[quack724]

Hello,


I am having a new home built in Dublin, CA (east bay area) that will be completed by ~Dec 2011. The home is built in a planned community (ie not custom) and so while I can tweak a few things, I cannot change key design aspects like room dimensions, windows, etc. The new house will have a rectangular room that I would like to purpose for a new home theater and has the following dimensions, 22'4" length x 11'11" width X 9' height.


I already own gear from my previous DIY theater .


My goal is to build a CIH set up but this time around, I'd like to get help in building it rather the DIY route. I've done a lot of lurking and reading on CIH set ups for several months now but am still far from being an expert.


From what I understand most, if not all, custom installers want you to buy their gear from the brands they carry so that they can "control the outcome." But I'd prefer to buy the gear on my own based on my own research (ie Prismasonic HD-6000RX, Seymour 120" or 130" 2.35, TBD front projector - maybe new Sony HW30 or Mits HC7800, Carada Masquerade CIH masking) to get the most bang for the dollar.


What I think I need help with (so far) is

1) Room acoustics consultation and implementation.

2) Recommendation of where to build a false wall given my speakers (Def Tech BP2000TL fronts ).

3) building the false wall

4) Installation of projector and Prismasonic lens and alignment.

5) Installation of 2.35 screen

6) Sound calibration

7) Integration of old and new components



It seems all folks here are DIY but again, I know my own limits and need help this time around. Is there an AVS affiliate in the west coast or perhaps custom installers who can help in my situation? Ideally, if I can find someone now, I could get advice on design and figure out what I should do before the dry wall is up and what I should do after.


Is a CEDIA certified installer recommended?


On a side note, the home builder has partnered with a local installer that does audio and security systems. But the scope & options are limited to select offerings. I was not interested in their 5.1/7.1 offerings since I have my own speakers but am interested in having the room pre-wired (HDMI, 16 gauge speaker cable and electrical outlet) for a front projector as well as surround speakers for a 7.1 set up since they can do it before the dry wall is put up. I figure this would be a safe and more economical option to pursue now rather than tearing up the walls or ceiling after the house is completely done to install cabling. Anyone disagree?

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

Yes, prewire. But make sure you specify the proper gauge wire for you distances and speaker impedance. Other pre-drywall items: Have an outlet placed in the projector location with an over-sized service loop in case you have to move it. Think about having a big conduit run from the projector location to where you will stick your gear.


You should ask the Guitarman who hangs out in the Projector forum (Look in the Optoma posts) for references or help. He lives in Walnut Creek.

 

[BIGmouthinDC]



Quote:
Originally Posted by quack724 /forum/post/20879406


From what I understand most, if not all, custom installers want you to buy their gear from the brands they carry so that they can "control the outcome."

I think it is more so they can profit from the margin.

 

[dwightp]



Quote:
What I think I need help with (so far) is

1) Room acoustics consultation and implementation.

2) Recommendation of where to build a false wall given my speakers (Def Tech BP2000TL fronts ).

3) building the false wall

4) Installation of projector and Prismasonic lens and alignment.

5) Installation of 2.35 screen

6) Sound calibration

7) Integration of old and new components

I think Dennis Erskine's company does all of this. Seems like it would be expensive to have them travel that far, though.

 

[quack724]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGmouthinDC /forum/post/20879779


Yes, prewire. But make sure you specify the proper gauge wire for you distances and speaker impedance. Other pre-drywall items: Have an outlet placed in the projector location with an over-sized service loop in case you have to move it. Think about having a big conduit run from the projector location to where you will stick your gear.


You should ask the Guitarman who hangs out in the Projector forum (Look in the Optoma posts) for references or help. He lives in Walnut Creek.

Thanks BigmouthinDC. Guitarman referred me to a Walnut Creek installer but they do not appear to be CEDIA certified. I don't how big of a deal CEDIA certification is.

 

[quack724]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dwightp /forum/post/20882215


I think Dennis Erskine's company does all of this. Seems like it would be expensive to have them travel that far, though.

Yes, I looked at Dennis Erskine's company and the design offering via AVS which looks like a fantastic deal but I'm guessing a qualified installer would want to perform that service for me and charge me accordingly which I am ok with.


I did find a CEDIA installer who does soup-to-nuts and over the phone, he told me he was OK with installing user owned equipment and that his rate was $90 / hour. Is this considered reasonable? He also noted that when customers buy equipment from them the install rate is decreased (no specific number given).

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

Your project requires a fairly broad range of skills not all of the tasks require a $90/hr guy.

 

[Dennis Erskine]

As a member of the CEDIA Board of Directors, I would encourage you to seek out a CEDIA Certified Professional appropriate to your needs. You can go to www.cedia.net , on the right side of the page is a CEDIA locator feature. You can put in your zip code and look for CEDIA member companies in your area. The listings will show the various certifications held by each member company. For installation, you'd be wanting an individual with EST 1, or EST 2 certification. For an automation, A/V distribution projects, you'd be looking for "Certified Professional Designer". For home theater design and acoustics, you'd be looking for a Certified Home Theater Design Specialist.


Hope that helps you locate the skill sets you need.

 

[editor363]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGmouthinDC /forum/post/20882909


Your project requires a fairly broad range of skills not all of the tasks require a $90/hr guy.

Correct, some require easily $100+/hr... especially in the acoustic consultant range...

 

[quack724]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis Erskine /forum/post/20883779


As a member of the CEDIA Board of Directors, I would encourage you to seek out a CEDIA Certified Professional appropriate to your needs. You can go to www.cedia.net , on the right side of the page is a CEDIA locator feature. You can put in your zip code and look for CEDIA member companies in your area. The listings will show the various certifications held by each member company. For installation, you'd be wanting an individual with EST 1, or EST 2 certification. For an automation, A/V distribution projects, you'd be looking for "Certified Professional Designer". For home theater design and acoustics, you'd be looking for a Certified Home Theater Design Specialist.


Hope that helps you locate the skill sets you need.

Dennis, thank you very much for this info. Too bad your company is not in the SF bay area. If you are able to recommend a reputable CEDIA certified installer (home theater design, installation, acoustics) near Dublin, CA could you please PM me? I used cedia.net as you suggested and found one near Dublin but have no references. Yelp had limited info as well.

 

[Dennis Erskine]

Once you find potential candidates for your project, you'll need to call them, interview them for the project, see if they meet your requirements. If there seems to be a mutual interest, ask for them for references.

 

[quack724]

Thanks Dennis. I'm reaching out to them now.