Yet another "lessons learned" post. Mine is from my '06 home theater construction (http://picasaweb.google.com/jadeonly/BasementContruction/photo#5050168472746434034) now that I've been using it for over a year. All personal preferences sure, but some of these things I wondered about before I began and maybe you do as well. Here's how I feel now:

Glad I did it:

Big screen. I'm using 100" at 12' viewing and it's great. In fact, I may try 120" soon. Many of the size calculators and charts (http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/home/tv_faq.html) I found while planning I know now are BS and would have had me around half the size. Do a demo.
Remote control lights. Room lights controlled from the viewing seat are a must. Pause the movie, turn on the lights, get up, etc. It's relatively inexpensive and is a crowd pleaser.
Equipment room. All equipment is in a separate room and I'm glad we went that way as we continue adding more (high def players, hard drives, game systems...)


Regrets

Should have laid more cable while the walls and ceiling were open. Cat 5 everywhere! - It's so cheap. Even better...
I should have laid conduit. I keep adding more stuff and I really wish I had laid some tubing while the walls were open to make future wiring easier.
White ceiling. I've been told my screen image would be better with a darker ceiling. I can't say for sure without trying it, but it makes sense and it's something I may try if I can convince the wife. Would have been easier to do it right the first time.

Jadeonly,

Thanks, I was considering remote lighting. I think you just convinced me. (I'm off to home depot again).

So you don't like the calculators? Why? I am asking because that is all I have right now, and I am trying to figure out what might be best for my space (it will be about 10-11 feet from lens to screen, and about my ceiling is 7 feet).

WRT your equipment room, how do you run your cable box if it is in another room? I would love to be able to do that (with all of my stuff).

Thanks,

Morley

I use a SpeakerCraft SmartPath IR repeater. Various companies make compatible components. There is a receiver at the front under the screen that is wired to a control box in the equipment room. It is powered and has a few different outs: a blaster for the equipment rack, a wired emitter to the projector which has the IR port on the front, and a wired emitter through the wall to the light switch IR port. The whole setup was about $100 I think.

I may move to an RF based remote so I don't have to keep my Harmony pointed at the reveicer as it sends off its commands. I would still need the IR system within the equipment room to repeat the IR to the front of the projector and the light switch.

As for the viewing distance, I'm very happy with 100" and 12' and may go bigger. I've had nothing but praise from the many people we've had over to watch. Of course, some or all of them may just be being nice. Also, upscaled DVDs are good enough, but SD television is quite bad. I really try to only watch HD for anything. At this size any minor problems are a lot more noticeable so it's good if you have the budget to get better equipment.

Oh yah, as for the equipment room, I also use the excellent Logitech Di Novo Edge keyboard + trackpad for the media PC. It uses bluetooth and works just fine from the other room.

Thanks for the info! Do you remember where you got the repeater from? Amazon has it for almost $200, but if I can get it for half, why not? :D I can't tell you how happy I am to have read your thread. MANY thanks! Galvanized studs would not cause an interference would it? I can't imagine it would, but since I am not sure, I thought I would ask.

As for size, 100" would be AWESOME. I am putting my 60inch Sony down there for now, but will ultimately go to a projector (probably about 6 months or so). I was looking at the optoma HD80, but don't want to over do it. I still have a lot of research to do. I will have my electrician run some bx from my panel to the storage room so that I can set everything up in there. I am so psyched, and my wife will be thrilled....no cords or plugs visible!

Just to be sure, I can hook up my cable box, receiver, DVD, etc.?? Any limitations? Will it interfere with remote control lights?

Thanks again!

Xantech makes the same IR stuff: http://www.xantech.com/products/ir_products.htm

The unit is "dumb" and simply repeats any IR commands it receives so it should work with anything. You also have to be aware, however, of how you will get the video and audio from your equipment to your display and speakers. It was easy for me because I use a projector that is actually in the equipment room. Even that still required a 15' HDMI cable from the HDMI switch to the projector.

The $100 for the IR stuff was just an guess and probably on the low side. I bought individual pieces, some on eBay and If I remember correctly most of the cost was the IR receiver.