first home cinema is nearly ready :)

[newbie1]

The home cinema is the last project of our new build place and is now finally up and running.

The room is solid concrete construction so had to plan ahead with the tubes for the projector and speakers. So far so good and the locations are fine except I planned it for 5.1 a few years ago so had some work to hide wires for the 2 extra speakers to make it 7.1.

Originally I planned to use our old Sony HTIB system but once I got going on over the summer I soon realized we would get much out of the HC with some investment in better kit and managed to get much of it ex demo:

Projector: Sony VPL VW100
AVR: Denon 2808 + ASD 3W iPod dock / Network connection
7.1 speakers: front and centre Piega, sub Quadral, surrounds Magnat

I have an extra Belkin router as only allowed for 2 cat 5 cables to the room and that is not enough for all the gadgets!

The results so far are beyond our expectations but starting to think what next to finish it off, perhaps some dark curtains around the screen and side walls?

Any suggestions?

[Pulsar]

Hi,

I'm just finishing off my own dedicated room and I have been able to get black fabric completely surrounding the screen, covering the entire screen wall. The effect is really impressive as the picture looks like it is floating. You also get picture quality benefits as there is less light bouncing around the room killing the contrast in the image.

So yes, go for the dark curtains and put them on as many walls as possible.

Looking good, keep us updated on your progress.

Cheers

Rob

[alz2605]

Your room already looks great and you've got some nice kit too. The PJ looks really nice.

I think having the screen wall painted black/dark brown will really aid the picture contrast too.

[newbie1]

Hi Pulsar, Alz2605 thanks for the encouragement!

I'm trying to think of the best way to hang the black material. The room is underground with only a skylight so everything is white to make it as bright as possible in the daytime when it's the den.

So I am thinking of making it like curtains with a track on the ceiling for the side walls, but not sure about the screen wall yet (the skylight window is behind the screen) - maybe with a cable along the wall? Please let me know if you have a good designs.

Alz the PJ was the first part I got hold of and started all the upgrading from the old HTIB. I am new to this hobby but to my eyes the pictures are simply stunning there is no other word for it. The PJ was head and shoulders above all the other PJs that I demo'd (I didnt try the £kkk models). Luckily as it is an old model I got it at a fraction of the new price and much cheaper than all the newer models.

The other thing I may try is some sound treatment. The Audyssey setup sets the sub to -12dB so I guess I need to look at making some bass traps? The sub is a Quadral Signo 250 with a 25cm driver and up to 220 watts output.

I am busy with work for the next few weeks so it will be a while before I can post more photos to show the progress.

[j0hn]

Put curtain track on the screen wall that bends around the corners onto the side walls.You can then pull them around the corners and along the side walls when needed. This will also improve your sound because you can have them go to the first reflection points. When not needed just close them into the corners so they look like normal curtains.

If you dont need the track to go all across the front wall then it'll cost you about £20 for 2x 2m tracks. I got mine from Dunelm Mill. I did look online and was quoted £200 + :O