Started Garage to HC Conversion!

[rob j]

Hi all

After many months of research (mainly done in these forums )Three weeks ago I finally started work on converting my garage into a home theatre.

Initially it was planned to do a set up in our loft space, but that plan came to an end as too much work would have had to have been carried out remove a chimney breast and keep the building structurally sound.

The knowledge of the members of these forums in all aspects has been a huge help – Thanks guys! especially where sound proofing was concerned let alone views on HC equipment

Having had a passion for movies I jumped on the DVD band wagon about three years ago. Not soon after I was wanting the full HC setup, after a curious stroll into a Bose demo outlet and listening to a lifestyle system. Although I didn’t buy any of their products there and then (I was tempted though! ) I went back with the taste as to what could be achieved and surpassed.

So I set about it and here are some pictures to show you how I have got on so far:

The Garage

[rob j]

the dimensions of the garage are 174" X 103" X 94" high

However, behind the stud wall wll be a 2ft wide storage area, so the actual HC will be 150" X 103" X 94" high. The roof slopes slightly forward aswell, about 2" in all!

First thing we did was to construct a frame for the stud wall at the back which will double as the storage shelf/cabinet for all of the equipment

[rob j]

The struts went up - and were filled with 'Wickes Heavy Density Slabs', and were then plasterboarded over

The first ceiling board goes up. We filled the ceiling joists with 150mm Rockwool insulation, from Wickes

The left hand wall nearly finished

[rob j]

The left side wall with speaker cable fitted behind, as well as wiring for the wall up-lighters

Again, the rear wall cabinet/stud wall. This should give a better impression of what the equipment positioning will be like. All equipment will be on this shelf; Receiver, DVD player, projector and freeview box. For added effect, 2 LED downlighters are being placed in the roof of the cabinet to give a nice orange glow

Will post the rest tomorrow!

Thanks!

[ReTrO]

Looks to be going well.

Have you thought of putting any of your speakers into the walls or ceiling, or enclosures in the walls?

Make sure the false wall is very sturdy or you make get it resonating at low frequencies.

What are you planning on using for lighting control?

[rob j]

More pics as promised...

The channel for all the electrical wiring - lights and mains.

The front wall again - 'QED Bronze Special Edition' speaker cable running behind plasterboard. Speaker positioned for a 6ft wide screen

The sockets, for the lighting - will control wall lights, ceiling downloads and cabinet downlights

[rob j]

Originally Posted by ReTrO

Looks to be going well.

Have you thought of putting any of your speakers into the walls or ceiling, or enclosures in the walls?

Make sure the false wall is very sturdy or you make get it resonating at low frequencies.

Thanks Retro!

For the speakers, I've got a set of brand new Kef KHT2005.2 eggs and 2010 Sub that are still in their boxes from being bought 2 months ago. Ideal for the space I've got to work with. I had thought about enclosing them in the walls, but then we'd have to bring the plasterboard further in from the brick wall to accomadate them flush-fitted. So they will be screwed to the wall instead.

Incedently the walls of the garage are composed of a layer of breeze-block and a layer of brick, and the floor is concrete.

The frame is very strong and rigid, and will be composed of a layer of plasterboard, two layers of High Density slabs, and a layer of MDF on the garage door side. All will be sealed with slicone.

Also, the garage door seals shut when closed, so heat is conserved, and sound loss will (hopefully) be minimal, especially as in front of this frame will be a bulky 3 seater leather reclining sofa.

Originally Posted by ReTrO

What are you planning on using for lighting control?

I ordered some remote controlled dimmable switched from TLC. We already have one in our house and works fine.

[ReTrO]

Sounds like a good job.

I use a chrome version of the twin dimmer in my bedroom, very good value it is too.

I've popped a link in the speakers forum for ideal speaker placement, might be worth a look.

[rob j]

The rear wall. The far right hand side will be a removable escape hatch.

One of four ceiling downlight, ordered from TLC

Rear wall cabinet, fitted with four double mains sockets, ordered from TLC. Finished yesterday after much trouble!

Cabinet downlights

[rob j]

Rear wall framing sealed yesterday

And that's where I'm upto on the pictures

Today we finished all the electrics and changed over the supply from the old wiring. I Finished painting the remaining bit of wall and painted ceiling the with emulsion, and filled the edges in the cabinet with paintable decorators caulk.

Tomorrow I will get the rear wall filled with the insulation slabs and plasterboard that, and then insulate and board up the area above the cabinet. Will also try and get the rest of the skirting done

Then the room construction will be done. Lovely

EDIT

Funnily enough I had drilled the holes for the speaker cable according to the information I gained from the dolby site! It was extremely useful and has good information on it

[KW1816]

The rear wall. The far right hand side will be a removable escape hatch.

After sitting through some of the DVD's my wife has chosen recently, I think an escape hatch should be added to to the list of requirements for any home cinema

[LDR]

Ive just tried fitting one of those remote dimmers from TLC, its the 600w load one, and I cant get it to work at all, Ive only got 2 25w bulbs connected at the mo as we are fitting the halogen spots tomorrow, I know the wiring is sound cos we can get the lights to work on/off when connecting the wires together, but nothing when connected to the dimmer switch. Is there a way to test the switch itself to see if its faulty or not ?

[johnscarlet]

Don't the switches have a minimum load , as well as a maximum one ?

[LDR]

Yep, 40w min, and Ive got 50w for now, and nothing..

[johnscarlet]

that was my best effort , sorry.

If its anyuse , B&Q do identical ones , you could pick up another one to check it out , then return it when you get a replacement from TLC.IIRC there were some issues with these switches a while back , the manufacturer were exellent at swapping them out , of course IIDRC they could have been hopeless