My Batcave - MA rack, Rives designed room - Page 3

ldgibson -

Thanks for comments.
The Vutec SS screen samples have still not arrived.
The Da-Lite and Carada samples arrived very quickly.
In retrospect I should have also tried some Stewart and other samples, but I think the Carada BW screen I ordered should work well.

Mike

Aaron -

Thanks.
The drywaller is supposed to come today and put on the drywall.
That will be cool to see a solid surface big enough for the image.
Then painting this weekend.
Lot's yet to do.

Mike

Bill -

I think the chairs ship in April.
It was actually a very tough choice to buy without sitting in them or even having online comments from people.
Roman said the leather was similar to the Berkline grade 3 leather with similar 088 dimensions except higher backs.
I'll post pics and impressions when they come in.

My wife tells me the drywall is up and some fast mud/tape was used so that should be done today. Then painting on weekend.

May put a flick up tonight to see how it looks on drywall -- now that's a cheap screen!

Mike

I like this news from a Carada email:

"Dear Mike:

Thank you for purchasing your projection screen from Carada.
Your screen was prepared with the greatest care and shipped today."

Order was on Mon.
Shipped Wed!
Wow.

Giddyup!


Mike

Wow.
I don't think I'm informed enough to advise on an external CMS product.

I've read all of the RS20 owners and calibrators posts.
Reading it all -- the CMS is more difficult than other brands.
I'm sure in a few months professional calibrators will understand how to do it faster and easier -- but still not perfect.
Many have pointed out why an RS20 would still have some benefits (more iris settings, etc) than an RS10 with external CMS.
Surely an RS20 and Radiance XD would be great.

I just watched a DVD with my son (Shark Tales) on an uncalibrated RS20 on drywall (no screen) and it looked pretty good.

I'd get the projector, play with it, calibrate it after 100 hours, and then decide if you need an external CMS.

I don't know if that helped at all.
Good luck.



Mike

jostenmeat -
Cool.
My screen arrives tomorrow!

The Chief mount works. Doesn't do much.

I dont' know the specific answers to your mount questions.
I can say this:
- Most mount major mount manufacturers should have extensions and some will allow you to custom build. I think Projector Central has a tool for this
- AVS/Jason Turk can sell Chief (and other?) mounts.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Mike

Screen delivered -- waiting in garage.

First coat of primer on new partial false front wall.

Mike

Pics -

- drywall
- primer
- 1st coat of black paint wet & dry
- 2nd coat goes on tonight -- may need more than 2

Black = Sherwin Williams Tricorn flat black

The black is less black than the corner black fabric covered bass traps, but it should be good.

I watched a little of the Planet Earth Blu-ray on the grey primer and it was amazing.
I had about a 130" 16:9 image and it was a little soft but it was the first time I'd seen an image on a semi-smooth big surface.

More later...

Mike


HT front wall drywall


HT front wall primer


HT front wall SW tricorn flat black 1 - wet


HT front wall SW tricorn flat black 1

billmac -

True.

In those few days I had a wall built, drywalled, primed, and painted (by me).

The screen was installed last night.
Install time (2 people - including a carpenter): ~1hr
First movie: Planet Earth (BR) - snippets - I think 16:9
2nd movie: Open Season (BR) - 16:9 - not that good, but had to please my son who was kicked out of the HT room for the screen placing on frame

After everyone else went to bed I decided to pop in a known movie as I was still tweaking with zoom and lens shift -- The Matrix (BR) in 2.4:1.
Wow!
The 102" 16:9 was nice, but 128" 2.40:1 was amazing.
Plenty of light with normal lamp at -8 (or so) iris.
Projector is still uncalibrated.

I think the 16:9 to 2.40:1 transition will be annoying without RS20 memory since you need to change zoom and lens shift! I hadn't really thought about that.

We also got in bar stools and other Superbowl gear.
My next project after playing with calibration a little will be to install the ISCOIIIL and Cineslide.

Mike

PS - Pics? You want pics? I was too busy watching movies. Hopefully I'll now spend more time doing that vs. cogitating about my HT.
I did snap a quick iPhone pic when I read your post this am and was heading out the door...

PS2 -
Next purchases/tasks:
- install wall base (Fri)
- center channel "pull through" for center channel speaker wires, IR transmitter, etc.
- XBOX360 Elite (Jasper)
- Remote control - ? Control 4
- ?? Wii
- Rocket RSC500 in future (????)
- calibrate subwoofer -- and get PC software to help
- Audessey optimize after Denon 5308CI FW update

PS3 -
Next movies - LOTR (DVD), SW (DVD), Speed Racer (BR from Netflix)

Thanks.
I will try to post some pics when I get a chance.
I think people will be most interested in the ISCOIIIL anamorphic lens and CineSlide incorporation with the RS20 to see how that works.

MIke

Superbowl party went well.
At one point there were 16-18 people in the room and everyone loved the image and sound.
I think my brother-in-law may actually buy a surround system since he was impressed not only by the big picture, but also by the sound immersion.

Too busy to snap pics. Will post soon.

Quote:
"...this is ridiculous!" (in a good way)
-- Nick (one of my cousins)

Mike

I just ordered an Emotiva UPA-2 two channel power amp to add to my Russound whole house amps for future outdoor speakers (two sets of two for the backyard).

Mike

Here are some quick pics of screen.
Not calibrated and not the best pics.
Too busy either watching or getting back to work.

Mike

Thanks.
I look forward to seeing your thread.
Mike

Emotiva UPA-2 2ch amp arrived yesterday.

I bought this to add to my 2 Russound house amps for a future split of one line (L/R channels) in to 2 sets of two outdoor speakers for my deck/yard.
The Russound amps are only 25W/ch or something and since I am splitting a channel I figured I needed a more powerful amp that could handle lower ohms.

The UPA-2 outer box had a dent in it, but it was double boxed with an additional cardboard area over the top (where you might cut open).
Very well packed.
Solid equipment.
I haven't listened to, but plugged it in to check on heat and if there was any audible hum, etc.
Overnight on (without playing anything) - only minimal warmth on top.


No more big equipment purchases (for a while).
Waiting on installing the ISCOIIIL + CineSlide and paying for 2nd half of HT seats (ETA - April).

Mike