The Old Theater

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Theoldtheater.jpg



Hello,

My name is Steve, and the first thing I would like to do is thank everyone that has offered their tips and advice and for those that have shared their own theater building projects in this forum. All of you have helped to motivate me to begin my quest to build a home theater and Finish the entire basement.

My family and I have been waiting a long time to begin finishing the basement in our home. We have recently had a new air handler installed (not electrically connected yet) to service the basement it is a good size basement (2500 square feet); the main floor and second floor consist of 2800 square feet so the first air handler is handling that portion of the home. As you will see we are dealing with several lines of heat ducting going through the space that has been chosen for the theater room. This room has the following dimensions 20 X 16 x 9' 6"

I will use this thread as a way to track the progress of this endeavor and will update it accordingly. I will try to make it as detailed as possible and share the results along the way. Quite frankly I will be asking a lot of questions as well because this will be my first attempt at building a home theater. I hope this thread and your continued tips and advice will be the tools to continue to motivate me to make this a reality.

I will be contracting out the electrical work and some of the framing immediately but will try to do most of the rest myself.

I have already acquired a projector and built a 140+ screen, the audio equipment is also on hand. In fact, all the theater equipment is up and running in an adjoining room with dimensions of 11'6" X 22 X 9 (this room has quite a bit of concrete surrounding it and would quickly become very narrow limiting the choices for seating arrangements, screen size, acoustics, etc...

I have attached pictures of the room pointing out some of the issues that must be overcome:

1. Facing wall location where 140” screen will be placed requires additional framing to mount the screen or will have to be framed to accommodate a perforated screen and speakers.

2. Rigid HVAC ducting coming off air handler running from front to back of the theater room, this system services main floor upstairs and second floor 2800 sq feet. May look into relocating this into the adjoining room.

3. Air Handler in adjoining room up against front left corner of theater room. Will have to isolate the noise from the theater room side as the builder did not leave any room to install drywall in the adjoining room. Need advice on this?

4. Doorway to future rest room and kitchenette, will need to remove or relocate to allow room for stage and speaker placement.

5. Main return line of new air handler installed to service 2500 sq foot basement, may not be a problem....

Note: with 5800 square feet being treated with TWO HVAC UNITS there are several lines coming through this room, will need to reroute as much as possible in order to save as much headroom as possible. May route the supply line to this room right next to the return line to save room in the ceiling above the theater.

6. Doorway exiting basement at back of room, this wioll be removed and relocated.

7. Window in back of room will be removed.

8. Cutout for fireplace in back of room will be used to house all the electronics.

Original Outline for Construction Steps (please feel free to chime in if I missed something or have it out of order):

1. Install new air handler (done)
2. Move existing HVAC lines if possible.
3. Remove doorway and window and frame up back wall. At this time the rest of the basement will be framed out as well so that the basement is ready for the electricians.
4. Run electrical and lighting to all rooms at one time to save cost on labor.
5. Run Speaker, RCA, Cat5e, Cat3e wiring, etc..
6. Install insulation and fiberglass panels
7. Install Whisper Clips and Hat channel on ceiling and walls.
8. triple drywall and green glue ceiling.
9. double drywall and green glue walls.
10. Install star panels
11. Install floating floor
12. Apply acoustical sealant as required.
13. Install columns and sconces
14. Install stage and wiring
15. Line stage and fill with sand
16. Install riser and wiring
17. Line riser with insulation.
18. Install Bass Treatments
19. Install Carpet
20. Install Screen
21. Install Projector and electronics
22. Install molding
23 Install seats
24. Install Solid wooden exterior door(s) weather stripping and bottom threshold isolation devices.
25. acoustical analysis and treatment

Hello All,

Today I went to home depot in Gainesville, GA to look at the porter cable 3 nailer/compressor combo. All the reviews that I have come across rate it as an excellent buy at 299.00 (Home Depot).

