Cinema rooms - what have you got?
Discussion
I'm starting to explore this myself, we have a redundant single garage and another small workshop attached that protrudes from the property. Overall, length is 7m and width currently 3m, we're looking at bulldozing it and then assuming planning permission is granted, rebuild to 7m long by 4.5m wide - single storey, no windows, dedicated home cinema room.
We went to the recent Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park, there were 3/4 home cinema firms promoting their solutions - for the best part of £40-£50k
I'm wondering if it's worth employing me instead to become a decent amateur and doing it myself? Many of them list on their websites what products they've installed in their example portfolios, so how hard can it be?
We went to the recent Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park, there were 3/4 home cinema firms promoting their solutions - for the best part of £40-£50k
I'm wondering if it's worth employing me instead to become a decent amateur and doing it myself? Many of them list on their websites what products they've installed in their example portfolios, so how hard can it be?
Bam89 said:
Evolved said:
Here’s my last room.
Sony 65” OLED
Denon AVR
Monitor audio surrounds with center.
BK 10” sub x2
Philips hue bridge and HDMI sync
All iPad controlled.
The iPad control is very intriguing.. obviously a very old post by Evolved, but does anyone know how to go about such a set up? I'm going to have a blank canvas for a TV wall in the living room of my new house once an internal wall is removed and a rewire takes place, so can do pretty much anything with it Sony 65” OLED
Denon AVR
Monitor audio surrounds with center.
BK 10” sub x2
Philips hue bridge and HDMI sync
All iPad controlled.
Edited by Evolved on Sunday 26th September 07:50
Key requirements are to have a Sky Q box, PS5 and Amazon Fire box hidden away as much as possible, I'm looking at a 77" LG TV and a Sonos Arc/Sub set up to get me started
Any thoughts on what I should be looking for to get cables hidden away and the iPad set up would be much appreciated!
I’ve actually sold that place and just finishing the new one. I perhaps oversold the iPad control.
I had the iPad to control the Philips hue via the bridge and also the HDMI sync box to interact with the Video feed. I also had it setup to control the Sony OLED and Denon AV amp. The Netflix and Amazon prime accounts were all triggered through the attached Firebox and everything routed through the AV amp.
In practice it worked like a seamless setup and impressed the new buyers, which was the aim.
Jurgen Schmidt said:
I'm starting to explore this myself, we have a redundant single garage and another small workshop attached that protrudes from the property. Overall, length is 7m and width currently 3m, we're looking at bulldozing it and then assuming planning permission is granted, rebuild to 7m long by 4.5m wide - single storey, no windows, dedicated home cinema room.
We went to the recent Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park, there were 3/4 home cinema firms promoting their solutions - for the best part of £40-£50k
I'm wondering if it's worth employing me instead to become a decent amateur and doing it myself? Many of them list on their websites what products they've installed in their example portfolios, so how hard can it be?
It really isnt that difficult to design and build a mid-ranged, well performing system and come in under half that.We went to the recent Homebuilding & Renovating Show at Sandown Park, there were 3/4 home cinema firms promoting their solutions - for the best part of £40-£50k
I'm wondering if it's worth employing me instead to become a decent amateur and doing it myself? Many of them list on their websites what products they've installed in their example portfolios, so how hard can it be?
Sourcing kit,understanding the configuration and maybe accepting a few little foibles and compromises and you will have a system that you know and enjoy.
Its just knowing who to ask!
My wife's laughing at me as I started running cable yesterday in the earmarked cinema room, yet bar having the cable already, funds will be going elsewhere for a while, so it's more me just having a bit of fun for now.
So just cabling. I thought I'd cable everything that I might or might not use. Then at least it's in the wall. The walls are open, so I can run anything.
I have allowed the middle speaker.
Dual runs to the front left and front right for possible bi amping, anyhow the wiring will be there.
Subwoofer allowance front left, front right and back left. Will probably runs dual subs.
Runs to mid left and right speakers.
Runs to back left and back right speakers.
Hope to then allow for 4 ceiling speakers.
I think one main viewing row and then possibly a second elevated row behind.
So with that theory, I want to put the wiring for the mid speakers level with the front row viewers or slightly behind? Either optimised for one row or compromised for two rows?
Then coax 2 runs (either for recording or a spare) to the front.
Cat6 runs to the front. I might run 4 as the switch is only next door.
I might also run a cat6 to the projector.
