I can't find the first pictures of the space before finishing. I did find a few during construction photos but most pictures are what it looks like now which is "almost finished" or "usable". I will get around to finishing as time allows. The first thing on the list is to redo the screen which you will notice has some pretty bad wrinkles.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1773/dscn4114bl2.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3006/dscn4163rz7.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/3994/dscn4165zh2.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3865/dscn4166ux4.jpg

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/349/dscn4241pk6.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/9636/dscn4238jl1.jpg

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/6391/dscn4231uy6.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6730/dscn4229jj2.jpg

Here is a pick with some different light showing the left main and center behind the front coverings.

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9633/dscn4224tk6.jpg

Here is my also "not quite finished" 15 inch Sound splinter RL-p15 sub.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/5595/dscn4234fr4.jpg

Here is a view of some of the acoustic panels made of 1 inch rigid fiberglass.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/7711/dscn4232hr6.jpg

And here is a close-up view. The cloth is Dazian Expo cloth and it looks much blacker in "real life".

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8655/dscn4240fi8.jpg

First picture is of the kids (obviously)

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/9968/dscn4242du0.jpg

Here is the back side of the equipment closet.

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/9809/dscn4182rn3.jpg

Here are the amps that power everything with the Furman sequential switching power conditioner.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6246/dscn4183yy2.jpg

I am pretty happy with it considering the low cost. Everything was done by myself with help from my wife. Actually the carpet was installed by a pro. The room was finished from from a completely unfinished area in the basement for about $2000. That cost does not include gear which I already had some and bought some new, so it gets a little confusing to figure up the gear.
Please post any comments questions or concerns.

Great theater but what was the purpose of the perforated hardboard for the rear and side walls (other than to hang stuff, of course)

Victor

Great theater but what was the purpose of the perforated hardboard for the rear and side walls (other than to hang stuff, of course)

Victor

Thanks Victor. I really didn't want to get into mudding and sanding drywall. And I kinda like the different look it gives. When I first put it up I wasn't so sure I liked how it looked and almost changed it. But now is has grown on me and I like how it is different than most theaters you see.

I wouldn't call it "Cheapo". It looks like you started with a very firm idea of what you wanted and stuck with it. It looks great to me. :)

I wouldn't call it "Cheapo". It looks like you started with a very firm idea of what you wanted and stuck with it. It looks great to me. :)

Thanks VorlonFog. I guess "cheapo" is relative. It wasn't cheapo to me--I spent as much as I thought I could afford on it. It's just that a guy gets used to seeing the amazing HT's around here and it reminds me that ours is a far cry from some but great for us.

i think this is a very cool theater. it doesn't take any skill to spend money or clone what everyone else does but you have done some unique and innovative stuff here. nice job!!

what are the wood strips on the ceiling? it looks like solid wood but it is too wide to be dimensional lumber.

greg

Thanks for the compliments IndyGreg!

what are the wood strips on the ceiling? it looks like solid wood but it is too wide to be dimensional lumber.

The ceiling was done in 7/16" OSB. Then I used 1x4 pine around the outside and for the cross pieces. The wood covering the seams that run the length of the room are 1x12 pine. I had to go wide because of the lights. If you notice in the first picture the lights have pine rings around them for trim and I was going to use 1x4's on all of the seams. But due to a planning/measuring error when attaching the ceiling OSB sheets the seams weren't lining up with the lights. So I had to use 1x12's to cover the seams and still center the lights.

Very nice! It looks like you and your family can enjoy this space for a long while.

Very nice! It looks like you and your family can enjoy this space for a long while.

Thanks A-Rone. We watched "Cars" last night and it was just awesome. I told my wife that I can't imagine watching a movie on a regular TV every again.

I think the pegboard looks cool after you painted it. It gives the room an interesting look.

Palmtree,

I like the pegboarg on the walls too. And I really like your ceiling!!! Looks great!
Your kids look like they love the theater!!!! Have fun!

Nice job Palmtree. Really love the ceiling! Have you hit your head on the Empire's fighter yet? ;)

sds

Thanks for the compliments BoomerBrian, Kamull and sdspga. I really like how the ceiling turned out as well. It was really pretty easy (compared to hanging, taping, mudding, sanding, mudding again and sanding again for sheetrock) and the 1x4's were pretty inexpensive. I only spent about $170 on the ceiling. 8 sheets of OSB, 9 pine 12 foot 1x4's and 3 pine 12 foot 1x12's (and of course some screws and paint).
Also I think I forgot to mention that the room is 12' x 20' x 8'.

