Moving The Theater To The Lake House

Hi

Three years and here I am again.......

What happened


The center channel speakers tweeter got blown, so I wired in a new one I found laying around. It still sounds pretty sweet. My sub (a Kicker XPL

Competition) got stolen along with the car amplifier, when my car was broken into, so my theater is currently without a sub. I save all my receipts

now. The whole theater finally got the full flood treatment as I wasn't around to alert the folks in time. The basement leaks are all now COMPLETELY

fixed as the insurance helped out. They went so far as to even re-paint the walls black doing an even better job than I did. The theater didn't get

much use as I lived in my apartment so the DVD collection got auctioned.


What I'm up to these days

I'm living in the country with my cat. The folks are adding another addition to the lake house (their largest yet) with three stories. It's been really

interesting. They photographed the entire process. The construction crew is doing excellent despite the small fire in the bathroom trash can. They

lost a brand new concrete machine down the hill once when they were turning around but got lucky it didn't hit the house nearby, so my father tells

me. They had to bring in some real heavy machinery when they hit rock digging out the new area which sort slowed things down awhile. The dial

up is as fast as they get but it's just not as itunes friendly as I would like. Really need that macbook pro (funds deminishing slowly) especially if I'm

going to freelance graphic design on the internet. Looking for more employeement.


Whats not mentioned in the old website.

THX certified receiver. - not sure the model right now.
CS2 (Centerstage) - Works beautifully
Sony DVD recorder
The DVD collection is very out of date


Whats really new

30GB Ipod (tunebase & fm tuner)
some more DVD's and CD's

I really could use some guidance with building the theater at the new location. Keep in mind the term "theater" is not in the actual bid, but funds are

available. My father has that darn ringing in his ears all the time but enjoys the theater at a reasonable volume. My folks have to depend on me to

get the theater going and they don't fully understand the setup process. It's slightly larger than the old location and with no fireplace.

So far it's in the very early stages. We already went to to Lowes and have picked out some acoustic ceiling however. Were looking at a planned

completion sometime in October maybe.

old website http://www.geocities.com/aauthor29/MAINMENU.htm
recent photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/tns29/

More framing added today. I can't wait to see how they approach the rest. There is supposed to be a small area enclosed I think.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/trulie...186scd&.src=ph

Here are the plans. Comments or ideas welcome. I have no idea how I want to light the place but the contractor said something about removable lights that seemed interesting. Not sure If I want a new center channel stand there. I'm playing with the idea of a sub in the wall. I got to get this right before the weekends over.




Here is an updated list of my components.

Remote -

Philips ProntoPro TSU 6000

Receiver -

Pioneer VSX-1012 THX

Amplifiers -

Denon POA 5200 (2channel) - THX Ultra
6 Marantz MA500 Mono Amplifiers - THX Ultra

Speakers -

6 Polk RTi70 Floor Standing Speakers
Polk CSi40 Center Channel

Projection -

NEC 6pg Plus Projector
NEC Mount
Focus Enhancements CS-2


DVD -
Panasonic DVD-RP56
Aiwa XD-DV370

Cables -

Liberty Z300A1 1m (3.3 ft) (Pr) THX Certified Audio Interconnect - 3
Liberty Z300SW9 9m Subwoofer Kit includes Y Cable THX Certified - 1
Monster Cable MV3CV 2m (6.6 ft) Monster Video 3 High-Resolution Component Video Cable - 1
Monster Cable MV3CV 4m (13.1 ft) Monster Video 3 High-Resolution Component Video Cable - 1
Monster Cable MV2CV 2m (13.1 ft) Monster Video 3 High-Resolution Component Video Cable - 1
Monster Cable MB300SW 12ft (Ea) MonsterBass 300 Subwoofer Interconnect - 1
Monster Cable Speaker Wire - 14 Guage - over 200 ft
Silver Serpent Interconnect 3m 1 - 1
Other Misc

Screen - Custom Made by me

It wasn't easy, fun, or self motivating.... I convinced them that the origanal plan of accousical ceiling was neccessary. They argreed to order some custom black. I explained the speaker wiring would need to be significantly longer and I was willing to pay for it myself to be assured it was the correct kind... they seemed upset. My father is going to calculate the additional needed speaker wire by doing some measuring. (tearing apart the theater at the other house mabie?)

