Well, here I go again. This will be my Version 4.0 home theater and my first that I'll be posting about. I've been a long time lurker and fan of several of you (Big red, SandmanX and many others). I hope you'll bear with me as I work through this project. I'll certainly appreciate any suggestions you all can offer.

Situation: Just purchased a brand new spec home with unfinished basement that is just waiting for Theater goodness. I'll be doing all the work myself with a bit of help from my friends ("..I get by with a little help from my friends...:") sorry...:D Anyway..

Requirements:
1. 12' wide CIH (prefferably curved) screen (probably going to Smx) with
Horizontial masking
2. Anamorphic setup
3. EDIT - 2 rows of seating (4 acrossed Berline 088's) with rear row on 14" riser -
4. Fully integrated/automated automation for AV & Lighting for theater and
Explandable to Whole House.
- I've got experience with HomeSeer but I'm open to other systems if
there is substatial benefits without major cost increases
5. Full sound isolation for Theater and Game Room.
6. blacked out Starfield Ceiling ala SandmanX configuration
7. Tray Ceiling surround soffit with rope lighting, no Cans! I don't want to cut holes in a sealed ceiling for sound to escape.
8. Sconce lighting on the sides.

Equipment:
1. AV Receiver - PIONEER VSX-1017TXV-K
2. Projector - Panasonic AX1000U
3. Sat - Direct TV HR DVR
4. Game - Wii
5. DVD - Toshiba HD-DVD (Yes I know. I'll be upgrading to Blu Ray when they
come down)
6. Ripped Content - media server HTPC
7. Speakers - Looking at Axiom (below) or possiblely Martin Logan's.
Speakers - Front Axiom - M60s (Pair)
Speakers - Center Channel Axiom - VP150
Speakers - Surrounds Axiom - Qs8 v2.0 (Pair)
Speakers - Rear Axiom - Qs8 v2.0 (Pair)
Speakers - Sub Woofers Axiom - EP500

8. Amp - Need suggestions on wheter to use seperate AMP's for these speakers

where's your entry point? Maybe I over looked it. Looks like a good layout so far.

What about the PJ booth? Is that more of an AV closet?

The entry point is the 5' opening next to the Fittness room on the top wall of the Theater and there is also a entry to the rear(left) of the room into the Game room. The Projection booth is going to be my office and server room for the Equipment rack, HTPC, Media Server and components.

Okay, I spent some time in Sketchup with the overall design layout and came to some conclusions.
1. I'll be using a 144" wide or 156 diag screen.
2. Only 2 rows of 4 berkline 088's will be feasible due to the legnth limitations
in the room with that size of screen.

Here's the latest design pic.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fjd3hk5I/AAAAAAAAECw/-i1qXAPTjLM/Basement%20-%20-10.jpg?imgmax=800

Full basement layout
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fjd3hk5I/AAAAAAAAECw/-i1qXAPTjLM/Basement%20-%20-10.jpg?imgmax=800

Theater from Top and side
http://lh3.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_ffU667GI/AAAAAAAAEBg/aO8NB8mHDps/Basement%20-%20.jpg?imgmax=800

Theater from Front (Screen Side) and Top
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_ff9AfYKI/AAAAAAAAEBo/roCSt6Ybk-0/Basement%20-%20-1.jpg?imgmax=800

[br]

Theater from opposing side and top
http://lh5.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fgJ0JZjI/AAAAAAAAEBw/hbRKC7dFuHs/Basement%20-%20-2.jpg?imgmax=800

Rendered view of theater with colors from front of room looking to back
http://lh3.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fgqQplUI/AAAAAAAAEB4/OCW5DXAAZco/Basement%20-%20-3.jpg?imgmax=800

Rendered view from back of theater looking at screen
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fg-8vKPI/AAAAAAAAECA/VUA_z18T7as/Basement%20-%20-4.jpg?imgmax=800


Layout of projection booth/office
http://lh3.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fhdjembI/AAAAAAAAECQ/4sti_Ynrfks/Basement%20-%20-6.jpg?imgmax=800


Layout of GameRoom/Snack Bar
http://lh6.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fiqYoQrI/AAAAAAAAECg/6Y1pzkgklqE/Basement%20-%20-8.jpg?imgmax=800

Layout of Fitness and Storage
http://lh5.ggpht.com/Windwych/SE_fjDGNv0I/AAAAAAAAECo/fopPtyUocP0/Basement%20-%20-9.jpg?imgmax=800

Well we had our home inspection yesterday and it was a real eye opener. The guy who did it was one of the best I've seen (we've done 7 moves over the bast 15yrs) this guys was really sharp, not cheap but sharp. One of the issues I'm going to be dealing with is excessive moisture in the basement which is something that I've never had to face before in my other builds. I'm hoping with a couple of large dehumifiers and goo air flow I can circuvent any issues with mildew/mold. Better to know now than later so at least I can build remediation into the design now before the project get out of the design phase. Anyone know specifically what the requiremed airflow is to prevent moisture below a floor/behind walls?

