Hello to all members,


Well I am not new to home theater, but I am pretty new to constructing my own room. I have some questions that I hope some of you will be able to help me with and possibly ive some great sound advice to assist me in my pursiut to having a descent theater. I am currently serving a tour overseas so what I have to show is what I started before I left. I guess I can start of by telling what my room dimensions will consit of. The theater will be in the basement and the measurements are: 21'Lx14WLx8'H. My components as of now consist of the following:

Reciever: Pioneer VSX-D810s
DVD: Pioneer DV-C36
Laserdisc: Pioneer CLD-A100
RF Mod: Pioneer SP-99D
Scaler: Extron DDS-402
Amplifier: Carver 705
HD Tuner: Samsung SIR-T451
Projector: Barco 808D
Speakers: Fronts/Athena AS-F1, Center/Athena AS-C1/ Surrounds/Athena AS-B1


Most to all of this equpment is old, but it has served me well so I am not looking to upgrade anytime soon. The projector however may leave the setup because of it's massive size. I am not too shabby with tools, but I want to keep the cost down so I will be trying to do at least 80-90% of the build myself. Can anyone recommend any wiring media to me so that I can calculate how many amps that my theater will need to run off of without underpowering the room. I was told that I had to get an accurate count of how many amps each piece of equipment draws, but I haven't been able to read this anywhere. I have roughly 5 more months to go before I touch back down in the US, so this will be my learning stage to get all the things necessary to continue and finish my build. Thanks for any advice in advance

Guess I should have dropped some pictures in there to give you guys/gals a clue:o

Here is an attempt at my DIY equipment rack. Me an tools don't get along that well:D

Well it has been quite sometime since I last posted (apology) and a few things have changed. I never received a response to this post, but still wanted to add the changes I made over the past month. Alot of the equipment has either been replaced or simply removed from my setup. Being deployed almost every other year has it's disadvantages to even getting a substantial start on my theater. However while I was home this pat month of R/R, I decided to try and hammer out some progress to make me feel a little bit better with my project. It's nothing major, but I feel as though I accomplished more that what I was expecting. I am back in Afghanistan, so I will not be able to post any new progress until July 2011. Any suggestions or comments on what I have soa far are greatly appreciated. I have been away from home for so long over the past 4 years, I am really behind the ball on some things. I am looking to replace the Barco with a new (lighter) projector. Any sugestions from the choir would be appreciated. My budget for it is roughly $1400-2000 BTW, I am at no means a carpenter, so please have mercy on my work...:D

No suggestions or comments with over 600 views? I know this post is old and I can't update it as I am currently deployed (AGAIN) but I was hoping for a little input or advice.:( Guess I'll search elsewhere

tqb2 first thank you for your service it is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Second if your not going to be back for a year 2000 should buy you and amazing projector to enjoy your R+R. The hot one presently that should be at your price point for your return is the JVC 250 it's getting rave reviews I wish I could afford it!

Gods Speed
Scott

Quick Hands,

Hey thanks for your support for me and my troops, it means alot to us. I looked up the JVC 250, but couldn't find any thing on it. Do you happen to have a link that I may do some research? I would like to post more pictures as I have done more to the space, but my laptop just (today) took a dump and I am using a buddy's until I can recover my photos and other things. I will try to have some thing up even if I have to take them from facebook. From what you saw, can you give me an opinion of my build so far? Thanks in advance... Will post equipment changes next time...time to go Soldier a bit!

Ex-Army here (101st), thank you for your service and Godspeed!

Can you share with us your budget for a projector? The JVC is an excellent choice, but it is comes in around $3K. You can certainly find a solid 1080p projector for under $2K (there are some good ones even in the $900-1200 range).

If you want more info on projectors checkout the dedicated subforums on this site or some other trusted sites:
http://www.projectorreviews.com/hometheaterprojectors.php
http://www.projectorcentral.com/home.cfm

Also keep in mind that you will most likely want to get a received that supports HDMI and get a Blu-Ray player :)

ack_bk,

Hey thanks for the support and Hoah to the 101st!!! Well my budget that I have placed aside is $1400 as of now. I plan on adding another $600 to it once I get back from this deployment. I had a lot of older equipment when I first started the build back in July of 2009, but since then have changed out quite a few things. Before I deployed last year, I purchased a Pioneer VSX-1019ah-k and a Pioneer BDP-51FD. I know they are both older models, but I got them both for under $400.00 on clearance. I recently updated the blu ray player to Version 1.70, although I never really knew what it was suppossed to fix. My last version worked fine. I have only owned 2 projectors and I can say that the first one (PLV-Z1) was much easier to set up than the Barco 808 that I currently had. While I was home I took it off of the ceiling and gave it to a young college student. I am sure he will have fun with it as it still had lot's of life. I have taken out a lot of other things in the scheme as they seemed to no longer be on any concern to me at this point in time. I swapped my CLD-A100 for a CLD-406 becasue it had dual side play capabilities and internal decoding for RF (my SP-99D is smiling now). The Samsung Sir-T451 had too many issues so I just removed it since I build a HTPC and added a tuner card for QAM reception. The Pioneer DV-36 was moved to another tv in the house (still runs good), while the Extron DDS-402 has found a new home in a box...college kid didn't want it:rolleyes: And as stated previously, the VSX-1019ah-k took the place of my old, but trusty VSX-D810s which is now camping out at a buddy's house. If I don't have to spend $3000 for a good picture, what are some of the projectors in the $900-1200 range that you have seen and recommend. Heard about the Vivitek 1080HD, but I hear rainbows are an issue. I can get it for $799.99 from projecor people, but not sure about the quality. Thanks for any advice.

