New house - Living room setup suggestions?

VinylHogger · 28-10-2009, 5:26 PM

Hi All,

I am moving in to a new house shortly and have got some new gear for my Home Cinema setup.

My setup will consists of:

Onkyo TX-SR507 (not yet purchased)
Harmon Kardon HKTS 7 5.1 speaker system
Panasonic TXP4210B Plasma
PS3
Sky + HD box

40m QED micro speaker cable
2 x 7m HDMI cables
1 Subwoofer cable

I have attached pictures below. It is important to note that these pics are how it looks at the moment as I have yet to move in to the premises.

I would be very grateful for any help/suggestions you can give with regards to the setup.

Here is the view from the back wall to where the TV is at the moment:

As you can see, my options where to locate the TV are very limited indeed. It looks like I'll pretty much have to keep it where it is. Baring in mind I have to keep the Missus happy (I've overruled her enough already by getting the extra equipment!), I'll have to keep the little electric fire (for show) cos it makes the room look pretty (according to the missus of course).

I can't move it to the wall on the right as there is a radiator there. Maybe I could move it to the front wall and keep the fire in the corner where it is?

I'm getting someone in to track the cables in to the walls and behind the skirting. All the wires must be well hidden as we also have a rabbit and rabbits like to chew things! It means I'll have to get a suitable rack which would hide all the cables and prevent the little blighter from getting near them!

What would be a recommended setup with regards to speaker positioning assuming I am going to put my TV in the same place as in the picture above?

Here is a pic of the back of the room also:

At the moment, I am resigned to having to keep the TV in it's current location. Also would you recommend I track any other cables from the TV to the rack which will be placed on the bottom right of the top picture (where the hifi is)?

Obviosuly I want to keep costs to an absolute minimum as I have already gone overboard!

Many Thanks in advance

Update: Just to add that there is also a radiator on the wall directly opposite to the radiator in the picture. I've mentioned this below but thought it would be worth pointing out on the front page!

vipergrm · 28-10-2009, 6:03 PM

I would suggest moving the radiator if possible because that would be an ideal location for the TV. At the moment the TV seems pretty far away from the viewing position. At that distance a 50" would have been better but given the limited amount of space in that corner this clearly would not be possible. If you wanted a bigger TV at some point in the future then once again you would be limited by the size of the space in that corner. Another problem is that this may cause some inbalance with the sound, even if you auto calibrate it (assuming your new AV receiver has this option).

If it is impossible to move the TV then maybe at some point in the future you could put a projector on that wall to the right of the first picture. It would appear your AV rack is going to be located around this position so this could certainly be an option at some point. Of course, this would mean manouvering speakers about to get a proper balance.

Track a network cable and at least two HDMI leads as you just never know when they will come in handy. More is better!

signs · 28-10-2009, 6:09 PM

Is there any chance of moving the Rad ?

mr ooops · 28-10-2009, 7:31 PM

have to say i like the room how it is, one thing you say the onkyo507, i went to richersounds to pick one up for £250 ended up paying £300 for the 577 as it is 7.1 and extra power, worth the extra in my opinion

VinylHogger · 28-10-2009, 8:42 PM

Hmmm,

I totally agree with the fact it would be far better to put the TV above the radiator. Does anyone know what work is involved in moving the radiotor somewhere else in the room?

With regards to the Onkyo 577, it does sound promising and I may consider but really I have already gone beyond my budget!

Perhaps I may have been a bit hasty in buying those 7m HDMI cables then?

Cheers for the suggestions so far guys I really appreciate it

peace1 · 28-10-2009, 8:55 PM

[QUOTE=VinylHogger;10689121]Hmmm,

I totally agree with the fact it would be far better to put the TV above the radiator. Does anyone know what work is involved in moving the radiotor somewhere else in the room?

hi im actually moving my radiator from one side of the room to the other its not very hard. and if u have a celler underneath like mine it makes life even easier to get to the pipes..
its just a matter of takening up some floor boards and extending 2 pipes really.

vipergrm · 28-10-2009, 9:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinylHogger

Hmmm,

I totally agree with the fact it would be far better to put the TV above the radiator. Does anyone know what work is involved in moving the radiotor somewhere else in the room?

With regards to the Onkyo 577, it does sound promising and I may consider but really I have already gone beyond my budget!

Perhaps I may have been a bit hasty in buying those 7m HDMI cables then?

