Den to Home Theater Conversion

Hi everyone it's my turn





Well after almost nine years of waiting/sharing the living room I have my own space ! Me and my wife were going to do an attic build out but the budget skyrocketed and we had to reconsider.

The main reason for the addition was to add space for a dedicated home theater. We decided to convert our 16'6" x 13'3" den. I got the green light for color choice,furniture and some new equipment .

My goal is to have the room completed and ready for install of my new JVC RS-1 1080P D-ila projector. I will keep my 119" Dalite Cosmopolitin electric High Power 16x9 screen. For anyone wanting to see my present setup look at my photos here on AVS under my name.

I planned two rows of seating the rear on a 13" riser and the front our existing couch. As my wife likes to stretch out on her side. I bought 4 leather/vinyl berkline 45004's with electric recline and mini butt kickers installed.

I have planned 5 zones of lighting and am waiting for my Lutron Grafik Eye GRX-3506-T in black giving me 1 zone left over. I have a closet in the room that is being converted to the equipment closet. This initially housed a fifty gallon electric hot water heater. I removed that and installed a tank less water heater giving me plenty of room.This involved installing a small sub panel with 2 60a 220v circuits. So I also installed 2 20a dedicated circuits for audio/video . And reused the former 220v 30a circuit to 110v 20a for the lighting.

The house was built in 1985 and has a small closet type wet bar. This I demoed out and built a snack bar with a brand new 8oz Contempo Popcorn Popper .Along with candy rack and plenty of counter space.

After I receive word that the JVC RS-1 is shipping I will start to move all of our present HT equipment from the living room to the new HT.

I was trying to wait until I completed the theater to post all of this but there has been some interest so here is another build thread. Here are a few of the progress pictures. *** Added before picture of the den 2-26-07***
Riser build up. I used the riser calculator on the forum





Acoustic "popcorn ceiling" sprayed black with a high pressure sprayer. I also painted all trim,chair rail,registers ,doors and light rings etc flat black enamel latex.

Installed
1.Four paintable ceramic sconces
2.Crown molding / rope lighting.
3. LED step lighting in the riser steps
4. Two 4" recessed IC spot lights " task /eating" during movie .These are strategically placed as to not effect screen wall at full power.
5. Kept four 80's era recessed square lights for general house lighting.

Some lighting


Rear view



Our old wet bar to new snack bar

Well
This is just the beginning for me . I have a lot of work left to do.

1. Wire rope lights----done 2-20-07
2. Install Lutron Grafik Eye GRX-3506-T
3. Paint,repair and wire equipment closet
4. Build rotating equipment rack
5. Install all A/V equipment including 7.1 speakers and subwoofer
6. Install full size butt kicker in couch and wire riser for in seat mini bk's .
7. Build acoustic sound panels 2'x4' 2" OC 703 12 ea to start
8. Build install sub traps 2ea
9. Build low profile coffee table " in front of couch"
10. Build end tables for HT seating along with tray tables
11. Modify old TV mount with shelf for projector
12. Try to calibrate room sound/ video

Thanks Guy's
I bought enough carpet to have left over. I will make an area rug in front of couch/screen.And a couple of runners in front of the steps on the riser.

Any upholstery shop can sew a border or pipping around the edge for less than $1.00 a linear foot. Area rugs cost big bucks so you may remember that when buying the carpet for the riser !

Calvin
You would be surprised how much my wife and her mother like the ceiling. I have wanted a black ceiling forever. Last night my wife was telling me how soothing she finds the black color ! It really does almost feel like a night sky.

RxMan1
Did you order your seats ?Hope the p.m.'s were helpful. Johnathan

Thanks Jeff
It takes time to comment and I apperiate your time.

Update today
No controller yet for lights. But I did wire the step lighting.

Step Lights

Watson5
Hi
The berk's are 33" from the back of the couch. The foot rest extends about 24" to 26" in full recline. This give me a little room to walk between the rest and the couch in full recline.
I like the lights but just wish the housing was black. That would match the theme of my theater better. Johnathan

Well
I wired a new light in the future equipment closet. I also painted it and started to patch some sheet rock. This closet used to contain a 50 gal. water heater. It now has a tankless water heater. Saving much space!

Tomorrow I will build the rack using MDF ! Johnathan
\\

The tankless system required 2 circuits of 220v 60a . I had a friend come by and tye in a new subpanel. I added 2 110v 20a dedicated circuits for audio/video .

