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New House, because I love this stuff. - Page 16

post #451 of 486
9/30/12 at 11:28pm
Thread Starter 
One last thought.. I have been watching a lot of movies and have been less than happy with the volume output of the genelecs in my room they are designed for a slightly smaller room. I could always move the fronts to the back and buy bigger fronts, but they retail at 4k each and I am on a AV spending diet for the moment. So been toying with selling the genelecs and getting these....



Any thoughts?
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post #452 of 486
10/10/12 at 9:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrittonYoder View Post


I had no significant issues installing the lights. I had to wreck out the springs and clips which held the old trim in place, because they were getting in the way. A little trial and error and I am more worried that they are so snug that if I ever move, I won't be able to get them out without bending the clips.

Love the thread and the install. Great job!

I wanted to comment on the lights though. I installed them in my covered porch a couple of years ago (when they were like $60 a pop). 6 of them put on a dimmer (only have them full on when looking for something cause 6 can get really bright!). Anywho, as to your concern about them coming out. If you have any still in the box, you'll see that the clips rotate. When you want to take them out, you just rotate the trim and the clips collapse in making it an easy removal (I had to do this multiple times due to some electrical issues, but none of them from those lights, lets just say that dimmable CFLs cause some weird electrical issues that cause leds to dim when the CFLs are turned on).

Anywho, I love the system. I'm retrofitting my house now, but no where near to the extent that you did (though I do currently hve 7,000 feet of Cat6 in my house for my 1, 800sq ft house, mostly for future upgrades if needed). Quick question though, did you run a lot of cable through the attic, and if so, did you use some kind of cable try? Since my house was built in the 70s, the electrical cables are all over the place and instead of risking any interference I am looking into some kind of cable try to hold the cables up higher. Right now my idea is to use some 4x6 plastic gutter downspout, cut in half to make 2 10' trays. then I can cut the sides and 'bend' the plastic to make off shoots. Thoughts?
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post #453 of 486
10/11/12 at 4:39am
Sir meili,

I am in the. Middle of a retrofit as well. I was concidering taking PVC and cutting it in half in order to run the wires though the attic spaces.
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post #454 of 486
10/22/12 at 7:07pm
DallasKnox,

I had considered that as well, but was concerned with the safety of cutting round PVC. I thought that perhaps the gutter downspout, since squarish, would be easier to cut in half. I'm stil on hold though for now while other projects take precedence (such as flooring, darmn gf!!!!), but I need to get to it soon as my data storage server and HTPC are both currently sitting on a TV tray table in the living room instead of the new rack (waiting on wiring so I can relocate them).
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post #455 of 486
10/23/12 at 6:11am
Depending on your budget, here are some solutions too:
http://www.cableorganizer.com/wire-duct/economical-wiring-duct.html
http://www.cableorganizer.com/erico/caddy-cat-links/
http://www.cableorganizer.com/economical-cable-tray/
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post #456 of 486
10/30/12 at 9:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckellyusa View Post

Depending on your budget, here are some solutions too:
http://www.cableorganizer.com/wire-duct/economical-wiring-duct.html
http://www.cableorganizer.com/erico/caddy-cat-links/
http://www.cableorganizer.com/economical-cable-tray/

Totally agree with Ckelly. Wire tray is the way to go. It is worth any money you would spend on it.
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post #457 of 486
12/18/12 at 10:07pm
Any progress?? awesome build log
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post #458 of 486
2/11/13 at 2:45pm
There's been some major improvements to Britton's media room/home, but I'll let him unveil them!
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post #459 of 486
2/13/13 at 10:28pm
Don't leave us hanging like that. This is one of my favorite builds of all time, so I'm glad to hear it lives on. Now where is Britton to fill us in on the improvements? biggrin.gif
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post #460 of 486
3/15/13 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Its been forever since I've been on here, been very busy at work. I've been working on lot of other things around the house. Since I've last posted:
  • Some addition of sensors and automation on the garage.
  • Tore out the kitchen and redid large portions. Was not happy with the finish quality of the cabinets and trim. Now it is like glass.
  • Finishing up the backyard project before it gets too hot. I have a lot of neat automation items here in the back. Setting everything up for an outdoor theater.
  • Purchased some fun new toys for this room. Once I finish the last 10% of the items above, I will start going quickly a full theater build out. MIll-work, treatment, more equipment. Half of these items are sitting in the room ready to go. I will try and post some pictures this week.
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post #461 of 486
3/17/13 at 8:04pm
Went through all the posts here, love your whole house approach. I live over in Allen. Always nice to see a local.

