Hi everyone,

Well, it's been a few years, but plans are finally off the ground for setting up my home theater in my new house! I figured I'd start a thread so I can update as it goes and so I can ask questions in a central location.

I'm converting a room into my dedicated theater, and while it isn't as wide a room as I like, I'll make it work. I am attaching a Vizio drawing that I came up with, which I plan on showing to the contractor to make sure we are on the same page, since I didn't have access to my work machine (where this is) the first time we met.

The plan: Putting up a dividing wall, and then a framed wall to hang an SMX screen with GOM around it. The equipment will go in between the baffle facing outward, with an RF remote. I'm using my existing Martin Logans and Sharpvision 10000u, although I will upgrade to 1080p and cinemascope next spring. The openings will have to stay unfortunately, but I was going to use heavy curtains to try and block what I can. It's the best I can do given the existing construction, but I'm still thrilled about it!!

The contractor is making progress! The riser and screen wall are framed, and tomorrow he is coming to finish framing and put up the drywall. By the end of the weekend his part of the job should be finished! Here are a few before/after shots so far...

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3501.sized.jpg

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3511.sized.jpg
(the thing in the window is my old screen, i wasn't sure where to store it)

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3505.sized.jpg

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3522.sized.jpg

Update on equipment, too -- I went with a 2.37:1 SeymourAV fixed-frame screen (just ordered) instead of SMX, so that I can afford a new Anamorphic Research lens now, instead of waiting until getting my tax refund. And URC is upgrading my MX-700 to an MX-850 for a reasonable upgrade fee, since I needed a repair but the -700 is too old for them to have parts on hand. Good customer service!

I love reading everyone's threads and advice; I wish mine was higher end, and that I had the budget to put in lighting, and a tray ceiling, and a 'stage', not to mention acoustic treatments... but I have other responsibilities now, not to mention the holidays are coming.

Good! Do you have a plan of how it will look like once finish? Also, will you block the door with the arch? (Looks like it going to the kitchen?)


Keep us informed!

Hi Dashboard - I have an MS Vizio drawing that I am putting below... No sketchup plan with colors and whatnot. We're still discussing palate, and I'm leaning towards a dark burgundy, and matching GOM for the front wall. Or maybe two colors with a chair rail for the rest of the room.

As for the door (yes, to the kitchen), there isn't an easy way to put in a door, unfortunately, so the current plan is a heavy curtain, unless the opening is at a major reflection point and then I'd need to rethink it. I actually thought about using a closet door as a pseudo-pocket. And the wife isn't keen on closing in the front corner (the other entrance to the theater), even though there's a 32" opening that would fit a swing-in door, so I have that additional acoustic concern as well. I'm still excited though :)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=160362&d=1260398739

The equipment rack is going into the baffle and I'll be using RF or an IR repeater to control everything - i represented that with a file cabinet in the picture. And there will be a door on the baffle (matching the rest of the house, so from the main entrance it looks like a closet) in front of the equipment, too, but Vizio was not cooperating.

I am curious. Did you have to get a permit to have this work done? I am also in your area and will be doing this exact thing next month. I figured I needed a permit, but thought I would ask.

My contractor did not indicate it was necessary. I did not specifically ask, but I presumed that since he is following code as he builds, he would know if it was something I should apply for.

Update after a great weekend!

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3704.sized.jpg
From the entrance of the house. First coat of mud down.

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3696.sized.jpg
Conduit for speaker wire, and the step light is wired up. Filled with insulation - no pre-decking picture. That's the old screen in the window.

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3700.sized.jpg
Screen wall with baffle.

My contractor did not indicate it was necessary. I did not specifically ask, but I presumed that since he is following code as he builds, he would know if it was something I should apply for.

Contractors don't like permits as it requires time and inspections (and money out of your pocket). But they are there for a reason, to protect the home owner from work being performed that is not up to code. You presume that he is doing things properly, the inspectors would let you know if that were the case.

Did he erect the walls on top of the carpet and plastic?

Yeah, I said it was fine because I didn't want to have to recarpet the rooms at this time.

Oh yeah, and we were browsing a home store and saw some sconces we think we want to add:

http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/03468042000?hei=300&wid=300&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sh arp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0

So we just need to work on the color scheme, finding a good color of GOM to go with that. Any tips on where to buy GOM?

We're making big progress, as we had the sconce wiring done, and picked our color scheme and put the first coat of paint down last night!! Now I'm trying to figure out the GOM order so I can place it. And the screen arrived today!!!

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3753.sized.jpg

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3751b.sized.jpg

(the color isn't as "purple" in person)

Time to think about lighting. I made sure I had a four-gang box because a long time ago I was going to get a Grafik Eye. Now, there are a lot of newer options, such as Insteon and Lutron Maestro (the benefit here being they have a version with URC support for RF), and a GE seems overkill for the room. This is what I have:

1. Overhead light
2. Four sconces (wired together in the wall, single pole to the box)
3. Stair light
4. Speaker spotlighting (for the 'see the speaker through the screen' effect I saw on SMXscreen.com).
5. 3-way switch for the kitchen (that doesn't work right, and if I can't fix it, and I'm to code by doing so, I might take it out and just tie together the wires)

So that's 4 zones, maybe 5 zone if I keep the kitchen switch.

Scenes I can think of:
1. Play movie. Slow dim of all lighting to 0%, except step light to ~50%
2. Intermission. 50% dim of sconces, step light to 100%. Kitchen light on if i have it still
3. End movie. Slow dim to 100% of sconces
4. Conversation. Sconces plus overhead light to 100%, step light off.

