HT Room Decisions -Please Share Your Opinions

Hello:

I am in the process of deciding upon the creation of the Home Theater room in my home. The design of my family room does not allow for a TV much bigger then 42. I have a spare room that would allow for use as a HT. The room is 14.5 ft. x 19 ft.

I would appreciate and comments or advice on using this room as a HT as well as the orientation within the room of the screen and projector.

I have attached pictures below at various angles around the room.

As you can see, I have a large window on one wall (Window 1) with an uncovered window above it (this would need to be covered). This window-wall is opposite the blank wall where the previous owner must have had a TV (Blank Wall). This is the short axis of the room and viewing distance would be about 12 feet.

I also have closets along one wall with a shelf above them (Closets). The closets could be converted to a space for the AV equipment. I would remove the mirrored doors and replace them with either white doors or curtains. I could also place the projector on the shelf above the closets and save the ceiling mounting issues. Opposite this wall is a sliding glass door (Window 3). I was considering an electric screen that would lower to cover the sliding doors (in addition to the window treatments). This would orient the HT along the long axis of the room and have the added benefit of covering a light source when in use but allowing for a nice view when not in use.

I have also included pictures of the ceiling (Ceiling & Ceiling 3). The fan may be an issue. It could be raised about 1-2 feet if it was in the way of the projector. However, the shelf elevation is about a foot below the fan and I may be able to hit the screen without any interference.

Again, I appreciate any input you may have.

Thanks,

Splotto

The other pics....

Bill:

The sliders are 6.5 feet with 32 inches from the top of the slider to where the ceiling starts.

I would have to add window treatments all around. The sliding shade is nice but it's beige and lots of light comes through.

You are correct about the fan. It might have to go. However, I can do that last after I try the setup with the fan.

Splotto

Bill:

Correct on all counts. The closet wall, the slider wall and the window wall are all exterior and block. No basement.

However, I could run speaker wires in the ceiling and down the interior wall then under the carpet. I also am lucky enough to have a floor-zone carpet break in the threshold of the door so I could run all the wires under the carpet.

If I orient the viewing toward the sliders, most of the equipment will be behind me either in the closet of on the top of the shelf (rear surrounds). I have plenty of flexability there. I could also put the subs behind the seating so those wires won't be an issue. The front and center channels and the screen wiring are all that would need to be addressed.

Splotto

Bill:

I didn't think of that!

One option is to put it in the ceiling. The other is to mount it ON the slider wall (vs. in the wall) above the screen housing.

Splotto

Hello:

I wandered around my room tonight and I think that a good solution will be to mount the screen housing above the window (picture Window 1). Given the dimensions above I have plenty of room for 70h x 100h screen (even more). It also allows for me to use the ledge below the window for speakers, etc.

The screen will cover on of the windows and the housing may partially cover the arched windows above.

I can mount the projector on a shelf on the blank wall (see Blank Wall pic) which would be behind the viewing seats.

With this configuration, the screen would be about 16 feet from the projector and about 12 feet from the eyes of the viewer.

My equipment would be on my left behind curtains and the closet configuration would allow for easier wiring.

My main challenge would be getting wires behind the seats to feed the right surround speakers. It will not be a major issue.

I am getting pretty excited about pulling this project together.

Splotto



PS I brought a projector home from the office tonight. It's an InFocus X2. I set it up in my living room.

I used a standard Dell Laptop with a DVD drive, connected via S-Video to the InFocus. I projected the image on a textured beige wall with no screen.

The picture was MUCH better then I expected. More importantly it was much better then my wife expected. She is pricing chairs and popcorn machines now. :-)

Bill:

I am a big Harmony fan. I have a Harmony 890 universal remote now in my family room running everything with RF so I would go that route in the HT.

Splotto