Nice job Palmtree. Really love the ceiling! Have you hit your head on the Empire's fighter yet?

Nah. It's not a problem back there. I hung it there because there is really never a reason to go back behind the sofa on that side. Funny thing is that I just got that tie-fighter for christmas from my Brother-in-law. He remembered me telling a story about ordering one of those from the Sears catalog in 1979 and never getting it. Well now I have it 28 years later.

Great looking theater, Palmtree. I'm all about doing things on the cheap, so to speak. My last theater was built for less than $2500 (see old pics in my sig). I'm in the process of building a temp theater in our new house that should be functional for less than $500!!!

Oh, BTW, I PMed you.

I’ll echo the congratulations – nice looking room!

Two questions for you:

1. The Dazian Expo cloth seems to be quite a bit cheaper than GOM. Are there any downsides?

2. What type of carpet ts that?

Do you have any pictures of what your equipement closet looks like from the front? Is it located in the rear left of your pictures? I am just building my own, and it is a challenge!

Do you have any pictures of what your equipement closet looks like from the front? Is it located in the rear left of your pictures? I am just building my own, and it is a challenge!
Yes, that is the gear closet in the back. Although it is not an actual closet--it is just two large shelves with doors on the outside. Actually I don't have any pictures right now. but it would be no problem to snap a couple. I will try to get that done tonight if I have time. After I get pictures up I would be happy to answer any questions.

I’ll echo the congratulations – nice looking room!

Two questions for you:

1. The Dazian Expo cloth seems to be quite a bit cheaper than GOM. Are there any downsides?

2. What type of carpet ts that?

Thanks Kevin.
1. I originally went with the Dazian because of price, because this is the "Cheapo Theater" after all. After I ordered but before it arrived the sample of GOM I had ordered showed up. The GOM was nicer in some ways but not so great in others. first of all, I am pretty sure that the yellow of the fiberglass would show through the GOM (it is a pretty open weave). So anything going behind it would most likely need to be painted or covered in black (others that have actually used it could probably say with certainty if this is true). The expo cloth went right over the yellow fiberglass panels and covered it up completely. The Expo cloth does have a little more of a smooth texture which gives it a kind of sheen compared to the GOM which is kinda like a really nice black burlap. The thing about Expo cloth that made up my mind was the size. It only comes in 48" width (which is actually more like 50" or more with the unfinished edges. It was perfect for my panels. I didn't have to cut any length-wise. In some cases I suppose the 48" width would be a problem and GOM comes wider. And of course it is about 1/3 the price.
2. I will have to check into the carpet. I don't remember what it was called because my wife picked it out from a local carpet store. It was however the single most expensive purchase in the room construction (and it wasn't anywhere near the high end of the carpet price chart).
Hope this helps,
Brett

Thanks VorlonFog. I guess "cheapo" is relative. It wasn't cheapo to me--I spent as much as I thought I could afford on it. It's just that a guy gets used to seeing the amazing HT's around here and it reminds me that ours is a far cry from some but great for us.


you have to remember that there are some guys on here who have more money than they can handle, and can afford the best of the best. The rest of us make do. I still bet your room is better than every single one of your friends and neighbors. That's what I am planning to build. Something that I can love, and my friends can envy. Even though compared to many members here it will pale in comparison.

Out of curiosity, what are the room dimensions?

Out of curiosity, what are the room dimensions?

Thanks davdev. I think the room looks quite a bit larger in person than it does in the pictures. I wider angle lens would be helpful. The room is approx 12 feet wide by 20 feet long with 8 foot ceilings.

Very nice! I like the color scheme and the "techy" look of the pegboard.

Laters,
Jeff

Thanks davdev. I think the room looks quite a bit larger in person than it does in the pictures. I wider angle lens would be helpful. The room is approx 12 feet wide by 20 feet long with 8 foot ceilings.


With 20 feet of depth, did you consider two rows of seating?

With 20 feet of depth, did you consider two rows of seating?

I do plan on two rows of seating in the future. I am waiting because of cost of seating (don't forget it is the "Cheapo Theater") and also I am waiting until I can afford a 1080P projector. Right now I am using the Panasonic AE300U which I bought several years ago. It is a really great projector but it only has 1/4 the resolution of a 1080P. When the prices come down enough on the projectors then I will feel comfortable putting a row of seats at about 8 feet from the screen. Actually my kids usually sit in front of the sofa on bean bags or their "kids chairs" and they love it. In fact they prefer it.