Home Cinema Room.. Starting here!

ColinB_NI · 16-09-2007, 6:51 PM

Hello folks,

I have been following a lot of your (past and present) progress on this forum with regard to DIY home builds... have got a lot of ideas from you all (thank you). So with ideas taken from here together with general plans of my own I would like to make a start on showing my progress 'as it happens'...
Can't promise I will make quick progress as a lot of this depends on the old 'spondullicks' (cash!) and spare time (lack of lazyness!!) But it will be my personal record of progress over time... and maybe a little help to others in future too.

Let me start by (hopefully) posting a pic or two of the room I intend to convert...

The first pic is of the wall I intend to use for the screen/main av components etc... the second is a view out of a (rather large) front window... this may cause problems with regard to light control etc... more on this at a later point. The one good factor here is that living in the countryside.. night-time really is DAARK LOL!

Room size is 16ft by 15ft 6" and 8ft 5" High

Last pic is a 'Google Sketchup' of one idea for the screen wall... believe it or not it is drawn 'to scale' with the wall width and height etc so is pretty much how the thing would look. (for those of you not aware of it,Google Sketchup is a totally free 3D drawing program and is soooo easy to get to grips with for anyone into any type of DIY) The white rectangle in the middle is the screen which will be electric and will come down in front of the window on this wall when in use... during daytime and/or when not in use the screen will be retracted and the window (which will be fitted with a blackout blind) can be used as normal.
Note, this is one idea only.. have a few others I am working on!

ANGUZ · 17-09-2007, 12:50 AM

Lovely view you got out of that window mate

Franco50 · 17-09-2007, 8:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANGUZ

Lovely view you got out of that window mate

Ditto. I'd be tempted to forget about the cinema project and just gaze out the window all the time.

ColinB_NI · 17-09-2007, 8:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco50

Ditto. I'd be tempted to forget about the cinema project and just gaze out the window all the time.

LOL... must admit it's a view and a half and it changes with the seasons. Im from the city myself and moved out here 4 years ago... I don't think I will ever get used to it!

Anyway thanks for the comments guys!!

Hope to post a few pics later of the start of work on this room.

SibTiger33 · 17-09-2007, 12:28 PM

dude!

dont cover that view - its fantastic

what area of the country do u live in?

groove · 17-09-2007, 1:16 PM

wow at that view.....

thats 'proper HD '

ColinB_NI · 17-09-2007, 2:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SibTiger33

dude!

what area of the country do u live in?

I live in Northern Ireland (the song 40 shades of green springs to mind) LOL

Posting a Sketchup pic of the screen housing... will look familiar to those that have done it this way. Even includes real sizes for the wood lengths (just love that drawing aid!!)

SibTiger33 · 17-09-2007, 2:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinB_NI

I live in Northern Ireland (the song 40 shades of green springs to mind) LOL

Posting a Sketchup pic of the screen housing... will look familiar to those that have done it this way. Even includes real sizes for the wood lengths (just love that drawing aid!!)

what are u using to make the sketchups?

ColinB_NI · 17-09-2007, 3:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SibTiger33

what are u using to make the sketchups?

I'm using 'Google Sketchup'... a free drawing progam. Do a search on Google for it.

Maybe that's not what your asking... if so can you clarify??

SibTiger33 · 17-09-2007, 3:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinB_NI

I'm using 'Google Sketchup'... a free drawing progam. Do a search on Google for it.

Maybe that's not what your asking... if so can you clarify??

yes thats what i was asking :-)

thanks alot

good luck with the cinema ...

(p.s im in belfast on Wednesday - can u recommend any places to go)

ColinB_NI · 17-09-2007, 3:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SibTiger33

yes thats what i was asking :-)

thanks alot

good luck with the cinema ...

(p.s im in belfast on Wednesday - can u recommend any places to go)

If you've never been before... take a city tour on one of those open topped buses (if it don't rain) if you like a drink.. try 'The Crown Bar' on the so called 'Golden Mile' or any pub for that matter. If you enjoy young and lively company try the 'Bot' (Botanic Inn)... and try the Guinness... it's sooo much better here in Ireland!

