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Mr. Pink's Dog Diner Theater (Tips Welcome) - Page 24

post #691 of 2184
always a great weekend. just like the start of a vacation (well.....sort of). enjoy!
post #692 of 2184
Thread Starter 
Man, I know this is going to sound crazy...as I don't even have v1.0 done yet...but v2.0 must be just GREAT. In fact, I wonder how many of the really nice HTs we see in this forum are actually v2.0s, where we just never had the chance to see the first attempts. You just learn so much along the way...things that you can't really realize until you've done it, and then see you should have done it differently. Like they say, hindsight is 20/20.

I think I just have the equivalent of "cabin fever", as it would relate to HT. I screwed up, by not planning on the HVAC sooner, and now I have to sit on my hands while I find a contractor, he orders the damn thing, and can find the time to install it. Sometimes...like this morning...I go up there and just sit and look for things to do in the meantime, but they all seem to hinge on this, and I just get mad at myself for procrastinating. So as I sit and stew, I think about the things I could have done different; today's lament? If I had it all to do over again, even in this compromising space, I would have DEFINITELY gone false-wall! I have the room, in fact, now I realize it would have made things easier, not harder...and of course it has all the other benefits of false-wall.

See, I think a lot of us first getting into HT come from being Audio guys. It's a natural progression; guy likes music and movies, and always did what he could to get nice sound out of his gear for music. Then when HT became an economic reality, it was time to do the same as it related to film; PJ, big screen, good surround, etc. But Audio guy comes from a mindset where seeing the gear is good; you paid for it, why not show it off, right? But HT guy quickly learns seeing the gear is BAD.

As I sat there in my poor, hot HT, I even contemplated what it would take to tear down the drywall on the screen-wall, move everything behind it, and just plan to cover it with GOM. And before Shawn and BIG start piling-on, I quickly came to my senses and decided I just need to press on and make the best of it...but like I said, v2.0 baby.

One good thing that did come from my deliberation: for the screen-wall GOM panels, I've decided that instead of just like 1x2s for the sides of the screen, it makes sense to actually build a panel that slides in next to the side of the screen, but comes out and also covers the depth of that shadowbox build-out (follow that?). Now that I think about it, it makes total and complete sense, but unlike a false wall, this one I actually caught before I had to rip anything down.



The only work that will get done today, will likely be spent taking stuff out of the room; PJ, all the gear, and even the screen frame (afraid of it catching drywall dust when the HVAC guy finally gets here). Happy Memorial Day everybody!

CD
post #693 of 2184
Smart move. You have NO idea how much dust gets around (well, with the sanding and all). Not sure how much you'll get with the HVAC cuts but better off safe than sorry.
post #694 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

Man, I know this is going to sound crazy...as I don't even have v1.0 done yet...but v2.0 must be just GREAT. In fact, I wonder how many of the really nice HTs we see in this forum are actually v2.0s, where we just never had the chance to see the first attempts. You just learn so much along the way...things that you can't really realize until you've done it, and then see you should have done it differently. Like they say, hindsight is 20/20.

I think I just have the equivalent of "cabin fever", as it would relate to HT. I screwed up, by not planning on the HVAC sooner, and now I have to sit on my hands while I find a contractor, he orders the damn thing, and can find the time to install it. Sometimes...like this morning...I go up there and just sit and look for things to do in the meantime, but they all seem to hinge on this, and I just get mad at myself for procrastinating. So as I sit and stew, I think about the things I could have done different; today's lament? If I had it all to do over again, even in this compromising space, I would have DEFINITELY gone false-wall! I have the room, in fact, now I realize it would have made things easier, not harder...and of course it has all the other benefits of false-wall.

See, I think a lot of us first getting into HT come from being Audio guys. It's a natural progression; guy likes music and movies, and always did what he could to get nice sound out of his gear for music. Then when HT became an economic reality, it was time to do the same as it related to film; PJ, big screen, good surround, etc. But Audio guy comes from a mindset where seeing the gear is good; you paid for it, why not show it off, right? But HT guy quickly learns seeing the gear is BAD.

