen which we want to be able to raise and lower when necessary. We really want to avoid having a pull-down screen if we can so would appreciate any advice on how to do this. The plasma/LCD TV will be used primarily for current and future video game systems.
7) Wall / Ceiling colour.
8) Carpet.

The CRT TV in the rack area will be used for older video game systems.

We also want to extend the speaker system to the garden near the pool which is just outside the theatre room, for music. We are not sure how we should do this or what sort of speakers and wiring we will need for outdoors.

The internet will be accessed through an existing router inside the house.

The insulation shown in the photos is coming out to be replaced.

I am sure there are many things I have not thought about and am happy for people to let me know what other elements I should include to make the design as complete as possible.

Our most important concern is where to start. When we are finally ready to begin the build we are not sure what the sequence should be. If there is a set way to progress through the build we would really appreciate that advice.

Pics in next post.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/6291/wallsceilingsb2.th.jpg (http://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=wallsceilingsb2.jpg)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5247/plantz2.th.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=plantz2.jpg)
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3328/poolpb8.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=poolpb8.jpg)

Unfortunately, the pictures are not much help. Can you post the Vizio sketch you have done?

The single most important first step is to research, research, research. Spend a lot of time on this forum, especially the dedicated theater build threads to get design ideas, equipment reviews etc. You absolutely do not want to spend thousands of dollars on construction and equipment to be completly underwhelmed by the finished project.

The first construction step is to address any potential framing issues you have, and complete any new framing that you intend to do. Second step is to address any HVAC add ons or changes, then wiring, new insulation, drywall, interior finishes, etc.

Lighting placement is pretty much determined by personal preferences and what type and style you want to use. Do you want wall sconces or not, if so what type. Do you want can lights, rope lights or step lights? There really is no set in stone standard. Controling the lights, again, is a personal preference based on what you want the system to do. It can be as simple as switches on the wall, to simple dimmers, to elaborate automated systems that are controlled by the remote control. This decision is one you have to make based on your budget and wants/needs.

The best soundproofing is done with multiple layers of 5/8" thick drywall with an application of Green Glue in between the layers. Search the dedicated theater build forum and you will find a TON of information about soundproofing and how to do it. An even greater consideration is how are you going to accoustically treat the room so you get the highest quality sound out of your equipment. Again, TONS of information in the dedicated theater build forum.

Speaker height and placement will vary based on type speakers, room size, seating locations, etc. There is not enough information in your first post to help you with that.

Projector location will vary based on type of projector, screen size and aspect ratio you want to view. Again, not enough information in your first post to help you with this question.

I think you may be wasting money having the additional TV behind the screen. Playing games on a projection screen is awesome and many of us do it. Not sure why you want the separate TV but I would not do it if I were you.

For best performance, you want the ceiling and screen wall to be flat black so you do not get harsh reflections from the projector. Remaining walls and carpet are your personal preferences. There are some very nice theaters on the forum that use dark colors, and many equally impressive ones that use light colors.

Have fun with it, get creative and enjoy. But beware, it can get a bit addictive!

Hi, thanks for a very informative reply. We have been working on the cat 5 run and have decided on an 8 port router in the theatre with a crossover going to the house router. We have an old air-condifitioner which is being taken out and a new reverse cycle going in high over the Mac computer. You mentioned HVAC, we have taken care of the Heating and Aircon but not sure what you are talking about with the ventilation. Do we need to have wall or ceiling ventilators. The reverse cycle airconditioner we are getting actually filters the air as it runs, but I guess on a really nice day when we haven’t got any heat or cooling going we may need to ventilate somehow.

I will put a better copy of the .vsd file up as soon as I can.

I am building a theatre in a converted garage for my son. The garage is timber frame with Hardiplank exterior and concrete floor. I would really like some advice from people on the design I have created so far. I am not an expert in design or drawing, and know nothing about home theatre, but have managed to thrash out roughly what I want using Visio. I have reached a point where I am not sure of a number of elements in the design. This is the first attempt we have had to create something like this and will probably only ever do it once. For this reason we are really keen to get advice from people who have already been through the same experience.

Hey, I HAVE been through the experience, and having said that, MY best suggestion to you or anyone "just starting" and "know nothing about home theater" is four-fold:

1) (and foremost) Plan on reading, planning and studying for a minimum of about three months before even swinging a hammer. Get a good program, a sharp pencil and graph paper, whatever, and get some plans down. Then...

2) (and next important) hire someone to help do it right. Now wait, this doesn't have to mean thousands of dollars (although it can) :) for design only, but I can assure you if you want it "done right", the price you pay "up-front" for a good designer is worth its weight in gold or any currency you will be using.
There are several resources available on this board (and some who are no longer found here, thank goodness) :mad:

3) DIY is great, and certainly well within the scope of home theater building, but please consider a good designer. You are right-you only want to do this once (at least in the same location, some of us would LOVE to do the whole thing again at another location.):D

4) Enjoy the process. When I first started out, a member told me "you will experience all sorts of emotions, joys, aggravations, successes and failures. You will overcome all the failures, enjoy the successes, and it will work out"

This was good advice to me, so I pass it along to you and others contemplating the big build.

Best,
Tom
Chinaclipper

Thanks for the advice. We are on a tight budget so a real designer is out of the question. Our main concern at the moment is getting the power sorted. We roughly know where to put power etc but running it all from a universal remote is something I haven't tried before, this is the hurdle. We are also not sure how we should ventilate the area without compromising the sound proofing. We have no windows and the door has been installed with soundproofing, and the door itself is solid. I guess there would be some sort of filtering system we can install but not sure.