Well we had our home inspection yesterday and it was a real eye opener. The guy who did it was one of the best I've seen (we've done 7 moves over the bast 15yrs) this guys was really sharp, not cheap but sharp. One of the issues I'm going to be dealing with is excessive moisture in the basement which is something that I've never had to face before in my other builds. I'm hoping with a couple of large dehumifiers and goo air flow I can circuvent any issues with mildew/mold. Better to know now than later so at least I can build remediation into the design now before the project get out of the design phase. Anyone know specifically what the requiremed airflow is to prevent moisture below a floor/behind walls?

I think if you have a moisture problem you need to start with the outside foundation. Water seeping through the basement walls should NOT be occurring. You need proper drainage to direct water away from the foundation. Then you can start concentrating on the inside.

Are you projecting from the projection room? Looks like a good layout of the basement. For your own protection you may want to edit your floor plan to not incluede your home address.

Wow that is the ideal size room wish I had that space for my room. Look forward to your build.

Nate

Jntart - Yes all the gear except for the projector will be running in the projection booth. The PJ w/ anamorphic setup will be running in a hush box from the back of the room.

Mike

Are you projecting from the projection room? Looks like a good layout of the basement. For your own protection you may want to edit your floor plan to not incluede your home address.

DOH! - Thanks, I sure spaced that one, I've made the updates to the thread Thankfully we're putting in a great security system along with the 2 large four legged burgler alarms but it never hurts to pay attention to what you're putting out there.

Mike

Wow that is the ideal size room wish I had that space for my room. Look forward to your build.

Nate

Thanks for your comment, we're certainly excited about it.

Mike

I think if you have a moisture problem you need to start with the outside foundation. Water seeping through the basement walls should NOT be occurring. You need proper drainage to direct water away from the foundation. Then you can start concentrating on the inside.

We've had the yard regraded since the home inspection. The issue we're seeing now is a combination of the massive amount of rain we've had here in the Indy area (though not any where near as bad as some places have had) and a possible structural fault in the foundation which may be allowing moisture into the basement. We've requested that a Strcutural Engineer do an analysis on the cracks we've found in the basement walls and sign off on any required remediation that the builder does. This way if we do have an issue we can correct it at their cost not ours.

Mike

Well we've remediated the issues of condensation and the crak that was discovered in the wall which will eventually be behind the screen. Move in day is 1 week away and the real work then begins.

You may want to consider removing the wall between the fitness room and the hall. The hall is wasted space and will make entering your basement feel strange as you will enter a very small hall rather than a room. So, removing the wall makes the basement seem larger and wastes less space.

Do you have roughin for the bathroom in that spot? Just sucks you need to go though the theater to get to the game room and bathroom. Would like to see the theater turned around and where the game room is, Projector booth along side the theater and the game room and bathroom at the bottom of the stairs where the theater is now. Just opens it up more instead of sectioning off....though I have the same thing right now bottom of the stairs enter into my theater and the rest of the basement is off the theater. Wish I could start fresh.

Nate

Yeah that's where they put the rough ins for the bathroom so that's why I arranged the rooms in that config. Not optimal I agree but, that's what I have to work with.

Mike

Sorry it's been so long guys but I had to take a break after the move. I frakked up my shoulder bad and I've been unable to to do any work on the theater to get started. I have however figured and costed the initial materials build to get sarted and I'm placing that order this week.

Here's the run down
Studs 260 2x4x10 @ 2.22/per +20 for basement delivery = 597.20
Instulation 941.6 sqft or @ 25.45/87sqft = 279.95
Drywall 240 sheets @ 8.99/sht basement delivered. = 2157.60

Put in the initial lumber order today and started to clear out the rooms and move tools downstairs. Lumber comes Monday.!!! WOoot!

Any updates on the equipment list? Some suggestions based on your list:

1. Given how much you may be spending on the screen (SMX curved with masking will set you back quite a bit), I'd recommend the Panasonic AE3000 to handle the CIH or go even further and get the latest Epson or JVC with a lens. In any case, wait til the end and get a solid projector that will do CIH justice. :)

2. Look into subwoofer alternatives. I was originally looking at getting all Axiom speakers and the only weak point (for the $$$) I found from reviews was the subs. I ended up with Monitor Audio (similar price range) and an SVS sub. Check out SVS, Epik, AV123, and others.