HDMI to the projector. I think this run will be around 6.5/ 7m. I believe I should be ok with a good 2.1 HDMI lead over an optical, but I'll put some conduit in for any possible changes.
Power obviously.
Have I missed anything for now? Will keep me busy for a while.
So just cabling. I thought I'd cable everything that I might or might not use. Then at least it's in the wall. The walls are open, so I can run anything.
I have allowed the middle speaker.
Dual runs to the front left and front right for possible bi amping, anyhow the wiring will be there.
Subwoofer allowance front left, front right and back left. Will probably runs dual subs.
Runs to mid left and right speakers.
Runs to back left and back right speakers.
Hope to then allow for 4 ceiling speakers.
I think one main viewing row and then possibly a second elevated row behind.
So with that theory, I want to put the wiring for the mid speakers level with the front row viewers or slightly behind? Either optimised for one row or compromised for two rows?
Then coax 2 runs (either for recording or a spare) to the front.
Cat6 runs to the front. I might run 4 as the switch is only next door.
I might also run a cat6 to the projector.
HDMI to the projector. I think this run will be around 6.5/ 7m. I believe I should be ok with a good 2.1 HDMI lead over an optical, but I'll put some conduit in for any possible changes.
Power obviously.
Have I missed anything for now? Will keep me busy for a while.
Edited by Gingerbread Man on Sunday 10th July 01:08
Sounds like you've got it covered, especially with the conduit (just make sure it's big enough to pull a HDMI cable through or similar). The two rows option is always going to leave some amount of compromise, so I'd focus on choosing the 'money seat' for the optimum sound/vision and compromise the other row if it comes to it. Having said that Tripole surrounds can help spread the sound around well (I didn't have surround backs in my Atmos set up until last year and they didn't really add much due to already having Tripole side surrounds if I'm honest).
RE the professional budget of £50k. Was that just for the equipment or installation/set up as well? Or including building/decorating works? For equipment only you could put something together for a fraction of that, especially if buying some parts used. However it does take a lot of research and probably some mistakes to end up with a working set up.
I daren't add up what I've spent over the years, but it became a hobby in itself (as often seems to happen reading on certain AV forums ) though I did eventually work out that buying used where I could meant I wasn't throwing money away with depreciation, especially on projectors.
To buy all my gear new now (where still available) I'd be looking at well over £35k, but I paid maybe 1/3 of that. Ex demo gear and used gear mainly and only new when there was no other option, but it took years of learning and gaining experience to be able to do it and end up with a decent working set up this way. Just depends on how far down the rabbit hole of equipment you want to go: I ended up really into the equipment, then realising that I don't actually use it that much for it's intended purpose as for me there isn't the content I'm interested in that I haven't already seen. I need to make the effort before this winter to look into films and series that I want to watch on the projector set up and get some use out of it...
RE the professional budget of £50k. Was that just for the equipment or installation/set up as well? Or including building/decorating works? For equipment only you could put something together for a fraction of that, especially if buying some parts used. However it does take a lot of research and probably some mistakes to end up with a working set up.
I daren't add up what I've spent over the years, but it became a hobby in itself (as often seems to happen reading on certain AV forums
) though I did eventually work out that buying used where I could meant I wasn't throwing money away with depreciation, especially on projectors.To buy all my gear new now (where still available) I'd be looking at well over £35k, but I paid maybe 1/3 of that. Ex demo gear and used gear mainly and only new when there was no other option, but it took years of learning and gaining experience to be able to do it and end up with a decent working set up this way. Just depends on how far down the rabbit hole of equipment you want to go: I ended up really into the equipment, then realising that I don't actually use it that much for it's intended purpose as for me there isn't the content I'm interested in that I haven't already seen. I need to make the effort before this winter to look into films and series that I want to watch on the projector set up and get some use out of it...
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Sunday 10th July 09:34
Harry Flashman said:
Anyone have a Theory Audio system?
Thinking of selling all of mine and going with one...
Theory Audio is really nice kit. Thinking of selling all of mine and going with one...
The power and presence of their soundbar system was stunning at thier UK tradeshow launch last year. Even with no surround speakers or even side/rear walls (typical exhibition shell scheme).