As I sat there in my poor, hot HT, I even contemplated what it would take to tear down the drywall on the screen-wall, move everything behind it, and just plan to cover it with GOM. And before Shawn and BIG start piling-on, I quickly came to my senses and decided I just need to press on and make the best of it...but like I said, v2.0 baby.

One good thing that did come from my deliberation: for the screen-wall GOM panels, I've decided that instead of just like 1x2s for the sides of the screen, it makes sense to actually build a panel that slides in next to the side of the screen, but comes out and also covers the depth of that shadowbox build-out (follow that?). Now that I think about it, it makes total and complete sense, but unlike a false wall, this one I actually caught before I had to rip anything down.



The only work that will get done today, will likely be spent taking stuff out of the room; PJ, all the gear, and even the screen frame (afraid of it catching drywall dust when the HVAC guy finally gets here). Happy Memorial Day everybody!

CD

Woulda, coulda, shoulda I think is the mantra we all live by when we do a HT. I'm on V2 of my most recent theater and right away I see things I wish I would have done differently and I made some simple changes within week. Don't get disheartened. You design looks great. You'll be happy with the outcome, I'm sure. Then the day will come and you'll redo it with all that you want to change and enjoy the process again. Just keep pushing. The end is near....
post #695 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

Man, I know this is going to sound crazy...as I don't even have v1.0 done yet...but v2.0 must be just GREAT. In fact, I wonder how many of the really nice HTs we see in this forum are actually v2.0s, where we just never had the chance to see the first attempts. You just learn so much along the way...things that you can't really realize until you've done it, and then see you should have done it differently. Like they say, hindsight is 20/20.

I think I just have the equivalent of "cabin fever", as it would relate to HT. I screwed up, by not planning on the HVAC sooner, and now I have to sit on my hands while I find a contractor, he orders the damn thing, and can find the time to install it. Sometimes...like this morning...I go up there and just sit and look for things to do in the meantime, but they all seem to hinge on this, and I just get mad at myself for procrastinating. So as I sit and stew, I think about the things I could have done different; today's lament? If I had it all to do over again, even in this compromising space, I would have DEFINITELY gone false-wall! I have the room, in fact, now I realize it would have made things easier, not harder...and of course it has all the other benefits of false-wall.

See, I think a lot of us first getting into HT come from being Audio guys. It's a natural progression; guy likes music and movies, and always did what he could to get nice sound out of his gear for music. Then when HT became an economic reality, it was time to do the same as it related to film; PJ, big screen, good surround, etc. But Audio guy comes from a mindset where seeing the gear is good; you paid for it, why not show it off, right? But HT guy quickly learns seeing the gear is BAD.

As I sat there in my poor, hot HT, I even contemplated what it would take to tear down the drywall on the screen-wall, move everything behind it, and just plan to cover it with GOM. And before Shawn and BIG start piling-on, I quickly came to my senses and decided I just need to press on and make the best of it...but like I said, v2.0 baby.

One good thing that did come from my deliberation: for the screen-wall GOM panels, I've decided that instead of just like 1x2s for the sides of the screen, it makes sense to actually build a panel that slides in next to the side of the screen, but comes out and also covers the depth of that shadowbox build-out (follow that?). Now that I think about it, it makes total and complete sense, but unlike a false wall, this one I actually caught before I had to rip anything down.



The only work that will get done today, will likely be spent taking stuff out of the room; PJ, all the gear, and even the screen frame (afraid of it catching drywall dust when the HVAC guy finally gets here). Happy Memorial Day everybody!

CD

Woulda, coulda, shoulda I think is the mantra we all live by when we do a HT. I'm on V2 of my most recent theater and right away I see things I wish I would have done differently and I made some simple changes within week. Don't get disheartened. You design looks great. You'll be happy with the outcome, I'm sure. Then the day will come and you'll redo it with all that you want to change and enjoy the process again. Just keep pushing. The end is near....
post #696 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

And before Shawn and BIG start piling-on, I quickly came to my senses and decided I just need to press on and make the best of it...but like I said, v2.0 baby.

