Ok here it is my very own HT Room construction thread. I can't believe it! Well I know that you all want pictures and you shall have them but I want to give ya all a little background first. I started this journey in the mid 90's with a 46" 1.33 RPTV (still in use in the bedroom) with a nice little Dolby Surround Sound system. It was great and I love it but I longed for something bigger. I was always an OAR fan but I wanted to get rid of those black bars. In 2001 I got a Mits 65869 65" 1.78 set. WOW! What a difference. I was watching HD with the built in tuner before HD was cool :) I was the guy who had the Superbowl and Xbox parties. After many upgrades this is what I have currently in my Family Room. I call it the Javabean Media Room. It is also my main music system. So here is that room:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/htupdate6sm.jpg

Yes those are 5 Klipsch Cornwalls. Yes that is a Klipsch Cornwall hung above the TV. Yes there are 3 SVS Subwoofers. Crazy huh? :) Ok so that is awesome and all but I wanted a big picture. One free 10'X10' Dalite Matte White Screen, a $10 800x600 LCD projector, some speakers, a subwoofer borrowed from the Javabean system and you get this, the start of the Mad Tom Studios Cinema:

Back:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/PA040011_web.jpg

Front:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp42705front_web.jpg

With screen down:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp42705frontscreen_web.jpg


On to next post.

Laters,
Jeff

Ok so then things get a tad crazy and I decide I want a HD projector mounted on the ceiling and to make a HT room (you guys are dangerous here let me tell you!). It cannot be a dedicated space because my neighborhood would not support that as a selling point. So let the fun begin.

First I need to install overhead lighting as there was no lighting in the room to begin with (oh I missed a stage in the picture taking so you will see the projector already mounted with a ceiling outlet that I also installed). At this point I had also run the video signal wires through the ceiling.

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpohlightwiring_web.jpg

and lights installed:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpohlightdone_web.jpg

and then of course you need the anamorphic lens for a true 2.35 scope screen experience:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/prismasonicmount7_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/prismasonicmount9_web.jpg

Screenshots to follow.

Laters,
Jeff

So here are some screenshots still on my free 10'X10' screen. I will purchase a scope screen later on. The gamma is increased to show the effect of the scaling and stretching using the lens the picture is not that washed out. The image is ~50" tall throwing a 100" diag 1.78 image and a 127" diag 2.35 image.

Normal everyday blah 2.35 image inside a 1.78 panel:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpltrbxvisable_web.jpg

Projector in V-Fit Mode (tall and skinny):

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpvfitvisable_web.jpg

Right Stretch:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpleftstretchvisable_web.jpg

Full Stretch Mode:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fprightstretchvisable_web.jpg

So that is how an anamorphic lens works.

Laters,
Jeff

Here are the non gamma adjusted pictures:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P10100161_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010015_web.jpg

The source is a Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD Player.

Ok so now I have a great picture. What to do now? Tear it all down of course! Note that I also moved the outlets up to the proper height so they would be useable with the riser in place.

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallframing_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpriser_web.jpg

Ok almost caught up to present day!

Laters,
Jeff

Front speaker wiring:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fplcrwiring2_web.jpg

Sheetrock! Whee...

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallsheetrock1_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallsheetrock2_web.jpg

Valence for screen:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpscreenvalence1_web.jpg

Ok so there ya go for now. The next steps are sanding, re-mudding, texturing, and painting. Then the finish work. Let me know if ya all have any questions.

Laters,
Jeff

Ok progress to report! Texturing is done on the new wall. Almost time for paint!

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fptexturedone_web.jpg

Laters,
Jeff

Ok I got the ceiling paint done. It is a Behr Color called Dark Granite. The sheen is flat. In this picture some of the paint is still wet and that is the discoloration.

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpceilingpaint1_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpceilingpaint2_web.jpg

Here are some shots showing the cut in painting for the wall color. It is an American Tradition color called Ocean Boardwalk but I actually got it color matched and I am using Olympic paint instead. You can see the paint combo from these shots. Again the paint is still wet so the color is not solid yet:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallpaintcutin1_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallpaintcutin2_web.jpg

Ok that is it for tonight.