Anyway, while I was there looking at it, I stumbled across an even better deal a Porter Cable 4 Nailer/Compressor Combo CF6401 for 299.00. I priced these online and Retailed separately they would cost $1,224.08. On sale separately they would cost $649.38 and these costs do not reflect the Contractor bag, hose, nails and staples that was thrown in with this kit.

Includes the following:

6 Gallon pancake compressor max 150 PSI and two quick connect outlets.
16 GA. Finish Nailer 1" to 2-1/2" (FN250C)
18 GA. Brad Nailer 5/8" to 1-3/8" (BN138)
18 GA. N.C. Stapler (NS100B)
23 GA. Pin Nailer (PIN100)
40' X 1/4" hose with fittings attached.
Contractor Bag
2000 23 GA. 1" Pin Nails
1000 16 GA. 2" Finish Nails
1000 18 GA. 1-1/4" Brad Nails
1000 18 GA. 1/4" X 1" Crown Staples
Nailer Oil
Safety Glasses

I don't work for home depot, look the tools up on line and you will see that this is an excellent deal if you need tools to do the finishing work on your Home Theater.

Good Luck,

Steve

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/ScreenShot.jpg

My Home Made 143" Diagonal Screenhttp://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/homemade143inchdiagScreeninoldroom.jpg

My Basement Projecthttp://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/basement.jpg

Theater Dimensions
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/newtheater.jpg

Soffitshttp://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/soffits.jpg

Front Wallhttp://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Frontwallbeforefireplacecutoutandhe.jpg

Back Wall
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Justafterweaddedthenewairhandler.jpg

More of Back
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Backofroom.jpg

Main HVAC
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/OrigAirHandlerrightnexttotheaterroo.jpg

Soffits up 4" Cans in, HVAC operating Cutout for Rack to right of return
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Mediaclosetreturnthermostatandonrig.jpg

Need to move this vent to the soffit in order to make room for the stars
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Venttoberelocatedtothesoffits.jpg

Need to move these for the star ceiling

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Ductwork.jpg

These too
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/P1020042.jpg

Header for old fireplace cutout moved up what a hassle, bu wanted to make room for bass and center channel behind screen when I move to a perforated screen
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/RaisedHeaderinoldFireplace.jpg

Fireplace cutout opened up for bass and center, also added an outlet.
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/OldFireplacecutout-1.jpg

Logged onto the web to shop for a grafik eye because the electrical is just about done and within 30 minutes I ran across this brand new in the box with a remote 4 zone baby on Craigs list for $250.00 cash and the seller was less than 60 miles away (Lighting store that was going out of business and had this as old stock). Man What a Deal!!!:eek:
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/006.jpg

Would you look at that; I found a place for my new toy!!!:D
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Futurehomeof4zonegrafikeye.jpg

Wow, that's a deal on the nail gun kit. Got a lot of work, but looks like you're off to a good start with the planning.

Front Shot showing Door, Window and old switch
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/018.jpg

They gotta Go, will be removing the window and switch and relocating the door:p
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/DoorWindowandlightswitchtoberemoved.jpg

This is the new cutout we put in to house the rack
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/NewOpeninginbackwallforRack.jpg

You need to find some EGA carpet to put in there Gunny.

That might not be a bad idea, I still haven't figured out the theme. But I am a die hard devil dog so you might just have something their.

Thanks

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dimensions 15'11" X 19'9" with 9'9.5" ceilings and soffits in an octagonal shape around ceiling with Soffit dimensions of 28" deep and 20 1/2" tall.

Walls are 16" on Center. Manufactured Ceiling Joists 19" on Center

Would like to install Walls-5/8" Double Drywall and Green Glue; Ceilings-5/8" Triple Dry Wall and Green Glue.

So, How many whisper clips, hat channels, buckets of green glue, tubes of acoustical caulk?

Anything else I need?

There are five outlet boxes (4 in the main room and one in the old fireplace cutout). Two of these were placed in cells that share outlets to adjoining rooms, I may have to move these for better sound control.

Add one large gang box to house the grafik eye

The window and the door exiting the basement will be removed and or relocated to another room.

