Big Plans

[Chris]

Hi All,

Here is what I am currently working on.

I've moved the images to the post below, I was having trouble up here.

I'm not sure if these pictures will show up, this is my second post here.

Chris

[Chris]

Ok, I'm having some problems posting pictures, let me try something else (any hints here?)

[Chris]

Let's try again.

[Chris]

Here's the x-ray version showing the speakers behind the screen.

[SoundGame]

Looks very promising. Excuse me for my ignorance but what is that on the ceiling above the screen - just architectural or functional. You may want to reconsider having the popcorn machine and eating/reception area in the same room - possibly creating a totally separate adjoining room or an archway at least to separate the spaces. The placement of the surrounds may not produce the right effect for those in the back row - I'm not sure how to solve this though.
What are the dimensions - height, width, length. What's the distance from the screen to the first, second and third row? Have you considered going with a twin centre channel setup at two heights, given the three rows and what appears to be a fair distance.
How about using multiple subs - at least two to smooth out the bass response and spread out the impact?

Keep us updated on your progress - very interesting. I'm living vicariously through your project...can you tell? LOL.

[JAM]

wow - this is going to be one heck of a home theatre setup! how large is that screen going to be?

also, could you tell us what software was used to generate these diagrams - did you do these yourself?

[Chris]

That thing over the screen is an area where the ceiling is dropped a bit because of a sunken eating area in the kitchen above. You'll see it more clearly when I post some more pics, I'm actually quite far into this project and I've got lots of pics I can post. It's already at the stage where I can watch movies, but I still need to put the carpet in and finish some trim and the door.

I know what you are saying about the surrounds, but it is a compromise I had to make. I've got dipoles where ideally you would want to sit in the null point, so I made the middle row the "sweet spot" I've also run some wire to the back of the room to add some rear surrounds. I've got no problems with bass, or centre channel clarity. I'm quite happy with the speakers, they are Atlantic Technology System 450THX which I have had for about 10 years without a single complaint.

I used Google SketchUp to make those drawings. It is fantastic and free. I had no previous experience with that sort of thing, but I downloaded it and watch some of the video tutorials and was able to make those drawings in one weekend.

I'll post some more pics when I get a chance.

Chris

[Suave]

Thank you for posting these pics Chris - it looks like you've built yourself a wonderful home theatre! I've used Google SketchUp recently myself and I agree that it's great tool for any home reno projects. I would however love to see some actual photographs of your setup (even if it's not completely finished).

I will start a new "sticky" thread with detailed instructions on how to post pictures on the forum. You're not the only one that had trouble with this (I did too at the beginning!).

There is no question that some compromises have to be made when buildling any home theatre system. The placement of your surround speakers seems like a reasonable compromise, especially if it will be mostly yourself and perhaps one other person watching a movie at the same time - this way you'll always be in the sweet spot. Besides, I'm sure that if you invite family or friends to join you for a movie, they won't be nearly as critical of the sound/video quality as yourself

What are the dimensions of your room? And how large is that screen?

[Chris]

The room is about 30' x 12'. The screen is going to be about 130" or so in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. I bought a new Panasonic AE-4000 to replace my Sanyo z2000 and I will be using the auto zoom feature for changing aspect ratios.

Here is a picture of my rack, which was the first thing I built.




and from the back:



More to come later

[SoundGame]

Is that a DIY black paint-job on that Rogers Explorer 8300 HD PVR? I was tempted to get out the spray paint and go at mine this summer but just didn't get the time - winter task, maybe...LOL.
Looks like you changed the order of the components between taking the front and back-side pictures - messed me up for a bit - still using VHS?