[thecoupe]

Hi. We’ve recently started work on converting a large void under our house into a home cinema room (6m x 3.5m), storage room (6m x 2.8m) and a server/patch room (1.5m2). The cinema room will be used solely for movies and a games console.

I’ve attached a couple of photographs showing the room at the initial stage and as it is currently with tanking membrane yet to be fit on the floor. If anyone is interested, then I’ll look at posting more photographs as the work progresses. As the room is mostly underground it will be perfect as a cinema room – there’s an escape window and an internal door on opposing long walls.

Here’s what we have planned – any advice to avoid pitfalls or recommendations on any aspect would be much appreciated:

- No equipment will be in the cinema room as we don’t want any light pollution;
- Some sort of IR sender will be required in respect of the above;
- A pelmet around the perimeter of the room will be erected to accommodate a rope light and down-lighter halogens;
- Lighting control to offer a number of lighting moods;
- Fibre optic lights in ceiling;
- 7.2 sound (currently have a Pioneer 7.1 amp);
- Rear plinth with lighting under edge to prevent trips – classic I know ... (and power for future seating requirements);
- Full height server rack for mounting all equipment and cabling in adjoining room;
- HTPC and additional storage in rack mounted chassis’ (yet to be built);
- Black or dark red ceiling and red walls;


The following is what we are totally unsure about and would appreciate advice

- Do we need any pre-amp?
- What sort of speaker cable should we go for? We’ve looked at QED Silver Anniversary and QED QX16/2 LSOH 4 core – we’ll need somewhere in the region of 120-150metres;
- Is it worth bi-wiring?
- Any recommendations regarding HD LCD projector?
- Is a 3m screen too big for the room?
- Should we go for an electric or fixed screen? – we thought about positioning the centre speaker behind (acoustically transparent?);
- What cabling should we run from the A/V rack to the projector? Just HDMI? If so, how many? Looking at PS3, Wii, HTPC and Sky HD feeds.


Any advice or recommendations is much appreciated. We’re keen to get it right first time and without spending the earth!
Thanks for reading.
Neil.

[albriscoe]

Hi Neil

you have virtually described my basement cinema room mate, even to colour

the pics makes me think the house is a newish build also the soil colour somewhere abroad, am I wrong mate if so where are you if its not too personal a q. to ask.

My cables run around my light pelmet but the fibre optic to the pj is in its own piece of trunking, I`ve only got that one but theres room for others if I need to run them.

All my AV kit is on a full height rack next door so no noise from there at all.

Personally as its a dedicated room I would go for a fixed screen everytime and not a perforated one as this brings in other problems.

If you take a look at mine Neil I have just done the screen wall and 2 mts on the return walls and ceiling with velvet, I can`t tell you enough how much of an improvement this has made to the image quality, I would def do the area around the screen at least mate

You don`t have to go overboard with extra cables as long as your certain that any needed in the future are easily installable, if you have a chance to test the pj one before running it I would advise that mate as well, then keep the ends very well covered.

Is the basement dry as well. it looks like it is. Obviously tanking is a must and should be done correctly as its a right game doing a second time, take a look at Inzamans basement conversion to see what he has needed to do, its also a great room as well btw.

Keep us posted and photos are a must, in fact its an order

cheers Al

[thecoupe]

Hi Al,

Thanks for the reply - can I also say how much I've enjoyed reading your house build thread. You're correct that it's a relatively new build (2005). We're based in Sheffield - though it would be nice to be abroad ... perhaps when retirement looms eh?

Fortunately, the basement is dry. We've had builders in to do the work to press and they will also be completing the tanking. The concrete floor is due to be laid at the end of this week or early next. Trying to decide whether the walls should be built from timber of metal framing - though both should make it easy to build the speakers in.

I'm liking the idea of the fixed screen, but it's the size that's concerning me. What problems would we get with a perforated screen?

Cheers,

Neil.

[albriscoe]

Hi Neil

not speaking from experience mate but I`ve heard they can suffer from what I believe is called moire effect, its like having sparklies (silvery cloudy patches) as I understand. But as I said I can`t speak personally.

Also apparently you have to have the screen approx 12" away from the wall as well.

A fixed screen mate if you can accomodate the centre speaker below has imho got to be the way to go for you, also it will give you a far wider choice as well.

You might even try the painted wall first as well with a velvet black frame, Mine was a stop gap but its staying put certainly while I`ve got the Sim2 as its brilliant and that not my opinion either, its theirs

As to size, just project the image onto the wall the size you want and make a frame round it, its really very easy to do.

Are you thinking of inwall speakers mate, if so which ones, If you want a demo of MK`s give me a shout.

cheers Al

PS. think about underfloor heating before you pour the concrete floor, its fabulous.

Also can`t comment on steel framing, mine are all wooden stud internal mate, supposed to be quick though. Won`t it rattle when the Sub`s cranked up.