-Eric
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post #462 of 486
5/3/13 at 2:26pm
Waiting for updates biggrin.gif
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post #463 of 486
5/14/13 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
Update Time: We have literally spent 4-5 months working on the backyard. Today we finished one of the last big parts.

This is how the yard started when we built the home.



They were dumping dirt next door, I paid the guy $300 bucks and he added about 10 trucks of dirt to the top of our yard.



I then added 16 zones of sprinklers, electrical, gas plumbing. All in all over 800 feet of pipe.



Digging HUGE Footers so the patio doesn't slide down the hill.



One of the few things my wife and I didn't do ourselves.



Setting Stairs Into Slope



Welded Up frame of pergola



1 of 3 Sprinkler Manifolds



Starting Layout



Welded Frame of Outdoor Kitchen - You can see the utilities coming through. Gas, Electrical, Water for misting system.



Bought and assembled a trailer for bringing material home.



Coated patio and foundation with tan color, picture looks more pink than it is.



Flower Beds Going In



Slopes getting planted, I also added walls to the sides of the stairs.



I saw this idea on Houzz.com , we installed a beach pebble border. Below the stone is a french drain piped to the bottom of the yard.



Planters



More Planters, you can see some of the speakers at the back of the planter.



Doing Final Grading



Planted Zoysia Sod Today

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post #464 of 486
5/14/13 at 7:00pm
Thread Starter 
Here is a bigger picture and a little idea of what's left.



This is the retractable canopy that we are having made up. It will be motorized, automated into the control system, and controlled by wind, time of day, season, and position of the sun.




I also purchased a control4 sprinkler interface so the irrigation system will be tied into the control system this weekend.


I still have to do the following:

  • Install Electrical - All underground conduit in place.
  • Purchase & Install TV, more sound.
  • Purchase & Install control4 controlled misting and fan system.
  • Paint Metal Frame Work - Only Primed Now
  • Pour concrete post bases and cover with veneer stone.
  • Construct and finish grill counter.
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post #465 of 486
5/14/13 at 7:14pm
Thread Starter 
Here is another crazy project that has been keeping me busy. When we built our home, we really wanted white cabinets and a simple classic look. The builder did a horrible job painting and finishing the cabinets and I decided to redo them myself. It took the better part of a month. Here are some pictures.

Before



Prep & Filler



Dewalt Pressure Washer Box + Air Filter + Box Fan = DIY Air Cleaner for sanding dust.



More Prep



This was one of the worst things I've ever done.



Final Stage Before Paint



My wife came up with the idea to build a spray booth in the garage out of a shade tent. In the end we had laminar air flow, full containment, lighting. Pretty Cool



We put all new hardware and ball bearing slides on. Here is the first picture of the mounted doors.



Hardware Jig



Hardware Installed



WARNING DON'T EVER DO THIS, IT SUCKS
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post #466 of 486
5/14/13 at 7:27pm
Thread Starter 
Lots of hard work. these pictures are all since Christmas. I also have helped another AVS'er get a big multi-zone system installed at his house here in Dallas. I'll have to ask him if he is going to post his system. I have a huge 6 country trip planned in the near future and when I get back, it will be hot and the progress on the electronics will resume. I have wood stacked in the hallway outside of the media room waiting for me.
Edited by BrittonYoder - 5/14/13 at 7:42pm
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post #467 of 486
5/14/13 at 8:34pm
Looking good B! I am starting the process of looking at plans and finding a builder, looking to start building next spring, I want to do something similar as to what you did with full media control. You thread will be a great reference. Thanks for that. Anything you would of done differently?
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post #468 of 486
5/14/13 at 9:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrittonYoder View Post

....

Dewalt Pressure Washer Box + Air Filter + Box Fan = DIY Air Cleaner for sanding dust.