We are going to pick up the wiring materials tommorow. They mentioned getting some generic speaker wire. I really really hope he was kidding I would be willing to drive the few hours to get the wire I want but if things continue like this, I may not be up to it thus making any of the ultra expensive wiring I already bought pretty much a waste of my money.

Looks like the wall hiding the left rear speaker and components are out of the equasion but thats alright. Currently the idea is to build a cabinent around the rack with room for some DVD's CD's e.t.c and just leave the speaker exposed to the entry way. It's a nice looking speaker anyway.

My mother insulted my center channel speaker stand twice so that I wanted to cry. Mabie the crew can make a nicer one. This is at least going better than I had anticipated.

Not trying to sound like I want agree with everyone however.... I didn't like the wire after I heard about their marketing reputation which unfortunately, was after I bought it.

I had to get the best wire I could get my hands on as fast as I could when I could afford the best speakers they had at the time. The video component and sub cables were much earlier when I still had a rear projection. When time came for the projector I got a bettercables VGA to RGB that arrived just before. That's hooked up to an extension RGB that may need the other 20 ft RGB extension in the new theater. I forget where I got those.

Since we had figured were doing all the electrical lighting and speaker wiring at the same time soon, Monster seemed like the best option once again. I feel somewhat relieved RadioSsack began carrying It. have been givin the impression my folks prefer local shopping to online so it works out for the best for now I believe. That's my best excuse. If the folks ask me, they would understand why they paid more?

The wiring is going through the ceiling between the joist and the metallic plate, then down the walls to use the least amount of wire needed. The 100 feet and previous wires will be enough were hoping. There's still plenty of time for flooring, seating, and decoration and other planning.

They are going with some shell lights from lowes. We forgot to order the non gloss black acoustical ceiling. I was lost counting plug ins and the folks were looking at outdoor lighting. I'm still thrilled anyhow. They will probably be painted another color or just a non gloss black. We stoped by home depot but nothing caught our attention and they didn't carry in wall heaters. Radioshack had exactly what we needed.

the two audio video are for the sub if I get one. I didn't see it hurting to have the added two jacks.

This is a very very bad day for me. ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin killed by stingray

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14663786/?GT1=8506

I got some supplies for accoustical treatments.



I had previously marked all the areas that tested to have problems.



I started by securing the most problem areas.

I found an inexpensive 100" diagonal manual screen with 1.3 gain. It will be a nice replacement to the old 92" I made and I woln't have to move it here. That should also make things alot more simple for the building process.

Here are some updated pics. I'm finished adding the Siliconized Acrylic Caulk to the ceiling corners and the crevices. I will need to figure out the screen to projector distance soon. I also need some more felt.

The theater building process just came to a hault. I finished setting up the accoustic preperations for the walls that were ready. Now it's time for me to wait for the accoustical tile. The builders can just work on the rest of the house. They don't have black at lowes so it's a special order kind that is paintable. I will paint it myself.

Also I will need to test run the image to see exactly where the studs need to be for the screen and the projector. I can't get that here until sunday most likely. For temporary purposes I will have to make a temp screen out of cloth until the actual screen arrives.

lookout fish.

I decided to go with a Dalite 52 x 92 Model B Screen High Contrast Matte White.

Spent so far:

300$ for speaker connections and extra wire

200$ for a screen

90$ for accoustic treatments.

I wrote the seller and an appoligetic message asking if this was right and told them my projector specs. I informed them I would be willing to pay additional cost via paypal. This would be so much easier if my debit card having been stolen had been returned to me from the bank like I asked. This couldn't be any more screwed up. Oh well.

Trying to change the order to a DALITE 52 X 92 PROJECTOR SCREEN-High Power 2.8 Gain.

Ok problem solved. They can refund the other screen back into paypal. Then I can afford to paypal the new one.

Got all the wires to the speakers electrical boxes . I still need to secure them to the studs. I also need to run the video cables. It will be awhile before the screen gets here. No word when it's being sent yet. We got two more spools of the in wall/ceiling wire.

I will just run the RGB extension behind the wall and hook the rest up when the screen arives. This way I can enjoy the theater still (other home) until it's time to be moved. The area for the mount is going to be larger than needed so I can better adjust where it needs to go. That other room is just storage. That room woln't get much use more likely.

The snack bar will be great. We need one since it's also not going to be practical to walk upstairs to the kitchen whenever that get's moved. It also helps the accoustics and keeps light out effeciantly. I'm very happy with the design.

Here is more accurate room layout that is done to scale.