I think you can arrange demos (through a friendly dealer
) at Marlow if you want. Edited by VEX on Sunday 10th July 12:57
OldSkoolRS said:
Sounds like you've got it covered, especially with the conduit (just make sure it's big enough to pull a HDMI cable through or similar). The two rows option is always going to leave some amount of compromise, so I'd focus on choosing the 'money seat' for the optimum sound/vision and compromise the other row if it comes to it. Having said that Tripole surrounds can help spread the sound around well (I didn't have surround backs in my Atmos set up until last year and they didn't really add much due to already having Tripole side surrounds if I'm honest).
If this is me. Thanks for the response. I'm a plumber and had a bit of 50mm drainage pipe on the van, so the conduits plenty haha.I think I'm going to setup one seat/ row. The second seat is more for extra people if we have a few turn up. Seemed quite large a space for just one sofa.
Douglas Quaid said:
Looks good but ceiling looks horribly reflective. You could get some self adhesive flock and black that out to eradicate reflections and improve the experience hugely.
It's actually ok, the room doubles up as a playroom so couldn't go complete 'bat cave' dark. a bit darker would have been nice but happy with the compromise.It's certainly better than before
VEX said:
Theory Audio is really nice kit.
The power and presence of their soundbar system was stunning at thier UK tradeshow launch last year. Even with no surround speakers or even side/rear walls (typical exhibition shell scheme).
I think you can arrange demos (through a friendly dealer ) at Marlow if you want.
Thanks VEX - I may well do that. Was looking for a dealer, and the famy is from not too far from Marlow, so could shoot for that when home visiting Mum! The power and presence of their soundbar system was stunning at thier UK tradeshow launch last year. Even with no surround speakers or even side/rear walls (typical exhibition shell scheme).
I think you can arrange demos (through a friendly dealer
) at Marlow if you want. Edited by VEX on Sunday 10th July 12:57
Fired up my long unused optoma dlp (1080p) projector this week to watch top gun maverick and forgot how truly amazing it is at 135". Been sidetracked watching 4k on my 65" oled and forgot just how good an experience the really big screen is, and how good FHD still is, even at that size.
Might look into 4k projectors but I'm not sure I'm wanting for more detail at 1080p.
Might look into 4k projectors but I'm not sure I'm wanting for more detail at 1080p.
justin220 said:
I can't wait to try Top Gun Maverick on mine aswell, but tempted to try and resist temptation and hold out for when the Blu-ray is released
I've got the disc on pre-order: I promised a good friend of mine that we'd watch it on my projector as he happens to be visiting the next weekend after the disc comes out. I just hope it arrives in time.Griffith4ever said:
Fired up my long unused optoma dlp (1080p) projector this week to watch top gun maverick and forgot how truly amazing it is at 135". Been sidetracked watching 4k on my 65" oled and forgot just how good an experience the really big screen is, and how good FHD still is, even at that size.
Might look into 4k projectors but I'm not sure I'm wanting for more detail at 1080p.
Before I moved and had my PJ set up (also Optima, mitsubishi prior to that) I'd watch it and think how brilliant 1080P can be. Might look into 4k projectors but I'm not sure I'm wanting for more detail at 1080p.
Even my new £340 Panasonic 4k telly looks brilliant at 1080p.
VEX said:
Big UK trade show this week.
Anything specific people would like me to look out for??
V.
Kind of you to offer.Anything specific people would like me to look out for??
V.
I’ve been on the lookout for class D AV receiver to replace my 9 year old Denon 3000 series. My speakers are not very efficient and it’s a huge room with 4.5m high ceiling so the big Denon AV amp has to work pretty hard, the heat it puts out in use must be costing me on the leccy. Besides getting hot it’s fine, room optimisation/DSP has probably moved on in the past 9 years so that might be useful.
At least 7.1
4K pass through
eARC
At least 100W/Ch
Compact chassis would be nice but not a deal breaker if it’s full size
Let me know if you see anything (or know of anything) that fits the bill.
VEX said:
Big UK trade show this week.
Anything specific people would like me to look out for??
V.
An OLED TV that uses no more power than my current 50" Panasonic LCD...I don't think it exists, but given the energy crisis, maybe it's something manufacturers might make a deal of if they can do it.Anything specific people would like me to look out for??
V.
Otherwise I'm done upgrading; haven't had my system on since Glastonbury when we had friends over. Funny how you can get really into a hobby, then just lose interest.
To be fair it's been 25+ years, but so little content that interests me now. Just seems like demo crap to show off subs, Atmos or HDR.Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff