This was a LONNNGGG time coming. I've been wanting a projector for years. I finally pulled the trigger.

Well, three months ago I purchased a house that enabled my "dream" to finally come true. The basement was "finished" by the previous owners but it was old and stinky. The carpet was disgusting, drop ceiling in places drooped, and the trim and baseboards were wood finish. I had a vision and I believe my vision was exceeded by the final product. I had initially planned for 7.1 but the layout and room would not accommodate it so I went with 5.1 yet again. Some day, I will have 7.1 and can hardly wait for that to happen.

Here's a list of equipment that I have currently (the projector and screen were the only things I purchased for this project as I had purchased the rest of it over two years in planning for this moment):

Yamama Receiver (RX-V1700)
Samsung BD-P1200 (upgraded to Sony 550; May 09)
Xbox 360
Nintendo Wii
DirecTV HD21
Energy Speakers (RC70's, RC10's, RC-LCR, 10" Sub...a second Sub will be purchased at some point)
Epson Pro 1080UB
100" Screen (1.2 Gain)
Logitech 880
IR Repeater System

The project took about 5 weeks to complete. I had to fix the drooping drop ceiling and add electrical (surge protection) for the projector. But other than that, it was paint and carpet. I've still not finished the game room side. I'll be adding recessed can lights and sconces. At somepoint, I'll be buying a shuffle board table to go along the long wall. I'll also be organizing the component room/shelving at some point so it looks better. At this point, I don't really care cause you can't see in the HT and GR anyway.

The windows are now blacked out with cardboard with curtains covering the ugliness.

Here's the pics:

Before - stairs leading to MAN-drew's
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1961stairs.jpg

Before - HT area 100" screen outline traced on wall. Exposed vents where the drop ceiling drooped. I tore down the drop ceiling in that section.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1963a.jpg

Before - Exposed vents
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1964a.jpg

Before - Looking into GR from HT area
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1965a.jpg

Before - GR
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1966a.jpg

Before - HT
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1967a.jpg

Before - view of stairs
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1968a.jpg

Before - Vents finally closed in.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1970a.jpg

Before - vents closed in...view of back of HT
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1971a.jpg

Before - vents closed in.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1973a.jpg

Before - vents closed in.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM1974a.jpg

Painted HT side. Flat "brick dust" red on side and rear walls. Flat black on ceiling and screen wall.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2014a.jpg

Old TV. What's crazy is that I spent just as much on that TV three years ago than I did on my new Epson. Had the TV out for testing the components. Components reside behind screen wall in the storage room. All controlled via IR repeater.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2015a.jpg

GR still not painted. Wife is still picking out the colour.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2016a.jpg

This area will be the dart board area and "bar".
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2017a.jpg

Better view of side wall. Wall sconce goes in between windows.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2019a.jpg

IR repeater installed next to light switch.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2022a.jpg

Back wall - movie poster will hide electrical box.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2023a.jpg

GR finally painted "caramel apple." Trim finally painted white.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2055a.jpg

GR/stairs
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2054a.jpg

GR
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2056a.jpg

Carpet (frieze) finally installed.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2132a.jpg

Baseboards painted white and being installed. Added a trim piece for the transition of colours on the back wall. Looks seemless.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2067a.jpg

Speakers finally uncovered and ready to be wired!
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2079a.jpg

Projector installed!!!
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2086a.jpg

Epson PRO 1080UB
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2087a.jpg

100" Screen assembled and installed. I'll add a second sub to the right side at some point.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2083a.jpg

Another screen shot.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2095a.jpg

HT Seats
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2084a.jpg

Me and my new best friend.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2097a.jpg

IR System
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2025a.jpg

Component room
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2127a.jpg

Curtains installed covering blacked out windows (used cardboard for blackout).
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2136a.jpg

Another shot.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2137a.jpg

GR - dart board/bar/air hockey table.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2140a.jpg

Chair from the old Montreal Forum signed by Guy Lafleur.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2139a.jpg

Yes another shot...
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2141a.jpg

Yet another shot. As you can see, I still need to put the posters up on the wall.
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2145a.jpg

One last shot!
http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/HPIM2146a.jpg

Looks much better.

