Hello everyone....as you can see from the number of post I have, I'm extremely new to the game...to make things worst, I know the basics but alot of the technical lingo i see on here looks like a foreign language to me. So obviously, a forum like this is extremely valuable to someone like me...please help!

I'm a DIYer but I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. Most of my questions are technical and subjective but any help will be appreciated. All my plans for this were done off the top of my head and a scetch pad so I will have to describe room the best I can at some point soon provide pictures. I'm ready for drywall so soon I'll be getting down to business!

Here's what I've got, what I'm doing and what I've completed...

I have a concrete bunker in my basement that i'm converting to a theater room. It rest under a 3 car garage, so it has 10" pour concrete around the perimeter and 4" concrete with steel beams in the ceiling. NO WINDOWS!

After I found this forum, I soon realized I probably have already broken a few rules and most can't be changed. The entire room is 27 x 22, but I cut the room off(width wise) and created a ramp/hall along side with a 2" x 6" (insulated) wall to give me a 17 x 27 room to create a "theater effect". I've insulated the ceiling and all the walls(even interior walls and closets). I didn't put any insulation in floors or stage(mistake number one). Fortunately...the insulation has greatly reduced the resonating sound I had before(It sounded like a shower). The ceiling is going to be black acoustic tile and hasn't been put up yet.

You walk in through the door(which is about 5 feet from the front corner of room) into a hall, which directly to right you find the component closet and directly across hall is an arched doorway and the lower level (first level seating) and stage/ future screen to the right. If I took a left after entering hall it will take me up the ramp to the upper level, which I walk through another archway (to the right) and entire room...at end of ramp it levels out for 4 ft and there's a 6 x 5 closet(future ticket booth and popcorn stand?) w/ ticket window making the theater a 17 x 27 room with 2 entrances(L and U). You enter the closet from back of theater room.

The lower level is on concrete and the riser(upper level) is on 2 x 8's plus 3/4 osb plywood. The stage is 4' x 17' and the lower level is 9 x 17(not including stage 13 x 17 overall)) and the upper level is 14 x 17. Ceiling height is 8'6" ft on lewer level and 7'10" on upper.

In the middle of room I have built two 32"H x 12"Wx32"D cabinets that sit on each end of the riser and stick out creating a half wall. They sit behind first row on lower level and beside second row. As I said...the cabinets will create a half wall effect w/columns sitting on top and under a fake curved beam over them to break up the the ceiling tile. I will put the xbox 360, ps2 and any other game system my kids can talk me into buying ;) in the cabinets instead of the component room and run a component cable to them. The right cabinet will have a door at the end on right for the game systems and the other cab will have a door for blankets/pillows.

recap... and additional info

-17x 27 room
-upper level is 14x17
-lower level is 13x17
-columns in middle of room w/ game cabinet will be 11 ft apart.
-columns on stage(13 ft apart) with matching beam and speakers/subs hidden under.EDIT>>>I decided to go with built ins on stage with arches in top corner. I put the arch about 12" for back wall(screen) to hide cutains behind.
-ceiling height average is 8' 2" w/ acoustic tile ceiling(8'6" on 1st and 7'10" on upper)
-stage sits on 2x10's and is 4 ft depth.
-first row seating distance is ~13 ft
-second row seating distance ~18 ft
-Main Floor is concrete(will be carpet)
-Riser is also going to be carpet
-Beam will go across middle of room to break up ceiling tile and at front stage
-automatic curtains going behind beam on stage
-I have 4 gang box for future grafic eye or something else.
because of center cabs thinking of going 9.1


Uses for room...

-Designated theater
-Karaoke for the kids on front stage
-Small recording studio stuck in back with a roland drum kit, mixing station and closest will also act as sound booth(I have an extremely talented niece who lives with me)
-Poker night and dinner and a movie in back of room
-gaming

Questions I have??? MANY! I haven't purchased anything for this room.

I haven't set a budget but I'm not interesting in spending a fortune either...I'm trying to get the best bang for the buck.

Here it goes...I 'm numbering them because I'm winging this because I still get confused with many of the answers on this board.