Cheers for the suggestions so far guys I really appreciate it

Stick a post in the 'wanted' section of the Av Receiver classifieds. You'll probably get a used one for less money and better spec. The 507 is fairly basic but it should still do a decent job.

vipergrm · 28-10-2009, 9:03 PM

Another thing to note is that mounting the TV where it currently is you are very likely to get screen glare during the day. Basically everything points at moving the TV to where the radiator is. It will give you better room balance plus if you have visitors over they will probably need binoculars to view it from the seat under the window.

daywalker21 · 28-10-2009, 9:35 PM

Moving the radiator is not as difficult as you may think with the use of push fit connectors and 10mm microbore pipe, the only drawback is where you run the pipes (sinking them in the walls is quite a bit of work). If you are happy to have them visible you can always hide them in trunking or in cover skirting. I am no plumber but I moved two radiators when I re-modelled my kitchen and it was a doddle with the push fit connectors from Wickes.

VinylHogger · 28-10-2009, 9:39 PM

Moving the ardiator - I just ran that by the missus and she is not having it. If it's not too hard to move the radiator then it's gonna leave 2 holes in the floor and that wouldn't do.

We really are on a ridiculously tight budget as it is so think I'm gonna ahve to stick to the original plan.

Ned looks like you'll have to bring your binoculors if I'm having any Pro Evo tournaments that you might get invited to!

vipergrm · 28-10-2009, 9:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinylHogger

Moving the ardiator - I just ran that by the missus and she is not having it. If it's not too hard to move the radiator then it's gonna leave 2 holes in the floor and that wouldn't do.

We really are on a ridiculously tight budget as it is so think I'm gonna ahve to stick to the original plan.

Ned looks like you'll have to bring your binoculors if I'm having any Pro Evo tournaments that you might get invited to!

Who's Ned?

daywalker21 · 28-10-2009, 9:48 PM

You dont leave two holes in the floor? you connect the pipes below floor level and return into the skirting area, that way you put your av kit in a suitable rack to hide the floor and put the screen on a floating wall arrangement (search around the forums for floating wall) to hide any pipes and cables. There are some excellent ideas here to use floating walls with back lighting and is a good way to have a clean install without wires on show.

signs · 29-10-2009, 8:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daywalker21

You dont leave two holes in the floor? you connect the pipes below floor level and return into the skirting area, that way you put your av kit in a suitable rack to hide the floor and put the screen on a floating wall arrangement (search around the forums for floating wall) to hide any pipes and cables. There are some excellent ideas here to use floating walls with back lighting and is a good way to have a clean install without wires on show.

Yeah totally agree wiyh this idea ,i think a floating wall would suit that room very well.

Is it feasible to build a floating wall in front of the rad but obversely vent the heat sideways somehow ?

VinylHogger · 29-10-2009, 9:43 AM

Sorry looks like moving the radiator is a complete no goer. She is just not having it. I've done OK as it is so will have to keep the TV where it is ***.

What would be the best speaker setup? I can't put the front L/R Speakers on the same wall as the TV as there would be no space for a bigger one at some point in the future.

Again that stupid fire limits where I can put the centre speakers. Looks like it'sll have to go above the TV? Thanks for your help btw fellas I really appreciate it.

Have you not seen your avatar Viper?

gareth_alien · 29-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Re: the fire and rad. Send her away on a break and do it anyway. It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

VinylHogger · 29-10-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gareth_alien

Re: the fire and rad. Send her away on a break and do it anyway. It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Ha ha good point there. I'll give her a fiver and tell her to take herself out shopping for the day. That's about all I can muster!

I know Viper, cos he's my bro!

I've also just orderd an Onkyo TXSR577 from RS. Cheers for the recommendation mr ooops that one seemed to slip under my radar! It does seem indeed like it's worth that little bit extra

vipergrm · 29-10-2009, 2:28 PM

You really must try negotiating moving the radiator. Make up some nonsense that if you move the TV there You will save £100 at least on cabling as they won't have to stretch as far. In the long run it's a bad idea putting the TV where it is now for several reasons.

1) It is too high a viewing angle
2) If you decide to get a bigger TV at some point there is no room in that corner
3) very difficult to choose a proper speaker setup
4) the first three reasons are good enough

Either that or find yourself a new missus

signs · 29-10-2009, 9:49 PM

It's getting cold again now ,so when she says you can wear long trousers again tell her your going to move that Rad weather she likes it or not

good luck

daywalker21 · 29-10-2009, 10:24 PM

stick a floating wall in front of the radiator, partition the frame above it and cut out a slot level with the top of the rad in the floating wall. Cover the slot with punched metal plate strip to allow the heat into the room and sink the tv into a recess to prevent the heat from rising, place a floating shelf above to mount a centre speaker with the two front speakers either side of the tv. So you leave the rad where it is and put the TV in the right position....simple

007geezer · 29-10-2009, 10:36 PM

Keep it simple and just get one of those radiator covers , the MDF ones , paint it to suit, and it will also keep the heat away from your TV.

