Phil.LFC
Established Member
OK, this is it. Work is about to start on my project
We moved into this house a couple of years ago and the previous owners had converted one half of the double garage into a "family room".
It has been done properly, with timber floor, plastered walls, UPVC window etc. This saves me a load of hassle and work. "All" I've got to do is make a few alterations, redecorate and fill with AV equipment
I've spent the last few weeks planning and sourcing equipment for the room. We were using the room as a sort of home cinema room before, but it also became home for various other stuff, including treadmill, table, sofabed.
My previous equipment consisted of a Denon AVR2803 receiver, 37" Panny Plasma, Kef 5005 5.1 speaker system, PS3, and also a hi-fi separate system of Cambridge Audio Azur stuff and some Mordaunt Short MS914 floorstanders.
My new plan is to ditch the Plasma. I'll be using a JVC HD350 projector which I've just bought, a Onkyo 905 amp which I bought off here, PS3, then I'm going to use my 914's at the front together with a MS centre, then use the Kef 5005's at the rear and/or middle for 5.1/7.1. I'm going to have to paint my 914's as they're beech, and I want everything to be dark in this room.
I intend to put in a far bit of effort getting the room right. I have permission from SWMBO to do "what I want" in the room, which is great! In fact, I've even fitted a codelock on the door to the room that only I know the code for, as I want the whole project to be done "secretly" and have a grand opening for the family in a few weeks time
My wife has been involved in the planning though, mainly to do with budget, seating and other smaller details.
I can't wait to get on with it now. I'm off work all next week so intend to get quite a bit done then. I'll try my best to keep this thread updated on here for anyone who might be interested.
Thanks must go to all those that have posted their projects. I have read through loads over the last couple of weeks and they have provided me with much encouragement and inspiration. If I can achieve something even half as impressive as most of the projects on here I'll be well happy. I intend to do most of the work myself, although this won't be easy as I work full time and have two boys aged 11 and 12, so life can be hectic. I'm reasonably competent at DIY though, so I'm not too daunted by it all.
I have decided to go with a fixed screen after having a projector demo at fellow AVForum member KBFern's house. (Keith has been a great source of information and inspiration - cheers Keith ).
As I am going to have a fixed screen, I will need to block up the window at the end of the room (Where the garage door used to be). This will be a good thing in two ways. It will cut out all daylight, also it will reduce the amount of sound leakage I am getting through the window. I will probably block it up from the inside using some kind of framework filled with Rockwool. I'll paint it black on the side that faces the window, then from the outside it will just look like there is a black blind pulled down over the window. With the double glazing it will also have a certain amount of "mirror" effect from the outside.I might also make up a few more frames to use as acoustic panels along the walls.
I've already ordered some seating. 2 power reclining black leather chairs, which will be the main listening/viewing position, about 8 feet away from the screen, then a 2 seater at the back of these chairs, sat on a raised platform that I will build.
I have already tested the projector/viewing distances etc, so all seems good. (The PJ picture is stunning. I've tested the amp tonight too just in stereo and it sounds brill, outperforming my CA Azur, so it's going to sound fab, I hope, with movies when it's all set up properly).
I need to remove a CH radiator, which currently sits under the window. it's never worked very well since we've been here. I reckon the run is too long or there are too many rads in the system. I've decided to get rid of it and I've now ordered an Air Conditioning unit which is coming next week. This will also provide heat.
I'm thinking of going for a black and dark purple colour scheme, with plenty of lighting (Downlights, LED's, rope lights). I'm also thinking of using curtains to cover the fixed screen when not in use. These could also then come back into the room at the sides a little, again helping contrast. I may even get electric curtains. I'm also thinking of using them to mask when watching 16:9, by stitching some strips of upvc into the ends to provide a sharp edge.
Phew, sorry for the long post, think I've covered everything I need to do. It's just doing it now
A few photos to start with. They are of the room ready to be done and also a couple where I tested the PJ onto a temporary Ikea blackout blind.
