Ive deciced to do it myself.

I was just wondering, when designing a HT is it generally better to have AV Rack in the front Front, Side, or back of Room?

Also, you guys have any HT contruction books or any links you can recommend?

I got the AV equipment side down pat, i just need help with the contruction aspect, sound proofing, and stuff like screen size, riser height, that kind of stuff? Any resource recommendations for that kind of stuff?

I got the AV equipment side down pat, i just need help with the contruction aspect, sound proofing, and stuff like screen size, riser height, that kind of stuff? Any resource recommendations for that kind of stuff?

Sure! There's this great website called 'AVSForum'. It has *everything* you could ever need to design, build and finish a home theater from scratch! All you need to do is start reading, keep reading, read some more, and then read a bit more.

:)

Seriously, as far as I've found this is the best resource there is, but you DO need to do your own research. People will answer questions but you're much better off reading and searching to try to find your own answers. If you can't find it after searching, THEN ask.

-drin

If you put your equipment in the room, you want it somewhere where the lights on the display are not going to be distracting. You also don't want the equipment to take up space that will force you to go with a screen size smaller than you want. This usually makes the front wall a bad idea, but some people with enough width put it up front, but with a hidden door in front of it.

Give us a sketch of the space you have to work with, and I am sure someone will give you some suggestions on where to locate the equipment. The best approach is either outside the main area of the room, or flush with one of the walls in the room.

As far as resources, just start reading through some of the various construction threads on here.

Most have different room sizes and shapes and special requirements.their priorities will be different.
For me its sidewall placement with as short as possible cable runs,no lights in peripheral vision and quick fiddling only feet away from my viewing chair.

thanks

My vote is outside of the room. Less challenges with sound and heating if not within ear shot. However, some people have done a great job with their components in the room. If you can avoid having them right under the screen in full view. Too distracting in my opinion.

Oh yes and don't forget about ventilation for your cabinet....

My gear is at the rear. :D

My vote is outside of the room. Less challenges with sound and heating if not within ear shot.

AMEN!!! This stuff does not belong IN the theater unless you just really have no other choice at all. I control my equip. with a Niles IR extender and it works just fine!

Pics at:Galaxy Theater (http://nightskypictures.com/theater/theater.htm)

You'll probably find that a majority of the people here would prefer the equipment outside of the room. I'm a bit different, however. I could have put it anywhere, but I love having it on the side wall to the left of the screen. The lights aren't a distraction at all and from my preferred seat (just right of center, front row), I can glance over and see all the info from the components (what sound field, what volume level, DVD chapter, time remaining, etc.). It's also easy access to changing DVD's (since my DVD's are there too). None of the other seats in the theater really have a good view of the components.

I also prefer to have it in the room. I like showing off the gear and it is a lot easier to switch DVDs, CDs, Games. I also have jacks in the front of the rack so that when my friend comes over with a gaming system I do not own, it is easy to hook up.

Heat, Noise, and distracting lights are all down sides. My rack is on the side of the room, so that removes the distraction (one problem with a side mount though is that without a repeater you have to remember to point the remote SIDEWAYS not at the front)... I just add a few dBs and the noise becomes unnoticable... Heat is still a problem though. I bought a fan system to suck air out of the rack closet, but I haven't installed it yet. I don't fancy cutting a hole in my sound resistant wall. The Xbox 360 would be happier though...

Comes down to what you want to compromise on. Just like almost everything else in the HT world! :-)