My new home cinema - newbie!!

[chalkstorm]

Hi all

I've been lurking here for months - but am about to start building my cinema. Bought an old house 3 years ago with a barn attached - and have spent much of those 3 years replacing walls, roofs and windows. Have just installed new remote control lighting - almost finished the re-wire and the zoned central heating will be in next month. Once that is in I am dry lining it - building a small 'subtle' bar and a small stage with curtains (sad I know).

I have posted some photos here - http://thehawthornes.fotopic.net/c652609_1.html - and will continue to update it as the project progresses - and will also be here needing some advice.

I have chosen my speaker system - a 6.1 setup - using Monitor Audio RS Silvers. Projector will probably be the Screenplay 5700 - the amp is still to be decided upon - and will initially use a decent DVD player - but will change that for a PC based system.

I welcome any thoughts/suggestions - my email is simon@thehawthornes.org

Regards

Simon

[Kenny Glasgow]

Simon

Best of luck and keep the piccies coming

[chalkstorm]

Hello again

Now I've broken the ice, wonder if I could slip in a few questions....?

I'm planning to use Monitor Audio RS FX speakers for the two side and one rear speaker. I know the angles I plan to fit them at in relation to the viewing position - but I want to mount them near the top of the wall - next to the ceiling. Should I attach directly to wall or use speaker brackets to angle them slightly?

I'm also undecided on receiver/amp. Current hot list includes Denon AVR 1905, Denon AVR 2805 and Pioneer 2014i. Any thoughts.... - the Denon's seem to win awards in the magazines - but my local specialist store recommended the Pioneer. I'd ideally like one with an automated sound calibration setup.

Finally, the projector is likely to be the Screenplay 5700. I plan to use a DVI cable to connect to PC - but I will also want to use my sky+ box. While the room is in it's current state, what other cable (if any) would I need to connect the two, and would the projector accept more than one input.

Thanks in advance

Simon

[Les E]

The Screenplay 5700 will accept more than one input. The route I am going is that I am throwing up a HDMI cable (with Infocus M1-DA adapter) and a componemt cable and a S-Video.

The HDMI will be from my DVD Player and the Component will come from my Amp. I can then put SKY + and a PS2 in into the Amp and throw one component cable up from the source. The S-Video will serve just in case I need another input that may take that.

Eventually I will get an Amp with a HDMI in and out and the way things are going (with SKY HD, PS3 etc.) it's going to be the standard. Get yourself a good cable, not an ebay cheapo version. It will cost you a few pennies (£160 for a 10 metre CHORD), but it's worth it.

For a full Spec of the 5700 and what inputs it has go to: http://www.infocushome.com/emea/eng/...lay/sp5700.asp

[chalkstorm]

Thanks for your reply Les

Sounds like a good plan - take the opportunity now to run the 3 cables - doesn't matter too much if I don't use them then. I've been quoted about £150 for a DVI cable - not HDMI - as I will eventually run the proj from a PC - and I haven't seen any HDMI cards (yet).

Forgive the stupid question (another) - but the SKY+ box - that'll use the component of s-video...?

Cheers

Si

[Les E]

I was originally thinking this, as SKY + does has an S-Video out, so no, it isn't a stupid question.

But for better picture quality run a RGB Scart (from the Scart enabled output) from the SKY + box to a RGB Scart to Component Converter.

Then from the converter use Component to the PJ/Amp. You can then have SKY via Component.

You can get the converters at: http://www.tmfsolutions.co.uk/homeci...s_rgbtoyuv.htm

[chalkstorm]

Hello again
Just an update on my HC - wiring is complete - and the plumbing carcass is in. Just working on the design for the bar and type of insulation - and then (from Monday) - the plasterboarding starts. Plan is to skim it by the middle of November - and decorate/carpet up to Christmas. Then the fun starts - and the serious money spending commences!

More photos - see my signature.

