Saga of the "Old Vic" - Page 20

I like it, but I don't like it if you know what I mean. It's reassuring that so many people are back to normal life just a few days after surgery.

I did take single sub measurements before all the treatment was in but it was with no door which may have (favorably) made things better. However I misplaced them! I really need to be very systematic and try a few things to see what will work out best. bpape did suggest to me to manually EQ (not audyssey) and to have to two different EQ settings -- one for just a couple of folks listening to music at the front row and another for a compromise "full house" HT mode. When I get inspired I'll test a bunch of approaches again and file the results under sensible names this time. The problem is that you can easily sink an entire day into moving mics around and averaging results

The front/rear sub is one of the suggested good starting layouts and having the rear sub at least gives you some tweaking options since moving that IB beast is not an option. I'm not convinced you need it though. I'm sure I'll post some results before you finish your theater

One thing that I'm sure about is that the QRD diffusers have made a positive difference to the surround sound.


Personally I like the idea of a back bar. Even if the sound quality is not as good I can see using it to eat a late dinner whilst the family are watching a movie.

With only 4 seats you could get something a little classier (with more size options) than Berks. Don't get me wrong they are fantastic value but not as well made as my living room sofa.


Not yet but soon I hope.

PS Quit reading AVS and get back to your build will you!

Well, I haven't let my blown knee stop me. Actually it did for a few days but then I had an MRI and visited the surgeon and it was clear I needed surgery to fit it. Knowing that surgery was imminent I decided I couldn't possibly make it any worse so got back to my shop and continued work on the Old Vic albeit a little slower than usual and with a limp and bottle of Advil

I tided up a lot of little details including adding custom wall plates to all the A/V outlets. These included 12gauge connections under the second row and front of the riser row for possible butt kickers and a HDMI, s-video, composite video, L & R phono on the riser for aux hookup, SVGA and a couple of cat 5 hookups behind the bar and IR/cat5 hookups behind the screen.



I also added the now popular screen back lighting -- I wired one of my Grafik Eye zones behind the screen so just mounted a cheap strip to the floor and 5 small halogen spots. I plan on using these lights in an automated sequence to increase the drama before a movie showing but they are also activated when I select my "Music" scene on the GE.




The larger job was to fit all the wall molding and fabricmate panel track. I finished the molding prior to fitting with an 18gauge brad nailer. I put an ever so light smear of construction adhesive on the back of the molding to allow me to use minimal nails. Where I needed to join molding together (like the steps) I used pocket screws on the rear and then did a quick re-finishing step prior to fitting. I also found that the best way to fasten the fabric mate track is with the upholstery stapler. I've seen people use crown staplers but this caused the track to shatter.

I'm really happy with the choice of maple and walnut -- the light maple reveal is a subtle touch but I think it adds some dimension to the trim and ties in with the ceiling. I also just love walnut and lucked out with a couple of the pieces which have a fantastic burl. I probably should have saved those pieces for the projector hush box. Oh well.

I'm a couple of pieces of molding and about a dozen frabricmate tracks short. Not bad for a 30 second hand waving estimate...

You'll notice the GOM mulberry anchorage fabric in one of the pics, precisely the color I turned away from a few months ago but it's now back as a candidate again. What do you think? Any other color/fabric suggestions for the main (center) wall panels?



Finally the door really is becoming invisible. I still need to extend the handle to the new thickness of the door. The white track on the door sides is a different profile (fabric wraps around the door edge) and only available in white -- I used a permanent marker to blacken the thin edge so no one will know.



Surgery on Friday then a couple of days recuperating with the back light speakers playing some more tunes , then back to the next batch of molding which should give the ceiling the same treatment as the walls...

Ciao


PS special note to RazorTT -- I have my Xantech IR repeater stuff so I'll let you know how that works with the Grafik Eye.

Guys, thanks for the well wishes..


Yes the screen is going to be curved (41' radius) and hence the screen wall matches. I honestly don't think the curve is really necessary but I committed to it at the beginning (for it's minor CIH benefit and coolness factor) and I'm really stubborn when it comes to changing my mind. Believe it or not I've been planning on how I'm going to build it for months now. What I want to do is use curved extruded aluminum with the screen material attached and then a curved velvet covered wooden frame with t-slot in the rear. The masking system will run in this t-slot (and the pulley wires will naturally stay captive by the curve. This approach should also allow the mask to brush the screen to prevent a shadow. The big problem is trying to get the extrusion bent -- even the German vendor who advertises a bending service is "still setting up this particular operation in the US".

The screen will likely be built incrementally with the masking system built last. I'm comfortable with the design/build of the motion controllers but I know this will be a time sink so will definitely be the very last thing I do.



You bet! Despite not being quite satisfied with the bass calibration yet, this room is by far the best sounding that I've owned. It's been very hot lately and the air conditioned space is a perfect hideaway.

Well that's decided then, pink is out


Great list, no I haven't seen it before. I'll revisit the GOM line...

They told me not to drink before the op, but didn't say anything about afterwards

Yes it's a problem. I've found one manufacturer that will do it, but not yet in the US. Several companies that will do 100Kg or 1000 piece minimum and a few other metalwork shops who don't know what they are doing: "yeah, I can put that through my pipe bender". I'd rather not use steel if I can help it due to weight. One possibility is to use straight extrusion to support a curved wooden screen support. I haven't given up on the aluminum yet...

Quick update. Today I managed to get a few lower wall panels covered in fabric. I think I'm going to like this fabricmate system - it creates a very tidy, wrinkle free raised panel that's as tight as a drum:

Guys, thanks for the compliments it really energizes me to keep going!


Robert, yes I'm a glutton for punishment. Except for some of the stair railing parts in the entrance I've milled everything and frustrated the garbage men with many bags of wood dust!! The trim is walnut with maple as a reveal and for the bulk of the soffits.



No doubt! They certainly make a great product but I'm committed to DIY. Actually I did email SMX a while back to check out their prices to see if I could be persuaded but I never got a reply from them -- I guess they don't need the business

oman321, I'd forgotten about your curved screen build. I studied it some time ago. Certainly wood/steel would work its just that the aluminium (oops British spelling slipped there) channel is very convenient for mounting the rollers and pulleys I'm going to need for the masking system. I'm still not quite ready to build the screen, just doing some parts planning in preparation.

Floyd, thanks, maybe mtbdudex can offer me some avenues for the aluminum since he has research this for a while.

I really haven't ruled out the mulberry color, I just don't like to call it PINK Actually it's quite a nice color. However, I just requested a few more samples from GOM including the Poppy color...