A couple of things I would have done different:

Had all the trim black (in both rooms). That white's a little distracting since it doesn't tie in with anything else. Probably doesn't help during viewing either. I'd also replace that light switch to the right of the screen for the same reason.
Maybe hang a curtain in between the post and the right front corner of the room (ideally, I'd wall that off, but a curtain of some kind would at least be a start). Would allow the room to still flow at the back, but would provide the feeling of a dedicated room. Not to mention eliminating the need I'd have to keep glancing at the stairs to see if anyone was coming down.

must trust your buddies with the dart board. no way in hell i would even put one up in my house =)

room looks good. i dont know if you have plans on keeping the center on the little stool but here is somthing to get it off the ground a little.
http://www.jr.com/bt15-center-channel-speaker-bracket/pe/BTH_BT15_hy_BK

NICE! I've been looking for a stand of somesort but haven't found one I like til now.

I'll check to see if I have studs where I need'em and I'll probably buy them.

thanks.

I bought and installed the center channel speaker arms (http://www.jr.com/bt15-center-channel-speaker-bracket/pe/BTH_BT15_hy_BK).

Looks and works great.

Thanks illusioncav!

Well, it's been a while since I updated any photos so I thought I would upload a few. I still need to finish the can/recessed lighting. I will tackle that project within the next month or so. I finally added a few things to the walls with help from the wife.

I also upgraded my BD player to the new Sony 550, added a second Energy sub-woofer and added additional seating with a large ottoman.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01460.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01462.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01464.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01465.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01468.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01476.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01480.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/DSC01473.jpg

Well, like most of you, I have many projects around the house. The latest one was to redo the living room. When we bought the house, only half the main floor had hardwood the rest was beat up old carpet. So we ripped out the carpet and continued the hardwood. This project was well beyond my skill set so I hired out. It turned out fantastic.

After this was all done, I decided to upgrade my flat panel as well. I had a JVC 37" over the fireplace but "upgradeitis" set in and I decided to go bigger and ended up going with a 55" LG 240hz. I moved the Wii upstairs as well. I had both xbox and wii set up in the basement. When we had parties we had people wanting to play xbox and wii. So now we have the xbox 360 on the 100" screen in the basement and the Wii on the main floor. Keeps everyone happy. Plus my wife is into the Wii fit and she likes the wii board on the hardwood versus the carpet.

I also decided to go with a sound bar for the living room. I didn't want to get into running wires and what not so I ended up with a Polk sound bar and wireless sub. I placed the sound bar under the TV on the mantel and placed the sub at the back of the room. It's definitely not 5.1 but the sound is considerably better than just the TV speaker.

In a year or two I may replace my AVR in the basement and I'll move the Yamaha to the main floor and will probably run wires at that time to do 5.1 in the living room. I have two Energy RC10's sitting in a closet so I'll add a center, a couple of surrounds, and a sub and I should be good to go. I'll move the sound bar into the bedroom.

Here's a few after pics:

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/living%20room/Picture004-1.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/living%20room/Picture002.jpg

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/theatrebeers/living%20room/Picture005.jpg

Good job, nice use of the space you have. The only thing I would change is the Habs stuff :D I just took the projector plunge as well just to see the Leafs beat up on the Habs.

You know what! I get that all the time! Once a habs fan always a habs fan!

Big game tonight! Thanks for the comment.

basement looks nice man.

What kind of IR repeater did you use and how is it working out for you?

basement looks nice man.

What kind of IR repeater did you use and how is it working out for you?

I got it on ebay...

Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IR-Repeater-Hidden-Remote-Control-Remote-Extender_W0QQitemZ390097556935QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultD omain_0?hash=item5ad3a055c7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

If you're running HD (specifically DirecTV), you'll need the extender for it as well. Just contact the seller and they should know what extender you'll need. I've had no issues with it at all. Works like a charm!