A new home theater

[tranceport]

I have uploaded 2 photos of my home theater room as it is now here.

I have a 2 year old that is raising hell in here. We just moved and my old place had a built in location for the TV and gear. When we moved in I had a free wall mount bracket that came with my TV. My wife and I decided to go ahead and see if we like it mounted on the wall. We seem to like it and will run the cables behind the wall soon.

As you can see from the photo's there is some work to be done. I have plenty of room and can do whatever I like with the room.

Here is what I would like to accomplish.
1. Toddler to be unable continue to play with the cables. I think an a/v rack would be ok as long as cables were zip tied to the rack.
2. Equipment off the ground.
3. Location for all equipment.
4. Aesthetically pleasing

Inventory of equipment is as follows:
Xbox
Cablebox
AV Receiver
Wii
HTPC
Center channel speaker
2 wiimotes and nunchucks
4 xbox controllers

 

[krotchy]

You definitely need a nice well managed AV rack. Depending on what kind of budget you have a built in setup would be phenomenal, and it looks like that room could accomplish a pretty impressive one if you have the money.

Here is a way way overcomplicated one: http://www.corwell.co.uk/images/misc/large/mapleav3.jpg

Nice one but cramped again: http://richwooddesign.com/images/image461.jpg

Great spatial use, poor trim choices so it looks to cheap: http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2XGAb9-W...NlLHZQIMA/IMG_0354.jpg

TV instead of Swords = Sweetness: http://www.renaissancepainters...s/2008/05/dsc02042.jpg

If you took the 3rd example and used nicer wood and whatnot depending on your personality it can look really good.

Also my friend who is an architect put a really nice false stone wall behind the TV and some recessed ceiling lighting and it looks like it cost 10 times more than it did. Something like this: http://www.rv.org/picts/p17817_08.jpg


Beyond that a nice a high end wooden AV cabinet with glass doors would fit nicely as you can go wide/tall with your setup and it would fit everything. Something like this: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_6...html?showAll=N&tp=1139 (maybe a taller one though?)

For a budget setup a big wide metal and glass rack will probably be the sturdiest and most efficient way to get all of your equipment organized and there are lots of well priced racks in this category these days. Something like this: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_4...AVSC-2126.html?tp=1139


Note I am not suggesting these indivial units, I was just pointing out styling. Crutchfield tends to be overpriced.

 

[tranceport]

Originally posted by: krotchy
You definitely need a nice well managed AV rack. Depending on what kind of budget you have a built in setup would be phenomenal, with a high end glass enclosed AV rack coming in second. Beyond that a big wide metal and glass rack will probably be the sturdiest and most efficient way to get all of your equipment organized.

You can be my hero with some links to example racks.

I have tossed around the idea of a false wall and built in av rack. I actually recommended this to a family member who did it and it does in fact look phenomenal.

 

[krotchy]

Updating my original post as I find things.

 

[sivart]

www.studiotech.com, makes some sturdy, nice, home theater equipment.

 

[heyheybooboo]

could you post some dimensions and set a budget?

 

[tranceport]

The room is 15' x 17' 7", with the 17' 7" being the wall the TV is on.

Lets set a budget of $1500 USD for completion of the room. We can raise this as long as we have a good reason.

 

[heyheybooboo]

I don't know how 'handy' you are but it appears you have the budget and some interest in a fairly elaborate set-up. Is this DIY ? And by 'completion of the room' does that include the sitting area?

I would start by perusing some semi-custom casework. I picked these folks because they got good stuff, have a great variety of options and accessories, and will provide a matching can of finish for your own custom stuff.

Let's start with the middle 'unit' and work our way out. Lookee at the wall cabinets (pdf). Note the stock dimensions - primarily the depth (at 12- or 24-inches) and the height (12-, 15- or 18-inch).

There are various standard widths at 30", 36", 42", 48", 54" and 60" (and any combination there-in)

If you build a 2x4" base 'platform' on the floor you may set the wall cabinet unit(s) of your preference on top. I would dimension your center 2x4 base 12 inches 'max' out and overhang the front 3 inches with your wall cabinet unit(s). This is effectively a 'toe-kick' area and by 'holding out' the unit(s) from the wall you create space in the back of the cabinet for wires and outlet access. You can paint the toe-kick area black or use some of the matching stain.

With a half-round molding, plywood (or dimensional lumber) and the stain you may build a matching top (or 'shelf') placed over the casework. You can get as fancy as you wish. You can effectively build the center unit 16", 19" or 22" off the floor depending upon the height of the cabinet you select.

It actually doesn't have to be a working cabinet it can be a 'face-frame' with non-hinged panels (see pg 4) or a combination with a 'hiding place' for your Sub. You are limited only by your imagination (and budget-LOL). There are 75+ panel / door styles not including the 'Decorative Enhancements'. You don't even need 'doors' (the cabinet front may be open) if you don't want them. There are even 'cubby-hole' organizer units.

On the left and right sides of the center module it's up to you as to the type of casework, the style, the layout, the width, etc., and how you wish to organize your components. There is a complete line of matching entertainment center, home office and computer modules that may be combined into your overall design.

Standard base cabinets are 24 inches deep - Bathroom base cabinets (or 'vanities') are 18" or 21" deep. This creates a nice 'offset' from the center module. You could even expand the 2x4 base on the left and right modules and place standard 30-inch wall cabinets (maybe 21 inches off the wall), fashion a top for them and place a 12-inch deep bookshelf unit on top against the original wall. You could align the units with the entertainment module or offset them (my preference) and have a computer work area on one side.

17-foot of wall is a bunch of wall - LOL

And since you have a can of finish/stain you could fashion a matching 'surround' for your LCD panel with a cut-out for your center speaker. You may build or add on 'matching' modules as your time and budget permit.

And did I mention the fancy fluted millwork and moldings, corbels and trim ?

 

[The-Noid]

Sell the TV and buy a projector you have the ultimate room for a projector. It is quite easy to find a places to hide things behind the screen then .