Theater Room in New Home Advice - Build Out Questions

Originally Posted by nippystix 


The community we are moving to does not allow 3-car garages, so I am asking the builder to convert the third car garage into a home theater/media room. I am not sure of the dimensions off hand, but think the size of half a garage (possible 10 x 11 or so), pretty standard rectangle-shaped room.

Response: 10X11 sounds very small for what you are describing - if you are modifying a garage space, I would think you should have at least a 12X 20 space t work with - You would want this for better speaker spacing and seating distance from the screen

Our final meeting for the options in the design studio is tomorrow. Please help me answer the following questions before our meeting tomorrow:
1. What exactly do I need to make sure the builder includes in the media room (i.e. pre-wiring for the projector overhead? pre-wiring for surround sound)? Is there anything else I should consider now and ask the builders before it is too late? Please advise.

Response: Depends on what you want - 5.1, 7.1, 7.2, etc. If you are looking for the basic set-up, then 5.1 (main left, center and right plus 2 side surrounds and a subwoofer) In addition to having wires run for speakers, you will also want to have a conduit run from your equipment area to the ceiling for a projector (for at last an HDMI and cat5/6 cable) If you also plan to put a flatscreen on the wall, run a conduit to this as well with at least an HDMI cable through it. Remember to have power run to the ceiling for the projector and upper wall for the TV (if hanging a TV). I'd run a least two RCA powered subwoofer cables to two locations within the room for flexibility later (plus you could add a 2nd PSW later)

2. I am envisioning the media room to be pretty basic: a couch on the back row (it will probably not be raised, which I actually like a lot and would want, but probably not going to happen), and possibly 2 recliners/chair on the sides, with a tv or projector in the front. I would like to hook up my cable box (uverse, if that matters), 360, and PS3 to the projector (and possibly a computer, but that is not necessary at the moment). How hard/easy would it be to hook up everything like that?

Response: If you are planning on having your seating along the back wall, then stick with 5.1, the rearr surrounds from a 7.1 system would be too distracting. Hooking up and powering the gear can be solved later when you buy a receiver than can handle multiple inputs such as a DVD player, cable, gaming systems, etc. Check out Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, etc.

3. I would like a projector and a screen, but that would probably be determined by price. If it is way more expensive than a flat-screen tv, it might be in my best interest to start off with a tv for the time being. How much is an average projector going for these days? I would like 1080p and HD, but I don't need ultra high-end right now. I would use the media room for watching sports and playing videogames. So just for a average to slightly above average projector and screen, how much should I budget for that? Also, how long do these projectors last? Would I need to replace the bulbs or something in 3-4 years? If so, how much would replacing the bulbs cost? I hear it is pretty expensive.

Response: You can get an entry level projector for around $1K, and there are a few forum threads on making DIY screens to save some money
. Projectors bring the true HT experience to life over a TV IMHO. I still don't have one, but it is on my short list.

Is there anything else I am missing? Again, I am very new to this, but have always wanted to set up a theater/media room. I know this is a long post, and I am asking a lot of questions on short notice, but any and all advice is much appreciated.
Thank you all for your time.

Originally Posted by nippystix 

Thank you very much for the great advice. You explained everything well enough for even a novice like myself to understand, well most of it anyway! I'm not exactly sure what this part means: "I'd run a least two RCA powered subwoofer cables to two locations within the room for flexibility later (plus you could add a 2nd PSW later)" This is related to a subwoofer that usually is in the front-middle of the room right, usually right under the screen? If I were to ask for a 2nd location, where would you recommend I do that?

Response - I was recommending that you have 2 powered subwoofer cables run to two different locations providing you with flexibility later when trying to locate the best bass response location in the room when setting up your subwoofer. You can put the subwoofer pretty much any where in the room since they are non-directional. I have found you will get the most response near a corner, but that is preference. I noted using RCA cables since that is typically what is used on subwoofers. Higher-end powered subwoofers also have balanced cable inputs, but not necessary for your application/budget. Regarding locations, I would try to place in opposite locations in the room. However, location tends to be dictated by room design and space availability.


And I think you are right about the dimensions. 10 x 11 sounds wrong because that is more like a square, and I know that this will be more of a rectangle, so your guess of 12 x 20 sounds more reasonable (although it might be a little smaller, let's split the difference at 11 x 18 maybe?)
I plan on going with a projector and screen combo, as opposed to a tv. The projector/screen combo doesn't sound cost prohibitive. That being the case, just to confirm my understanding, I should ask for the builder to do the following as they make the house:
1. Power outlet on the ceiling for the projector

Response - YES - you may also want a Cat5 or 6 cable and some type of remote cable if required to simultaneously turn on the projector with receiver


2. Conduit from the equipment area to the ceiling - quick question on that. Where are common places to put the equipment area? I am assuming that since I want to hook up a 360 and a PS3 to it, it basically has to be somewhere in the front of the room (so it can read the wireless controllers), probably in a shelf/entermainment center type thing right under the middle of the screen?

Response - Many folks here like to place the equipment in another room with an IR repeater located in the wall - this helps eliminate excess light/glare in the front of the room. You can also locate the equipment in a front corner - which is what I do and have not had any issues.


3. Pre-wiring for surround sound. From reading around, it looks like getting the 2 side surrounds on the wall as opposed to the ceiling is definitely the way to go. I'll also have to decide on 5.1, 7.1, or 7.2, but you recommend 5.1 if we put the sofa and the back of the room. If we move the sofa more towards the middle, then I guess it would make more sense to go with a 7.1 system.

Response - correct - IMHO, you will want your speakers at least 4' away from the listening area to create the surround sound field - if too close, they can be distracting. You can use in-ceiling surround speakers, but side surrounds are better.

4. At least two RCA powered subwoofer cables to two locations within the room for flexibility later (plus you could add a 2nd PSW later)?

Response - see reply above