Kind regards, Simon

[chalkstorm]

Guys

Got some questions about kit - not sure where to ask - so I'm going to drop them in here...

1 - speakers. Looking at Monitor Audio RS range - either the RS6 or RS8 fronts, LCR centre, 4 x SFX rears and the SUB. This I am pretty sure about

2 - Receiver/Amp - should I go for the Yamaha AX757SE, the Pioneer 2014i or the Denon 2805?

3 - DVD player - either the Pioneer 868AVi, the Yamaha S2500 or a denon 2910

4 - Projector - BENQPE7700 or Screenplay 5700

5 - Screen - have given little thought to - other than a 16:9 motorised - with a 9' diagonal.

My considerations are (other than the speakers) based on magazine reviews..

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Si

[Les E]

Hi there,

Good to see your install developing nicely!

For my 5 pence worth, I would go for the Screenplay 5700. I have heard a lot of not so good comments with regards to the BenQ PJ. Plus the Screenplay seems to be a mid-range cinema projector compared to the BenQ series who I gather are more display/office projectors trying to break into the HC range (I've been looking into these for the same reason).

The 5700 was the first PJ I demoed, and it has always been a favourite of mine.

I really want the Screenplay 7205, which is a bit more pricey but I have just seen the spec for the ThemeScene H79, which on paper sounds superb and isn't much more price-wise. Really need to demo one of these!

You could try the Denon 1920 DVD Player, which is alot cheaper and still has Component and HDMI sources (you can get an adaptor for DVI cables).

[chalkstorm]

Thanks for the info Les.

Another worry... I've bought shielded speaker cables - and Chord Silver HDMI cable. They all run in a bundle around the top of the room - next to the power cables. I am assured by my local specialist shop that it will be OK - but I've read elsewhere on here that I could have problems with noise from my speakers.

Any thoughts? Tonight is the last chance I get to re-route them all before they are covered with plasterboard!

Cheers

Simon

[Les E]

I couldn't really go with a yes or no on this. Suffice to say that the Sparky who has installed all my speaker/AV cables has kept them away from any mains sources. My cabling is shielded to make sure there isn't any interference though.

It was commented in a previous post of mine with regards to Monitor speakers which have there own power source, that it would be best to run the mains cable away from the speakers cable!!

TBH I would keep them away from each other as much as you can just in case!

[chalkstorm]

Just bought a Pioneer 2014i and DVD-868AVi from my local dealer - he matched the best price I could find - which is top news as I really wanted to buy from them. Once the room is finished they are going to come out and do the soldering on all the wall plates.

Haven't felt like this since before I realised Santa wasn't real!

[chalkstorm]

Hi all

Well, my room is about 3 weeks from completion. The walls are done (got to repaint in matt and not silk - I bought the wrong stuff - didn't notice until I'd painted it all!).

The bar (B&Q kitchen) will be done this week - the radiators are in on working (it was down to 10 degrees last night - now sitting at 20). Once the room is empty I'm going to paint the floor with some 'damp proof paint' - epoxy stuff.

Ordered an 8' Owl screen with 12v trigger box today - along with the full Monitor Audio RS kit including 4 of the sfx speakers - 7.1 setup - and a Screenplay 7205 projector. The guys from the local store have done me a cracking deal - got a new 7205 with 3 yr platinum wrty and the MA set up for £4600 - £1k less than RRP. They are also coming round to solder the wall plates for the speakers onto the cables.

Can't wait -

What should be the first film (or collection)? Star Wars? LOTR? I haven't seen the last ones on purpose so I can enjoy them in my own cinema!

Kind regards

Simon

[stevegreen]

If you have the extended LOTR then i'd go for that

Your room looks like it's going to be very nice

[chalkstorm]

Few more photos guys - http://thehawthornes.fotopic.net/c652609.html

Sparky due this week (along with soldering man for speaker plates) - then damp proof floor paint next weekend - followed by carpet man the week after.

Si