Laters,
Jeff

It is looking very nice so far. Cant wait to see the final outcome.

Wow my first reply! I need to send you a cookie or something :) Thanks for the comments. I still am trying to figure out how to get at least a popcorn cart in there somehow. I am looking at movie poster frames and posters that I want too. That is all the fun stuff that we can do after the construction is done.

Laters,
Jeff

LOL

I just noticed I was the first. Well, It does look nice. I am jealous about your 2.35 and may have to add one to my theatre :)

Doing all of the little things after construction is one of the best parts of building these rooms in my opinion. I will say, having fresh non-microwaved popcorn really makes a huge difference for us (And is really cool to show off)

:)

Keep us updated with your progress

Jeff,

Its looking good. Nice job on the ceiling installs looks very clean :)

Cheers
Calvin

Looking good, eq!

Is that some barrel distortion on the bottom of your screenshot, or just the picture, or my eyes? I'm also planning 2.35 (7):1, but still not started on construction yet (awaiting signoff from building department, can't wait).

Calvin - Thanks for the comments on the ceiling install. Believe it or not that is a caulkless PVC shower drain ($6 USD at Home depot or Lowes) that I am using for the video signal wires. It worked out great. I drilled a 3.5" hole in the ceiling and inserted the drain and clamped it to the drywall ceiling using the big nut and gasket that you see in the picture. I then inserted a length of 2" PVC pipe of the proper height to raise it above the ceiling insulation and clamped in place with the compression fitting included inside the drain. I ran the wires and sealed up the hole on the top with some firestop goop.

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpceilingpassthru_web.jpg

Brad -

I have seen your thread and I am just glad that I do not have to deal with any town department for any of this!

Yes there is the slightest barrel distortion however the angle that the camera was at makes it seem worse then it is. If the screen was a proper 2.35 ratio screen it would be covered by the boarders. Depending on how you tilt the lens you can get a little barrel distortion on the top and bottom, none at the top and more at the bottom and vice versa. I have tried to split the difference and to me it is a small amount that is not really noticeable when watching a movie.

Laters,
Jeff

Looking good can not wait to build my theater when we move. I just enjoy everyone elses for now.

Nate

Thanks Nate. I am enjoying the process even though it is a bunch of hard work. I have been planning this for a long time so it is nice to see it all come together.

Now for tonights update! The walls are painted! I still need to do some touch up but you can really get a feel for how the room will look.

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallpaint1_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallpaint2_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallpaint3_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallpaint4_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpwallpaint5_web.jpg

Laters,
Jeff

Ok so now I need some opinons from the experts.

Should I get grey outlets and outlet covers for the front projection wall and projector ceiling outlet or leave them white?

On the front projection wall should the trim at the floor be painted grey as well? There will not be any stage.

They are not installed because of the painting but how about the trim for the can lights? Leave them white or paint them grey. I am not sure how well the paint will stick to them.

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks!
Jeff

I'd personally get grey outlets and faceplates. I think the white will stand out too much.

As for the cans, that's more of a preference thing. I'd get something grey if it were me. I don't like them calling attention to themselves - but that's just me. If you get nylon/plastic trim rings, they can be roughed up a little with steel wool so they'll take paint better. You just need something to knock the shine off.

Bryan

I second Bryan's opinion. Don't use white covers on the projection wall. I'd also make the can lights match the ceiling color.

Ed

Ok thanks guys. I actually finished all of the painting over the weekend. I will post pictures when I get a chance. I ended up painting the window ledge and the front trim grey. I replaced the outlets and outlet covers for the projector and screen wall with the normal grey ones from HD. They are a lighter grey but still much better then white would have been. I also painted the can light trim using a grey spray paint. I like how it all looks now.

I have to say that the room sucks up the light now! Before with the 4 can lights the room was plenty light. The frist time I turned them one with the room painted I thought they were dimmed. Of course this is after I had been working in the room with 1000 watt halogen work lights so perhaps I was just used to something a little brighter :)

I will try and post some updates tonight. I am trying to get the carpet cleaned before I start moving everything back into the room.

