I've been reading some threads on converting a bedroom into a media room.

My room is 11x13. Planning to wall mount a 54" plasma and keep the equipment in the closet with the cords running across through the attic.

Here are some of my thoughts/questions so far:

- Have window opposite the tv but was planning to get black out type curtains for it. Is this good enough?
-Along those lines, obviously I'm keeping the door to the room. I plan to completely remove the closet door and put a curtain over it. Should I then curtain the room entry door as well?
- How important is painting the ceiling black? I hadn't thought of this, but seems like a lot of work. Is it worth it?
- For a non projector setup do I need to paint the tv wall black?
- Dark colors v. light colors. No burgundy.
- How about some kind of lighting? I plan on putting in a decent ceiling fan, but what about some spot lights or track lighting of some sort? Is this a common feature?
- For this size room, is 5 speakers enough (5 + sub)? Also, I'm guessing sub has to be in room somewhere, as opposed to being in the closet. That might be tricky to conceal it with the room layout.

I will try to take some pictures of the furniture, which we already have, and the general room when I get home from offshore mid week.

There are just some of my early questions. Any thoughts or recommendations are always appreciated!

FWIW, I don't want to do any serious construction. Would like to be able to re-convert back to regular bedroom if I need to in the future.

I would suggest you have a look at the small theater build thread to try to get an idea of the look your going for.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=996973

I think that this build may also be useful to look at. He is using a flat panel display as opposed to a projector.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=819303

A drawing of the layout of the room will really help.

To answer a few of your questions...

Blackout cloth will probably be adequate, though there will be some light spill, which you may find annoying.

Again because you have a flat panel that is much brighter than a projector you can probably get away without painting the screen wall and ceiling black. It really depends on how much you want this to feel like a family room vs a theater.

I would think 5.1 would be enough in this room and 7.1 would be overkill.

Greg

Maybe this will help garner some more responses.

See attached drawing using Paint.

As far as what do I want it to feel like?

I really don't know. Here are my primary uses (planned at least):

- Watching movies. DVD and especially Blu-Ray. Love netflix so we get a lot of movies.
- Watching football. Other sports too but mostly college and some NFL football.
- Playing 360 and Wii

I think based on the furniture alone it won't feel truly like a home theater. Sectional sofa that we inherited and don't wnat to get rid of (doesn't work in new living room, hence one of the purposes of the media room) and a recliner that I fell in love with and had to have.

I guess I picture more of a lounge. A place that my wife and I can watch movies on Tuesday night after work and my buddies can come over to watch the football game on Saturday afternoon.

I read through that entire thread you posted. Pretty good end result. I actually like the idea of the cabinet in front but don't want to build one across my 13' wall, plus what if I want to upgrade from my 54" to a 58" or 60". Then I've got a cabinet that's no good. Or even a different 54" might not fit later based on the framing. I like the idea of the arm mount that he had though, especially because each of our favorite spots are in the corners of the room, which is actually why I'm going plasma v. LCD. Also it would give me a great place for the sub, but if I build it out that far it might be hard getting into the room.

Once again, thanks for any help.