There will be an opening on the wall directly across from the old fireplace opening, this will access an area where media will b e stored. The humidifier for the home is also in this area.

There is a 36" door in the center of each of the long walls directly opposite each other.

There are ten 4" can lights in the soffits

There is an air vent and a return vent in the room.

See soffit dimensions. The soffits are 28" deep and 20.5" tall all the way around. The ceiling height under the soffits is 97".

The Cross Braces that create the octagon are 52" from the perpendicular wall at each corner (if that makes sense).
The Ceiling is 9' 9" at the center.

4" can lights are in the soffit 19" from the front wall at the following points:

Stage-- light 1 is 24" from left wall, then light 2 is 48" from light 1, Light 4 is 24" from the right wall and and light 3 is 48" to the left of light 4.

On the left wall there are to 4" can lights that will be right over the columns at 19" from the left wall and 49" from the back and front walls respectively (same goes for the right wall)

In the back of the room there are two 4" can lights in the soffit 19" from the back wall and 52" from the left and right wall respectively.


Thanks Steve

This overhead shows the different rooms as they will be when all walls and doors are added
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Overhead2.jpg

Master Layout Resized
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/masterlayou.jpg

It was a bear getting the soffits up and holding them just right until they were nailed in place
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Nailingupthesoffits.jpg

Finishing up the Soffits
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Finishingthesoffits.jpg

Putting in the Cans
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/InstallingLights.jpg

This is the new cutout we put in to house the rack
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/NewOpeninginbackwallforRack.jpg

what are the measurements of your opening?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdiaz911
This is the new cutout we put in to house the rack

what are the measurements of your opening?
__________________
Big E's Hockey Haven

The measurements to the opening for the rack are 83.5" X 21.25".

There are estimating tools on soundproofing company for GG and clips:

http://www.soundproofingcompany.com/index.php?/library/tools

Big project you got there. Good luck.

Thanks DC; yes I have already got the estimates with the online tool, I just wanted to get some feedback from Ted; I'll be working with Ted tomorrow to place the order.

Thanks I really appreciate the support

Best Way To Customize an In Wall AV Rack that does not need to slide out
We have a AV closet immediately adjoining the main theater room.

The dimensions are as follows: 64" by 68" v 97".

There are 16 outlets to power all components rack fans and any other item that comes up.

1 plain old telephone line.

2 Cat5e Lines.

1 Coax Line.

I will add any other utilities that are necessary (Any suggestions are welcome)

It has dedicated HVAC to keep it cool (it is tied into the main HVAC that controls the main level in the home).

There is 1 can light in the closet for visibility.

The front AV opening in the theater room is 83.5" tall by 21.25" wide and the bottom of the opening is 12" from the floor now to accomodate the riser that will be installed in the theater room.

I would like suggestions on where to get Rack Materials to customize my own Rack system with the following in mind:

I do not have many components that will be screwed into the rack.

I do not need the rack on a sliding system to pull out and accewss wires because I can easily access them from inside the closet which has rear access.

The floor will not have a riser in the closet unless absolutely necessary.

It will not be on casters unless absolutely necessary.

Here is a view of the back of the theater room the AV closet is on the right, to the left of it is the air return, then the media closet then the original air handler.

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/ViewofAVClosetandMediaCloset.jpg

Picture of the rear entry

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/RearEntry2.jpg

Pictures of some of the outlets and utilities

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/OutletandUtilitiesnAVCloset.jpg

Outlets next to the theater return

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/8out3.jpg

Light over rack

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/lightinavcloset2.jpg

So Guys, where do we go from here? Also do we have any issues that we need to address for sound control?

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/NewOpeninginbackwallforRack.jpg

What do we do about the potential noise from the main air handler that is in the gym next to the back corner of the theater room? Same thing for the Humidifier in the media closet at the back of the theater room.

Do we wrap it or add rigid insulation around it? or something else?