TBH I don't go into the city much nowdays... I enjoy the simple country pubs and a quiet pint or 3 but each to his/her own!

Enjoy your visit!

ColinB_NI · 17-09-2007, 7:27 PM

Ok so a couple of pics to show work done so far. Basic frame for screen housing now up but not secure as yet. Lots more drilling into joists in ceiling to do and more crossmembers to be added for extra strength, but at least the general shape is forming.

I still have not really made up my mind on the look I am after for the room. I would like on one hand a very clean tidy and contemporary look, but on the other I also like the idea of shelving which will house/show my DVD collection and an old fashioned 'red velvet curtain' type room which would take me back in time to 'sitting in the back row.. of the movies on a Saturday night etc etc...'

Lucky my wife is behind this project to a certain degree... as long as I do not try to paint the walls black or make it look like the bridge of the starship enterprise!!

ColinB_NI · 30-09-2007, 11:34 PM

An update on things..

Progress slow on HC room but getting a bit done at a time... a few more pics on this as well as some of my kit so far. I have now bought a projector (Optoma HD70 c/w free 92" screen)

so I have a bigger incentive to get moving on the room!

a few pics of screen enclosure progress...

ColinB_NI · 30-09-2007, 11:40 PM

And now a few of some of my kit, starting with speakers...

ColinB_NI · 30-09-2007, 11:55 PM

.... The 'free' Panoview Screen that came with the HD70. Note I have hung this below the screen housing at this time.. not in it! (intend to buy a better and possibly bigger electric screen) I must admit though this screen is very good for what it is and will do very well for the time being...

ColinB_NI · 01-10-2007, 12:07 AM

Yes I know the movie was 'Scoobie Doo' but the wife wanted to watch it!

anyway bear in mind that this is standard def from a dvd player via componant and I have not had time to set my PJ up properly. From what I have seen so far I am very very happy with it!

One last pic for now of lights I bought from B&Q... 10 of them for £19.99 they can be controlled by a dimmer switch. Not sure if I want to use them in the room though, I may want to use LED lighting.

Scott 2802 · 03-10-2007, 8:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinB_NI

I live in Northern Ireland (the song 40 shades of green springs to mind) LOL

Posting a Sketchup pic of the screen housing... will look familiar to those that have done it this way. Even includes real sizes for the wood lengths (just love that drawing aid!!)

Ballymena man myself

BigNorm9 · 05-10-2007, 9:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott 2802

Ballymena man myself

Ballymena, hey?

Was at the Tullyglass a couple of weekends back for a family do!

Belfast ("townie") originally, me... then sunny Bangor, now saintly St Helens

Scott 2802 · 05-10-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigNorm9

Ballymena, hey?

Was at the Tullyglass a couple of weekends back for a family do!

Belfast ("townie") originally, me... then sunny Bangor, now saintly St Helens

Its really expensive in there for a drink something like 3.50 a pint - i was shocked when i asked for 6 pints ( lol not all for me - well at that stage of the night lol)

BigNorm9 · 05-10-2007, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott 2802

Its really expensive in there for a drink something like 3.50 a pint - i was shocked when i asked for 6 pints ( lol not all for me - well at that stage of the night lol)

Luckily I was designated driver, and we were only there for the carvery lunch!

At those prices and with 12 of us there, I might not have been able to pay for my new Sky HD box coming next week

BTW ColinB, sorry to have hi-jacked your thread, mate. Can you stop watching movies and give us an update? lol

albriscoe · 07-10-2007, 3:39 PM

Hi Colin

there`s too many pub dwellers on your thread mate (me included), its maybe due to needing more pics.

So far what I`ve seen is very good so keep up the good work and don`t forget us lot.

cheers Allan

PS. never been to Ireland but they say its beautiful but very expensive

ColinB_NI · 07-10-2007, 9:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albriscoe

Hi Colin

there`s too many pub dwellers on your thread mate (me included), its maybe due to needing more pics.

