Projector in a room with an open side - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

JoeSoap · 2008-03-10, 05:48 PM

First, let me congrats those who did their own HTs. Especially those that hadn't done much building before. I've been on the fence whether to do it myself but I've just hired someone to the basement for me. While it will be nice to see it actually get done in a timely fashion, I feel that I'm missing out on something.

I have two beams which divides the basement into thirds. The entire area to be finished is about 31X29 with stairs taking about half of the middle third. The HT portion will be about 10' wide with the length up to 31'. I plan on seating at about 12-13' and the projector will be at 14-15'. I will put a half wall behind this area so it will leave room for something else but with the screen still visible. PokerChip's HT gave me the inspiration for the coiffured ceiling that will define the HT area.

Looking at the screen, the room's right side (from the seating area forward) will be open to the rest of the basement. I will have total light control but I'm wondering if it makes sense to go with a FP here? I suspect that there will be times when the rest of the basement will have some light. I like the idea of keeping it open but I'm wondering at what the result will be. I also wondered if a manual retractable curtain on the right side makes sense (although that would wait until after everything is in place to see what the result is).

I am hearing handicapped and my family are not audiophiles so I have another question. Part of the area on the far side of the basement may eventually get a bar and the screen will be visible. Would it makes sense to put B speakers by the bar? By B, I mean an extra pair on top of A. I have no idea how that would sound in the bar area and if it would it affect the HT area? Perhaps, I'll rough-in wires anyway.

dyslexic · 2008-03-12, 01:33 PM

Post a picture of your design so far and more people can get a feel for your concept. Mine has an open wall aswell and am thinking about the curtain idea - (although I'll be setting it up so that a wall can be thrown in later on - but don't tell my wife)....I'll be starting a thread soon on my progress...I have the bedroom and bathroom finally wired and can focus on the HT soon....

que3jxp · 2008-03-12, 02:28 PM

I have a 24 x 28 room that only has 16 x 18 used for the theater viewing and there is not a lot of issues with lighting.

The big trick is to use pot lighting and to have the wiring such that you have multiple zones so you can easily adjust the lighting. Although, with the pot lights, there is very little, if any, direct light striking the screen.

Probably the biggest thing is not the room but the choice of projector. If you get a light canon like the Panasonic AX-200 or pretty much any of the Epson home theater pjs, you will not have much of an issue. However, if you get say a Sony pj, you will have to take lighting into account a LOT more.

2008-03-10, 05:48 PM	#1
JoeSoap Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waterloo, Rogers Posts: 534	Projector in a room with an open side First, let me congrats those who did their own HTs. Especially those that hadn't done much building before. I've been on the fence whether to do it myself but I've just hired someone to the basement for me. While it will be nice to see it actually get done in a timely fashion, I feel that I'm missing out on something. I have two beams which divides the basement into thirds. The entire area to be finished is about 31X29 with stairs taking about half of the middle third. The HT portion will be about 10' wide with the length up to 31'. I plan on seating at about 12-13' and the projector will be at 14-15'. I will put a half wall behind this area so it will leave room for something else but with the screen still visible. PokerChip's HT gave me the inspiration for the coiffured ceiling that will define the HT area. Looking at the screen, the room's right side (from the seating area forward) will be open to the rest of the basement. I will have total light control but I'm wondering if it makes sense to go with a FP here? I suspect that there will be times when the rest of the basement will have some light. I like the idea of keeping it open but I'm wondering at what the result will be. I also wondered if a manual retractable curtain on the right side makes sense (although that would wait until after everything is in place to see what the result is). I am hearing handicapped and my family are not audiophiles so I have another question. Part of the area on the far side of the basement may eventually get a bar and the screen will be visible. Would it makes sense to put B speakers by the bar? By B, I mean an extra pair on top of A. I have no idea how that would sound in the bar area and if it would it affect the HT area? Perhaps, I'll rough-in wires anyway.

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2008-03-12, 01:33 PM	#2
dyslexic Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 22	Post a picture of your design so far and more people can get a feel for your concept. Mine has an open wall aswell and am thinking about the curtain idea - (although I'll be setting it up so that a wall can be thrown in later on - but don't tell my wife)....I'll be starting a thread soon on my progress...I have the bedroom and bathroom finally wired and can focus on the HT soon....

2008-03-12, 02:28 PM	#3
que3jxp Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fredericton, NB Posts: 3,174	I have a 24 x 28 room that only has 16 x 18 used for the theater viewing and there is not a lot of issues with lighting. The big trick is to use pot lighting and to have the wiring such that you have multiple zones so you can easily adjust the lighting. Although, with the pot lights, there is very little, if any, direct light striking the screen. Probably the biggest thing is not the room but the choice of projector. If you get a light canon like the Panasonic AX-200 or pretty much any of the Epson home theater pjs, you will not have much of an issue. However, if you get say a Sony pj, you will have to take lighting into account a LOT more.