My AV Build........

RSMarco · 03-09-2008, 7:49 PM

Hello,
I have been visiting the Forum for some time now to understand techniques and specifications of equipment etc and I thought it was time to post my set up.

I have been into AV for some time now but the only area I progressed was Audio. My set up for this is the following but at the mo everything is packed away due to the move:

Arcam Alpha 8 CD Unit.
Arcam Alpha 8 Amp.
B+W DM601 speakers.
QED Interconnects and speaker cabling.

Now I have moved onto the visual side of things and after reading several threads of peoples home cinema projects, I though it was time to do my own.

We recently moved into a new property in the summer of 2007. The first thing we did was gut the dining roon, kitchen and utility
room as these were very restricted and did not make good use of the space available. Now we have a nice open plan kitchen / dining area which flows into the conservatory and has produced a very sociable usable area.

Anyway, now back to the lounge.
My idea was to remove the TV from the floor space as this was a bad use of space for the room. My idea involved removing the fireplace and
building out the wall to make a feature wall and have my plasma flush mounted. I didn’t want the plasma too high so I decided to mount the
screen around the height it was on a stand.

The final design came from a few peoples designs on here so first of all, thanks to them..!

The original lounge was laid out like this. This was the previous owners decoration but everything stayed the same for a while minus the units.

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My first task was to remove the complete fireplace, ceiling and carpet. I decided to remove the ceiling because there was artex covering it and I am not a fan of artex. As I wanted to add additional mains sockets and run all cables out of sight I thought this was the best option.

I some how have miss placed the images of everything being ripped out but let me tell you it was fun but dusty.

Once all of this was completed I started to fix the framework for the surround. As there was no load on the new feature wall I used timber to build up the frame. The Plasma mount was purchased through AV Forums and it is a quality peice of kit.
This image already shows some temp plasterboard fitted.

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I wanted the lower recess to have downlighters so we could make a feature of it so I added these.

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Then it was time to route all of my cables. Rears run through the ceiling and behind the plasterboard. Everything else runs neatly through the false wall and exits through some home made faceplates with brushes attached which you will see leter.

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Once I was happy with this I started to fit the ceiling plasterboard and wall board.

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I'll post some more in a bit as I don't want this single post to be too large and I have to upload the images...lol

I hope you enjoy the reading and sorry for the lack if initial pic's, I just can't find them...

Marco

blasted · 03-09-2008, 8:08 PM

I didnt realise they were using timber "I" beams on new builds.

For anyone wanting to do a loft and put a new floor in, a timber "I" section is a cheap lightweight alternative for large spans, where solid timber is not possible. They will usually outspan a solid timber.

8th and 9th picture down.

Keep up the good work.

EViLDONKEY · 03-09-2008, 8:13 PM

looking really good. looking forward to seeing more pics!! do you have a KIT list?

RSMarco · 03-09-2008, 8:15 PM

Hi again,
Next job was the plastering.

Plastering was carried out by an old friend who has now retired and does jobs here and there.

First I installed the edging pieces.

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Then the plastering was completed.

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We had all of the ceiling done and also the fireplace. Whilst we were at it we had the hall way ceiling re plastered as this also was artex. This involved my girlfriend scraping the artex as flush to the ceiling as possible and then a good coat of PVA to aid adhesion. I have to say she did a fantastic job of this..!

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After a few day's whilst the plaster dried out we painted with a mist coat and amended any defects found.

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Marco

RSMarco · 03-09-2008, 8:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blasted

I didnt realise they were using timber "I" beams on new builds.

For anyone wanting to do a loft and put a new floor in, a timber "I" section is a cheap lightweight alternative for large spans, where solid timber is not possible. They will usually outspan a solid timber.

8th and 9th picture down.

Keep up the good work.

I thought timber 'I' beams were the norm now. They are a good idea, light and very strong.

RSMarco · 03-09-2008, 8:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EViLDONKEY

looking really good. looking forward to seeing more pics!! do you have a KIT list?

My kit list is as follows:

Panasonic TH42PZ800 Plasma.
Denon AVR3808 receiver.
Tannoy arena lite surround package.
PS3.
SKY+.
Mixture of QED HDMI and Mark Grant HDMI.
QED Speaker cables.
Thor Scart which is fantastic. The image is just as good as HD IMHO..!

Logitech Harmony 1000.

SKY Broadband with Netgear router.

Plus the Arcam stuff as detailed above.

Marco

RSMarco · 03-09-2008, 8:26 PM

A few images of the lighting. I plan on having some LED lighting behing the plasma too.

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Thanks for looking and I appreciate any feedback..!

Marco

wingnut121 · 03-09-2008, 8:50 PM

that is looking amazing. and putting lights on the self, i dont see that oftern here but its a great idea. you should be really pleased mate well done so far

blasted · 03-09-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSMarco

I thought timber 'I' beams were the norm now. They are a good idea, light and very strong.

Different builders, different methods I suppose, I havent seen many around me. They are good though. You have to be careful where you cut holes in the web though. A good alternative is a posi joist. I plan to use these for a floating floor in the loft conversion should I ever get enough pennies together.