We moved into this house a couple of years ago and the previous owners had converted one half of the double garage into a "family room".
It has been done properly, with timber floor, plastered walls, UPVC window etc. This saves me a load of hassle and work. "All" I've got to do is make a few alterations, redecorate and fill with AV equipment
I've spent the last few weeks planning and sourcing equipment for the room. We were using the room as a sort of home cinema room before, but it also became home for various other stuff, including treadmill, table, sofabed.
My previous equipment consisted of a Denon AVR2803 receiver, 37" Panny Plasma, Kef 5005 5.1 speaker system, PS3, and also a hi-fi separate system of Cambridge Audio Azur stuff and some Mordaunt Short MS914 floorstanders.
My new plan is to ditch the Plasma. I'll be using a JVC HD350 projector which I've just bought, a Onkyo 905 amp which I bought off here, PS3, then I'm going to use my 914's at the front together with a MS centre, then use the Kef 5005's at the rear and/or middle for 5.1/7.1. I'm going to have to paint my 914's as they're beech, and I want everything to be dark in this room.
I intend to put in a far bit of effort getting the room right. I have permission from SWMBO to do "what I want" in the room, which is great! In fact, I've even fitted a codelock on the door to the room that only I know the code for, as I want the whole project to be done "secretly" and have a grand opening for the family in a few weeks time
My wife has been involved in the planning though, mainly to do with budget, seating and other smaller details.
I can't wait to get on with it now. I'm off work all next week so intend to get quite a bit done then. I'll try my best to keep this thread updated on here for anyone who might be interested.
Thanks must go to all those that have posted their projects. I have read through loads over the last couple of weeks and they have provided me with much encouragement and inspiration. If I can achieve something even half as impressive as most of the projects on here I'll be well happy. I intend to do most of the work myself, although this won't be easy as I work full time and have two boys aged 11 and 12, so life can be hectic. I'm reasonably competent at DIY though, so I'm not too daunted by it all.
I have decided to go with a fixed screen after having a projector demo at fellow AVForum member KBFern's house. (Keith has been a great source of information and inspiration - cheers Keith ).
As I am going to have a fixed screen, I will need to block up the window at the end of the room (Where the garage door used to be). This will be a good thing in two ways. It will cut out all daylight, also it will reduce the amount of sound leakage I am getting through the window. I will probably block it up from the inside using some kind of framework filled with Rockwool. I'll paint it black on the side that faces the window, then from the outside it will just look like there is a black blind pulled down over the window. With the double glazing it will also have a certain amount of "mirror" effect from the outside.I might also make up a few more frames to use as acoustic panels along the walls.
I've already ordered some seating. 2 power reclining black leather chairs, which will be the main listening/viewing position, about 8 feet away from the screen, then a 2 seater at the back of these chairs, sat on a raised platform that I will build.
I have already tested the projector/viewing distances etc, so all seems good. (The PJ picture is stunning. I've tested the amp tonight too just in stereo and it sounds brill, outperforming my CA Azur, so it's going to sound fab, I hope, with movies when it's all set up properly).
I need to remove a CH radiator, which currently sits under the window. it's never worked very well since we've been here. I reckon the run is too long or there are too many rads in the system. I've decided to get rid of it and I've now ordered an Air Conditioning unit which is coming next week. This will also provide heat.
I'm thinking of going for a black and dark purple colour scheme, with plenty of lighting (Downlights, LED's, rope lights). I'm also thinking of using curtains to cover the fixed screen when not in use. These could also then come back into the room at the sides a little, again helping contrast. I may even get electric curtains. I'm also thinking of using them to mask when watching 16:9, by stitching some strips of upvc into the ends to provide a sharp edge.
Phew, sorry for the long post, think I've covered everything I need to do. It's just doing it now
A few photos to start with. They are of the room ready to be done and also a couple where I tested the PJ onto a temporary Ikea blackout blind.