1) I want to go with CIH 2.35 goo wall(at least temporarily)...probably 11' wide...maybe 12...Is it 2.35 or 2.37? I see different opinions. I thought I'd start with goo and go from there at least until I settle on width. What is the correct answer...2.35 or 2.37? My plan is to do a home made curved screen.

2) If I want to spend 4-5k on projector plus purchase anamorphic lense and maybe scaler. I plan on making this my first purchase. Which way would you go? I see many opinions on this subject and I realize there are going to be varying opinions, but if you had 8k(or more....if worth it) to get projector, lense and scaler(If required) what would you buy?...WHAT'S THE BEST BANG FOR BUCK??? Remember... 11-12 ft wide screen (2.37?), 27 ft deep room and ~13-18 ft sitting distance.

3)Scaler...is a scaler important if I get the correct projector and which projector would eliminate the need for scaler? I don't mind spending 1k if it's worth it, but is the scaler going to make that much of difference? Would it be wiser to put that into a better lense?

4)1080p or wait? I'm in no big hurry...if it is wise to wait for a few months that is not a problem. Since my front row is kind of close, 1080p is what I'm going to get, but I see light output may be a problem for a screen my size. Light out put may be an issue, but I have no windows in the room.

5)DVi or HDMI cable? I get so confused here. I'm not up on this like I should be. The run will be atleast 30ft... I'm told by a local guy to go with a DVI dual (something or other) instead of HDMI...what would you do? I've done all the electrial and already have run 20amp for proj and component video...but I need to decide the HDMI or DVI question at some point. That's one thing good about a drop ceiling...I can add it at any time. Why do we need the audio the HDMI provides...is that the only difference?

6)Subs and speakers...I currently have 4 Definitive Pro 100's bookshelf speakers and a Klipsch KSW10 subwoofer and a Definitive C2 center speaker for my old theater room. I realize these are probably too small(i've had them for a few years), but are they adequate for now? Can I used the 100's for sides and the sub for an extra boom? How can these be utilized for this system(if at all).

6a)should I go with 9.1(4 sides) since I have those cabinets in middle of room? My plan was to put side speakers(dipole?) behind column but I'm concerned the column will make it sound funky.

7)What speakers/sub would you buy? Size...wattage? What's the best bang for the buck? I plan on using them mostly for theater. I love music but I have all house ceiling speakers for that and will add a couple of nice monitor speakers for recording in back. ~ 3900 cubic feet.

7a)Do I need 2 subs? Should I use the Klipsch SW10 with something else or another one? I have it wired for 2 in front and 1 in back corner...suggestions?

8) Would you put rear speakers all the way in the back or move them closer to rear seat? How about in ceiling speakers for the rear? I have about 8 feet behind rear seat for drumset.

9) Receiver?...I currently have a Yamaha RX-V620(I got it with my speakers)...is this adequate for now? It has DTS Digital and Dolby... will it perform like I want with a good projector and good speakers. I'm trying to do this as I go and I don't want to throw money at equipment. Can I still have an awesome theater experience with this receiver in this room, until I move to upgrade? If not...what the best reciever for the money?

10)Grafik eye...is there something better for the $$$. I have 6 scenes planned and already have everything ran to a 4 ganged metal box.

11)Other components..."must have" components...what are they...conditioner...power protection?

12)component room...it's about 4 x 4 and will not have air runnng in there. Should I do that or since the temporature stays rarely regulated due to underground, will it be OK?

13) is there a certain recessed lights I should use with grafik eye or at least avoid?

14)Am I missing something else? I plan on rope lighting and making sound absorbing panels. The room will have four low profile columns with wall sconses.

I appreciate any and all suggestions given to me. I have read tons on info on this board but still get confused with all the technical stuff. Alot of this info is so overwhelming I thought I'd provide a thread to help me(and others) keep my thoughts together and get direct answers from people that have far more experience.

In return...I'll take photo's and bore you to death with the details...like mistakes I make along the way, and hopefully share the joy that myself and my family will have when it's all completed.

This is enough for now, but I'm sure I have more to come.

Bump...I realize there is a lot of questions here. I numbered them so if someone had an opinion they could just pick and choose. I apologize for not having a 3d verision of my plan. I took several years of drafitng in school, so a pencil and a T square is all I needed :)

I do have photos and plan on posting them in a few days.

I will try a few...although pictures will sure attract more attention than a lengthy first post! :D

1.) Many strong opinions on this one...I watch mostly HD and and then 2nd DVD's so I chose 16x9 screen layout...what do you watch most of??

2.) Best bang for your buck is arguably CRT front projection but there are lots of haters here so a cheapy digital will work fine too :eek: One thing is for sure...hold off on buying this until last...the prices will no doubt come down and the projectors will continue to improve...you don't want to spend 4k now and have it be worth 2k before it even gets used!

3.) I am an HTPC man myself so no need for scaler...if you like to tinker this may be an alternative.

4.) If you can afford why not! Then again...if you are coming from 480i why blow it all in one shot :p .

5.)I would run both HDMI and DVI and I did...unfortunately it seems that DVI is starting to disappear and the flat panel craze has accepted the one cable solution that is HDMI...too bad they can't screw to the monitor though...Cables are cheap run one of everything!

6.) Speakers - wow what a loaded question...I am partial to AV123 products but there are fanboys of all brands present...lots seem to like the internet direct brands over the best buy available brands...Rule NO. 1 is always listen for what you like and then decide...not read what we say to decide...I think audio is more important than the video for the real experience...YMMV

6a.) I don't think 9.1 is necessary by any means and with that I don't think that 7.1 is necessary. BUt again..if you have extra money why not...I would if I could afford it but I am not saving up for it. I definitely wouldn't put a dipole right by a column though.

7.) Again same answer as 6.

7a.) I think the sub is a very important aspect of the experience too. I would definitely add or upgrade the sub. Have you thought of buttkickers for the riser...once you feel them you wont want to watch a movie without them! SVS is a well respected sub brand here, along with many others.

8.) I would personally stear clear of the in ceiling speakers but you might be able to find some good ones. I think there is supposed to be some distance between the back speakers and the listening position...although 8 ft sounds a bit much..

9.) Receiver should be fine for now...

10.) Sounds like you were planning for it already...there are cheaper ways but this is definitely a nice option for a package system. costs $$ though..

11.) I would say a good surge protector is nice but a power conditioner is not necessary. You need a nice universal remote control to control everything!

12.) Can you cut a hole in the wall and vent it to a utility space? You would be surprised how hot this stuff can get when piled on top of each other.

13.) Don't know...but wouldn't think so...only wattage requirements I think.

14.) Too general...looks good.

You owe me at least $10 for scrolling up and down to look at all your questions1!! ;)

Good luck.

Thanks Greg...you're the man!

1) Movies mostly...I have a 65" rear projection Mit in another room...but who knows...Will a projector give me the same quality picture/...can I watch hockey on any projector and see the puck?

2)I considered a CRT early on, but I'm not sure I can get a quality picture on a 11 ft 2.35 screen? Am I wrong?

3)HTPC...ha...I can't even decide the kind of speakers to get. :) Baby steps man...baby steps

4)I wonder what projector will give the best light output for a screen that size(11') without spending a fortune? If I knew a projector was coming soon that had a anamorphic lense attached, I would wait.

5)This is my confusion and proves my lack of understanding. Isn't HDMI and DVi the same, except for audio?...What would I need audio for? Isn't component good enough for now? The way my theater is set up I can add any cable at any time.

6)I agree...the sound makes the experience come to life. What AV would you recommend for a 17x27 room?...2 subs?

6a)I will go ahead an wire for 9.1, and probably do 5.1. I can always add those sides later.

7)-

7a) Can I go with a SVS sub and differnet speakers? I always thought center and fronts and backs should be the same..but sub?

12) My component closet is inside the "concrete tumb" with the theater, but it does have the duct/return holes in there...Two 12" holes at top...maybe I should punch a hole in the flex duct? ;)

Subs do not need to match your speakers. SVS subs offer a lot of bang for the buck. They go deep and loud, with the trade-off that they tend to be big. My cylinder is a monster. But given that it's going behind a scene wall, size doesn't matter.

For that matter, I personally don't think rear/side speakers need to be the same brand as the fronts. Others may disagree on that point. However, all three fronts should however be matched.

I agree the L/C/R combination should have identical tweeters.