If it didn't involve you having to buy another screen I'd push you to start ripping down the wall! You could still use your screen now and just put the speakers on the sides and below

Ok I'll stop
post #697 of 2184
Yes, unfortunately we are all victims of the 'woulda coulda shoulda'. But I also think that if you feel very strongly about a potential change then give yourself the time to consider it. No need to rush it.
post #698 of 2184
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by queendvd2 View Post

Yes, unfortunately we are all victims of the 'woulda coulda shoulda'. But I also think that if you feel very strongly about a potential change then give yourself the time to consider it. No need to rush it.

Didn't you see; I'm kissing DE and QQQ's a** so they'll give me a rate to come finish my sh*tty, little room...ROFL. Nah, just joking...I'm good; I'm getting ready to hire an HVAC, who can hopefully install my unit in a week and a half to no more than 2 weeks...which is just enough time to order the carpet and get it laid (after the HVAC mess)...and the sky's the limit from there.

Up goes the screen...the WHOLE screen this time...back comes the gear, and how's this for the opening weekend line-up: Iron Man, The Dark Knight, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Taken! BTW, I have Changeling, The Reader, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona recently ripped for the Kuro; any feedback?

CD
post #699 of 2184
So whens the opening day?
post #700 of 2184
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnwalters View Post

So whens the opening day?

Your guess is as good as mine Shawn; probably better. Haven't I been down this road before? I'm meeting with 2 HVAC guys this weekend, should give the go order to one of them. Hopefully that means an install sometime in the 2nd week of June. In the meantime, I have a carpet installer and his warehouse waiting for my order; just need to find the time to get updated quotes from a couple of likely suspects. Also in the meantime, get my GC to do some of the odds and ends...the etcs., etcs.

I'd hope 6/13, 6/20 latest??

CD
post #701 of 2184
I know you gotta be dying to get this thing finished and just start enjoying it! I think I racked up almost a hundred hours on my PJ the first week

I vote ironman, taken and changeling for the premier viewings
post #702 of 2184
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnwalters View Post

I know you gotta be dying to get this thing finished and just start enjoying it! I think I racked up almost a hundred hours on my PJ the first week

I vote ironman, taken and changeling for the premier viewings

HVAC-guy just left; great meeting! Nice guy, experienced, his initial quote was right in the 'ole strikezone...and...he thinks he can do the install, not this coming week, but sometime in the next one!

Plus, it doesn't sound like such a big deal, construction-wise; unit mounts outside the drywall, and all the cutting that is required is the small-ish hole for the supply line! Point is, I don't see any reason for serious delays, and while with carpet and everything (which I should be ordering Monday) I should still be realistic and say it feels like the weekend of 6/20-21...I really can't imagine why it should be any later than that.

CD
post #703 of 2184
sounds like you get along with the hvac guy (kinda strange to say but you know what i mean), which is good cuz you want to stay on top of the scheduling. this time of year all it can take is one heat wave and those guys get swamped (might be a weakpun in there), esp with callbacks from existing customers having start up issues. you're almost there!!
post #704 of 2184
Thread Starter 
J/K; I finally got around to backing-up, removing equipment from the room, to get ready for the getting ready...HVAC and carpet in the coming weeks. The room went from this, back down to this...and the spare bedroom back to this. It could have been worse...I hadn't hauled this guy up there yet.





Oh, and don't worry...touching-up that cabinet is part of the "backing-up" phase too; yuck!

CD
post #705 of 2184
Thread Starter 
Woo-Hoo...more QT on BD; I see True Romance has been released on Blu-Ray! Some of the best Tarantino dialogue ever; I can recite the scene between Vincent Coccotti and Cliff Worley by heart...as well as practically the rest of the movie. And unlike Oliver Stone with Natural Born Killers, Tony Scott didn't take a hatchet to QT's script. If you've never seen it, but like QT otherwise...this is a don't miss! Not familiar with Mr. Tarantino's work...tread lightly.

Also have Last Chance Harvey coming.

CD
post #706 of 2184
I went through 2 versions of theaters before the currently one (the reasons why it is v 3.0).

