My wife and I are building a new house in Indianapolis with an unfinished basement. I found a room in the basement which may work for a dedicated HT room. The room size is basically 18’ (length) x 13’ (width, also used as the screen wall) x 8’ 7” (height). I realize that this is quite a small room, but I just wanted to get others input if they thought this room was a little too small to build a dedicated HT room. I have not determined the screen size for this room as I am not sure how far back I wanted to seating to be. I would like to place two sets of 3 chairs each (the second row would be on risers). I thought about having 9 or 10 feet between the first set of seats and the screen wall. My initial thoughts were to have the ceiling mounted projector around 10 feet from the screen wall. My main concern is building a room where the screen size is worth the build but still not giving the people in the first row of seats a headache from being too close to a large screen image.

Please let me know what your thoughts are regarding the room size and if you feel this room would be adequate for a dedicated HT room.

Thank you in advance…

Neil

Yes it is certainly big enough. The mounting of your projector will depend on what projector it is, and the size and Aspect ratio of the screen you decide on.
as for size, My screen is 120" wide by 51"H 2.35:1 Aspect screen, my first row is at 9.5' eyes to screen, second row is 12.5' eyes to screen my projector is mounted at the back of my room and is 16' exactly lens to screen.
No one has yet gotten a head ache or complained in any way of being too close or the screen being too large. My projector is Optoma H77 and is a 720p projector by the way and screen is Smx acoustically transparent screen with speakers behind it.

I think your room size is fine and very simailar to mine (17.5'x16x8'6"), I went first row at 12' and a 5' riser whic is 12" high at 16.5. I am putting 4 seats in front and 3-4 in the back. you will be able to fit 2 rows if you desire that and probably 3 seats per row, depending on the size of the seats.

I think your room size is fine and very simailar to mine (17.5'x16x8'6"), I went first row at 12' and a 5' riser whic is 12" high at 16.5. I am putting 4 seats in front and 3-4 in the back. you will be able to fit 2 rows if you desire that and probably 3 seats per row, depending on the size of the seats.


Thanks for your input, would you mind if I asked what type of projector you are using and what size screen you currently have up?

Yes it is certainly big enough. The mounting of your projector will depend on what projector it is, and the size and Aspect ratio of the screen you decide on.
as for size, My screen is 120" wide by 51"H 2.35:1 Aspect screen, my first row is at 9.5' eyes to screen, second row is 12.5' eyes to screen my projector is mounted at the back of my room and is 16' exactly lens to screen.
No one has yet gotten a head ache or complained in any way of being too close or the screen being too large. My projector is Optoma H77 and is a 720p projector by the way and screen is Smx acoustically transparent screen with speakers behind it.


Thank you for your reply. I was thinking of doing 16:9 on the screen and using the Sony VPL-VW50 or the new Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 1080p projector...

Do you have your equipment rack in the room our placed outside?

Thanks for your input, would you mind if I asked what type of projector you are using and what size screen you currently have up?


I think I will get the sony pearl, or wait for sony to come out with a new projector, but probably wont be abble to wait that long


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=860586

I had a chance to look at your thread, seems like you are off to a wonderful start...seems like you have a very understanding fiance :)

My equipment rack at the moment is at the backside of my theater, and it is facing into the theater, I am currently trying to decide whether to leave it as such or turn the components to face INTO the equipment room closet itself. I am going to be using IR repeaters in any event. Just a question of whether I want to be able to see displays from the theater or not.

So the answer to your question is either way they are actually outside the theater room proper. I have an area that is on the side of the theater used to be closets and bathroom in my old bedroom, which is now the equipment room, concessions area and the DVD media storage area.

My room was framed 13x18, but ended up a couple inches smaller than that with drywall. I have two rows of 3 Berklines with the back row on a riser, so I can tell you what your room will be like! It's certainly not "roomy", and maybe a little cozy for some tastes, but I absolutely love how it's turning out.

I went with a 96x54 16:9 screen because I'm a CRT guy (no scope for me) and because I wanted a big and immersive image. I'll probably be watching 80%+ HD, so that helps. The front row is probably not much over 1.1 screen widths away so it's a little close for some, but I LOVE it. It's maybe a tad on the big side for 16:9 material, but is perfect for wider aspects like 2:35.

I have a small aisle (probably 24-30") behind the riser and back row. If you eliminated that, you could move everything back some and reduce apparent screen size.

Here's a rendering I did when I was playing around with sound treatments and the FRV software for finding first reflections... I don't have any photos, yet.

http://www.ecrabb.com/avs/frvrender2.jpg

My equipment room is at the back of the long wall on the left of the screen, opposite the door in the rendering. There's surprising amount of light falling on the screen from a couple of the components, so I may need to look into some smoked plexi for a door or something.

SC

My room was framed 13x18, but ended up a couple inches smaller than that with drywall. I have two rows of 3 Berklines with the back row on a riser, so I can tell you what your room will be like! It's certainly not "roomy", and maybe a little cozy for some tastes, but I absolutely love how it's turning out.

I went with a 96x54 16:9 screen because I'm a CRT guy (no scope for me) and because I wanted a big and immersive image. I'll probably be watching 80%+ HD, so that helps. The front row is probably not much over 1.1 screen widths away so it's a little close for some, but I LOVE it. It's maybe a tad on the big side for 16:9 material, but is perfect for wider aspects like 2:35.

I have a small aisle (probably 24-30") behind the riser and back row. If you eliminated that, you could move everything back some and reduce apparent screen size.

Here's a rendering I did when I was playing around with sound treatments and the FRV software for finding first reflections... I don't have any photos, yet.


My equipment room is at the back of the long wall on the left of the screen, opposite the door in the rendering. There's surprising amount of light falling on the screen from a couple of the components, so I may need to look into some smoked plexi for a door or something.

SC


SC,

Thank you very much for your input. The more responses I get in favor of the size room helps my decision. I do agree with you that the room is by no means "roomy" but it is cozy. By the way, which software program did you use to design the file you just showed?

Thanks...

The Miami Sky Loft is pretty small at 10' x 16', but it is one of the better examples I have seen to date, of a smaller dedicated theater. Your space is roomy compared to the Sky Loft, but it does show a shorter room can work, with careful planning and a little compromising.

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/sky_loft_showcase/

The Miami Sky Loft is pretty small at 10' x 16', but it is one of the better examples I have seen to date, of a smaller dedicated theater. Your space is roomy compared to the Sky Loft, but it does show a shorter room can work, with careful planning and a little compromising.

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/sky_loft_showcase/


Good point Tedd, I just took a lot at the link and they were able to do an awesome job in such a small area. That does give me a little more hope :)

By the way, which software program did you use to design the file you just showed?

Thanks...


Looks like sketchup to me. Google it.

A lot of people here use it, it is free and pretty easy to get the hang of

Thank you all for your input, just another quick question regarding installing a projector. I have been reading through a lot of post lately and I have noticed that a lot of people run RGB cables or component cables to their projector. Is there a reasoning why more people are not running HDMI cables from their projector to their equip. rack other then cost?

Thanks,

Neil

My guess would be most of there people have no current need for a hdmi cable. If the cabling is in conduit, it could be added at a later date.