That is all sorts of awesome!
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post #469 of 486
5/14/13 at 9:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrittonYoder View Post

Lots of hard work. these pictures are all since Christmas. I also have helped another AVS'er get a big multi-zone system installed at his house here in Dallas. I'll have to ask him if he is going to post his system. I have a huge 6 country trip planned in the near future and when I get back, it will be hot and the progress on the electronics will resume. I have wood stacked in the hallway outside of the media room waiting for me.
Did you wind up buying the klipsch thx ultra 2 set up? Also my self and my gf would love to see your house / system. We live in arlington. do you only show to groups of people or would just two be ok, if you are even interested in showing it? I thought it was mind blowing what I saw and read. Its like my dream come true I have to say. And would love to hear and see what you have done in person. Please let me know. you can always pm me as well. thanks.
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post #470 of 486
5/15/13 at 7:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cdika17 View Post

Looking good B! I am starting the process of looking at plans and finding a builder, looking to start building next spring, I want to do something similar as to what you did with full media control. You thread will be a great reference. Thanks for that. Anything you would of done differently?

Thanks!

One thing I wish I would have done is run more cat-6 to sensor locations such as:

- Vibration sensor under stairs to turn on light when you step on the first step.
- Motion sensors to turn on lights.
- Pressure sensors to seating locations to trigger events when you sit down.

I also added a lot of outlets to the exterior of the home, I wish they were switched from the inside. So that it would be easier to automate things like waterfalls, misting pumps, landscape lighting, fans.

Knowing what I know now, I would have prewired my windows for control/power wire to more easily allow for automated shades.

I would also consider every possible location for LED accent lighting and run a cat-5 to it.


Just a few thoughts....
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post #471 of 486
5/15/13 at 7:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by metalguy View Post

Did you wind up buying the klipsch thx ultra 2 set up? Also my self and my gf would love to see your house / system. We live in arlington. do you only show to groups of people or would just two be ok, if you are even interested in showing it? I thought it was mind blowing what I saw and read. Its like my dream come true I have to say. And would love to hear and see what you have done in person. Please let me know. you can always pm me as well. thanks.

I did! I need to post some pictures of the new speakers. I ended up with 7.1, but I will probably upgrade the sub when I build out the media room. Later in the summer, I may be interested in hosting an AVS local event. Not sure what the format would be.
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post #472 of 486
5/15/13 at 7:37am
Thanks for the updates. This is literally my favorite thread on AVS, maybe on any forum out there eek.gif :notworthy:

If I ever build a house or drastically remodel my house, I'm going to get a lot of inspiration here cool.gif
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post #473 of 486
5/15/13 at 7:55am
Hey Britton. I just discovered this thread last night and I read the whole thing from start to finish . . . FANTASTIC WORK! It's also nice to make the acquaintance of someone as OCD as I am with their installations and wire management (believe me, I can share with you some of my pictures)! I've had a slightly older Atlona professional HDMI matrix switch that has both HDMI and Cat-5 ports active simultaneously running my house with Crestron Control. I am in the process of migrating to a new SnapAV single u (and single wire) 8x8 HDMI matrix switch and Savant Control (www.savantav.com).

I'd love to see a full shot of the back of your racks now that the full system is pulled together. I've subbed your thread and will be following along. Again, great job!
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post #474 of 486
5/15/13 at 9:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrittonYoder View Post

Later in the summer, I may be interested in hosting an AVS local event. Not sure what the format would be.

Great work. The back yard looks awesome.

I'm in for an AVS event.
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post #475 of 486
5/15/13 at 2:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BrittonYoder View Post

I did! I need to post some pictures of the new speakers. I ended up with 7.1, but I will probably upgrade the sub when I build out the media room. Later in the summer, I may be interested in hosting an AVS local event. Not sure what the format would be.
Cant wait to see the new klipsch thx ultra 2 set up pics!!!!!
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post #476 of 486
5/20/13 at 10:41am
Britton and I are working on the AVS event. As a company, I have become an authorized Control4 dealer and I'm sitting in C4 training in Chicago as I type. We may delay having the event for a little as I'm bringing back equipment for him. Since he's so busy, I'm trying to help out with the loads of questions about his build and all of his products in general. Feel free to PM me with anything.
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post #477 of 486
5/20/13 at 12:08pm


Holy crap this is the coolest thing I have seen... Thanks for a great idea.
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post #478 of 486
5/20/13 at 12:24pm
I like the ingenuity as well, but I hope folks here know you can just buy 20x20 filters (or even slightly larger) and simply strap/tape them directly to the back of the fan, right?
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post #479 of 486
5/20/13 at 12:45pm
Well I guess you can also just wrap a towel around the fan... I've done that before.
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post #480 of 486
5/20/13 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
This was a removable filter. I fastened the plastic around the box creating negative pressure in the space and preventing paint from settling where I didn't want it to. So there was a reason for the box. In the garage, or just sanding, I would have used fan+filter.
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