I converted the old 220 2 pole 30a circuit to a single 110v 20a circuit for HT lighting. Johnathan

Update 2-24-07

I spent more hours than I care to mention building and rebuilding my new equipment rack last night ! It is constructed from 3/4" birch ply nails and screws.
My equipment closet is rather small and I had to come up with a workable solution.

So I built my rack on casters and will leave plenty of slack in audio/video and power connection as to allow me to roll the rack in and out of the closet for maintainance !

I picked up a cheap Ryobi table saw from HD along with my wood. Next I looked at my ruff plans and built the rack. Eight or more hours later came the trial fit. Damn *%^&$#@
Even after removing the inner trim on the door casing the rack would not go through the door opening.

So back out to the table saw I dismantled the rack and removed 1 1/2 " over all.
Reassembly and it fit through the door . The new width just allows me to fit equipment in it. But I have plans for cooling with a baffle and HVAC return in the closet !

In this shot I just stuck some equipment in quickly for show. Johnathan
PS I made the shelves in a way that they can be moved for equipment upgrades.

Today acoustic panels !
Swithey was kind enough to give me a line on JM 814 same as OC 703 locally !
I bought 14 ea. 2'x4' X2" , 2ea. 2'X4'X1" and 2ea. 3'x4'x4" mineral wool .

Now to compromise with looks and sound. I will keep it as symmetrical as I can with the best sound in mind. I do have to get a little more help with either building two corner sub traps. Either 2ea panels or a corner tri shape like I have seen for sale on the net !

Back to work in the garage. I am on a week of vacation next week. So I will install all of my present equipment. And then be ready to install the new JVC RS-1 when it ships ! Hoping that is is in March. But so excited with the new HT room my old Sony HS-10 will get me through the wait. Johnathan

Ausie78
Thanks for the compliment ! Funny that it just doesn't look like that much work has been done.But this last month and a half I am beat. I really don't know how this guy's hold up to a 12 to 16 month build ! It really gives me more respect for them and all that they have done !

My family is very excited about the new room as we have put up with the limitations of the main living room for years ! Johnathan

Steve
Thanks for the post and tips ! The tankless water heater is a 2 part windfall for me. It saves electric and gives me space for equipment ! That way I could have the equipment hidden and also have a snack bar area !

Speaking of which taxman48 posted a link to this candy rack
I love it and it is a perfect for my counter. Now to just stay out of the candy until movie time ha ha. Johnathan

Update
I am on my way out to Joann's for some fabric for my acoustic panels. I have made the first five of many ! The number will be determined as I go along. I will make various sizes to cover a large portion of wall below the existing chair rail first !

I have played around with photo shop to try and come up with something functional and pleasing to look at. I have final say but making the wife happy really helps out.

I temporally built a 24"x48" to show the family and they all freaked out about covering all of the green walls up .
First these are five 2" 24"x24" or there abouts . I am also putting two 48"x** beside the screen of 1" thickness . Have a look. Johnathan

I am using PSE 3 to try out some side wall ideas. I know I will have to install speakers next week and do the mirror trick. For finding the first reflective point.

Anyway if any one has any comments or tip any help would be appreciated !
Have a look these are just ideas. Fifty/fifty on looks and performance is my goal.
Thanks . Johnathan


Left hand side of room

Thanks Aussie78

I still have to do some thought on the walls above the chair rail. Johnathan

thecodeman
Thanks for the complement ! Can't tell you how many times I have pulled the present entertainment center away from the wall ! I have a buffalo IR repeater and will be able to control everything with the closet closed.

Man I still have a ton of things to do yet. But each day I tick another thing off the list. Just a little at a time .

After covering the first frame with black 100% jute burlap from Joann's. I am beginning to believe larger frames may be the ticket ha ha. Less work for me. Thank you both for looking in. Johnathan

Swithey
Thank you for taking the time to work on the panel design ! You are right the echo was scary in the room as I have been remodeling ! I do plan an area rug in front of the couch and two runners in front of riser steps . I like your ideas and will show the wife .

Robz
Thank you for the compliments. I painted the room green last year .Coming from white walls we loved it. Since the HT remodel I filled holes and did another fresh coat of green.I
am adding a before shot in the first post of this thread.

With just the five front panels I am starting to hear a difference already. Just talking or clapping the sound is starting to tame down ha ha. It gave me the motivation boost I needed. Johnathan

Thanks PDX-Scott
Some times there is so much more involved than meets the eye. I just keep taking steps forward. I am very excited to own somthing like this . It truly has been a dream of mine since my first visit to AVS forum over 8 years ago.

I can't waith to enjoy it with my family and friends ! Well back to work.
I actualy seen a video made by David Bott of his home theater in his basment and was amazed ! Johnathan