Here is a picture of the air handler from the inside of the gym

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/OrigAirHandlerrightnexttotheaterroo.jpg

Here is a picture of the back of the room the air handler is on the left you can see it through the studs

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/ViewofAVClosetandMediaCloset.jpg

Here is a picture of the air handler and the humidifier access box in the media room.

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/HumidifierAccessinMediacloset.jpg

The air main air handler in its new closet:
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/newairhandlercloset5.jpg

Posessed dog warning...
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/018.jpg

BTW, I have a case of SilenSeal left over from my project, if you're interested.

Best Way To Customize an In Wall AV Rack that does not need to slide out
We have a AV closet immediately adjoining the main theater room.

The dimensions are as follows: 64" by 68" v 97".

There are 16 outlets to power all components rack fans and any other item that comes up.

1 plain old telephone line.

2 Cat5e Lines.

1 Coax Line.

I will add any other utilities that are necessary (Any suggestions are welcome)

It has dedicated HVAC to keep it cool (it is tied into the main HVAC that controls the main level in the home).

There is 1 can light in the closet for visibility.

The front AV opening in the theater room is 83.5" tall by 21.25" wide and the bottom of the opening is 12" from the floor now to accomodate the riser that will be installed in the theater room.

I would like suggestions on where to get Rack Materials to customize my own Rack system with the following in mind:

I do not have many components that will be screwed into the rack.

I do not need the rack on a sliding system to pull out and accewss wires because I can easily access them from inside the closet which has rear access.

The floor will not have a riser in the closet unless absolutely necessary.

It will not be on casters unless absolutely necessary.

Here is a view of the back of the theater room the AV closet is on the right, to the left of it is the air return, then the media closet then the original air handler.

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/ViewofAVClosetandMediaCloset.jpg

Hi, nice job so far! Lots of work....

I just bought a Middlie Atlantic Slim-5 37u rack for my A/V closet.

I got it from Parts Express (http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=811&CFID=5761504&CFTOKEN=19391627)
Unfourtunately I don't have access to the rear like you do, so your install should be much easier. I had to build a rail system to access the rear.

You could also just buy rails (http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=806&CFID=5761504&CFTOKEN=19391627) and screw them into the sides of the opening.

Parts Express also has plenty of rack mount shelves (http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?srchExt=CAT&srchCat=809&CFID=5761504&CFTOKEN=19391627) for non rackable equipment.

You could also just do shelves as well....

Thanks Beemer,

I'll take a look at parts express, I appreciate the help.

Steve

No problem! The Slim 5 rack looks kind of flimsy online, but it's really pretty rigid; especially once you load it up with shelves and equipment.

Just out of curiosity, were you ever in Twentynine Palms? I've spent a lot of time working on base there over the last few years, installing radar equipment and I was wondering if you had ever had the pleasure!:eek:

Yes I have back between 95-97 I was there for a CAX exercise. Semper Fi

Ordered the whisper clips, green glue, silen seal and putty pads they will be here Wednesday.

Ted White and John Hile are outstanding consultants and they gave me a great deal; I would recommend working with them as they give AVS members an exceptional discount.

Thanks again Ted and John it was a pleasure and I will get back in touch with you when I figure out what kind of door setup we end up with.

Will need to take a break from the theater as the plumbers will be here tomorrow to work on the bathroom and kitchenette.

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/InKitchen.jpg

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/KitchenandBath.jpg

Plumber showed up
http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/009.jpg


Tub was installed

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/001.jpg

Kitchen and bath stubbed out

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/003.jpg

Whisper Clips, Silent Seal, Putty Pads, Green Glue and dispenser arrived

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/020.jpg

That's a bunch of clips

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/030.jpg

How's this for a Bass Trap?

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Fiber.jpg

Instead of Drywall, I thought I'd use this stuff :D


http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss4/sdiaz911/Basement/Foamular.jpg

Instead of Drywall, I thought I'd use this stuff :D


Not sure how well that will paint, but you seem quite comfortable with yourself. I think you can pull it off.