So, on one hand a GE seems like overkill (and install sounds like a bear, but I'm still reading). But 5 Lutron Maestro switches would be in the $500. Even 5 Insteon switches is $250 plus the $99 IR controller. So can anyone give me some advice here?

WOOO, major progress! The contractor is done, the curtains are up, the SeymourAV screen is built and hung. All that's left now is painting the other room (I divided a room to make this), put up the GOM (still not ordered), and set up the equipment.

Looking great. I don't know if anyone answered your question on GOM, Fabricmate.com is one source, GIK acoustics another, Sensible Sound Solutions a third. The companies don't stock it they just take your order and it comes from GOM so go with the cheapest INCLUDING SHIPPING. Don't trust the colors on your monitor, order free samples from The Guilford of Maine website.

Did you take any pictures of your Screen Assembly? how did that O ring system work for you?

Hi Bigmouth. I didn't take pictures of the screen assembly, because it went together just like the instruction PDF on SeymourAV's website. The o-rings were awesome, and the screen looks great.

Today, wiring of the components was done, and then I went to turn on the projector for calibration - a major moment!! Then I hit a major snag. :( I misunderstood the manual for my projector, and didn't realize/remember that the lens shift only went one direction. And in my case, it goes the wrong way!!! So, to have my image properly aligned, it needs to be at the top of the screen height, which is 67". Minus the riser, that's about 55", really not acceptable.

If I could mount the projector right-side up, I wouldn't have a problem, since then I could shift it up enough, but the back wall is a window (covered with a curtain) so I can't even just mount a shelf. So I need to do some planning. What a bummer!! :( :(

Gig.. What about a suspended shelf using something like threaded rod?

Brad

P.S. I lived in Gilbert for 20 yr. before relocating, loved the area.

Edit: Check out this post
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17794999#post17794999

Ah, finally an update after what feels like an eternity! What's new:

1. We're leaving the projector ceiling mounted for the time being, even though it's low. Guests aren't common enough that we need to worry, and when seated there is plenty of clearance.

2. We had a 'soft open' on Dec 29. My father-in-law was still in town so we wanted him to be able to see a movie even though it wasn't really complete - at that time, no GOM, no calibration, but it was functioning.

3. Then I had to clean up the wiring, and order the GOM and Fabricmate track. Thanks to bpape for the GOM order!

4. Finally got everything, and started the track last night - we tried to start on Saturday but quickly realized I should be using pneumatic tools and Home Depot was closed. So Sunday, I picked up a 2gal compressor and stapler/brad nailer for $80 (good deal IMO). Below are some pictures of our progress; we decided to install the fabric so we knew we were doing things right!

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3913.sized.jpg

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3916.sized.jpg
Lesson learned: We put the track up against the wall and it made it really hard to get fabric in, because the jaws couldn't open easily.

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/theater_const/IMG_3935.sized.jpg

An update - it's so close to the grand opening!! I would say finished, but we know these projects rarely end! While I was bowling tonight, my awesome wife worked on the GOM by herself. The top piece, unfortunately, needs to be redone because it's too far shifted to the right, but for someone working on their own she did a fantastic job. We will finish it on Wednesday, then we need to paint the other room so we can have visitors this weekend!!!!

Trying to think of a new name, too, since Spooner Street was an homage to Family Guy, which I can't say I watch anymore. Thought about a Godfather reference ("Corleone Cinema") or an Oregon reference ("The Willamette", since my wife grew up there).

Great work. Looking forward to seeing the finished pics.
How do you like your ML's?

Mr. Goodcat, I love my MLs and in fact wish they weren't hidden (but I had to, in order to have Cinemascope). But aesthetics aside, I think they sound great, and my Sunfire amp has a "Current Driven" option to closer resemble tube amplifiers. I did an A/B test of them a while back and do prefer that option. And Martin Logan is a great company. I had a question about wall-mounting the rear speaker because of the riser, and I gave them a call. No problem, put me right through to one of their engineers.

One thing I will concede, is that because they are so directional, they might not be best suited for home theater (being more for music)? It is tough to set them up and toe them in just right, and if you stand up you do lose a lot. I deal with it, but if I were starting over today (I bought all this in 2004) I may have considered Definitive speakers instead.

Some say it has a screen large enough to dwarf Westminster Abbey, and if the speakers are set to max, dogs a mile away will go deaf. All we know is, it's called The Stig Cinema!

Yes, we named it after Top Gear, foregoing the Oregon themed name. And we are done! Well, there are things I'd like to still do, like lighting control, but it's functional and construction is done! I don't have enough pictures yet but here are two good ones (not in the photo is the ceiling fan I installed too)

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/Theater/IMG_3983.sized.jpg

http://www.mikepirone.com/albums/Theater/IMG_3970.sized.jpg

There are construction pictures in the link via my signature if anyone is interested, even though it isn't a very complicated install.

Why is the screen not centered on the wall?


Nice work though, I'm really diggin' the red.

It isn't centered because the wall extends three inches past the rest of the room. I had wanted to close off that space and needed those three inches for the framing and drywall..... And then that plan was changed to keep it open, and the other wall was already framed. So, it's a little odd but i live with it.

Thanks for the compliment; it's GOM FR701 "Deep Burgundy". :)

Love that phrase you came up with for your theater! And of course, I love Top Gear too! Good job!