I'm purposefully not posting any pics of them for multiple reasons.

V 1 - screen, projector, curtains, light paint, not light controlled, etc.
V 2 - new house, huge basement but ceilings were 6 foot 4 inches from concrete to floor rafters. Completely overhauled the basement due to a black mold issue (ripping out to the cinderblock walls). Again, another screen, projector, minimal sound treatment, no soundproofing, etc. Better, but always agonizing for more.

We learn as we go. The truly nice thing about doing this is that we can always go back and change it in the future. If you get tired of not having an AT setup...with some destruction/construction you can fix it...later.

Don't let Shawn bully you. He bullies me, too. (Shawn are you reading this?)
post #707 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnsteph10 View Post

Don't let Shawn bully you. He bullies me, too. (Shawn are you reading this?)

Sorry
post #708 of 2184
Thread Starter 
OK, I got the formal quote from the guy I'm hoping to have install my Fujitsu ductless unit. While the price is fair, the quote was just a little higher than I was hoping for; somewhere between maybe $100-200 more than I was hoping it would be.

It's a fair price...like I said, $100-200 is nothing to lose sleep over...and I liked the guy; but is this one of those things like buying a car at sticker-price: if I don't negotiate his first offer I'm being gullible and leaving money on the table? Or if I liked the guy, and feel he bid in good faith...should I take the guy at his word and accept his offer or pass?

I mean, I guess I feel like the guy would likely come down that $100 or 2, but just because he would does that mean I should counter him to? I'm one of those guys who feels like he has to drive a bargain (make your money on the next guy), when there's negotiating to be done...but I'm on less sure footing when it comes to contractors.

Just take the bid, or work him down?

CD
post #709 of 2184
I got into a big argument with my builder over this. I negotiated EVERYTHING (even my concrete) on my house and I saved probably over $20k by doing it this way. My builder said, as a builder you just dont do that. I was like, you don't do what save money? Funny thing is after he saw how much I was instantly able to get off quotes he now does exactly that, and he shops around too.

Anyway, all I did was say something along the lines of "Thanks so much for the quote, it all sounds great, but is about $200 over budget. Is there any way you can do it for $xyz?" If he says yes, you feel like you won. If he says no, it sounds like you should go with him anyway. Don't let $200 postpone movie night. That's how I felt - if they said no and felt it was a fair price I would still go with them. If they said no and I felt it was an extremely high price, I'd shop around. But I was always extremely nice about it.

I'd say 75% of the people I did this to, they immediately said sure no problem and usually met me somewhere in between my price and their proposal. A couple even accepted my price.

With all that said, don't come off as a cheapo haggler trying to take advantage, but there is nothing wrong with negotiating.
post #710 of 2184
I wouldn't stress about a couple of hundred. It's largely based on what your other bids were like. If you like his work and he does a quality job, you'll never remember the few extra dollars.

Edit: x-posted with Shawn - he gives good advise and I often take the same "here's my budget" approach. It worked for my tile and drywall.
post #711 of 2184
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnwalters View Post

I got into a big argument with my builder over this. I negotiated EVERYTHING (even my concrete) on my house and I saved probably over $20k by doing it this way. My builder said, as a builder you just dont do that. I was like, you don't do what save money? Funny thing is after he saw how much I was instantly able to get off quotes he now does exactly that, and he shops around too.

Anyway, all I did was say something along the lines of "Thanks so much for the quote, it all sounds great, but is about $200 over budget. Is there any way you can do it for $xyz?" If he says yes, you feel like you won. If he says no, it sounds like you should go with him anyway. Don't let $200 postpone movie night. That's how I felt - if they said no and felt it was a fair price I would still go with them. If they said no and I felt it was an extremely high price, I'd shop around. But I was always extremely nice about it.

I'd say 75% of the people I did this to, they immediately said sure no problem and usually met me somewhere in between my price and their proposal. A couple even accepted my price.

With all that said, don't come off as a cheapo haggler trying to take advantage, but there is nothing wrong with negotiating.