So far what I`ve seen is very good so keep up the good work and don`t forget us lot.

cheers Allan

PS. never been to Ireland but they say its beautiful but very expensive

Hi Allan (and Big Norm et al)

Thanks for your comments on the work so far

Sorry for the lack of updates... mainly due to lack of progress LOL

I knew this would happen once I got all my kit bought!! To give you an idea.. wife and me sat in the HC room

amidst piles of wiring, tools and wood last night and we watched 3 complete movies... that took us to almost 5AM this morning!!!!!

The smile is still on my face btw Norm

I am amazed at how good ordinary DVD's can look when upscaled via the Sony DVD recorder and displayed (via HDMI) on the HD70

Anyway... I intend to pack the 'goodies' away and get stuck into the room again... really want to have it up and running (even if not totally finished) by xmas so that's a good target to aim for.

Will keep you updated...

ColinB

PS. the pub dwellers... sure don't you know the Irish are famed all over the world for drinking!! lol

Scott 2802 · 08-10-2007, 7:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinB_NI

Hi Allan (and Big Norm et al)

PS. the pub dwellers... sure don't you know the Irish are famed all over the world for drinking!! lol

Excatly id hate to let the tradition down lol

dbs2 · 08-10-2007, 8:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinB_NI

..........................Anyway... I intend to pack the 'goodies' away and get stuck into the room again... really want to have it up and running (even if not totally finished) by xmas so that's a good target to aim for.

Will keep you updated...

ColinB

..........

It's nice to see some progress, albeit small......
That's my problem, once the kit is out and set-up i wanna use it and not worry about the room....... So i have to do the rooms ASAP as i am too impatient and hate waiting.....

BigNorm9 · 08-10-2007, 1:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dean1474

It's nice to see some progress, albeit small......
That's my problem, once the kit is out and set-up i wanna use it and not worry about the room....... So i have to do the rooms ASAP as i am too impatient and hate waiting.....

Know what you mean. My impatience (and less-than-average DIY skills) led me to have my new kit installed by adv-installs about a month ago.

Since then, I haven't done a hands turn! But when I finish the small amount of decorating, I'll post some pix in the gallery section.

Colin - hope that smile lasts a very long time. I can't see myself ever tiring of the big screen at home!

ColinB_NI · 12-10-2007, 3:48 PM

Hello all...

Well progress has been slow, have had a lot of work commitments and at nights I tend to 'flake out' in front of the telly! But I have been working on the design of the room and thinking about materials and colours etc.

I have included a couple of jpg's taken from the design... It's getting very close to the 'look' that I have been after. I never thought how hard it would be to get my ideas worked out.. but I think i'm almost there!

Now it's just a question of getting it done

I do intend to have mostly finished by xmas

ColinB

BTW the second pic shows the spot's I bought in place... I imagine they will look great on a remote controllabe dimmer switch!

ColinB_NI · 17-10-2007, 10:37 AM

Ok so I got some work done over the weekend and here is a few pics...

First pic shows the screen housing with the screen slot cut out. Also shows the spots in place...

ColinB_NI · 17-10-2007, 11:03 AM

Next pic shows the screen in place up inside the pelmet.. adjusted so it's level! and so it can drop through the slot...

ColinB_NI · 17-10-2007, 11:18 AM

last 2 pics for now show the pelment closed up, screen down and lighting from the spots. The spots are controlled by a touch dimmer which can also be controlled using any remote control you like.. I am using a button on a tv remote at the moment. I must admit I am very pleased with this as you really can bring the lighting down to just about 'on' with a soft glow from each spot. Also it does not 'buzz' like some dimmers so it's good for a HC room. I got it from good ol' B&Q for 22 quid. You can see the switch on the ground on the right (I know... not safe but I wanted to check that it worked!)

BTW when lit from above you can see the screen curl on the left, spose this is what happens with fairly cheap screens... not complaining though as it was free and I intend to upgrade to a bigger electric screen in the near future.

ColinB_NI · 17-10-2007, 11:36 AM

Just thought I would throw in another pic of the view from the big front window (as it was a nice sunny October day)

The curtains have been removed and the old track holding them removed too.

Hope to put in a motorised, chorded track so it can be closed by remote (maybe from the HD70 12V output?) can anyone recommend something that might do the job?