It's much more accurate. I had to be sure everthing was ok before I ran wire. Only problem I found accousticly was the pole in front blocked the left rear seat. After drawing it I realized I had to make a small adjustment to the surround left speaker electrical box so I would match the right side. The stud was very close to the end of the room. I ended up wedging the electrical box between some wood with nails in best I good. I secured it with acrylic.

I have a center channel it's just I'm not happy with it. I had to replace the tweater when it blew so theres some oversize one taped to the front and it looks ugly now. Anyone know where to get just the tweeter for a Polk CSi40?

I'm not sure but I think we are getting a stand for the center channel. There might be one built also.

Great news on the screen order. They were thoughtful and let me just pay the difference for the correct one and the price of the auction.

Today I went to where I moved from to get what was supposed to be a simple cable pick up. I wanted to see one of my DVD's so I put in Ultraviolet. I set up the receiver to benchmark the surround setup. I woln't get into what was incorrectly setup for me as all may have thier own prefrences. When I was done the fireplace was shaking and other accoustical problems began. The picture I had set to 720P which looked great. I of course was distracted by the imperfections in the screen I made myself. At the end of the movie I had enjoyed a wonderful sci-fi and was well assured my hard work thus far had been well worth it. The projector I checked out also it's in good condition.

Then I began looking for wires. This turned into a 5 hour adventure.

Tommorow I'm going to add a headphone jack and install the video/sub outlet wire. If I don't have enough sub wire I may end up having the crew install their own. Also I may not end up having to use the extension RGB if the distance needed is calculated less than 20ft.

Also on the agenda is trying to replace the fuse in the Denon reciever one last time. This time with the correct fuse. I'm also going to try replacing the fuse in one of the mono amps which isn't working. I need to look more for a replacement tweeter for the center channel. At least one that fits inside it the box and is Polk. One of the towers may also need a tweeter repair but that highly unlikely. I woln't know until the final stages. I guess it's time to start researching the accoustic treatments that will go in after the drywall gets up. Somehow........ I will work in trying to hook up the old car system into the boat. Hopefully, this is done before I will be painting ceiling tiles. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

I stapled the speaker wire except at the left rear where there is no wall yet, and wrapped them in electrical tape. I did some more shopping and got paint, a cable phone/electrical plate, fuses and some boxes. I couldn't find headphone plate anywhere. I couldn't get the Denon reciever to work but I did get my old Pronto remote up and running with the adapter I brought here.

I spray painted the speaker wire plate covers, phone/cable/electrical cover, and the projector cable boxes. The projector boxes will go at the rear ceiling to the middle. The other wires had to be routed to the corner the other day because we could not drill through the steel beam. I think the projector cable should not do this. The boxes are a large open kind with circular covers. With extra speaker wire, I was able to add two additional lines to the rear channels in case I ever decide to bi-wire them.

Here are some recent photos.

Thanks for that link. This looks like my speakers may still be able to get repaired.

More framing was put in today. They put in the left rear box and wires as well. I have only put the felt onto the studs so far. I may do some more later.

Yes it is. I insisted to the folks it had to be. It says in wall in ceiling on the spool.
As for the other Monster wire I'm going to have allot left over.

Today was chaotic. When they began sawing the concrete wall the house shook and I jumped out of bed to inspect it. After catching my breath outside awhile I went back in and I was able to find the cat. I sat outside awhile making sure she was safe and I thought what to do. I decided to get a haircut. As I was leaving I mentioned the house was being filled with ash which I had thought they might of realized since the fire alarm was sounding. While waiting I called the folks with a final request. It was approved so after the barber was done I picked up one last spool of speaker wire so that I would hopefully be able to bi-wire the center and front channels as well. I ate dinner outside and watched some music video on the Ipod awhile. When the concrete guy finished I waited awhile for the smoke or dust to clear away then I opened the screen door and my bedroom window to let the house air out. I took two large fans and an extension cord and placed them between the plastic covering that was stapled and anchored to protect the theater area from flying concrete. I also found they had sheeted the inside wall with plastic as well. It was not as thick but it smelled pretty awful. I pluged in the fans and ran the rest of the wire and secured as fast as I could. I finished the acrylic applications to the rest of the new walls in about 15 minutes but by then I was already feeling pretty nautious. This all took me about four and hours to complete. There is still much work to be done but I feel it's time to start looking for a job. If I'm up to it I will start looking tomorrow. I lost my last job as a result of underfunding by the way.