Great post Shawn; thanks. Like I said, when it comes to big purchases...House, Car, etc...I arm myself with the facts, research the hell out of an issue...become an expert, and drive a hard bargain. In my youth, I was less than cordial but as I get older and wiser, I'm more like you; polite, but firm.

If this was a car, there is NEVER a time to feel sorry for the guy on the other side of the table (no offense to any car salesmen out there); those guys negotiate for a living, and they've got guys behind them...who have guys behind them...who wouldn't accept a deal unless it was in the best interest of the dealership. But in this case, I don't know that I want to turn this guy out of $100-200...just because I might be able to.

But I think your approach is the right one Shawn: "I was hoping we could do this for more like $xyz...any chance you could meet that price, and we have a deal". If he says yes, he probably had it to spare...if he says no, ABSOLUTELY don't let it stand in the way of movie-night! Of course, this is his busy time of year; I wonder if that makes it a seller's market? Man, I hope he doesn't read AVS...lol.

CD
post #712 of 2184
The more you post on it, the more I think you should just take his quote. You'll probably make him a sketch

Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

"I was hoping we could do this for more like $xyz...any chance you could meet that price, and we have a deal".

I dunno, "if you do it for xyz we have a deal" - it sounds like an ultimatum which may put him on the defensive. I'd stick with "the budget". It puts the blame on an inanimate object out of your control and is completely impersonal. If he says yes, that's a few extra bucks for some blu rays
post #713 of 2184
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnwalters View Post

The more you post on it, the more I think you should just take his quote. You'll probably make him a sketch



I dunno, "if you do it for xyz we have a deal" - it sounds like an ultimatum which may put him on the defensive. I'd stick with "the budget". It puts the blame on an inanimate object out of your control and is completely impersonal. If he says yes, that's a few extra bucks for some blu rays

Blu Rays? Who buys Blu Rays

CD
post #714 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

Blu Rays? Who buys Blu Rays

CD

I do Do you rent?
post #715 of 2184
IMHO Netflix Bluray program unless there is something I know I am going to want to watch again in a few years.
post #716 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post

Blu Rays? Who buys Blu Rays

CD

I guess Shawn and I are the only suckers out there...
post #717 of 2184
I do netflix too. Basically I rent all the ones I might like and then I buy the good ones once they go on sale after previewing them with netflix.

Quote:
Originally Posted by queendvd2 View Post

I guess Shawn and I are the only suckers out there...

I guess so!
post #718 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnwalters View Post

I do netflix too. Basically I rent all the ones I might like and then I buy the good ones once they go on sale after previewing them with netflix.



I guess so!

Shawn. Where do you find the best deals on buying used BD's. Is there somewhere in area you'd recommend or online or? I too am NF renting and there are a few I'd like to own but at a lower price. I always wondered why NF didn't offer a program to do this.
post #719 of 2184
Quote:
Originally Posted by Happytobehere200 View Post

Shawn. Where do you find the best deals on buying used BD's. Is there somewhere in area you'd recommend or online or? I too am NF renting and there are a few I'd like to own but at a lower price. I always wondered why NF didn't offer a program to do this.

I buy my BDs when they are on sale. I try to never buy them when they first come out since they are most expensive then. So my rental (I have a movie pass, unlimited rentals) of it serves as the first viewing of it and I probably wouldn't watch it again for atleast a few months. Which works out great because it gives me a few months to buy it on sale whenever I see it. I usually look in the movie aisle whenever I'm at Best Buy, Target, etc. Online websites have some great prices too.

I also buy "Previously Viewed" Blu Rays from my local blockbuster. They are $12 each and often times have pretty new releases. For instance, the Curious Case of Ben Button was in there yesterday. Everyone one of the discs I bought this way were flawless.
post #720 of 2184
I use a firefox extension called "Pricedrop" to track amazon prices on dvd/blu rays. Mostly use it for TV series on discs. However, I Robot is $13 right now, and I couldn't resist. It seems amazon often puts TV series in their one day sales, so the little tracker is real nice. I like being able to immediately drop the next disc in for tv shows, but most movies I rent.
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