Wifes happy, "You" no longer see the radiator Job! Done.

VinylHogger · 29-10-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007geezer

Keep it simple and just get one of those radiator covers , the MDF ones , paint it to suit, and it will also keep the heat away from your TV.

Wifes happy, "You" no longer see the radiator Job! Done.

That's a brilliant idea actually. Where can I get such a cover? Where is MDF?

vipergrm · 29-10-2009, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daywalker21

stick a floating wall in front of the radiator, partition the frame above it and cut out a slot level with the top of the rad in the floating wall. Cover the slot with punched metal plate strip to allow the heat into the room and sink the tv into a recess to prevent the heat from rising, place a floating shelf above to mount a centre speaker with the two front speakers either side of the tv. So you leave the rad where it is and put the TV in the right position....simple

He's already pointed out that there is no budget for a floating wall, which isn't necessary anyway. Moving the radiator wouldn't cost anywhere near as much as a floating wall so it's not that simple really.

vipergrm · 29-10-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VinylHogger

That's a brilliant idea actually. Where can I get such a cover? Where is MDF?

LOL - MDF is Medium Density Fibreboard

VinylHogger · 29-10-2009, 11:35 PM

Sorry that was very lazy of me. It took me about 5 seconds to find out what MDF is and it looks like it could be very useful indeed.

Looks like I'll have to just grow a set as she's still not keen on moving the TV.

peace1 · 29-10-2009, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gareth_alien

Re: the fire and rad. Send her away on a break and do it anyway. It's easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

lolol i agree

mr ooops · 29-10-2009, 11:59 PM

I still like the room how it is, very tidy etc, but can see where your coming from for wanting to change it, viewing distance looks quite big and glare from that big window.

could you not tell the good lady that you can keep the fire where it is, move the radiator to where the shelves are (by your front room door) you say your getting someone in to put the cable behind the skirting board, could you not divert this cost to moving the radiator? (although you good lady sounds dead against) then run th cables in the plastic conduit you can get from diy (sticks on bottom of skirting board) it looks tidier than it sounds.

daywalker21 · 30-10-2009, 10:49 AM

you can make your own radiator cover, it is a simple open ended box with either a grill or slots in the front for the heat to escape, few strips of MDF joined together and fixed to the wall. paint to suit your decore.

vipergrm · 30-10-2009, 1:36 PM

A "Viz" solution would be to never switch on the radiator. Instead use a seperate electric heater or just wear a big coat when the room gets cold.

philip5660 · 30-10-2009, 2:39 PM

Looking at all the above suggestions I think the only proper solution is to move the radiator. I don't see a radiator cover solving anything. You'll pull down the efficiency of the heater for one - and heat still rises......
Floating walls are cool too but then again i'd steer away from anything that obstructs the radiator.
Moving the radiator in itself might not be too bad - you'd really need to speak to a plumber.
It's potentially messy, if you have a solid floor screed you'll have to do some tracking (very dusty!) but then you're going to be tracking walls anyway. It all depends on where your pipes are coming from/going to.
Also you'll have two holes in your wooden floor - this can easily be rectified if you know where the previous owners got the floor from and you can get another couple of lengths.

HERE'S A DIFFERENT APPROACH......

why not mount the tv on the wall opposite the radiator? that way radiator can stay where it is, just put your sofa in front of it (not too close of course to let the heat out!)

OR HERE'S ANOTHER ONE:

Move the tv to the flat wall on the left (behind the door) then purchase a new door and hinge it on the other side so that it doesn't open across the TV.

VinylHogger · 30-10-2009, 3:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip5660

HERE'S A DIFFERENT APPROACH......

why not mount the tv on the wall opposite the radiator? that way radiator can stay where it is, just put your sofa in front of it (not too close of course to let the heat out!)

Unfortunately there is another pigging radiator directly opposite that one so it presents me with the exact same dilemma

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip5660

OR HERE'S ANOTHER ONE:

Move the tv to the flat wall on the left (behind the door) then purchase a new door and hinge it on the other side so that it doesn't open across the TV.

Now that would be an option. We could really do with moving in to the place so I can check all this out! I'm really anxious to get this done as soon as we get in to the place as I don't want to have to put furniture in the room and take it out again for the tracking.

Another suggestion is to just take the radiator away altogether and upgrade the one on the opposite side, i.e make it in to a double radiator. This is possibly the most likely outcome at the moment as I don't believe it should cost very much to upgrade the radiator