THe two in my opinion to check out at that price point are the epson 8350 and mits 4000. I own the 8350 and think it is great.

I reviewed the Epson 8350 and Mits HC4000. Both seem to have great features and are both in my price range. I like the color of my last LCD projector (PLV-Z1) and am leaning towards the Epson. Most websites I visited sell it for $1299.99 and I am assuming that this is the standard web price for this current model. My screen is a 92" Optoma Grayhawk (I think) and The first row of seats is 11' away fromn the screen. If my calculations serve me right, I should mount the lens of the projector at roughly 12 feet away. Is this a good screen for this model or should I go the DIY route and build a better one to get a nicer image? I have attatched a picture of the beginning of my stage before I left. haven't decided if I want to round the front or not and I think I should bring the center channel out of the wall (suggestion) BTW, anyone know how I can post my images larger without having to click on the thumbnail to see? Thanks in advance!!!

I reviewed the Epson 8350 and Mits HC4000. Both seem to have great features and are both in my price range. I like the color of my last LCD projector (PLV-Z1) and am leaning towards the Epson. Most websites I visited sell it for $1299.99 and I am assuming that this is the standard web price for this current model. My screen is a 92" Optoma Grayhawk (I think) and The first row of seats is 11' away fromn the screen. If my calculations serve me right, I should mount the lens of the projector at roughly 12 feet away. Is this a good screen for this model or should I go the DIY route and build a better one to get a nicer image? I have attatched a picture of the beginning of my stage before I left. haven't decided if I want to round the front or not and I think I should bring the center channel out of the wall (suggestion) BTW, anyone know how I can post my images larger without having to click on the thumbnail to see? Thanks in advance!!!

In your price range the Epson 8530 and theHC4000 are your best bets (I agree with the above poster). If you want to spend less you could go with an Optoma HD20, Vivitek (as you mentioned), or a BenQ 1000+. But it is hard to beat the value and performance of the Epson and Mitsubishi.

92" seems a little small at 11' away, you could go with something larger for sure (106" would be a great fit). Before we sold our last house I sat 11' from a 100" screen and I would have liked to go a little bigger (106").

As for projector placement/distance, this calculator will help you choose the right projector for your space:
http://www.projectorcentral.com/projection-calculator-pro.cfm

You could definitely go DIY for a screen or consider a place like Visual Apex which has package deals on projectors and screens.

I had to build the left front of the wall to mimmic the right because the right has a concrete corner wall behind the white insulation. I guess I could extend the front stage further east and west and that would allow me to move my speakers further to accomodate the bigger screen...never thought of that. Well it looks like I'll be selling the 92" when I get back, thanks for convincing me ack_bk that I could go larger than what I first considered. I think I want to try the DIY route, but will price some screens of that size here to see which option is better. At any rate, i will be pulling the trigger on my projector by March as I want it ready for my return. I will keep you updated as to which one I decide and hopefully the wife will take some phots once it arrives.

Hey all,

Well after strolling through a lot of theaters here the past few days I decided to try and keep my build going while deployed. Who says being thousands of miles away can stop a project. Looking at my room I realized that through carelessness, I placed my rack dead center in the back of the room (Duh) and would have issues trying to utalize my equipment. I have decided to relocate the rack, but also replace it with a custom built metal rack. This is my Afghanistan project as we speak. From the following pictures, you can see that I have most if not all the materials I need to produce a decent enough enclosure. I have dowloaded Rack Tools and have toyed with a few ideas. Work will begin in 2 days so hopeuflly I will have new pictures of my progress by then. Thanks for stopping by..

At least you Can stack up all that Equipment and it Will all be there for you to play with when you get home!

Take care man, and God speed!

Hey thanks Hitachi,

Well I have been so busy with my actual job (Maintenance Inspector) that I really didn't have any time to put into my hobby. But today I managed to at least cut most of the frame and braces for my rack. I used the idea from the MA Slim 5. I went with a 79" H and a 19"W and a 20"D for my equipment. Tomorrow (hopefully) I will be placing my corner braces on a Plasma Cam to cut my holes for the rails. I know it's not a lot of progress, but some is better than none. I used 1/4" aluminim angle iron for the main frame and 1/8 stock for the side and front braces. I'll alose be cutting slots on the sides of the 1/8 iron to give them some appeal. Hope you like so far:rolleyes:...more to follow.

Hey all,

Well it's been a while since I last posted. I have been very busy with ECOD's and haven't had time to get on, let alone continue with my DIY rack. However I did receive a package in the mail today. I ordered a Belkin F30 from amazon which was on sale. I heard a lot of good things about this unit so I decided to give it a shot. I had my wife take some photos...she doesn't realize that keeping the plastic on the equipment is sexy. Well I did do a little something to the rack since my last post. After measuring the 4 sections that will be used as my frame, I painstakingly drilled at least 360 holes:eek: (no press drill) in the aluminum for my shelf support system. I also cut 1/8 steel in 20"x4" sections to use as braces to hold the left and right side together. I drilled two 3/16 holes in them which was also measured up to the insides of the 4 sections. Then I applied 3/16 rivets in each hole to create my left and right sides...so far so good. I took photos but unfortunately my SD card is lodged in my buddy's computer. I will post as soon as I can carefully remove (slam laptop on ground:D) the card from his laptop...thanks for stopping by.

Well I finally got around to finish drilling, cutting and riveting the two loft and right sides to my DIY rack. I still need to attach the rear braces, but that can wait until tomorrow. After that I will measure out my shelves for my components. BTW, when manufactures give you dimension for their equipment, do they include the feet as part of the Height? I am going to make face plates and want to be as specific as I can when doing so. The heat is rising in Afghan so I try to do most of the work at night when it's cooler. Oh and I pulled the trigger on the Vivitek H1080FD. Got it from Visual Apex for under $800.00. I have heard about the rainbow effects, but I'll be the judge of that once I get it set up and running...Oh well more to follow.

Hey all,

Well she's standing on her own now!!! I will work on the shelves tomorrow for each of the components. Still was wondering if anyone knows about if equipment feet are factored into the height of a product? Thanks for stopping by.

gonna be next to impossible to make good face plates without measuring directly.......

Hitachi,

Yeah I feared that would probably be an issue. I will still make the shelves for each component but it looks like my project will be on hold after that portion of the build. Rats, if only I had them here with me..:(

Pioneer stated that all of their equipment sizes are with the feet included so I am going to take a chance and work my magic on the shelves and face plates. Have some photos up tomorrow.

Hey all,

Just a quick shot of the shelves I made with the help on a plasma cutter. I will be using a Hutchinson Break tomorrow for the bends. Should have 3 done by this weekend.

Hey all,

Well Fed Ex dropped of my projector and I had the Mrs. take a few snap shots of my new toy. Can't wait to get home so I can fire this thing up and see what she's got:D Used the break today, and the shelf came out pretty good, forgot to take pictures though..but next time..

Hey all,

Well Fed Ex dropped of my projector and I had the Mrs. take a few snap shots of my new toy. Can't wait to get home so I can fire this thing up and see what she's got:D Used the break today, and the shelf came out pretty good, forgot to take pictures though..but next time..

you'll be setting up and tweaking for months!!!!!

you'll be setting up and tweaking for months!!!!!

Does that mean that I picked a bad projecor:(?

Hey all,

Well I found some time in my ever so changing schedule to redo my shelves with a less heavier metal as well as bend them:D. So far I have 2 made, but will be finishing the other 7 tomorrow. You gotta love the Plasma Cam. The size you see here is for my Pioneer PF-D908 cd changer..hence no vents on the side. My DDS-402, Catalyst 2950 and PF30 all came with rack mounts attached so I won't be doing shelves for them. Give me a shout and tell me what you think about this design. Thanks for stopping by:)

Does that mean that I picked a bad projecor:(?

naw! I mean all that equipment at home when you get there to play with!!!!!!

naw! I mean all that equipment at home when you get there to play with!!!!!!

Oh, whew for a minute there I was going to call the wife and have her send it back..lol. Well I finished bending all of my shelves (7 total) and will be finishing the final touhces on each one tomorrow. Will have picks of them in their final stages before I rough them into the rack. I guess I'll get a comment when it's done:rolleyes:..hahah

Sorry all,

No photos as of yet, I have been running missions non stop. But no worries I'll be back in about 4 days to post some things up.. Just to keep you udated, the shelves all fit perfectly in my rack and I have already countersinked on shelve in and waht a match I must say so myself. I am trying to measure my best to seperate my components and start working on my face plates. Have some pictures up the next time. Time to go play Soldiers.

Afghan is a real monster. Finally had time to do jut a little bit more on my rack project. Enjoy!

how you gonna get that stuff home?

cool design!

Hitachi,

I will be putting the finished product in a connex and shipping it back. Most likely will take 2 months to get back home. Thanks for the compliment namewaiter, it got alot of ideas from the DIY racks I see on here. Almost finished countersinking all my screws for the shelves...pictures will be up soon.

Hitachi,

I will be putting the finished product in a connex and shipping it back. Most likely will take 2 months to get back home. Thanks for the compliment namewaiter, it got alot of ideas from the DIY racks I see on here. Almost finished countersinking all my screws for the shelves...pictures will be up soon.

how much does that cost?

how much does that cost?

Not gonna cost me anything, it will go back with my units gear....lucky me huh!!!:D