Laters,
Jeff

Calvin - Thanks for the comments on the ceiling install. Believe it or not that is a caulkless PVC shower drain ($6 USD at Home depot or Lowes) that I am using for the video signal wires. It worked out great. I drilled a 3.5" hole in the ceiling and inserted the drain and clamped it to the drywall ceiling using the big nut and gasket that you see in the picture. I then inserted a length of 2" PVC pipe of the proper height to raise it above the ceiling insulation and clamped in place with the compression fitting included inside the drain. I ran the wires and sealed up the hole on the top with some firestop goop.

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fpceilingpassthru_web.jpg

Laters,
Jeff

Jeff, that's BRILLIANT! I've been thinking about a solution for doing this in my own theater, and this is perfect. Thank you for sharing it.

Joseph

Joseph -

You are welcome. Glad I could help out a fellow Texan!

Laters,
Jeff

Ok here are some pictures of Mad Tom Studios Cinema until the bank account recovers :) I am very happy with the results :) I still need add some wall art, drapes, and theater seating for the front row but for now I am enjoying the theater.

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_PC300052_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_PC300053_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_PC300057_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_PC300058_web.jpg

Hope you all enjoy and thanks for looking.

Laters,
Jeff

Here is a side shot that shows off the room a bit:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_PC300060_web.jpg

Equipment Rack:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_PC300049_web.jpg

Laters,
Jeff

Very clean looking install !
I like the seating very modern looking. I have ordered a row of black berkline 45004's for a very similar install. I am keeping a 100" couch for my front row as my wife likes to lay down during movies sometimes. Johnathan

Looking good. The budgetary issues will force you to just sit back and enjoy it for a while.

Bryan

Johnathan and Bryan -

Thank you for the comments. I must admit not having the funds is a nice excuse to just sit and watch movies :) It got a lot of use during the holidays.

Laters,
Jeff

Ok I added some end tables and lighting for the back row. I also switched out the speakers so the lighter colored ones are in the back now:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_P2190063_web.jpg

Laters,
Jeff

I also finally got the equipment cabinet installed. It is from IKEA and the total cost including the doors, shelves, handles, and feet was $174.00 which I think is a smoking deal considering the cost of other options that I looked at. I still need to do a bit of cable management but other than that it is pretty much finished.

Here is the before:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_PC300049_web.jpg

and now:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_P2190067_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/fp_P2190068_web.jpg

Laters,
Jeff

Ok a shameless bump. I ordered my 2.35 screen from AVS today! Here are the specs:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/2_35_screen_52_in_high_web.jpg

The numbers may be hard to read. It will have 4" black borders, top border of 6", bottom border of 23". The viewable area will be 52"x122.25" (~106" dia 1.78, ~132.5" dia 2.35).

The material is high power and it will be a Da-Lite Model C with CSR. Jason here at AVS helped with all the ordering. I will post actual pictures when it arrives.

Laters,
Jeff

Ok I finally got the 2.35 screen in and mounted. Here are the pictures:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010071_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010074_web.jpg

Laters,
Jeff

All these screen shots are with and without the theater lights on. Enjoy!

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010075_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010076_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010077_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010078_web.jpg


Laters,
Jeff

Some more screenshots:

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010083_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010084_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010096_web.jpg

http://www.madtomstudios.com/HomeTheater/FrontProjection/P1010097_web.jpg

If anyone is interested I can post the full size versions of any of them.

Laters,
Jeff

Jeff,

Looks great :) hope you enjoy the heck out of it now that your up and running.
Very nice HT.

Cheers
Calvin

Thanks Calvin (yours is coming along nicely as well)! I wish I could do a totally dedicated room like you and others are able to do. Who knows maybe in a couple of months I will be building more walls again hehe.

Yes it is time to sit back and enjoy. I still need to get some curtains for the side openings, some posters, figure out a better way to mount the rear speakers to accommodate the sub or perhaps just get a box format SVS sub, and different front row seating. That is all small stuff compared to the projection system which I am calling complete for now.

The picture that the Da-Lite High Power material yields is awesome. I am glad I waited until I could afford to spend the extra money and get exactly the screen I wanted.

Laters,
Jeff

Tremendous job Jeff. You're motivating me to do something in my room. Other than sit and watch movies with speaker wire strung all over the floor I mean. ;)


I'd really like to add can lights to my room but am a little intimidated by it. Is it as big of a pain in the butt as it seems like it would be?

Jeff I used to have a Da-lite hi powered screen (120") that I used with my old Panny 900 it was a great combo I'm sure you'll be happy for many years to come with that screen even changing PJ's.

Have you thought about hanging the rear speakers and angling them to the listening position? There are lots of great mounts on the market place for this type of set up.

Theater is looking great enjoy it :)

Elliott -

Thanks for the comments! Hopefully you will get a chance to come over soon. The hardest part of adding the can lights to the room was the wiring and getting up into the attic. I was lucky in that although there where not any can or other ceiling lights in the room there was a switched outlet. I removed and re-purposed that circuit for use with the can lights. After installing the wiring actually mounting the can lights is super easy. They make old work or retrofit lights that clamp onto the drywall so you do not have to attach them to studs. I have a huge hole saw that you can borrow for cutting out the circles.

Calvin -

Yeah I need to figure out a better way to mount the speakers. They are horn speakers and as such are somewhat directional. I have actually had them pointed all sorts of ways and having them firing into the corners seems to yield the best all enveloping surround sound. Weird but true. The room is really too narrow for those speakers to work their best in the standard positions but this arrangement seems to work fine. I have looked at mounts but the speakers are almost 60 lbs each so it is hard to find ones that will work and look good.

Thanks for the replies.

Laters,
Jeff

Elliott -

Thanks for the comments! Hopefully you will get a chance to come over soon. The hardest part of adding the can lights to the room was the wiring and getting up into the attic. I was lucky in that although there where not any can or other ceiling lights in the room there was a switched outlet. I removed and re-purposed that circuit for use with the can lights. After installing the wiring actually mounting the can lights is super easy. They make old work or retrofit lights that clamp onto the drywall so you do not have to attach them to studs. I have a huge hole saw that you can borrow for cutting out the circles.

Calvin -

Yeah I need to figure out a better way to mount the speakers. They are horn speakers and as such are somewhat directional. I have actually had them pointed all sorts of ways and having them firing into the corners seems to yield the best all enveloping surround sound. Weird but true. The room is really too narrow for those speakers to work their best in the standard positions but this arrangement seems to work fine. I have looked at mounts but the speakers are almost 60 lbs each so it is hard to find ones that will work and look good.

Thanks for the replies.

Laters,
Jeff

I bought a pair of HIIs off of ebay years ago. The previous owner was using them as surrounds and had taken 4 large eye bolts and just screwed them into the cabinets and hung them from the ceiling joists. Oh the horror! Once the holes were filled and sanded, you really didn't notice them unless you were looking for them. Got em cheap too. Woot! I have a pair of walnut Heresy IIs that I bought new at the old Home Entertainment in Preston Center years ago. I treat them like they're my children.

Jeff,

Just an thought here but maybe you could alter some of the smaller CRT TV mounts that have telescopic arms to work with those speakers then suspend them from the ceiling. Many of those styles of mounts also allow you to spin 360 degrees and raise and lower as required (and then you can lock them into position).
Might be something worth looking into.
Cheers

Elliott -

Yup love the Heresys. Awesome for reproducing movie and concert soundtracks!


Calvin -

That is a great idea! I had not even thought of using those types of mounts. I will have to take a look at some and see if I can use any of them. Worse case I will be building shelves to hold the speakers to free up the floor space underneath them. That way I will have more room for the subwoofer and endtables.

Laters,
Jeff

Hi Jeff, great thread!

How did you resolve your speaker mounting or placement ?

Thanks for the inspiration, I plan to use my living room as a theater. Still in the planning stages. Wow, this forum is such a great place to learn.

John

John -

Thanks for the kind words. Yes I did resolve the mounting delima and your post reminds me that I need to take and post some new pictures. I went with the wall TV mounts for a 13" TV. These worked out perfect. I could only find white ones so I had them re-powder coated silver/pewter to better match the modern decor.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Laters,
Jeff