You dont want to throw all your pictures out in one go, drip feed them, build up a bit of tension

av addict · 04-09-2008, 3:58 AM

love the lighting affect well done, looking forward to more pictures coming

cheers

RSMarco · 04-09-2008, 7:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blasted

Different builders, different methods I suppose, I havent seen many around me. They are good though. You have to be careful where you cut holes in the web though. A good alternative is a posi joist. I plan to use these for a floating floor in the loft conversion should I ever get enough pennies together. :

These beams have pre pressed circles every 400mm or so which indicate where to drill a 60mm hole.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blasted

You dont want to throw all your pictures out in one go, drip feed them, build up a bit of tension

I agree, TBH I was that busy doing the build I didn't really have time to post the thread whilst doing it. I am about 85% complete.

duffy78 · 04-09-2008, 7:17 AM

a good alternate to steel sections and timber i beams when doing loft conversions is this stuff http://www.ewall.co.uk/page16.html

Its what i'll be using for mine when i get the money for it, using it as purlins to support the roof and also for the floor.

One of the guys at my work is going to be building a 4 storey, 6 bed house out of the stuff.

Very lightweight. Very Strong 7 & relatively inexpensive

geo99 · 04-09-2008, 8:52 AM

Nice work mate!!!!

Looks similar to my own - and so it begins!

Looking forward to the end result!!!

Geo99
and so it begins!

craigoscott · 04-09-2008, 2:27 PM

that looks like it will be very smart when it is done!! i agree on the artex, we are slowly going through our house gettin rid of it, its only in every room bar the kitchen and bathrooms, lol.

RSMarco · 04-09-2008, 2:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigoscott

that looks like it will be very smart when it is done!! i agree on the artex, we are slowly going through our house gettin rid of it, its only in every room bar the kitchen and bathrooms, lol.

Tell me about it..lol

I'm getting rid of it throughout the whole house but I think it is worth it..

RSMarco · 04-09-2008, 8:04 PM

Little update..

Took delivery of some kit.

Tannoy Arena Lites

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Denon AVR3808

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Panasonic TH42PZ800 Plasma

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craigoscott · 05-09-2008, 10:52 AM

nice one on the kit front! bet you cant wait to get it hooked up!

05-09-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigoscott

that looks like it will be very smart when it is done!! i agree on the artex, we are slowly going through our house gettin rid of it, its only in every room bar the kitchen and bathrooms, lol.

You think artex is bad! My ceilings are papered! And glossed! Nothing to do with me, it was like that when I moved in. And it's a rented property so I didn't fancy spending loads of money getting the ceilings done properly when I don'y own the place. I've started painting them matt though.

DGracey · 05-09-2008, 1:27 PM

Some fantastic work. Can't wait to see the kit hooked up and everything finsihed.

RSMarco · 05-09-2008, 7:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marky P

You think artex is bad! My ceilings are papered! And glossed! Nothing to do with me, it was like that when I moved in. And it's a rented property so I didn't fancy spending loads of money getting the ceilings done properly when I don'y own the place. I've started painting them matt though.

lol...

RSMarco · 05-09-2008, 7:15 PM

I have now painted the walls and ceiling and Installed the Plasma and speakers. Plasma is connected but only watching SKY at the moment. I have to say though that I went with a 3m THOR scart cable direct from the SKY box into the plasma and the picture is fantastic. It is better than some HD Images I have seen, especially in the likes of the big chain electrical stores. 10/10 for the scart. I have also shortened the coax from the dish and made sure the terminals are all connected correctly.

The speakers are connected and the only thing I have to do now is hook up the amp. I have to fix the skirting first though so it's not done yet.

I wanted to do everything once the jobs were complete. A full set up etc.

Do you want to see the speaker installation..?

RSMarco · 05-09-2008, 7:37 PM

Also we have just finished fitting the Oak floor. We used solid oak and it looks fab.

Installed the speakers on the fireplace first:

Left and Right fronts..

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Centre installed..

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Rears...

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RSMarco · 05-09-2008, 7:42 PM

Some images of the floor down...

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This is where all of the wiring exits the wall and will be finished off with home made brush faceplates.

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Plasma in place..

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Hope you like..?

SG-22 · 05-09-2008, 8:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSMarco

Hope you like..?

I really do, looks great! look forward to the finished pics

berkeley384 · 06-09-2008, 12:17 AM

Theif !

You mustn't have realised I have the Patent for this design

Shhhh I think I stole it off someone else

RSMarco · 06-09-2008, 8:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berkeley384

Theif !

You mustn't have realised I have the Patent for this design

Shhhh I think I stole it off someone else

LOL, yours was one of the threads I read..

I got rid of the artex though..!

wingnut121 · 06-09-2008, 9:07 AM

the final result..... amazing. looks great well done

irishandrew · 07-09-2008, 12:46 AM

Very nice. I've wanted to do something like this for a while, fed up of having to make do with wires everywhere and stand units - unfortunately I am currently renting so will have to wait

Looks great though, nice work

EViLDONKEY · 07-09-2008, 8:11 AM

nice work! well done. How's it sound?

DGracey · 07-09-2008, 9:21 AM

Wow it looks absolutely fantastic, especially the oak. Well done.

We are going for oak in the living room and the kids bedrooms in our house also.

We decided to go for the layered, parket type - still wood, but only the top 5mm is Oak. We had problems in our last house back in the UK where the solid oak boards we put in warped. Sort of put us off solid wood really. I think it was water ingress through the ageing patio doors that got us, from the pictures though that doesn't look like a problem you will have.

The Tannoys look great too, the sort of speakers even the wife might approve off.

On the subject of artex, it might amuse you to know aparently the Germans love the stuff....it was offered as an optional extra by our plasterer during our build here! He then started talking about how in my Cinema room he could line the walls with a special textured paper. After a few minutes of my bad German colliding with his bad English, I finally realised he was talking about wood-chip!!!! So he was offering to artex the ceiling of my cinema room, put some wood-chip on the walls....and only for a small aditional price! I politely declined.....actually my wife has reminded me that isn't quite true, **** off is not polite in anyones language.